IMPROVEMENTS IN RACQUET BATS
Year: 1884

page_text: I ISAAC THOMAS TOWNSEND of Coventry in the County of Warwick Tricycle
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN RACQUET BATS" and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
accompaning sheet of drawings, that is to say :-
My Invention has for its object improvements in racquet bats of that kind made
from metal which enables me to make them much lighter than other metal bats on
account of the special forms in section which I have devised as well as the general
construction of the bat which is most elegant and compact. It also allows the
player to cut the ball closer and in almost any direction as he is from the special
sections enabled to utilize a larger surface than in any existing bat.
For the purpose of more fully explaining my invention I have appended hereunto
a sheet of drawings showing some of the varieties of sections constructed according
to my invention.
Figure 1. is a front view of one of my Racquet bat frames before it is strung
indeed there is simply the metal frame shewn, and it will be seen that I carry my
tube A not only round the head of the bat but down to A¹ and A². These two side
tubes A¹ and A are united together by one or more webs b, 61, 62, 63 and 6' and
also by the stiffening tube C. It will also be seen that the head and the handle are
positively one piece which affords maximum stiffness of construction no matter
what the cross section may be of the metal used.
I have shewn a number of cross sections which are stiff compact and handy
bats:-
Figure 2 is a section which may be easily made from sheet metal the edges of
the metal being made to meet at d so that they may be pierced with holes for the
stringing as shewn by Figure 3. thus avoiding the necessity of fastening eyes
through the tube. A modification of this section is shewn by Figure 4. Figures 5.
6. 7 and 8. may however all have the double flange to carry the holes for stringing
the head. Figures 9. 10. 11. 12 and 13 show sections which require stringing in
another manner as there is no necessity for the internal flange in these cases.
mode of stringing in these sections is to pierce holes f and fi in the front as shown
by Figure 14. and holes h in the back as shown by the same Figure. The
continuous recess k in all the figures serving as a means for hiding the cord as it
The

page_text: passes from hole to hole and secures the end against being cut by accident or from
being in the way or unsightly to the eye. Indeed bats strung as shewn by
Figures 11 and 14 are most, artistic in appearance as there is not an awkward
projection of the slightest kind anywhere. Some sections may of course be made
cheaper than others but the cheapest would probably be Figure 2.
These handles may be used plain or may be wrapped with cord and the
sections may be changed about the recess k or flange d being put to any sections.
Though these bats may be made from any metal I prefer steel as being the best
fitted for the purpose.
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
First. The construction of the hollow metal racquet bats with the handle
made in one piece with the head substantially as herein set forth and shewn by
Figure 1.
Second.-The construction of racquet bats from a piece of metal bent round to a
flange d for holding the stringing substantially as herein set forth.
Third. The construction of racquet bats with the recess k for covering and
protecting the stringing substantially as herein set forth.
GEORGE BARKER,
Agent for the Applicant,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham.