Improved Game or Recreative Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1891-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Game or Recreative Apparatus.
I, JAMES EDWARD FARROW, of Broad Street, Pendleton, in the County of
Lancaster, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved appliance to be used in conjunction
with balls for the purposes of a game or of healthful recreation. It is designed
with the object of providing an apparatus which will serve or throw forward a
number of balls to one or more players and also provide a target or other
equivalent arrangement against or into which the balls are to be returned by the
player.
In carrying out the invention a stand or holder provided with springs and levers
is constructed in which the balls are placed. One lever is provided with a small
cup or other receptacle which will hold or receive one ball at a time and to this
lever is attached a suitable coiled steel or other spring. A second lever or arm is
attached to the first or works in conjunction with it by means of which it is drawn
back and set. Behind or beyond the first lever is a pivoted catch which engages
with a catch on the first lever and holds it back when the spring is expanded (or
compressed) and from which it can at any time be suddenly released with a jerk.
To the second lever or arm there is attached a cord and to the pivoted catch a
similar cord or other device by which they can be moved or controlled at a distance.
Over above the ball holder (or at any suitable position either behind or to one
side of it) is placed a target of any suitable form against or into which the balls
may be driven.
A hopper is provided of a size to contain any desired number of balls say from a
dozen to a score, from which the balls drop one by one into the cup-shaped holder
on the first mentioned lever. The two levers are preferably pivoted on the same
stud and the string attached to the second one also that attached to the pivoted
catch are carried forward and connected preferably to levers in the form of treadles
or pedals which can be moved by the foot or knee as may be found convenient. By
moving these levers the cords are pulled forward and in one case the levers are
pulled back until the first engages with the pivoted catch and in the second case the
pivoted catch is drawn back and the lever released. The spring may be connected
to the lever by an adjustable stud or hook so that the tension on the spring may be.
varied or adjusted if required. A spring buffer, or one formed of, india rubber or
other suitable material is provided to check and stop the first lever after being
released. The springs which actuate this lever may be placed in any convenient
position with relation thereto and may be so placed as to serve the double purpose
of propelling forward the lever and also of acting as a buffer to check or stop it.
In its simplest form the target will be placed above the levers and at present
prefer to make it of netting, canvas, or similar material with a number of pockets
into which the balls will fall as they strike it and from which they can be returned
to the hopper. The cup or holder from which the ball is projected may be made
to swivel or otherwise move so that it may be set to serve or throw the balls in any
direction as it may be fixed loose so that the direction in which the balls are served
or thrown may vary each time according to the position taken up by the holder.
If desired for an adjunct to the practice of such games as tennis or cricket the
target if desired may be dispensed with.
I
The apparatus may be made of various sizes either for out door or indoor use.
The player or players will be provided with a racquet or bar such as are at
present used in the laying of lawn tennis. rounders. cricket or other games.

page_text: When in use the player will be stationed at or near the treadle levers by depressing
one of these the first lever is drawn back and set, and the holder or cup receives
one ball from the hopper. When ready the second treadle lever is depressed and
the lever released from the catch the ball is thereby projected or served forward
either in the direction of the player or otherwise. The player with the racquet or
bat returns the ball towards the target the object being to strike the centre of it
with the ball.
.
Dated this 21st day of April 1890.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6. Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Game or Recreative Apparatus.
1, JAMES EDWARD. FARROW, of Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Machinist, 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:—
This invention relates to a new or improved appliance to be used in conjunction
with balls for the purposes of a game or of healthful recreation. It is designed
with the object of providing an apparatus which will serve or throw forward a
number of balls to one or more players and also provide a target or other
equivalent arrangement against or into which the balls are to be returned by the
player.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1, is a side elevation partly in section.
Fig. 2, front elevation (partly in section) on line a, .
Fig. 3, section on line y, y, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, perspective view.
