Improvements in Apparatus for Marking Out Lawn Tennis Courts and for Analogous Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 20th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1887
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Marking Out Lawn Tennis Courts
and for Analogous Purposes.
1, EDWARD SNOW, of Brookfield, Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, Carpenter do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a new apparatus to be used for marking out Lawn Tennis
Courts, and analogous purposes, in an improved manner, whereby the flow of the
coloring matter on to the marking wheel is regulated more effectually than hitherto
has been the case.
In carrying out my invention I form a vessel of any suitable size or shape, which
vessel may be mounted upon one or more wheels, according to the nature of the
requirements for which it is to be used.
În regulating the flow of the coloring matter on to the marking wheel, that part of
the bottom of the vessel immediately above the marking wheel, is provided with one
or more small holes or slits, through which a very small stream of coloring matter
may flow on to the wheel, the flow is regulated or stopped by a small cover which is
held down over the holes by a suitable spring. From this cover extends a chain, cord
or rod to a lever handle, which when actuated raises the cover, and so lets out through
the holes, on to the marking wheel, sufficient coloring matter to make a continuous
line on the ground, as the machine is wheeled along.
Spikes are provided upon the cover to prevent the holes from becoming filled up
with the coloring matter, and a suitable guard is fitted over the marking wheel to
prevent the wheel from becoming clogged with leaves, grass or other matter.
For ordinary marking purposes I prefer to use a vessel of the shape of an inverted
prismoid but it is obvious that any shaped vessel, mounted on any number of wheels,
may be used as the regulating mechanism is not varied by the shape of the vessel.
Dated 21st January 1887.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: and for Analogous Purposes.
I, EDWARD SNOW of Brookfield, Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, Gardener, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of my invention is to manufacture an improved apparatus for marking
out Lawn Tennis and other Courts, and analogous operations.
In carrying out my invention I fit over or upon the marking wheel, a vessel of any
suitable size and shape, to contain the coloring matter, with a suitable opening in the
bottom, fitted with a regulating valve, so that the coloring matter may be allowed to
fall upon the marking wheel as it revolves, such wheel conveying the coloring matter
to the ground to be marked out as a Court.
The apparatus may be mounted upon one or more wheel or wheels.
For regulating the flow of the coloring matter on to the marking wheel, that part
of the bottom of the vessel immediately above the marking wheel, is provided with
one or more small hole or holes or slits, through which small streams of coloring
matter may flow on to the wheel:-the flow is regulated or stopped by a valve which is
held down by a suitable spring or springs.
The valve may ho raised by the operator by means of a chain, cord, rod, or wire, in
connection with a lever handle which actuates the cord and raises the valvo; and the
raising of the valve lets out on to the marking wheel, sufficient coloring matter to
make a continuous line upon the ground, as the machine is wheeled along.
The valve is provided with projecting points or pins passing downwards through
the outlet to prevent the same becoming stopped up with the coloring matter, and a
suitable scraper or guard is fitted over the marking wheel, to prevent the wheel
becoming clogged with leaves, grass or other matter.
For ordinary marking purposes I prefer to use a vessel of the shape herein after
described; but it is obvious that a vessel of any other shape, mounted on any suitable
number of wheels, may be used, as the regulating mechanism is independent of the
shape of the vessel.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are sectional elevations, shewing three methods of carrying out my
invention. Fig. 4 is an elevation shewing one form of the complete apparatus, and
Fig. 5 is a plan of the same.
a is the wheel, upon the periphery of which the coloring material falls from the
outlet c. bis the vessel for holding the coloring matter. The vessel 6 is mounted
above the wheel a by brackets or other ordinary appliances. d is a valve (preferably

page_text: formed of india rubber) for stopping and regulating the outflow of the coloring
matter.
In Fig. 1 the valve d is held down by two spiral springs e e, which press upon the
bar, to which the valve d is attached. g is a string, cord, chain or wire, for raising
the valve d, by hand, and permitting the coloring matter to fall upon the wheel in
large or small quantities, which the wheel transfers to the ground, thereby marking
the court. is a scraper or guard fixed to the bottom of the vessel b, for removing
dirt and leaves from the wheel as it revolves.
In Fig. 2 the valvo d is shown fitted to a lever f", pivotted at h; and in Fig. 3 the
lever consists of a spring bolted to the vessel at m.
In each of these arrangements, the valve may be opened by means of the cord g,
the quantity of coloring matter being regulated as required.
One two or more spikes or points n, projecting downwards is or are fitted to the
valve, to clear the ports from obstruction.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, o p are two handles fitted to the vessel b. Over the
handle p the lever is fitted, hinged to the vessel, as shewn. s is a roller or pulley,
over which the cord or chain g is passed, the end being fastened to the lever r.
When the apparatus is in use, the operator holds the handle o with the left hand,
and the handle p and lover with the right hand. By depressing the lever r the
valve d may be opened, as required, to regulate the flow of the coloring matter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In the construction of vessels for the purpose aforesaid, the application and use
of holes or slits, and the method of closing, opening and regulating the flow of coloring
matter, on to or upon the periphery of the wheel, by means of a valve d and spikes n,
mounted and operated substantially as herein before described and shewn on the
drawings.
2. The method of lifting the valve d, by passing the cord g, or its equivalent, over a
roller or pulleys, and attaching the same to the lever handle r, substantially as herein
before described and shewn in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.
3. The general construction, combination and arrangement of the several and
respective parts, together forming my improvements in Tennis Court Markers, sub-
stantially as herein before described and shewn on the drawings.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.