Improvements in Posts or Supports for Lawn Tennis Nets and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1895-Accepted, 20th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Posts or Supports for Lawn Tennis Nets
and the like.
We ALEXANDER MACINTOSH JUDr. and WILLIAM MACINTOSH Ironmongers
and Founders of Market Place, Cambridge 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 relates to improvements in the posts used for the stretching of
lawn tennis and like nets, and has for its object to provide a simple arrangement
by means of which the nets can be stretched more easily and efficiently, than is at
In
present the case, the required tension being obtained in a simple manner.
carrying out my invention, I propose to employ a post formed from a metal tube
fitted to a base which can be placed upon the lawn, and is of sufficient weight to
keep the post in proper position when the net is secured. This base is provided
with a socket in which the end of the post is placed. At the top of the post a
pulley is provided, over which the wire or cord passes. At a short distance below
the pulley, the device for stretching the wire is fixed, consisting of a semi-circular
rack projecting from the side of the post. To the centre of this circular rack, a
forked lever is pivoted carrying a small pawl, which engages with the teeth on the
circular rack. The wire belonging to the net, after passing over the pulley is
attached to the lever by means of a loop or like device. On pulling the lever
down the pawl will engage with the rack, retaining the wire at any desired tension.
To render the action easier, a detachable handle may be provided which will
fit on the end of the lever, so as to lengthen it.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete apparatus and Fig. 2 is a plan of the
same.
The base A which is of any suitable shape, is formed with the socket a at its
upper side, into which the end of the post B fits as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The
top of the post is grooved to receive the small pulley C, over which the wire B
passes. E is the semi-circular rack, fixed a short distance below the top of the
post, and screwed or otherwise fitted to the latter. The lever F is pivoted to the
centre of this rack, the lever being forked and carrying the pawl f, the latter
engaging with the rack in any position, to which the lever is moved. The wire D
is formed with a loop d which passes over the lever, the latter being provided with
a small notch or groove to receive it. To temporarily increase the length of the
lever, a handle G recessed at 9, so as to fit on the end of the lever, is provided, the
handle being detached after the net has been stretched. The handle can be
carried when not in use, by a socket or catch on the post. The post is furnished
with the hooks b, to which the net is secured.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) In a post used for stretching tennis and like nets, a device for giving the
required tension, consisting of a semi-circular rack at the side of the post, and a
lever to which the wire or cord of the net is secured, pivoted to the rack and
furnished with a pawl, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

page_text: a
(2.) In a post for stretching tennis and like nets, a tension regulating device
consisting of a semi-circular rack, and a lever pivoted to the side rack, carrying
pawl engaging with the latter and a pulley at the top of the post, over which the
wire or cord of the net passes, substantially as described and shown in the
drawings, and for the purposes specified.
(3.) The improved post for use in stretching tennis and like nets, constructed
and operating substantially in the manner described and shown in the accompanying
drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 12th day of June 1895.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicants.