improvements in Footballs.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 6th Oct., 1894
improvements in Footballs.
1, WALTER SIMMONS of 11 Melbourne Street, Oswaldtwistle in the County of
Lancaster, Boot Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the method of and means employed for
lacing up, or fastening the hole through which the india rubber bladder is inserted
in footballs, the object being to close and lace or fasten the hole in such a manner
that neither the lace nor eyelet holes are exposed or visible, consequently there is
Do rough or uneven surface on the outside of the ball.
As heretofore constructed and laced, part of the lace was on the outside of the
ball and was very objectionable owing to the lace often coming into contact with
the faces of the players and abraiding the skin, and the lace was also liable to be
cut when kicked.
According to this invention a short tongue or flap of leather is left on each side
of the hole in the leather case of the football, and in these tongues or flaps I punch
the eyelet or lace holes. The flaps or tongues are now turned inside the case and
stitched so that the lace holes are just inside the case.
One end of the lace or string for lacing up the hole is passed through the first
hole on each side of the hole in the case, then brought back through the next hole,
and so on in a manner somewhat similar to stitching a boot.
When one lace has been passed through all the holes it is drawn tight conse-
quently the hole in the case is closed and then the ends of the lace or string are tied
together, or otherwise secured and the ends pushed inside the case.
Dated this 1st day of December 1893
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Penny Bank Chambers Halifax, Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Footballs.
I, WALTER SIMMONS of 11 Melbourne Street, Oswaldtwistle in the County of
Lancaster, Boot Maker, 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 improvements in the method of and means employed
for lacing up, or fasteuing the hole through which the india rubber bladder is
inserted in footballs, the object being to close and lace or fasten the hole in such a
imanner that neither the lace nor eyelet holes are exposed or visible, consequently
there is no rough or uneven surfaces on the outside of the ball.
As heretofore constructed and laced, part of the lace was on the outside of the
ball and was very objectionable owing to the lace often coming into contact with
the faces of the players and abraiding the skin, and the lace was also liable to be
cut when kicked.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention the following is a

page_text: complete description of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
in which :-
Fig. 1 shews the improvements in plan.
Fig. 2 side view partly in section.
Fig. 3 an enlarged view in section.
According to this my invention, each of the sections 1. 1 are cut so as to leave a
short tongue or flap 2.2 and through the latter the lace holes 3. 3 are punched and
are made larger than the lace so as to facilitate threading. The tongues or flaps
2. 2 are folded back under the case and stitched to their respective segments 1. 1,
the fold being made so that the lace holes are just inside the opening. The lacing
is effected by passing first one end of the lace 4 through the first holes 5. 5 on each
side of the case and afterwards each end of the lace passed in opposite directions
through the holes after the manner of hand stitching a boot, the opening being
drawn and contracted until each of its edges are brought into close contact and
form a butt joint practically one with the parts 6. 6 of the seam.
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 :-
The improvements in footballs comprising the flaps 1. 1 provided with lace holes,
the flaps being folded back inside and stitched to their respective segments 1.1 in
order that when the lace is tightened the outer portions of the folds form a close
or butt joint which is practically one with the seam 6. 6 as described and illustrated
by drawings annexed.
Lontanha 1001