Improvements in the Manufacture of Velocipede Handles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Velocipede Handles.
I, CHRISTIAN HAMILTON GRAY of Silvertown in the County of Essex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It has long been the aim of manufacturers of velocipede handles to produce a
good gripping surface for the hands of the rider, while at the same time the
tendency to raise blisters on the rider's hands is avoided.
To attain these ends, I propose to combine india rubber and cork in such a way
that a sufficiently smooth surface will be secured, while at the same time a firm
grip is offered to the hands of the rider.
One mode of carrying out my invention is to shape roughly, on a mandrel, the
handle in plastic unvulcanised rubber; to coat this rubber with india rubber
solution; and then cover it with a layer of cork, (powdered to the required
fineness), which has been previously impregnated with some rubber solution, in
order to make the particles adhere together.
The handle thus far made is then placed in a mould, to bring it to the
required shape, and it is submitted to the vulcanising process to complete the
manufacture.
Another mode of manufacture is to mould the handle in vulcanisable rubber,
into which is kneaded ground cork of the required size of grain, in such propor-
tions that the grains of cork will be separated from one another by a thin wall
of india rubber. The handle is then subjected in the mould to a vulcanising heat.
The ground cork, forming an integral part of the composition, will give to the
handle a not unpleasant mottled appearance, while at the same time it provides an.
absorbent for the moisture from the hands, and a good frictional or gripping
surface, not liable to injury, like cork handles.
Dated this 25th day of March 1892.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Velocipede Handles.
...I, CHRISTIAN HAMILTON GRAY of Silvertown in the County of Essex,
Engineer, 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 :-
It has long been the aim of manufacturers of velocipede handles to produce a
good gripping surface for the hands of the rider, while at the same time the
tendency to raise blisters on the rider's hands is avoided.
To attain these ends, I propose to combine india rubber and cork in such a way
that a sufficiently smooth surface will be secured, while a firm grip is offered to
the hands of the rider.
One mode of carrying out my invention, is to shape roughly, on a mandrel,
the handle in plastic, unvulcanised rubber; to coat this rubber with india rubber
solution; and then cover it with a layer of cork (ground to the required fineness),
and, preparatory to its application, mixed with some rubber solution (preferably
colored solution), in order to make the particles adhere together.
The handle thus far made is then placed in a mould, to bring it to the required

page_text: shape, and it is then submitted to the vulcanising process, and afterwards buffed
smooth to complete the manufacture.
Another mode of manufacture is to mould the handle in vulcanisable rubber
containing preferably a pigment, which will impart to it a pleasing colour, and
combined with ground cork of the required size of grain, in such proportion, that
the grains of cork will be separated from one another by a thin wall of the rubber
compound. The handle is then subjected in the mould to a vulcanising heat, and
afterwards finished by buffing, to bring the handle to a smooth surface.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 shews in longitudinal section, a handle made according to the first
mentioned plan; and
Fig. 2 shews in longitudinal section, a handle made according to the second
method.
A, Fig. 1, shews the plastic unvulcanised rubber, which received its internal
shape from the core or mandrel around which it was laid, and B B is the coating
of ground cork and cement applied thereto, and brought to shape by being applied
to a mould, in which it was subjected to the vulcanising process.
The size of the cork particles which I prefer to employ in the production of my
improved handles, is such as will pass freely through a sieve having twelve to
twenty holes to the square inch.
Finer particles of cork, which approach the character of dust, may be used,
especially where the contour of the outer surface of the handle is wavy or uneven,
as indicated at Fig. 1, but generally I prefer to use the larger grain.
The handle shewn at Fig. 1 is formed with annular ribs, but other irregular
forms may, if desired, be adopted.
Fig. 2 shews a handle with a plain outline, and similar in its composition
throughout its whole structure. In this example, the ground cork, after sieving, as
above indicated, is kneaded into, and thoroughly incorporated with the plastic
unvulcanised rubber, preferably prepared with a coloring ingredient. The shaping
of the handle on a mandrel, and in a vulcanising mould, is carried out as above
explained.
The ground cork, forming, as illustrated in the figures, an integral part of the
composition, will give to the handle a not unpleasant mottled appearance, while at
the same time it provides an absorbent for the moisture from the hands, and a good
frictional or gripping surface, not liable to injury like handles formed solely of
.cork.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The manufacture of velocipede handles from india rubber and ground cork,
combined in the manner and for the purpose above set forth.
Dated this 92nd day of November 1909
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.