IMPROVEMENTS IN RACKETS OR BATS USED IN PLAYING TENNIS AND SIMILAR GAMES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Quiggin, junior, Law Student, and Daniel Arthur
Quiggin, Engineer, both of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and Robert
Alexander Sloan, of. Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RACKETS OR BATS USED IN PLAYING
TENNIS AND SIMILAR GAMES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Quiggin, Daniel
Arthur Quiggin, and Robert Alexander Sloan at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents on the 29th Juno 1880.
WILLIAM QUIGGIN, junior, Law Student, and DANIEL ARTHUR QUIGGIN,
Engineer, both of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and ROBERT ALEXANDER
SLOAN, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RACKETS OR BATS USED IN PLAYING TENNIS AND SIMILAR GAMES."
The object of our Invention is to provide rackets or bats having advantages
over those at present in use in respect of strength, durability, neatness, and
adjustment of the net.
For that purpose we, under the first part of our Invention, make the frame or
rim of metal so combined with moveable parts that the area for netting within the
frame may be increased or decreased at pleasure, and at the same time that the
area is being increased or decreased the netting is being tightened or slackened.
A frame or rim of metal of C or other shape in transverse section has threefourths
or thereabouts of the netting connected thereto; the other fourth is attached to an
enlarging piece at the handle end. Upon moving the enlarging piece the frame or
rim is expanded or decreased. The means for operating the enlarging piece may
be varied. A screw through a nut inside of the handle answers well. The
expanding piece may be variously arranged in combination with a metal frame or
rim, or with a frame or rim of other material.
The second part of our Invention consists in using either a handle of metal,
wood, or other material in combination with the said metal frame or rim.
The third part consists in combining with the metal frame of rackets or bats a
netting of standard metal, phosphor bronze, or other wire or riband.
The fourth part consists in making rackets with double netting of fibrous..
material or metal, one at cach side, and placing excentric or other tightening
appliances between the double netting, but arranged to be operated from the
outside.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Quiggin, Daniel Arthur Quiggin, and Robert Alexander
Sloan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th December 1880.
WILLIAM QUIGGIN, junior, Law Student, and DANIEL ARTHUR QUIGGIN,
Engineer, both of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and ROBERT ALEXANDER
SLOAN, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RACKETS OR BATS USED IN PLAYING TENNIS AND SIMILAR GAMES."
The object of our Invention is to provide rackets or bats having advantages
over those at present in use in respect of strength, durability, neatness, and
adjustment of the net.
For that purpose we, under the first part of our Invention, make the frame or
rim of metal so combined with moveable parts that the area for netting within the
frame may be increased or decreased at pleasure, and at the same time that the
area is being increased or decreased the netting is being tightened or slackened.
A frame or rim of metal of C or other shape in transverse section has three fourths
or thereabouts of the netting connected thereto; the other fourth is attached to an
enlarging piece at the handle end. Upon moving the enlarging piece the frame or
rim is expanded or decreased. The means for operating the enlarging piece may
be varied. A screw through a nut inside of the handle answers well.
expanding piece may be variously arranged in combination with a metal frame or
rim, or with a frame or rim of other material.
The
The second part of our Invention consists in using either a handle of metal,
wood, or other material in combination with the said motal frame or rim.
The third part consists in combining with the metal frame of rackets or bats a
netting of standard metal, phosphor bronze, or other wire or riband.
The fourth part consists in making rackets with double netting of fibrous
material or metal, one at each side, and placing excentric or other tightening
appliances between the double netting, but arranged to be operated from the
outside.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Sheet I-Fig. 1 is a plan view, Fig. 2 an elevation partly in soction, and
Figs. 3 to 18 detail views of rackets or bats constructed under our Invention, and
illustrative of the various parts thereof. The metal frame or rim 1 and the
handle 2 are formed of one continuous piece of steel or other metal C shaped, as
shown by Fig. 3.. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the outer end of the handle,
which is formed by brazing or otherwise joining together the two ends of the said
steel or metal frame or rim; Fig. 5 is a section of the inner end of the handle
showing a strengthening ferrule; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a handle when the
metal rim or frame is elliptical in shape. The netting 3 is attached in part to the
metal frame and in part to the steel wedge piece 4. The said wedge piece 4 is
drawn towards the handle 2 when it is desired to tighten the netting by means
of the wire 5, scrow 6, and nut 7. The netting is connected to the frame by
passing through holes, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The nut 7 is of the same cross
section as the handle, so as apparently to form part of it; 8 is a bush or guide
for the screw at the end of the handle, and 9 is a guide secured to the screw to
prevent it from rotating to relieve the wire 5 from torsion; 10 are pieces of
steel inserted in the frame for the wedgo piece 4 to act against. The said
wedge piece may receive motion by the methods hereinafter shown; the handle
may be made parallel instead of taper, and the frame or rim and handle may
be formed of two or more pieces of metal brazed together; or the handle may
be of wood, as hereinafter described. The action of the apparatus is as follows:—
It will be seen that nearly all the longitudinal strings are attached at one end to

page_text: the wedge piece 4, therefore by drawing down the wedge piece the said longi-
tudinal strings are tightened, and tend to draw down the crown of the frame or
rim, and expand such frame or rim laterally. Moreover, drawing the wedge from
down between the pieces of metal 10 still further tends to expand the frame or
rim laterally, and thus tighten the cross strings of the netting. The netting may
be attached to the frame or rim in any ordinary manner, either plain or as Gibraltar
netting, and the said netting may be formed of cat gut, metallic wire or riband, or
other suitablo metal.
