AN IMPROVED SUBSTITUTE FOR GUT APPLICABLE TO LAWN TENNIS AND OTHER RACKETS, ALSO SUITABLE FOR CLOCKS AND OTHER MECHANICAL PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I ROBERT MÜLLER of 4 St. Benet place, London E.C. in the County of
Middlesex Merchant and Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for AN IMPROVED SUBSTITUTE FOR GUT APPLICABLE TO LAWN TENNIS AND OTHER
RACKETS, ALSO SUITABLE FOR CLOCKS AND OTHER MECHANICAL PURPOSES to be as
follows:-
Strands or Threads of Silk, twisted, after being dipped into a liquid composed of
fish-glue, isinglass or gelatine, and glycerine.
What I do claim is protection for Strings made of Silk for Lawn Tennis Bats
and other purposes (excepting Silk Strings for Musical Instruments) for which Gut
Strings are being used now.

page_text: I, ROBERT MÜLLER, 4 St. Benet place, Gracechurch Street London E.C. (County
of Middlesex) Merchant and Agent do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for AN IMPROVED SUBSTITUTE FOR GUT APPLICABLE TO LAWN TENNIS AND OTHER
RACKETS ALSO SUITABLE FOR CLOCKS, AND OTHER MECHANICAL PURPOSES, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved Substitute for Gut
such as is used for Stringing Lawn Tennis or other Bats or Rackets, for Clocks or
other Mechanical or other purposes.
The Invention consists in a cord formed of Strands or Threads of Silk dipped in
_a_mixture_of_gelatinous and like binding materials and glycerine_and_then_
twisted together.
I extend the required number of threads or Strands between two hooks which
are attached to a frame on either side. I then place the liquid into a suitable
vessel, and commencing at one end of the frame, immerse the Silk or other Threads
or Strands in the liquid, moving backwards to the other frame, and by this means
every one of the threads gets thoroughly soaked in the liquid.
If for example, I desire to make a String of 100 threads I divide the 100 threads
into 4 parts of 25 threads each, and after having soaked each 25 threads along the
whole length (which varies according to circumstances) I place all the 4 parts on a
Twisting Wheel (the wheels are similar to those used in the making of Twine,
String, Rope, &c) and twist all the 100 threads together.
The Strings are then drawn tightly out between two poles, the superfluous
gummy matter being carefully removed with a piece of soft white leather by which
operation a smooth and glossy surface of the String is insured.
I do not confine myself to any particular way of twisting. The twisting can be
done in a variety of ways so long as the threads themselves are soaked in the
liquid before or at the time of twisting, and can be performed by any of the well
known means of twisting applied in the Rope, Cordage, Line and Twine Making for
various purposes.
As a binding solution or mixture I take preferably gelatine, fish-glue or isinglass
with a material to render them more elastic and pliable, and I prefer to use
glycerine in connection with the glutinous and gelatinous matters. The proportions
can be varied according to circumstances. The more elasticity and softness is
required the more I take of glycerine, and I find that 8 to 10 parts of glycerine to
100 parts (weight) of the glutinous matter in a temperature of the liquid of
70° Celsius produces the best average results. If no great degree of suppleness is
required I find it sufficient to treat the silk in a glycerine bath, and afterwards I
simply immerse it in the glutinous solution in the manner above described.
The Silk I use is carefully boiled in the ordinary way to thoroughly cleanse it
and remove from it the gummy substance adhering to it.
My Strings can be made in any thickness and in any colour.

page_text: Since filing ny Provisional Specification I have formed the opinion that my
Strings may possibly be used for Musical purposes as well.
I am aware that Strings have been made abroad of Silk Threads immersed in
liquid gelatine and then twisted and they have been used on Violins and Guitars
but they have the great drawback of being too hard, the gelatine or other glue
being used by itself and not in combination or connection with any substance to
counteract its hardness when dry. The D or Third String on the Violin being
the thickest String produced in this manner.
I do not know whether the Strings thus manufactured are used in Great Britain
and Ireland by the Musical profession. I do not believe they are used, for I find of
Silk Strings the French Accribelles, which are made in an entirely different way, in
general use, and although in appearance they are similar to the Strings above
mentioned, the Accribelles are incomparably better in quality and tone.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I would say that I do
not claim protection for Silk Strings made of Silk Threads which have been
immersed in a solution of gelatine or other glutenous matter by itself and then
twisted, and which are used on Violins & Guitars, and which may or may not be used
in this country, but I declare that what I do claim as new, and desire to secure by
Royal Letters Patent, is
1. An improved article of manufacture consisting of Strings or Cords formed of
Strands or Threads of Silk dipped into a mixture of gelatinous or binding Material
or Materials and glycerine or similar substance, or into each separately, and then
twisted together, substantially as herein described, and used on Lawn Tennis and
other bats or rackets and for other purposes for which Gut is used.
2. The application of glycerine, and the mixture of glycerine with gelatinous or
Binding Materials to silk threads substantially as herein described.