A Tennis-net Winder, also Applicable for all Analogous Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: A Tennis-net Winder, also Applicable for all Analogous Purposes.
I, JAMES MCHARDY Dollar, N.B. Scientific Expert 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 which has for its object the speedy and convenient winding or
rolling of nets, may be constructed as follows; A windlass-like shaft mounted upon a
loose revolving wheel at one end, and revolving in a suitable portable bearing, at the
other, is so fitted with a crank-handle, that the operator may easily cause the shaft to
revolve, whilst the portable bearing retains it in a given position.
Any convenient appliance, such as a loop of wire, is mounted upon the shaft, so
that a net or other material, being slightly entered through the loop, shall be held by
its own friction when the shaft is caused to revolve.
The behaviour of this appliance, in action, will be somewhat as follows;-The
end of the shaft which is mounted with the loose wheel, rests on the ground, and
travels on the said wheel. The net is gathered round the shaft by the revolution.
caused by the crank, the shaft, meanwhile, being directed by the portable bearing,
held by the left hand of the operator. While there is a small diameter on which the
net is being rolled, the loose wheel serves as a bearing for the lower end of the shaft,
and the wheel itself only moves forward in proportion to the net taken up; but when
the net is gathered to such an extent that it forms a diameter greater than that of the
loose wheel, this latter moves forward and admits of the winders being kept at a right
angle to the net.
By slight modifications this invention may be made applicable for all analogous
purposes. For example it may be found useful on Bleaching fields, for taking up
rows of linen, or it may be made to wind fishing nets in such a manner as, that they
may be paid out of a boat without the slightest risk of entanglement.

page_text: The accompanying drawing represents the contrivance, (in section) in the working
position.
a= the handle by which the winding shaft is driven.
b =a wheel or crank, rigid with the shaft and carrying the handle a.
c=the shaft, rigid, as above mentioned, with a and b ; but revolving in
d
=
the portable bearing formed in
e= the handle for the left hand of the operator.
f=the loose wheel revolving upon
9= an axle fixed into the end of the shaft upon which fis free to revolve.
h = a wire loop.
These parts may be made of any suitable dimensions and the shaft may be
telescopic, so as to shut up in a small space when laid aside. The handle may be
geared so as to give a rapid revolution of the shaft.
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 net winder as herein described and particularly set forth by the drawing.
2. The loose revolving wheel, as applied to a net winder, by which the operator is
enabled to control the position of the contrivance.
3. The portable bearing, as applied to a net winder, which enables the operator to
control the position of the loose wheel.
4. The handle and shaft, as applied to a net winder, either simple or geared, for
rolling up nets &c.
Dated this 27th day of February 1888.