IMPROVEMENTS IN RACQUETS OR RACKETS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Hodgkinson, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Doctor of Medicine, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RACQUETS OR RACKETS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Hodgkinson at
tho Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd September 1881.
Alexander HodOKINSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Doctor
of Medicine. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RACQUETS OR RACKETS."
My Invention relates to such rackets as are employed in the games of tennis.
Such a racket consists of a wood frame provided with a handlo and with a notting
which is composed of intersecting cords or gut strings. Previously to my
Invention the said cords have been passed through holes bored in the frame in
such a manner as that the netting has been about equidistant from ench edge of
the frame so that the netting has been surrounded by a raised edge. I consider
this raised edge to be disadvantageous to the racket in its more modern use, and
the object of my Invention is to remedy this defect. To this end I cause the
netting to be flush or nearly flush with the edge of the surrounding frame on one
side of the racket, or I provide the racket with two nettings, each flush or nearly
flush with the edge of the frame, so that when a ball is struck in the manner
practised when it is desired that a twist shall be imparted to the ball the edge of
the frame will not causo the ball to diverge. In the making of the racket I bora
the holes in dingonal directions from about the centre of the frame towards tho
face or edge of the same or from one face to the other, or I form outside grooves
in which the cords lie as they pass from one side of the racket to the other, the
frame being made of a sectional form suitable to the change in the method of
stringing.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Hodgkinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd March 1882.
ALEXANDER HODGKINSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Doctor
of Medicine. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RACQUETS OR RACKETS."
My Invention relates to such rackets as are employed in the games of tennis.
Such a racket consists of a wood frame provided with a handle and with a netting
which is composed of intersecting cords or gut strings. Previously to my
Invention the said cord has been passed through holes bored in the frame in
such a nanner as that the netting has been about equidistant from each edgo of
the frame so that the netting has been surrounded by a raised edge. I consider
this raised edge to be disadvantageous to the racket in its more modern uso, and
the object of my Invention is to remedy this defect. To this end I causo the
netting to be flush or nearly flush with the edge of the surrounding frame on one
side of the racket, or I provide the racket with two nettings, each flush or nearly
flush with one edge of the frame, so that when a ball is struck in the manner
practised when it is desired that a twist shall be imparted to the ball the edge of
the framo will not cause the ball to diverge.
And in order that my Invention may bo fully understood I have attached
hereunto a Sheet of Drawings to which I will refer in this place. In the said
Drawings Fig. 1 represents a face view and Fig. 2 an edge view of a racket
constructed in accordance with my Invention, Fig. 3 representing a cross section
through the frame. In the said Figs. a is the framo, which is made of bent wood
as is usual and is formed on each side with a groove scen at b, b, in Fig. 3. On
the outer edge of this frame are bored counter sunk recesses seen at c, c, in Fig. 2.
From the grooves b holes are bored diagonally into the said recesses or from the
said recesses into the grooves. In the stringing of the rackot the gut or cord is
passed through these diagonal holes so as to appear alternately on each side of the
racket and to form when interlaced two nettings as ropresented in section by d, d,
in Fig. 3. It will be seen that each of these nettings is about flush with the edgo
of the wood frame so that an increased effective striking surface is obtained and
there is no projection to interfere with the action of the racket when the ball is
struck with the racket inclined with respect to the direction of the stroke or
otherwise to divert the ball. The recesses c may be concealed by means of a
covering of leather, wood, metal, or other suitable material. If preferred one of
the two nettings d, d, may be dispensed with, the netting retained being flush
with the edge of the frame as indicated. I do not confine myself to the method
of stringing, as if preferred the holes may be bored thr. ugh the frame without tho
use of the recesses c or the gut or cord may, after passing through a hole in the
frame, be returned through another hole to the same side without passing to the
other side to form part of the other notting.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which I propose to carry the samo into practical effect I would have
it to be understood that I claim,--
First. The racquet or racket constructed substantially as set forth and indicated
hereinbefore and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The formation of rackets which are strung in such a manner as that
the netting is caused to be about flush with the edge of the frame substantially as
and for the purpose set forth and indicated.

page_text: And, Lastly. The racket provided with two nettings, each of which nettings is
about flush with one side of the racket frame as set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Hodgkinson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and oighty two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in the presence of
41, Jolin Dalton St.,
Manchester,
(Agent for the Patentee.)
ALEX. HODGKINSON. (L.S.)