In a stand or holder A. constructed of wood or metal I mount a combination of
pivoted levers which are actuated by springs and controlled and released by a cord
or cords or equivalent connecting mechanism. The lever B pivoted at the base of
the stand A is provided at its upper end with a small cup or other receptacle C of
a size to hold one ball at a time and to it is attached a coiled spring 6 by which
when it is released it is projected quickly forward to the position indicated by the
dotted lines. The lever B is drawn back from this position by the cord D or other
similar device and is stopped in its forward movement by the cord d.
Instead of a
pivoted lever and coiled spring attached thereto it is evident that a spring lever
may be employed.
A second pivoted lever or catch E works in combination with the lever B and
when the latter is drawn back to the position shewn engages with a small pin band
holds it in that position until released. The lever E is held up by the spring e or
it may be made in the form of a spring lever or catch. To the lever or catch E
a cord F is attached by pulling upon which the catch is drawn out of contact with
the pin & and the lever B released with a jerk.
By means of the cords D and F the apparatus can be operated or controlled at
any distance.
Over the ball cup C or in such a position as to deliver into it I place a hopper G
of a size to contain any desired number of balls say from a dozen or score from
which the balls drop one by one into the cup-shaped holder on the lever B. The
hopper is arranged so that one ball only will be delivered at a time for this purpose
a pivoted lever H, with two slides or catches his pivoted to the delivery end of
the hopper one of which is inserted as the other is withdrawn. The lever H, is
moved back by a finger I, projecting from the lever B, at each time the lever B, is
drawn back and the lever H, is moved forward again by the spring "cach time

page_text: the lever B, is released. By this movement one ball is delivered from the hopper G,
to the cup Ć, cach time the lever B, is drawn back.
Above the hopper G, I place a target or receptacle to which the balls are to
be returned. This target I prefer to make in the form of a conical net J, the
front or opening of which may be divided by rings or into any number of
divisions and the score will be determined by the division into which the player
returns the ball when projected forward by the lever B. The target J, how-
ever may be square, oblong or other shape and be provided with a series of
numerals and gongs to indicate the score.
The cords D, and F, attached to the levers B, and E, are carried forward
to any distance and are attached to levers or handles by which they can be
pulled. I prefer to attach the cord F, for releasing the lever B, to a treadle K,
and the cord D, for drawing back the lever to re-set it to a handle L, but it
is evident two treadles or two handles may be used if desired.
The spring may be connected to the fever B, by an adjustable stud or hook
so that the tension on the spring may be varied or adjusted if required. A
spring buffer or one formed of india-rubber or other suitable material may be
provided instead of or in addition to the cord d to check and stop the lever B,
after being released. The springs which actuate this lever may be placed in
any convenient position with relation thereto and may be so placed as to serve
the double purpose of propelling forward the lever and also of acting as a buffer
to check or stop it.
The cup or holder from which the ball is projected may be made to swivel
or otherwise move so that it may be set to serve or throw the ball in any
direction, or it may be attached loosely so that the direction in which the balls
are served or thrown may vary each time according to the position taken up
by the holder. If desired for an adjunct to the practice of such games as tennis
or cricket the target may be dispensed with.
The apparatus may be made of various sizes either for outdoor or indoor use.
The player or players will be provided with a racquet or bat such as are at
present used in the playing of lawn-tennis, rounders, cricket or other games.
When in use the player will be stationed at or near the treadle lever and
handle, by raising the handle L, the lever B, is drawn back and set and the
holder or cup C, receives one ball from the hopper G. When ready the treadle
lever is depressed and the lever B, released from the catch E, the ball is
thereby projected or served forward either in the direction of the player or
otherwise.
The player with the racquet or bat returns the ball towards the target, the
object being to strike the centre of it with the ball.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An apparatus for recreative purposes having a pivoted throwing lever
actuated by a spring by which balls are projected forward, a spring catch to retain
such lever, a target of a conical net or other form to receive the balls when
returned to the machine, a hopper to return the balls back to the throwing
lever and cords or other connections to set and release the throwing lever
substantially as described.
2. An apparatus for recreative purposes with the several parts constructed
and arranged substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 21st day of January 1890.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.