AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF THE HANDLES OF CRICKET BATS
Year: 1885

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I, BENJAMIN WARSOP, of 56, Charles Street, St John's Wood, in the County of
Middlesex, Cricket Bat and Stump Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF THE HANDLES OF CRICKET
BATS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :---
My invention relates to an improved construction of the handles of cricket bats
and is intended to endow them with a greater capacity of springing than they can
possiblly possess if made in the well-known, and old-fashioned, manner.
In carrying out my invention, I make the handle of the well-known cane, but
turn it hollow for about two thirds of its length, near the blade.
This hollow is next wound with a tapering strip of canvas, commencing with the
narrowest end of the strip, and applying it to the centre, i.e. the deepest part, of
the hollow. I prefer, for the purposes of my invention, to use canvas of the same
texture and quality as that used for tents and sails.
This slip of canvas is proportioned, in point of length and tapering width, to
gradually fill up the hollow in the handle, finishing flush with the unwound parts
of the handle. As the canvas is wrapped round the handle, it is glued sufficiently
to make it adhere thoroughly and permanently.
The bat handle is then wrapped with cord, and the bat finished off in the
usual way.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same may be carried
into practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe the
same in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures, which are to be
taken as part of this specification and read therewith, and, in which, like parts are
marked, throughout, with the same reference letter.
Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section, and Fig. 2, an elevation illustrating my
invention,
A is the handle of the bat, having an annular concave, a, formed in it.
This concave extends for about two thirds of the length of the handle, and is
always next to the blade of the bat. B is the strip of the canvas, (about 24 inches
long for a full size bat). It tapers for the greater part of its length, but is parallel
for the last few inches; so filling up the concave, as shown in Fig. 1.
' D71

page_text: It is obvious that by forming the concave next to the blade of the bat, I make
the handle spring where the batsman's right hand grasps it, and by making it long,
and comparatively shallow, I make room for a sufficient quantity of canvas without
weakening the handle.
In addition to the advantage to the batsman of having additional springing
property in the handle of his bat, my invention prevents his hands being jarred by
a hit.
The canvas strip is glued to make it adhere to the handle, and to itself, and the
handle is afterwards wrapped in the ordinary way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said 1
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
Forming the annular concave, a, in the handle of a cricket bat, and filling it
with canvas, or similar material, for the purpose of imparting additional spring
to the handle, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying 1
drawings.