In the following views the same numbers denote parts like to those above
described:-
Figs. 8 to 18 show different methods of stringing or securing the netting to the
racket or bat. In Fig. 8 a deep groove or corrugation is formed, so that the cord
lies therein, and is protected from injury.
In Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12 complete tubes are employed, and the cat gut or
stringing material is passed through holes in the opposite sides thereof.
Figs. 10 and 11 show a method of double netting, that is to say, of forming a
notting on each side of racket or bat. Fig. 12 shows the netting formed entirely
on the front side of bat, so that the frame or rim may not interfere with the play.
Both these latter methods of stringing may be applied to wooden bats.
Figs. 13 and 14 show another method of stringing for metallic frames or rims.
Here a strip of sheet steel is reeved inside of the rim, and a piece of steel wire is
looped through a series of holes in it. This wire projects in a series of eyes or
loops inside of the rim, and the netting is secured thereto.
Figs. 15, 16, and 17 show a modification of the above method. Hero a piece of
sheet steel 11 is notched all along one edge, and has a series of lugs 12 bent
alternately on opposite sides. This strip of steel is slipped inside of the rim, as
shown in section at Fig. 17. Fig. 18 shows a section of a T iron strip, which may
be employed instead of the strip 11.
In all the above systems of stringing each string may be formed of one piece,
and knotted or otherwise secured at each end; or the strings may be in long
lengths passing from one loop to another. If desired the handle and rim are not
formed of one continuous tube, but are brazed or soldered together, and the parts
may be of elliptical or other suitable section. To give a better grip the handle
may be fluted or formed with an embossed or diaper pattern, or may be covered
with leather, cork, or other suitable material.
Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate another construction of racket or bat, in which the
handle is loose and capable of rotation. The ends of the tube forming the frame
or rim aro brazed or soldered inside of a thin steel tubo 14, as shown in Fig. 20.
This tube is slightly taper and truly circular in section, being smaller in diameter
at the end next the handle. The end of the handle is made a good fit over this
short conical tube, and it is split, as shown at 15, to give it spring. 7 is a brass
nut firmly soldered into the handle, and it will be at once seen that by turning the
handle round, while the remainder of the bat is stationary, the screw 6 is drawn
up and with it the wedge 4; by this means the netting is tightened. 16 is a
brass ferrule, which encircles the handle near the rim, and which is milled so as to
give a better grip. When it is desired to turn the handle the ferrule 16 is twisted
and slid back, so as to allow the end of handle to spring slightly open. When
the handle has been turned sufficiently the ferrule is pushed along as far as
possible, and locks the handle firmly to the remainder of the racket or bat.
Fig. 21 is a plan view of another form of metallic racket or bat. The frame or
rim is cut in two at 17, and the two ends slide one within the other, so as to form
a telescopic joint. Motion is obtained by the screw 18 working through the nut 19,
and the frame or rim is clamped by bolts and nuts 20; 21 is a gussot piece of
steel secureing the stationary portions of the rim together; 21* is a piece of steel
or metal hung on the pivot 22. Any desired number of the longitudinal strings of
the netting are attached to the said piece of steel or metal, and the tension on the
strings is thereby equalised.

page_text: Fig. 22 is a plan view of another modification of racket or bat. Here the
telescopic joint is introduced into both sides of the frame or rim, the details of each
joint being as above described. The piece 21* is dispensed with, and the netting
is secured directly to the gusset 21.
Sheet II-Figs. 23, 24, and 25 show another modification of metal formed 5
rackets or bats. Hero, as in preceding bats, there is a telescopic joint in each side
of rim, but the mechanism for actuating the parts is different. 23 are two brass
bell cranks or bent levers centred upon the pins 24* rivetted into the steel gusset
plates 21, which said gusset plates are brazed or otherwise secured to tho
stationary part of frame or rim. The said levers 23 are drawn down by means 1
of the brass rod 5. The said rod 5 is actuated by any of the means herein before
set forth.
