improvements 111 FOOLoans and the ne
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 5th Feb., 1898
I, JOHN HENDERSON, of 190, Fordneuk Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Football Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows: —
This invention which relates to improvements in the manufacture of footballs
and the like, has for its object to dispense with the sewing at present adopted in
the manufacture of such balls, and to produce a ball, the cover of which will be
completely waterproof, lighter, and more durable than the covers at present in use.
In carrying out my said invention I employ a round block constructed in several
pieces and fitted together to the pattern of a football. This block I completely
cover round with cloth or other such similar light material, which is coated over
with a strong solution and covered with a composition of india rubber and gutta
percha or other suitable waterproofing material. The composition is then tightly
compressed round the cloth by means of a press. The composition is then allowed
to dry and a hole is cut for the purpose of inserting the bladder, the various
pieces which constitute the block being withdrawn through this outlet.
Dated this 5th day of March 1897.
JOHN HENDERSON,
Applicant.
improvements 111 FOOLoans and the ne,
I, JOHN HENDERSON, of 190, Fordneuk Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Football Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention which relates to improvements in the manufacture of footballs
and the like has for its object to dispense with the sewing at present adopted in
the manufacture of such balls and to produce a ball the cover of which will be
completely waterproof, and more durable than the covers at present in use.
In carrying out my said invention I employ a round block constructed in several
pieces and fitted together to the pattern of a football. This block I completely
cover round with cloth or other such similar light material which is again coated
over with strong solution and covered with a composition of india rubber and
gutta percha or other suitable waterproofing material. The composition is tightly
pressed round the cloth by means of a press. The composition is then allowed

page_text: to dry and a hole is cut for the purpose of inserting the bladder, the various pieces
which constitute the block being withdrawn through this outlet.
Figure 1 is a plan of the apparatus employed in the manufacture of footballs
and the like according to my improvements. Figure 2 is a vertical section of
the apparatus representing the football in course of construction and Figure 3 is
the football removed from the moulds or matrices with an incision made in its
side in order to remove the sections of the block as hereinafter more fully referred
to.
A represents the block made of several pieces of equal or unequal parts, hollow
or solid, eight of which are shewn in Figure 3 but a less or greater number may
be employed and fitted together after the manner of the joints of an orange. Or
the said parts may form sectors or chords of the sphere, or the combination of
these, with locking surfaces formed with tongues and grooves, and may con-
veniently be made interchangeable. This block A with its respective sections
placed in the form of a sphere, is covered over with a suitable textile fabric B,
such as canvas cloth or like material, and this again is covered over with a
solutionized compound C of india rubber gutta percha or analogous waterproof
material. The said compound C is pressed against the block A by means of the
moulds or matrices 1) and E, when the aforesaid textile material becomes integral
therewith, and the outer cover of the ball is formed. An incision is then made
in the cover to allow of the sections of the block A being withdrawn, and to
permit of the bladder of the ball being inserted as seen in Figure 3. The moulds
or matrices D) and E, are formed of male and female members which are clamped
together by means of bolts F, placed in slotted holes G, Figures 1 and 2. These
are made of iron or other suitable metal, and the block is preferably formed of
same constituents.
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:-
In the manufacture of footballs and the like, the method and means substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and shewn on the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 31st dor of October 1897