Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1887
Complete Left, 17th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th June, 1888
I WILLIAM SYKES of Horbury near Wakefield in the County of York, Manu-
facturer of Athletic goods, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Footballs as now made are fastened at the mouth by a lace or spring, both of
which methods are inconvenient, and do not securely fasten the ball. I propose to
remedy these defects by having a flap consisting of a round or oval piece of leather to
fit in the aperture of a Football case, and attached on the outer edge of the case by
means of a leather hinge.
This flap is fastened down by having flanges, which fit into blocks on the inner
surface of the case.
By this contrivance a Football is made thoroughly secure, more convenient for
handling and takes less time to open or close, than by the other methods now
in use.

page_text: I WILLIAM SYKES of Horbury near Wakefield in the County of York Manu-
facturer of Athletic goods, 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:-
The methods of fastening a Football by a lace or spring are very inconvenient
and do not securely close the aperture. I remedy these defects by making a football
with a flap to answer the purposes of opening and closing the same. I arrive
at this result by taking one of the pieces of leather that is to make up the ball
and mark an aperture in or about the centre of such piece, of an oval shape;
measuring 2 by 14 inches; this part is cut out with the exception of a small piece
on one side 1 inch in length, which is left to act the part of a hinge. After the
various pieces of leather have been stitched together forming the case, the part
so cut out is lined with strong leather and fitted with a flange at each end, and
also one in the centre. Small pieces of leather are fixed on the inner surface of the
case forming blocks for these flanges to fit into; they are pressed into their places for
closing and released for opening the ball by means of a key made of wood or other
material provided with each ball.
In this manner a Football is constructed with a leather flap or door for securely
closing up the same, and by reason of this flap remaining attached by the small
hinge of leather before described, is rendered much more convenient for handling
and takes less time for opening and closing than by any other methods now adopted
in the making of a Football.
And in order that my said Invention may be clearly understood and readily
carried into practice I will proceed to describe the drawing herewith enclosed.
Fig. 1 shows the Football made with the Flap and opened; Fig. 2 the ball as closed;
Fig. 3 a plan in section of the ball; Fig. 4 the front and side of the Key; Fig. 5 plan
of blocks looking up; and Fig. 6 is a section of a portion of the ball.
The parts marked :-
A represents the Leather Case, B the leather flap or door, C the flanges D the
aperture which is closed by the flap, E the key as inserted into the ball for the purpose.
of opening it, F the blocks which fasten the flanges.
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. The making of a Football with a leather flap or door and fastening by means
of flanges for securely closing the aperture as herein before described.
Dated this 16th day of March 1888
WILLIAM SYKES.