The motion of the levers is communicated to the frame or rim by means of the
bolts 20, which each pass through short slots in the levers 23.
Fig. 26 shows a racket or bat similar to that described under Fig. 22, except
that the means for actuating the expanding frame or rim is different. In this case
the motive power is applied to the screw 26 by means of the square head through
the
agency of a wrench or podgor. The said screw is centred at each end between
the strong rivet 27 and the piece of brass 28. The nut 29 travels upon the said.
screw 20, and its motion is conveyed to the frame or rim by means of the two
links or struts 30.
When it is desired to expand the rim in order to lighten the netting the nuts on
the screws 20 are slackened, so as to release the moveable part of the frame or
rim; the screw 26 is turned, so as to draw the nut 29 towards the head of the
screw. By this means the links 30 and bolts 20 and 20* are moved to the right,
and the frame or rim is pushed outwards. The slots through which the bolts 20
slide are cut through the stationary part of frame or rim. The bolts 20* on the
other, hand are stationary, and the slots therefore cut in moveable part of rim.
The above remarks also refer to Fig. 23. Fig. 26× is a section through the pin 27.
After expanding the frame or rim the nuts on bolts 20 and 20* are tightened, so 3
as to clamp the said frame or rim in its new position.
Fig. 27 is a plan view, Fig. 28 a side elevation, and Figs. 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33
detail views of modifications of rackets or bats with wood rims. Fig. 29 is a
horizontal section through centre of rim along line 33. The rim is split or sawn
through horizontally in order to admit the movable steel wedge or gusset piece 4. 3
The slit should just be sufficiently wide to allow wedge or gusset to slide freely in
it. 34 is a steel pin, which passes through the racket or bat, and is securely
riveted to the steel plates 35 upon cach sido of the bat. The said steel plates
are further secured to the bat by the through rivets 36, and at 37 they encircle
the handle and are overlapped, so that when rivetted they form a ferrule or
band.
In the wedge 4 there is a slot 38, which fits easily round pin 34; tho latter acts
as a guide for the motion of wedge 4.
40 is a brass lever or bell crank, whose boss is bored and fitted freely on pin 34.
The crank pin 41 fits in a short slot in wedge 4.
The motive power for pulling down the wedge is applied by means of the
screw 42 and milled wheel 43. Instead of a milled wheel a head may be provided
on the screw to be turned by a spanner, key, or podger.
44 is a brass nut fitting on screw and rivetted to lever 40, so that it can slightly
rotate.
By turning the milled wheel 43 in the proper direction the nut 44 is drawn
towards 43, the crank pin 41 rotates to the left, and the wedge 4 is drawn towards
34. 45 is a brass washer for receiving the thrust of screw 42. If necessary it
may be enlarged sufficiently to reach the edges of plates 35, and so transmit the
thrust to them, relieving the wooden rim from said thrust.
Fig. 33 is a section through E, F. It shows a piece of sheet steel, which is bent

page_text: round the rim and secured inside of the horizontal slit by rivets. The object of
this piece of steel is to receive the thrust of the wedge 4.
Fig. 34 is a plan view of another form of racket or bat with wooden rim and
handle.
The rim is cut at the point 17, and a telescopic joint is introduced as previously
described in connection with metal frames. A piece of thin sheet steel 46 is folded
around three sides of the rim, and is securely rivetted in position to one portion of
the frame or rim by rivets 47. It is secured to the other portion of the rim by
means of the two bolts 20. These bolts pass through a slot 49, from which it will
be seen that while the bolts 20 remain stationary the portion of the frame or rim
containing the 4 rivets 47 can slide to the right. The nuts on bolts 20 are slacked
when it is desired to expand the frame or rim. The screw 18 is turned by means
of a wrench or podger, and the nuts on bolts 20 are then tightened, so as to
securely clamp the rim in its new position and avoid any shake.
50 is a piece of sheet steel doubled over the left hand portion of the frame or
rim in order to tie it securely to the wooden gusset piece 21.
21* is a piece of sheet steel to which longitudinal strings of netting are attached;
the said piece is balanced upon a rivet or pivot 22, as hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention in such manner that others will be enabled to carry our improvements
into effect, we claim,―
Under the first part, rackets or bats having a frame combined with moveable
parts, operating substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
Under the second part, rackets or bats having a metal or wood handle in
combination with the improvements set forth under the first part.
Under the third part, combining a netting of metal wire or riband with the
improved rackets or bats set forth under the first and second parts.
Under the fourth part, rackets or bats constructed with netting and tightening
appliances, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Quiggin, junior, and Robert
Alexander Sloan, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty
eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.
JA'. JOHNSON,
Patent Office,
4, Clayton Sqr.,
L'pool.
Witness.
W. QUIGGIN, J.
(L.S.)
ROBERT A. SLOAN. (LS.)