The Lamb MK1 (circa 2001)
The large sheetsteel base was an efficient spring with excellent rebound characteristics (try and force the hoop and it would take your kneecap off).
The raised edge of the covering felt produced much colourful language.
;)
The MK1 and its creator.
The Lamb MK1 detail
;)
The MK1 (picture: Colin Hemming)
Hiding the MK1 (2002)
There was a theory that by cutting small slits in the edge of the carpet tiles the base of the hoop could be put under the carpet. This would avoid the raised edge of the felt (which would no longer be needed). Experiment showed that, in order for the tiles to lie flat, we would need to cut 4 one and a half inch slits in each of 24 tiles. It was felt that the hotel might notice or even object to this.
;)
Discrete slits don't hack it.
The Lamb MK2 (2004 - Potter)
"You are probably wondering by know how the hoops are actually set into the court. It would be an understanding hotel indeed which let a croquet club bore holes in its floor and hammer in hoops, so an alternative approach is needed. Thin steel plates about 60cm square have two pieces of plumbers' piping welded to them to form the uprights. These pieces of pipe have T-pieces screwed to the top, and a piece of plastic conduit is squeezed through the T-pieces to form the crown of the hoop. No, seriously! The plates are fixed to the carpet with double-sided carpet tape and then covered with a green plastic mesh which is designed to provide a non-slip surface for patios and swimming-pool surrounds. Hoop setting is accomplished by wiggling the T-pieces a bit closer together or further apart. This bizarre arrangement actually works quite well, producing hoops that are quite difficult to run, particularly under control."
An improved design with smaller, slightly thicker base, welds instead of nuts (flatter) and a much thinner rubberised covering. Rebound characteristics were (slightly) less agressive.
Problems were that the uprights had been welded too close together (the hoop couldn't be run if they were parallel) and the adhesive on the tape used to hold down the covering degenerated and soaked through with time (the ball would stop dead when it hit a patch).
Nevertheless, the hoop seemed robust and only incremental changes were planned.
;)
The MK2 (picture: Samir Patel)
Pottered!
The case for the prosecution - Colin Hemming.
"And now the spell is broken! Pandemonium! "The Destroyer" has struck! Jim Potter has tried to run 3-back so hard, and so inaccurately, that he has earned his nickname. The hoop is not just broken, it is totally destroyed, the weld on the right hand upright broken and the upright sent flying up the court. Jim tries to claim (tongue in cheek) that he should continue his break: after all, the ball did pass between the uprights. This is undeniable, but since the uprights were about four feet apart at the time of the passage, the ROT (John Swabey) rules that the turn has ended."
The defense - Jim Potter.
"Whilst I cannot take issue with you on most of your report of the Belgium tournament, I do object to your description of my hoop 3 back shot as 'trying to run it so inaccurately'. It was not inaccurate. It was a jump shot and I hit the far upright perfectly. If the upright had had the decency to stay in position it would have been a perfect jump shot, I would have run on to position in front of 4 back where I already had a pioneer. It was quite reasonable for me to claim that the ball went between the uprights...the ball was going so true and fast that it would have passed the RH upright before the upright hit the ground. Please note that my ball ended up about 5 yds from the hoop just to the right of the line from 3 back to 4 back. QED
The fact that the RoT ruled end of turn added insult to injury..why should I be penalised for the inadequacy of the welding."
;)
Gabor examines the damage (picture: Samir Patel)
The Lamb MK2B (post-Potter)
The search for a more robust solution is now under way in the R&D department. Will 15mm copper pipe do the job - or should we be looking at titanium?
;)
Experiments in strengthening.
The Lamb MK2B1
The search goes on ....
(You tell your welders exactly what you want...
...and they make something completely different!)
;)
Creative (and unuseable) design 1.
The Lamb MK2C
... and on ...
(Still not listening!)
;)
Creative (and unuseable) design 2.
The Lamb MK2D
Finally, the solution. The MK2D is based on the original design by Jonathan Lamb but, wherever possible, built to more exact tolerances and of more robust materials.
;)
At last!
The Lamb MK2D
The top of the hoop is made of 15mm copper tubing.
;)
MK2D - detail.
Meanwhile in Montevideo........
Jonathan continues to boldly go where no man has ever thought of going before. See The Montevideo Hoop