Improvement in Cricket Bats.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May. 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
TRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Cricket Bats.
I WILLIAM CLARK of Paganhill near Stroud in the County of Gloucester
Cricket Bat Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The blade of the bat is of the usual length and width but instead of being in
one solid block of wood it is formed of several strips-some 10 to 15 in number
(according to the size of the bat) of willow; the width (from the face to the back
of the blade and throughout its thickness which is about 2 inches previously to
being worked down into shape) of the several strips respectively vary and alternate
from th of an inch to an inch. The bottom of the blade is from 3 to 7 times
cross dovetailed to strengthen the joints of the blade. The aforesaid strips and
cross dovetails are all pegged laterally glued pressed and cramped together.
The handle is spliced and formed of several strips of cane and leather.
The blade formed as above "drives" and wears better and is much more durable
than the ordinary blade does not "jar" and is not in danger of splitting.
Dated this 17th down of Mon 1000
WILLIAM CLARK.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Cricket Bats.
I, WILLIAM CLARK of Paganhill near Stroud in the County of Gloucester,
Cricket Bat Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention aud in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings and to the figures and letters marked thereon :-
This invention has for its object improvements in cricket bats whereby the
strength thereof is augmented and at the same time it is therefore more durable
and wears better, the "driving "power thereof is much greater, and there is no
danger of the hat splitting, or jarring the hands as is now the case with those at
present in use.
According to this invention I build up the blade of a cricket or other bat of a
number of lengths or strips of wood of equal or varying thicknesses which strips
are cramped and glued together, and to further strengthen the same dowels, tenons,
or pegs are inserted through or partly through laterally and in preference in a
diagonal manner so as to firmly secure such strips as though dovetailed together,
and thus make a solid block thereof, it is then turned or worked down to the
required size of the blade.
The lower part or bottom of the blade is then firmly secured by a cross strip
pegged or dowelled thereon.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried
into effect will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully to
describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows the method of building up the blade of a cricket bat.
Figure 2 is a separate view of one of the strips and
Figure 3 shows the bat completely made up.
In all the figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.

page_text: To form the blade A, of the bat some ten to fifteen (more or less) strips of
wood a, all of one thickness as shown in the drawings or of varying thicknesses
narrow at the sides and gradually increasing towards the centre of the blade and
in preference of willow are joined together by means of glue or other cement and
a number of pegs, tenons or dowels b, being inserted therein laterally and
diagonally, said strips are somewhat larger than the proper size of the bat blade,
which when cramped and firmly secured together as above described is turned or
worked down to the required size of the bat blade.
The bottom of the blade A has secured to it a cross piece c, firmly fixed thereto
by means of glue and pegs tenons or dowels d, inserted therein and in a diagonal
manner as will be seen on reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.
The handle e, is formed in a somewhat similar manner to the blade A and in
preference of three pieces of cane having strips of leather or other material f
inserted between them to prevent or lessen the jar when the ball is struck.
It will thus be seen that a cricket or other bat may be built up in the manner
above described so that the strength thereof is greatly increased and also that the
"driving" power thereof is augmented and that there is no danger of the bat
splitting, or jarring the hands.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The construction or building up of the blades of cricket or other bats of a
number of strips of wood glued together, and further secured together by means
of dowels, pegs or tenons substantially as herein described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
2. The construction or building up of the blades of cricket or other bats as
herein described with a handle formed of a number of pieces of cane or other
substance and having strips of leather or similar material inserted between such
strips for the purpose stated.
3. The general construction of a cricket or other bat or any mere modification
thereof substantially as herein shown and described in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 1st day of March 1893.
WILLIAM CLARK.