Improvements in Footballs.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 14th Sept.,
1895
Improvements in Footballs.
We, Herbert DENNIS HODGKINSON, of Newthorpe, in the County of
Nottinghain Ironmonger, and JOHN COOPER, of Church Street, Eastwood, in the
County of Nottingham, Harness Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the outer cases or coverings of footballs
and more particularly to the opening formed in such outer cases for the insertion
and inflation of the air bladder.
In carrying out this invention the opening in the outer case may be formed at a
point where the edges of two sections meet or in the middle of a section. In the
latter case the section is preferably formed in two parts, joined by a longitudinal
seam or joint, with an opening in the middle, in a line with the seam.
On the inside of the casing and forming a cover to the opening, is a square,
circular or other suitably shaped piece of preferably leather or the like of a larger
size than the length of the opening, which cover may be secured by sewing its
edges, either simultaneously with or independently of the sectional seam, to the
outer case.
This cover is formed with an opening or slit corresponding to that in the outer
casing but preferably at right angles to it or nearly so, and a preferably central
enlargement for the passage of the air tube.
In some cases two pieces of leather may be substituted for the single inner
cover, which may be placed across the opening in the outer case with their two
inner edges near the middle of the opening in the outer case.
With this arrangement, when the air bladder is inflated the pressure acting on
the openings in the outer casing and inner cover will automatically close them both
and after the air tube is pushed in no further fastening may be necessary, but we
preferably secure the two edges of the opening in the outer case in the following
manner;-
At the point where the opening is to be formed in the outer case the edges of
the two sections or half sections are preferably formed with flaps or extensions
which are turned in and secured on the inner side by sewing, either with the
sectional seams or independently.
At the point where the flaps or extensions are bent on the main parts, that is, at
the edge of each side of the opening, corresponding holes are formed through
which a lace may be threaded and passed alternately from side to side and inside
the inturned portions or loops formed by the flaps or extensions.
When this lace is drawn tight it may be secured by tying a looped knot and the
loop may be drawn under the lacings by a string or lace inserted subsequently to
the tightening of the lace.
With this arrangement the two edges of the opening are drawn together and
secured and the laces are not shown on the surface, which is consequently level
with the other portions of the exterior of the ball.
Dated this 13th day of October 1801
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We, HERBERT DENNIS HODGKINSON, of Newthorpe, in the County of
Nottingham, Ironmonger, and JOHN COOPER, of Church Street, Eastwood, in the
County of Nottingham, Harness 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 outer cases or coverings of
footballs and more particularly to the opening formed in each such outer case for
the insertion of and inflation of the air bladder.
.
It will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which―
Fig. 1. is a section taken centrally across the opening, and
Fig. 2. a plan of a football case constructed according to our invention.
Fig. 3. is a section taken centrally across the opening, and
Fig. 4. a plan of a football case showing a modification.
In carrying out the invention the opening A (see Figs. 1 and 2) in the outer
case B may be formed as shown at a point where the edges of two sections meet,
or in the middle of a section as, desired. In the latter case the section in which
the opening is formed may be made in two longitudinal parts joined together for
the required distance at each end, so as to leave an opening of suitable length in the
middle of the section.
441
On the inside of and across the opening A is a cover C formed of leather or
other suitable, material. This cover is secured by its two ends C¹ to the case B
on each side of the opening A either by sewing its ends at the same time as, and
into the sectional seams B', or independently to the case at a convenient point.
The cover C is preferably of a little greater width than the length of the opening A
and is formed. with an opening or slit D at right angles or nearly so to the
opening A, and also if desired with a central enlargement D' for the passage of
the air tube.
If preferred the cover C may be formed by two pieces of leather or other
material of suitable width placed across the opening A with their two inner edges
at or near the middle of the opening A, their ends being secured to the casing in
the same manner as the cover C previously described.
In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, two pieces of leather or other
suitable material F F1 are placed across the interior of the opening A and their
ends secured in the following manner :-
One end of the piece F is secured at H at or near say the left hand edge of the
opening A, and its other end at H' at or near the next adjacent sectional seam on
say, the right band side of the opening. In the reverse manner one end of the
other piece F is secured at J, at or near say the right hand edge of the opening A
and its other end at J' at or near the next adjacent sectional seam on say the left
hand side of the opening. The arrangement of each of the pieces F F as regards
the position of its ends within the case B, may be the reverse of that above
described, but one is always the reverse of the other.
With the foregoing arrangements, when the air bladder is inflated the pressure
on the cover C or pieces F F will close the opening A, and after the air tube is
pushed in, no further fastening is necessary.
We however, if preferred, form the edges of the opening A with lace holes A¹,
so that it may be laced up in the usual manner.
When the lace holes A' are not used, the ends of the pieces F F' may be secured
to the edges of the opening A or be a continuation thereof.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a football the combination with an outer case B of an interior cover C
secured to the case on each side of the opening A. the said cover being divided
or formed with a slit or opening D at an angle to the opening A substantially as
described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In a football the combination with an outer case B of pieces FF connected
to the case and disposed in relation to the opening of the case and to each other
substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 10th day of Auơnst 1895
HERBERT DENNIS HODGKINSON.
JOHN COOPER.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicants.