N IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR FIXING INTO THE GROUND FOR FASTENING CORDS AND OTHER OBJECTS THERETO
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert William Pound, of Appuldurcombe, Isle of Wights
M.A., Clerk in Holy Orders, for the Invention of "N IMPROVED APPLIANCE
FOR FIXING INTO THE GROUND FOR FASTENING CORDS AND OTHER OBJECTS
THERETO."
Sealed the 28th January 1879, and dated the 2nd August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert William Pound at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd August 1878.
ROBERT WILLIAM POUND, of Appuldurcombe, Isle of Wight, M.A., Clerk in
Holy Orders. "AN IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR FIXING INTO THE GROUND FOR
FASTENING CORDS AND OTHER OBJECTS THERETO."
This Invention consists of an appliance for fixing in the ground in order to attach
cords or other objects thereto for fastening cricket and lawn tennis nets (for
example), and will be found more convenient and expeditious than the pegs now
commonly used for this purpose, inasmuch it is fixed by a tread of the foot and
similarly unfixed.
The improved appliance I propose to make in or about the following form,
thus
G.;
; the lower curve or slanting part which enters the ground consists of
two flat iron teeth or prongs splayed out below so as to take a better hold.
The cord or other object is fastened to the upper or upright part, which may be
formed with an eye or hook, or otherwise suitably formed or fitted for attachment.
The horizontal or middle part may be formed with a hole to take the pin at the
end of the net pole when packed away. When the pull is in an upright or nearly
upright direction the tendency will be to hold the aforesaid appliance firmer in the
ground.
In order to release this appliance it is simply necessary to press against the
upper part, which is at right angles with the ground.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert William Pound in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
February 1879.
ROBERT WILLIAM POUND, of Appuldurcombe, Isle of Wight, M.A., Clerk in
Holy Orders. "AN IMPROVED APPLIANCE FOR FIXING INTO THE GROUND FOR
FASTENING CORDS AND OTHER 'OBJECTS THERETO.'
This Invention consists of an appliance for fixing in the ground in order to
attach cords or other objects thereto for fastening cricket and lawn tennis nets
(for example) thereto, and will be found more convenient and expeditious than the
pegs now commonly used for this purpose, inasmuch it is fixed by a tread of the 1
foot and similarly unfixed.
The lower curve or slanting part which enters the ground consists of flat metal
teeth or prongs splayed out below so as to take a better hold.
The cord or other object is fastened to the upper or upright part, which may be
formed with an eye or hook, or otherwise suitably formed or fitted for attachment. 1
The horizontal or middle part may be formed with a hole to take the pin at
the end of the net pole when packed away. When the pull is in an upward or
nearly upward direction the tendency will be to hold the appliance firmer in the
ground.
In order to release this appliance it is simply necessary to press against the 2
upper part, which is at right angles with the ground.
And in order to explain my said Invention more fully I will now proceed to
describe the same, with reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
Figure 1 shews the improved appliance as it would appear when fixed in the
ground, shewing also how the foot is placed upon it for fixing.
Figure 2 also represents a view of the same, shewing how a net or other object
is fixed to the ground by means of my improved appliance.
Figure 3 represents a view of the appliance, shewing how it is removed by
pressure of the foot.
Figure 4 represents a net with the improved appliance attached thereto, shewing a
how the same may be packed away.
Figure 5 shews another way of attaching the cord to the appliance.
a shews my improved appliance, which is pressed upon at 6 in order to fix the
same into the ground, as shewn at Figure 1, and as shewn at c, Figure 3, in order
to withdraw the same; d are cords attached to my improved appliance for attaching.
the object it is desired to fix to the ground; e shews a hole made in the said
appliance to facilitate packing away, as shewn at Figure 4; f shews the teeth or
prongs, which are splayed out, so as to hold firmly into the ground. The said theeth
or prongs are made a section of a circle, as shewn at Figures 6 and 6ª, which has
its centre at A, so that when pressure is exerted at B the centre A remains firm.
whilst the points of the improved appliance or claw describe a portion of a circle
and enter the ground, and similarly when pressure is exerted at C to unfix the.
improved appliance or claw the circle is described backwards.
By this improved appliance cricket nets,. tents, and other objects may be firmly
fixed to the ground with much greater facility and security than by the old-
fashioned pegs commonly employed.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention, and the means
by which it may be carried into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that:

page_text: what I claim as my Invention and desire to secure by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is, constructing an appliance substantially as described for
the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert William Pound, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
ROBERT WILLIAM POUND. (L.S.)