Improvements in or relating to Cricket Bats.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Cricket Bats.
FRANK SUGG of 32 Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster,
Athletic Outfitter 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 cricket bats and has for its object to so improve the
construction of the handle parts thereof as to produce a bat having an attractive
appearance and good driving qualities and which may be used without the jarring
and stinging effects commonly experienced.
These objects are effected by the insertion between the canes of the handle of
strips of soft packing material preferably leather, rubber or some substance having
similar cushioning powers. In order to prevent the handle from being deficient in
spring and to help to maintain its straightness I combine with the strips of soft
material hereinbefore mentioned a strip or strips of spring steel. This while
still allowing the full benefits of the softer packing to be realized is of great
advantage.
Referring to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of sufficient of a bat constructed according to my
invention to enable it to be clearly understood.
Fig. 2 is a similar view taken as at right angles to Fig. 1. These figs. are drawn
about one half full size, the remaining ones being full size.
Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 1 while
Figs. 4, 5, and 6, are similar views to Fig. 3 but showing modifications herein-
after described.
as usual.
Like letters refer to corresponding parts in all the views.
Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3. A is the blade of the bat and B the handle.
The latter is composed of 16 pieces C of cane and is joined to the blade by splicing
Between the canes C I place strips D of leather, rubber, cork, or
some similar soft packing material and this has the effect of giving great
cushioning qualities to the handle. The strips D preferably extend the whole
length of the handle and are arranged as shown so as to divide it into a number
of sections which in addition to the advantages in use give it a very attractive
appearance. The outside of the handle is whipped with string as usual.
I insert a spring E preferably of steel within the handle for the purposes
mentioned. This does not necessarily extend the whole length of the handle but
reaches from a short distance above the splice to about or such length and thus
serves to reinforce the handle where the strain is usually greatest. By employing
this additional spring stiffening piece I am enabled to insert a large proportion
of soft cushioning packing and still retain the proper shape of the handle.
Referring now to Figs. 4, 5, & 6. If a stiffer handle than produced by the
method above described be desired I may insert a less number of strips of packing.
In Fig. 4 I have shown them around and between the four central canes only.
In Fig. 5 the centre is solid cane and the strips are placed around it and between
the outer ones while in Fig. 6 the handle is composed of 12 pieces only, of cane
and although the packing is placed between them all there will evidently be a less
proportion thereof than is the case as shown in Fig. 3.
I am aware that strips of soft material have been incorporated with cane in the
manufacture of bat handles before this date and I make no claim to such combination
broadly; but,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what
I claim is.
1. The improvements in cricket bats which consist in providing the handles
thereof with strips of elastic packing material between all the joints of the canes,
in combination with a stiffening piece of spring steel, substantially as described
and shown.
2. The modified forms of handle whereby the central portion, or the outside
portion, is left solid while the remainder is packed substantially as described, and
shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
3. The improvements in cricket bats which consist in inserting soft packing
material between all the canes, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of March 1896.
CHARLES COVENTRY,
Applicant's Agent.