Improvements in Bats, Battledores or Racquets.

摘要

15,053. Witcombe, J. G. July 5. Battledores or racquets used in playing ping-pong, table tennis, or other games are constructed with expansible frames, so that the vellum, parchment, or the like which forms the striking-face, can be readily tightened up. The frame is made up of two pieces 1, Fig. 1, of wood, having raised edges 2 for the attachment of the vellum ; between the pieces 1 a wedge-shaped piece 4 is placed, which is connected by a screw 6, Fig. 2, to the handle 7 by means of the screwed sleeve 8. A collar 10, screwed on the sleeve 8, is connected by four metal or other straps 11 to the pieces 1, so that, on turning the handle in the proper direction relatively to the head, the parts of the head will be drawn down on the wedge 4, thus stretching the vellum. The extent of the movement of the pieces 1 is limited by a slotted strap 12, as shown. The collar 10 may be locked against a projection on the sleeve 8 by a milled nut 16. In a modification, Fig. 4, a downwardly-tapering wedge is used to force apart the two sides of the frame, the wedge being connected by a pair of nuts 6a to a screw 6, which screws into a nut 17a secured on the handle. The wedge slides against bearing- strips attached to the two parts of the head, and the upper parts of the wedge are fitted with metal guides 18, which prevent the displacement of the wedge. Slots and tongues or studs may, however, be used. The upper and lower extremities of the raised edges are embraced by metal plates 19, and a band 20 of leather or other flexible material is placed round the periphery, to prevent the puckering of the vellum which is attached to the band 20. In another modification, the sides are spread apart by an arrangement of toggles connected to nuts worked by a right and left hand screw carried by the handle.