Improvements in Machines for Washing and Renovating Balls.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Washing and Renovating Balls.
We, ARTHUR RAMSDEN and BENJAMIN RAMSDEN, the Younger, both of Cemetery
Place, Leeds in the County of York, Gentlemen, 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 :-
Our improvements have reference to the means employed for washing and renovat-
ing covered balls, but more especially that description which is used in the game
known as " Lawn Tennis."
In the usual processes of washing, the balls cannot readily be got clean and white
again, and the cover of balls above referred to is slackened and the rebounding
qualities deteriorated or lessened, consequently there is a strong objection to playing
with washed balls.
Now by our system of washing, the balls are made perfectly clean and white, and
the rebounding qualities of such balls is increased, therefore such balls are much
better to play with even as compared with new balls.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a transverse section.
elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan looking at the top shewing cover removed.
Fig. 2 a side
Our invention consists of two discs A and B, the lower disc A may either be fixed
on a table C by means of a clamp arrangement D, or held by the handle E whilst
the
upper disc B is turned on its axis by the handle F or other suitable means.
A bolt G is employed whereby the upper disc B is adjusted towards the lower
disc A.
The lower disc A is provided with an annular groove H to receive the balls J
as shown, and the upper disc B is hollowed out, forming a cover over the balls. By
means of the bolt & the pressure upon the balls can be increased or reduced at
pleasure, and by rotation of the upper disc B, such balls are caused to revolve in
various ways.
Water of suitable temperature is supplied from any convenient source and passed
through the handle E and perforated plate K up the tube L surrounding the bolt G
and escaping into the space containing the balls through perforated plate M at top.
Soap or other washing or milling ingredients are passed in between the discs A and B
through opening N.
During the operation of washing, the balls are preferably compressed out of their
round form into the form shewn at Fig. 1, and as the upper disc B revolves, the balls
are made to revolve in various directions, and by friction the surfaces of such balls
are made perfectly clean and white, and on account of the rubbing and compression
that takes place, in combination with the use of soap or other milling ingredients, the
covers of the balls are "milled," cansing them to tighten on the surface of the ball,
thereby increasing the rebounding qualities or preventing a reduction thereof.
The apparatus may be used in a heated state, for the purpose of "ironing" or
"smoothing" the surfaces of the balls.
A ring P is provided on the lower disc A for retaining the washing Huid between
the discs, such fluid being allowed to run away when required at the outlet R in
the side of the ring P.
We do not limit ourselves to the precise details of the mode of construction or
ize of apparatus, as it is evident that these may be varied without altering the nature
f our said invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
The arrangement, construction and combination of the various parts forming
the machine or apparatus for washing and renovating balls, substantially as herein
set forth.
J. W. HARDING,
Agent for the Applicants.