Nets to their Supports.
Year: 1885

page_text: Nets to their Supports.
" AN
I, WILLOUGHBY HAMILTON POWER, of Barkestone, Bottesford, in the County of
Leicester, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVED METHOD OF ATTACHING LAWN TENNIS, AND OTHER, NETS TO
SUPPORTS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
THEIR
The object of my invention is an improvement in the methods, in vogue at the
present time, for keeping lawn tennis, and other nets similarly placed and used,
as tight as the nature of the game, or the requirements of the particular cir-
cumstances under which the net to which my invention is applied render
necessary,
It has always been found a difficult matter to keep the top of a net supported
by its ends from two vertical poles, properly and satisfactorily tight, during the
time it is in use.
Numerous methods have been suggested for achieving this end, but my inven-
tion is characterised by a combination of rigidity and elasticity which render it
capable of counteracting and absorbing the various strains to which the net may
be subjected, this combination being its distinguishing feature.
In carrying out my invention, I make use of a spring of either metal, india-
rubber, or other suitable elastic material. If the spring be a metal one, it is of
steel, or iron, and of a spiral form. One end of the spring is fixed to the net pole,
at a point about midway between top and bottom, while the top of the spring
terminates in a pulley, around which the top rope of the net is passed and carried
thence to the rigid point to which it is fastened.
The top rope having been pulled straight, the ends are mado tight, and the net
is fixed. Each time it is struck, or strained, it is not the final points to which the
rope is fastened that are strained, nor the rope itself, but each strain is divided
between, and absorbed by the springs above described, which immediately return
to their normal condition, and the top rope is as tight as at first.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same may be carried
into practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe the
same in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures which are to be
D

page_text: taken as part of this specification, and read therewith, and in which like parts are
marked throughout with the same reference letter.
Figs. 1 and
are, respectively, front and end elevation of a net pole fitted with
my invention, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the adaptation of my
invention to a lawn tennis net.
A, A, are the poles or standards. B is the spring, one to each pole, represented
as spiral and metallic although I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do not
confine myself to the use of either metallic or spiral springs, as my invention
admits of the use of a spring made of indiarubber, or similar material, provided
that it can be endowed with sufficient resilient power without being obtrusively or
inconveniently bulky.
The (preferably) lower end of each spring is fastened to the pole, in any
convenient way, by means of a hook and eye, or any other equivalent device;
while the top of the spring is formed so as to conveniently connect with a
pulley C.
D is the top rope of the net. The ends of the rope are passed downwards over
the top of their respective posts, and under the pulleys, C, whence they are taken
to the final points of attachment.
These are represented in the figures as simple cleats, E; although I do not
confine myself to the device shewn, as any suitable one may be used, and, if
advisable, the rope may be passed round a second pulley fixed in any suitable way
to a convenient fixed point.
To prevent the rope being frayed against the tops of the poles I may use
pulleys F, F, of the proper diameter.
The poles are of wood as usual, but the bases, A', are preferably of iron, and of
a tripod shape, each foot having a spike, a of a suitable length and section. By
making the bases of iron, I secure strength and durability, and the addition of
spikes gives them so firm a hold of the ground that the bases can be made as light
as is consistent with strength, although of iron. With a base constructed as
described the usual guy ropes can be dispensed with.
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 a device for keeping the rope or ropes of a netting tight, without rigidity;
the combination of spring B, and pulley C, the latter attached to the former, and
having the rope passed round it; the whole substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying figures.
2. In a device for keeping the rope or ropes of a netting tight without rigidity;
the combination of pole, A; iron base A¹; and spikes a; the pole having fixed to
it a spring possessing the necessary amount of resilience, and carrying a pulley
around which can be passed the rope to be kept tight; the whole substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying figures.