SUSTAINING AT REGULATION HEIGHT AND KEEPING RIGID THE CENTRE OF LAWN TENNIS NETS
Year: 1884

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· PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
EDWIN JOHN HATTON 15 Saint Peter Street Hereford Boot Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for SUSTAINING AT REGULATION
HEIGHT AND KEEPING RIGID THE CENTRE OF LAWN TENNIS NETS to be as
follows:-
The Improved Stay consists of an upright rod of iron sustained by one, two,
three, or four feet entering the ground to a given distance.
From the top end of rod are drawn, or added to by welding, or fastened to by
any other means,-two small pieces of iron or other metal-the ends of each being
turned over, and slightly outwards, conversely to the other-with one or more
turns as required-forming a double eye-with sufficient space between each
eye to admit the cord in adjusting the same-The eyes to be made round, oval,
elongated or any other shape-and in any size whatever, required to fit the
different forms & sizes of nets, with cords or wires, plain, or bound with any kind
of material. Or the top or eyes of the stay may be made independently, in either
of the above forms, of any kind of metal, and attached to the iron upright by
screwing or any other means not yet determined.
Merits claimed for the above stay are simplicity, readiness of attachment or
removal, strength, and utility.
In use the stay is passed upwards from the bottom centre of net, alternately
through the meshes until the top cord of net is placed between the two eyes of
stay parallel with them-then by twisting stay to right or left as required the cord
falls under the ends of the turns through the double eye, when it is securely held
therein-The feet are then forced into the ground.
The net being properly maintained in the centre at regulation height is made
more rigid, and is not displaced or affected by the swiftest play, as nothing can
deprive the stay of its hold upon the net.

page_text: _ _ COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, EDWIN JOHN HATTON of fifteen Saint Peter Street, in the City of Hereford,
Boot Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for NETS USED
FOR LAWN TENNIS, OR ANY OTHER GAMES, OR PURPOSES, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The Improved Stay consists of an upright rod of iron or steel, sustained by one,
two, three or more feet, entering the ground to a given distance.
At the top end of the rod are formed, or fastened by any means, two points of
metal-each being turned over conversely to the other, and inclining outwards, in
a spiral manner, as required-forming a three quarter double eye-with sufficient
space between each eye, to admit the cord or upper support of the net, in adjusting
the same The eyes to be made round, oval, elongated, or any shape or size.
whatsoever, as may be required to suit the different forms and sizes of nets used
whether plain--or bound with any material, or suspended with cord, wire, or by
any other means whatsoever—Also the top part, or double eye of the stay to be made
independently in either, or all of the aforesaid, or any other form of any kind of
metal; and attached-by any means whatsoever-to any other form of base or
support.
In use the cord or wire of the top of net is placed between the eyes of the stay,
parallel with them; when by a twist of stay, or cord, the latter falls under both
ends of, and through the centre of the double eye; whereby it is securely held―The
feet are then forced into the ground-The net being properly and rigidly held in
the centre at regulation beight, is immovable in play, and better sustained than by
any stay hitherto used.
The invention is illustrated in the drawing accompanying the Provisional
Specification.
my said
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed-I declare that what
I claim is
1-Simplicity and strength.
2-Readiness of attachment or removal.
B-Utility as the net is so effectually held, that it cannot accidentally be
raised, depressed; or released from the eye of the stay-And it supplies a want to
Tennis players generally.