Improvements in Footballs and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 31st Aug., 1896-Accepted, 3rd Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Footballs and the like.
I, HENRY ADCOCK COOK of 67 Barbican in the City of London, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
or
The invention relates to improvements in or connected with the lacing holes on
each side of the slit or opening in the outside leather cases of footballs and the like.
I form the slit or opening through which the bladder is passed in the line of
seam connecting together two of the "quarters" or sections as heretofore. In order
to simplify and cheapen the construction of the lacing slit each of the "quarters
sections between which such lacing slit is formed is made somewhat wider along the
parts forming the sides of the lacing slit than is required in the usual way, thereby
forming extending flaps. I skiver the edges of such flaps and punch in each of such
quarters" or sections a row of holes on the meeting lines thereof and I punch a
second row of holes in such "quarters" or sections a short distance from and parallel
with the first row of holes. I then bend the leather along the line of the first row of
holes so that the latter will be in the folded edge at right angles to the other row
of holes.
"
"
The lace is first passed through a hole in the second or inner row of holes in one
quarter" or section, then through a hole in the folded edge of the same "quarter"
or section then through a hole in the folded edge of the adjoining "quarter or
section and finally through a hole in the inner row of holes in the latter, it is then
passed through the next set of holes in the like manner but in the opposite direction
and so on until the slit or opening is fully laced up. By these means the laces where
they cross from one side to the other of the slit or opening will lie between the flaps
and the outer portions of the "quarters" or sections, the said flaps will thus protect
the bladder from the lace and the crossing portions of the latter will be below the
outer surface of the leather.
Dated November 30th 1895
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Footballs and the like.
I, HENRY ADCOCK Cook, formerly of 67 Barbican, but now of 1ª Barbican
Court, in the City of London, Manufacturer, 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 invention relates to improvements in or connected with the lacing holes on
each side of the slit or opening in the outside leather cases of footballs and the like
with a view to protect the bladder from the lace and at the same time place the
crossing portions of the lace below the outer surface of the leather.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Fig. 1 is an exterior view of a football provided with my improvements.
Fig. 2 is an exterior view and Fig. 3 is a cross section of the "quarters" or

page_text: sections between which, in the line of seam thereof, the slit or opening is formed
through which the bladder is inserted, and
Fig. 4 is a separate view of one of said "quarters" or sections in a preparatory
stage.
In carrying my invention into effect I form the slit or opening a through which
the bladder is passed in the line of seam b connecting together two of the quarters or
sections c, as heretofore.
In order to simplify and cheapen the construction of the lacing slit a, each of the
quarters or sections c between which such lacing slit a is formed, is made somewhat
wider along the parts forming the sides of the lacing slit a than is required in the
usual way, thereby forming extending flaps d. I skiver the edges of such flaps and
punch in each of such quarters or sections a row of holes e on the meeting lines
thereof, and I punch a second row of holes f in such quarters or sections a short
distance from and parallel with the first row of holes e. I then bend the leather
along the line of the first row of holes e so that the latter will be in the folded edges
at right angles to the other row of holes f.
The lace g is preferably first passed through a hole in the second or inner row of
holes in one quarter or section c, then through a hole e in the folded edge of the
same quarter or section, then through a hole e in the folded edge of the adjoining
quarter or section, and finally through a hole in the inner row of holes in the
latter; the ends of the lace are then passed through the next set of holes in the like
manner, but in opposite directions to each other, and so on until the slit or opening is
fully laced up. In Fig. 2 the lace is represented as having one of its ends completely
threaded through the holes e and f and passing finally through the end hole e, whilst
the other end of the lace is threaded through only some of the holes e and f; the
the lacing however would be continued in like manner until such end was passed
through the end hole e opposite to that through which one end is shown to extend ;
the ends of the lace are then tied tightly together and, if necessary, cut off to a
suitable length, after which they and the knot are tucked in, as is well understood.
or
By these means the laces g, where they cross from one side to the other of the slit
or opening a, will lie between the flaps d and the outer portions of the "quarters
sections c; the said flaps d will thus protect the bladder from the lace g and the
crossing portions of the latter will be below the outer surface of the leather. his
the ordinary inner flap stitched to one of the "quarters" or sections, through which the
mouthpiece of the bladder is passed as usual.
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 improvements in footballs and the like substantially as herein shown and
described.
2. In footballs and the like, the peculiar construction of the "quarters" or sections
of the outer leather between which the slit or opening for the insertion of the bladder
is formed, and the peculiar arrangement of the lacing holes therein, substantially as
herein shown and described.
Dated this 3.1st day of August 1896.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.