IMPROVEMENTS IN BATS FOR RACKETS AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Watkins Trimmings, of Holloway, in the County.
of Middlesex, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BATS
FOR RACKETS AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES."
Sealed the 7th May 1878, and dated the 9th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Watkins Trimmings
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th November 1877.
SAMUEL WATKINS TRIMMINGS, of Holloway, in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BATS FOR RACKETS AND OTHER
GAMES."
SIMILAR
The object of my Invention is to prevent the gut strings of racket and other like
bats from getting slack, and the Invention consists in fitting a band of vulcanized
india-rubber or other suitable elastic material round the hoop of the bat, and by
preference in a groove formed for the purpose.
•
The strings are first passed through a hole on one side of the band, and after being
carried over the band are returned through a hole on the other side, and then
pulled tight, thereby compressing the band. The elasticity of the band, that is to
say, its tendency to resume its normal position, effectually keeps the strings tight.
A further advantage resulting from my Invention that the strings are not liable
to get cut, as in ordinary bats, because they pass over the elastic band instead of
over edges of wood.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Watkins Trimmings in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th May 1878.
SAMUEL WATKINS TRIMMINGS; of Holloway in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BATS FOR RACKETS AND OTHER SIMILAR
GAMES."
The object of my Invention is to prevent the gut strings of racket and other like
bats from getting slack, and the Invention consists in fitting vulcanized india-
rubber or other suitable elastic material round the hoop of the bat, and by preference
in a groove formed for the purpose.
The strings are first passed through a hole on one side of the india-rubber, and
after being carried over the rubber are returned through a hole on the other side,
and are then pulled tight, thereby compressing the rubber. The elasticity of the
rubber, that is to say, its tendency to resume its normal form, effectually keeps the
strings tight.
A further advantage resulting from my Invention is that the strings are not
liable to get cut, as in ordinary bats, because they pass over the elastic material
instead of over edges of wood.
The accompanying Drawings represent one of my improved bats; Figure 1 being
a front view; Figure 2, a side or edge view; and Figure 3, a transverse section.
A is the handle, and B is the hoop, which is formed with holes as usual for the
passage of the strings: Round the outside of the hoop I make a groove C to
receive a strip or band D of vulcanized india-rubber, which I prefer to be circular
in section, and which I cover with thin leather or other suitable material.
As has been already explained, the strings are first passed through a hole on one
side of the rubber D, and after being carried over it are returned through a hole on
the other side, and are thus pulled tight, thereby compressing the rubber, as seen in
the Figures.
And having now described the nature of my said Inuention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim, manufacturing bats for rackets,
and other similar games, with vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable elastic
material fitted round the hoop, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described, and represented in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Watkins Trimmings, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-eight.