Year: 1896

page_text: I, HERBERT TOM LANSDOWNE, of 134 Coventry Road, in the City of Birmingham,
Teacher of Calisthenics, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists of improvements in appliances for fencing or sword
play, my object being to provide means whereby such exercises may be efficiently
performed without risk of injury to those engaged and with less fatigue than with
the ordinary appliances at present in use.
In the application of my invention I provide swords or single sticks preferably
of a light and flexible wood of a circular section, fitted with a suitable handle
and guard. At the point of the single stick I preferably attach a short length of
india-rubber, a spring, or other elastic body that will yield under a slight pressure.
I provide caps or masks to be worn by the fencers preferably of the "college
cappattern. At the corners or angles of the board or upper part of the cap or
mask, I secure spring or other suitable striking pieces, which are arranged to
stand either vertically or horizontally when in their normal position but to fall
away from such position when struck with the single stick or sword. As such
striking pieces are quite clear of the face and head of the fencers they are not
liable to personal injury from the attacks of their opponents but as a further and
complete protection I attach projecting guard pieces to the under side of the
board or upper part of the cap.
I also construct armlets with my spring striking pieces attached thereto or I
secure them in other positions upon the fencers.
For the purpose of indicating a thrust from a foil I provide pads or protectors
for securing across the chests of the fencers, and having movable striking pieces
thereon connected with a bell or other sounding or indicating appliance which is
brought into action when a striking piece is touched by the foil.
The object of each fencer during the exercise is to hit or touch the striking
pieces attached to the dress of his or her opponent, and as the lightest touch with
the sword or single stick is sufficient to displace such striking pieces from their
normal position and as such striking pieces in all cases project clear of the dress,
the wearer is effectually protected from any personal injury and is not fatigued
by the exercise.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, HERBERT TOM LANSDOWNE, of 134 Coventry Road, in the City of Birmingham,
Teacher of Calisthenics, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention consists of improvements in appliances for fencing or sword
play, my object being to provide means whereby such exercises may be efficiently
performed without risk of injury to those engaged and with less fatigue than with
the ordinary appliances at present in use.
In the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter referred
to,-
Figure 1 is an illustration of my improved sword or single stick.
Figure 2 is a front elevation, Figure 3 a side elevation, and l'igure 4 is a plan
representing one form of my improved mask with striking pieces, whilst Figures 5,
6 and 7 illustrate another form of the mask. The same reference letters in the
different views indicate the same parts.
In the application of my invention I provide swords or single sticks as shown
at Figure 1 preferably of light and flexible wood of a circular section, fitted with
a handle A and guard A. At the point of the single stick I form or secure a
flange or terminal piece A2 or I sometimes attach a short length of india-rubber,
a spring, or other elastic body that will yield under a slight pressure.
My mask B as illustrated by Figures 2, 3, and 4, are fitted with a cap B
preferably of "college" pattern. At the corners or angles of the board or upper
part of the cap, I secure a spring or other suitable striking piece as C, which are
arranged to stand either vertically or horizontally when in their normal position
but to fall away from such position when struck with the single stick or sword.
As such striking pieces are quite clear of the wearer's face and head, the fencers
are not liable to personal injury from the attacks of their opponents, but as a
further and complete protection I attach projecting guard pieces to the under side
of the board or upper part of the cap.
With the mask illustrated at Figures 5, 6 and 7, I employ in the place of the
cap B hereinbefore described a wicker or other hat or helmet such as D, and
mount the striking pieces thereon in suitable positions.
I also construct armlets with my spring striking pieces attached thereto or I
secure them in other positions upon the fencers.
For the purpose of indicating a thrust from a foil I provide pads or protectors
for securing across the chests of the fencers, and having movable striking pieces
thereon connected with a bell or other sounding or indicating appliance which is
brought into action when a striking piece is touched by the foil.
The object of each fencer during the exercise is to hit or touch the striking
pieces attached to the dress of his or her opponent, and as the lightest touch with
the sword or single stick is sufficient to displace such striking pieces from their
normal position and as such striking pieces in all cases project clear of the dress,
the wearer is effectually protected from any personal injury and is not fatigued
by the exercise.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1 The improved appliances for fanaing on am
11

page_text: 2. The use of movable or indicating striking pieces for fencing or sword play,
substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of July 1897.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.