Supports for Lawn Tennis Poles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Supports for Lawn Tennis Poles.
1, EDWARD FULLER MAITLAND, of Garth House, R.S.O., Breconshire, Gentle-
man, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
A flat bar rests on the ground into one end of which the lower end of a pole is
fitted. At the other end of this bar a rod is hinged, the upper part of which grasps
5 and supports the pole near the top. The pole bar and rod thus form a triangle.
The net is tightened by the upper part of the rod being slipped down the pole.
Dated this First day of May 1890.
EDWARD FULLER MAITLAND.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Supports for Lawn Tennis Poles.
I, EDWARD FULLER MAITLAND, Garth House, R.S.O., Breconshire, Gentle-
inan, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My invention has reference to the production of an efficient device to serve as a
support for retaining the nets of lawn tennis poles in position. It consists essentially
of a flat bar, which rests upon the ground, into one end of which the lower end of
the pole or equivalent vertical support is fitted, and, at the other end of the bar a
diagonal rod is hinged the upper part of which grasps and supports the pole near
the top; the pole thus forming the side, the bar the base and the diagonal rod the
hypothenuse of a triangle. The net is tightened when the upper end of the
diagonal rod slides down the pole.
In order that my invention may be the better understood have appended the
accompanying drawing in which Figure 1, is an elevational view illustrative of my
said invention, and Figure 2 a plan of same. Figures 3 to 9 inclusive show detail
views hereinafter more particularly referred to, similar letters of reference denoting
like or corresponding parts throughout.
The flat bar B, which I make by preference of iron, rests upon the ground parallel
to and immediately below the net. At a convenient point on the bar B and near
the end which is farthest from the net, the pole A is fitted, by its lower extremity,
either by a hinge joint E Figure 6, or by small trumions as at F, Figure 7, engaging
lugs on the bar B. I prefer however to form the lower termination of the pole A
with a T end D which passes through a corresponding hole e Figures 8 and 9, and,
on being turned through a quadrant of a circle prevents the pole from being with-
drawn. At the opposite or inner extremity of the bar B a diagonal rod or bar C.
somewhat longer than B, is hinged at b, and meets the pole A at a point near the
top: the bar C terminating in a semi-circular sleeve or catch piece which grips
the pole A. If necessary I rectify any tendency of the catch piece C¹ of the bar ('
to slip by forming either a rough or notched surface on the pole A or on the
sleeve piece C, or, the pole may be formed with teeth or serrations engaged by a
projection or pawl Figure 4; or, instead of such a surface a layer of india rubber
or other adhesive material may be inserted in, or otherwise be adapted to the
pole A and sleeve piece (", Figure 5, the latter being here shown pivoted to the
rod or bar C.
In order to prevent the bar B from becoming unplaced owing to the strain on
the net I provide same at any convenient part of its length with radial or lateral

page_text: arms a also resting on the ground and formed with fixed projections a¹ or with
loose pins a Figure 3 for insertion into the ground.
The action of adjusting the height of the net is as follows:-
Assuming that the net is to be attached to the pole or the slack to be taken up
the latter is slightly inclined towards the net, the top cord or wire of which is
fastened to the top of the pole, as shown in dotted lines Figure 1. The pole is
then pulled outwards until the hinged bar C falls by its weight and holds the pole A
in the position necessary for retaining the net taut."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I claim
is :-
1. The improved support for lawn tennis poles substantially as set forth.
2. In a support for the poles of lawn tennis nets the use in combination with a
horizontal bar B and pole A. of a diagonal hinged bar, rod or equivalent C, disposed
and acting in the manner specified, and means for fixing the pole A to the bar B
and for preventing the catch piece of the rod or bar C slipping on the pole A,
aubstantially as herein described and as shewn Figures 1 to 9 inclusive of the
accompanying drawings.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, W.C., Agent for Applicant.

page_text: FIG: L
R