Improvements in Apparatus to be used in Playing the Game of Cricket.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 20th Sept., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus to be used in Playing the Game of
Cricket.
I, CHARLES HOWE, of Granville Cottage, Kendal Road, Colchester, in the County
of Essex, Master Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce apparatus to be used in playing the game
of cricket, whereby the effect of an accidental knock or blow from the ball is not
nearly so serious and is not so likely to occur as with the apparatus at present used
when playing the game.
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According to this invention 1 form the blade of the bat of a resilient nature, such
for example as a rattan or other cane bent to a bow or other curved shape over which
is stretched leather, duck, canvas or the like cheap and strong material. The ends of
the rattan or other cane are inserted in a handle of ordinary construction. The cane
shape or stay of the blade will allow it to spring back or rebound when striking a
blow, and thus a hollow india-rubber or soft leather ball may be substituted for the
solid heavy ball at present in use. I also provide a ball "stopper" or "catcher" made
in the form of a net with a loose bag of canvas or other suitable material, or a netting
of string or cord. With a suitable handle to this "stopper' or "catcher" the
ball may be stopped or caught with perfect safety, no matter at what velocity it may
be travelling.
The stumps used are each provided with an inclined plane or shoulder, on, or
adjacent to, the spike, so that they can be easily pressed into the ground by placing
the foot on the said shoulder. Two of these shoulders may be placed at each stump
if required, one on each side. The stumps are preferably telescopic with means for
adjusting them to different heights to suit the fancy of the players. I prefer to place
the stumps in the ground in the form of an equilateral triangle, so that an equal
surface is offered should the ball be thrown from any part of the field.
The apparatus berein described may be used to play indoor cricket when desired,
the stumps in that case being fixed or attached to, or placed in, a suitable frame or
base plate.
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus to be used in Playing the Game of
Cricket.
1, CHARLES HOWE, of Granville Cottage, Kendal Road, Colchester, in the County
of Essex, Master Mariner, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to produce apparatus to be used in playing the game
of cricket, whereby the effect of an accidental knock or blow from the ball is not
nearly so serious, and is not so likely to occur as with the apparatus at present used
when playing the game.
According to this invention I form the blade of the bat of a resilient nature and of
any suitable material, such for example as a rattan or other cane bent to a bow or

page_text: other curved shape, over which is stretched leather, duck, canvas, or the like light and
strong material. The ends of the rattan or other cano are inserted in a handle of
suitable construction. The cane, shape or stay of the blade. will allow it to spring back
or rebound when striking a blow, and thus a hollow india-rubber or soft leather ball
may be substituted for the solid heavy ball at present in use. I also provide a ball
stopper or catcher" made in the form of a net with a loose bag of canvas or
other suitable material, or a netting of string or cord. With a suitable handle to
this "stopper" or "catcher "the ball may be stopped or caught with perfect safety,
no matter at what velocity it may be travelling.
"
"
The stumps used, may be each, provided with an inclined plane or shoulder on, or
adjacent to, the spike, so that they can be easily pressed into the ground by placing
the foot on, the said shoulder. 1 prefer to place the stumps in the ground in the form
of an equilateral triangle, so that an equal surface is offered should the ball be thrown
from any part of the field.
The apparatns herein described may be used to play indoor, cricket when desired,
the stumps in that case being fixed or attached to, or placed in, a suitable frame or
base plate.
Referring to the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 shews a front elevation of a bat constructed in accordance with my inven-
tion, and Figure 2 is, a section on the line X X Figure 1.
A is a rattan or other cane, bent or curved as shewn the ends being secured in the
handle Bby glueing, pinning, riveting, or in any other suitable manner.
The cane
frame or shape A is covered with canvas, duck, leather, or other light and strong
material Ctightly, stretched, between the two sides of the cane and secured by pins,
by sewing the ends of the material over or around the sides of the cane, or by other
suitable means. By this means a blade of a resilient nature is produced, while the
bat is strong, light, and inexpensive, and specially adapted for use with a hollow or
soft ball.
Figure 3 shews a side elevation of my improved ball "stopper" or "catcher," and
Figure 4 is a plan thereof.
A rattan or other cane D is curved into a circular form or approximately 50, and
the ends secured, in the handle. E in any suitable manner. A loose bag of canvas, or
a.net F made of lengths of cord, twine, string, or the like woven in and out, between
each other and sufficiently long to form a bag as shewn in Figure 3, is secured to the
cane frame or shape D. The bottom edge of the "catcher" frame is bound with
leather or other strong material G to prevent the edges of the canvas or other, bag or
net from fraying out by contact with the ground. This ball" catcher" or stopper"
may be held on the ground or in the air, in the path of the ball so that the bag or net
will catch or stop the ball in its flight.
Figure 5 is an, elevation of one of the stumps used for outdoor, play, having a
circular flange R thereon. This flange is preferably formed on a collar S fitting over
and secured to the bottom of the stump just above the spike J as shewn.
Figure 6 is a plan of the spike shewn in Figure 5. When driving the spiko into
the ground, the foot is placed on the top of the flange Ryandipressed down, thus fixing
the stump in the ground without the necessity of knocking or hammering on the
upper end as at present. To adapt, the stumps so, that they may be arranged in the
form of an equilateral triangle for the purpose herein before specified; I provide their
upper ends with five depressions M to take the bails.
When the game is played indoors I provide a stump, board K. (shewn in Figure 7)
having three tapering holes L arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle. This
stump board may be used out of doors if desired, and secured to the ground in any
suitable manner. Into the, tapering holes L I place spiral springs N, to form sockets
to receive the spikes J on the bottom of the stumps.
Figures 8 and 9 shew elevations of the, spiral spring N.and the, stump, adapted for
use with the stump board; .e. having no collar S and flange R on the bottom thereof.
The spiral springs N serve to hold the stumps loosely in the board K, so that when

page_text: struck the said stumps will fall out of the spring sockets N and their ends or spikes
are not so likely to be broken off as would be the case if they were placed in holes in
the stump board direct.
The apparatus berein described may be played in the ordinary manner with the
stumps arranged in a triangle at each end of a given course, in, or out of doors, and
runs, byes, etc. may be taken and scored in the ordinary manner; or the game may
be played on a specially prepared course.
Figure 10 shews a plan of this course marked out. One set of stumps only is used
and these are placed in the centre of the course as shewn. Concentric circles P
are drawn, the inner circle forming the blocking or popping crease, the others being
provided with flags or other objects Q for indicating bases to which different values
are assigned. The batter may either run to these bases and back again, or their
values may be scored according to where the ball rests, or is stopped, after being
struck by the batter. The field may be kept by seven players, one at each end of the
bases Qon the outer circle, and one wicket-keeper, and the fielder securing the ball
returns to his base and bowls the next ball to the batter who changes his position so
as to face the bowler pro tem., or if the ball be stopped by the wicket-keeper it may
be returned to the player on the left hand side of the previous bowler.
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
"
(1) For playing the ordinary game of cricket or the modified game described with
reference to Figure 10, the apparatus herein described consisting of a bat having a
springy or rebounding blade, a ball "catcher ог stopper" with a net or bag to
receive the ball, and stumps with or without flanges, the spikes fitting into spiral
springs placed in tapering holes in a stump board, the upper ends of the stumps being
provided with five or other suitable number of recesses to receive the bails when the
stumps are arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle, substantially as and for
the purpose herein before set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(2) For the purpose hereinbefore specified, the bat shewn and described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.
(3) For the purpose herein before specified, the ball "catcher" or "stopper" shewn
and described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.
Dated this 20th day of August 1890.
"
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.