Improvements in Balls for use in Playing the Game of Tennis and other Games.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Balls for use in Playing the Game of Tennis
and other Games.
I FREDERICK HENRY AYRES of 111 Aldersgate Street in the City of London,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Lawn tennis balls and like balls made by covering an interior rubber sphere with a
seamless felt jacket, as at present manufactured after being some time in use are liable
to become mis-shapen, frequently having a tendency to assume an oval or elongated
shape instead of a proper sphere as when first manufactured.
This is principally owing to the interior distending india rubber ball losing its
spherical shape and the surrounding felt ball not being adapted to restrain it, but on
the contrary following its loss of form.
According to my invention I employ an interior distending india rubber ball, or
ball of suitable elastic material or composition, which ball I cover with a restraining
fabric applied over the interior elastic ball and cemented thereto by suitable cement,
the restraining cover being formed of cotton, linen or other suitable material adapted
to retain its form, and it may be applied in two semi-spherical pieces or otherwise as
found most convenient, the object being to so apply the fabric as to give it the least
liability to stretch. This covered ball is then conted with cementing material, and the
felt is applied over it and then treated by suitable apparatus so as to work the felt
into a seamless and complete covering to the inner elastic ball.
By these means I am enabled to produce a ball, durable, not liable to lose its
spherical form, and of great firmness.
Dated the 21st day of March 1890.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Balls for use in Playing the Game of Tennis
and other Games.
I FREDERICK HENRY AYRES of 111 Aldersgate Street in the City of London,
Manufacturer 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 ard
by the following statement:-
Lawn tennis balls and like balls made by covering an interior rubber sphere with a
seamless felt jacket, as at present manufactured, after being some time in use, are
liable to become mis-shapen, frequently having a tendency to assume an oval or
elongated shape instead of a proper sphere as when first manufactured.
This is principally owing to the interior distending indiarubber ball, losing its
spherical shape and the surrounding felt ball not being adapted to restrain it, but on
the contrary following its loss of form.
According to my invention I employ an interior distending india rubber ball, or
ball of suitable elastic material or composition, which ball I cover with a restraining
fabric not liable to stretch applied over the interior elastic ball and cemented thereto
by suitable cement, the restraining cover being formed of cotton, linen or other suital·le
material adapted to retain its form, and it may be applied in two semi-spherical pieces
er otherwise as found most convenient, the object being to so apply the fabric as to
give it the least liability to stretch.
This covered ball is then coated with cementing material, and the felt is applied

page_text: over it and then treated by suitable apparatus so as to work the felt inio a seamless
and complete covering to the inner elastic ball.
By these means 1 am enabled to produce a ball, durable, not liable to lose its
spherical form, and of great firmness.
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. The manufacture and use of a ball in playing the game of tennis and other games
having an interior rubber or like distending sphere, covered with a restraining fabric
adapted to prevent permanent distortion of and cemented to the internal sphere and
an external felt covering cemented to the resistent covering in manner and for the
purpose set forth.
2. A ball for use in playing tennis and like games manufactured substantially as
herein before set forth.
Dal 17
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.