Improvements in Handles for Golf Clubs and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Handles for Golf Clubs and the like.
I. MAXWELL ROBERT CAUCH-KAVANAGHI, of the Club House, St. Andrews, Fife,
N.B., Gentleman. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in handles for Golf Clubs and the like.
I cover the handle of a golf club for example with gutta percha. When e
gutta percha is rendered soft by heat I grasp it tightly with the hands so as to leave
an impression of the hands on the gutta percha. When cool a handle is produced
which cannot turn in the hand when the club is in use as the gutta percha portion
fits every muscle and space in the hand and between the fingers. I may employ
any other material for producing the said impression of the hands and I may cover
the impressed gutta percha, or other material, with leather or the like
Dated this 18th day of September. 1896.
JOHNSONS,
115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Petitioner's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Handles for Golf Clubs and the like.
1, MAXWELL ROBERT CAUCH-KAVANAGH, of the Club House, St. Andrews, Fife,
N.B., Gentleman, 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 iuvention relates more especially to golf club handles which require to be
tightly grasped. In place of the usual more or less round handle this improvement
gives one that is capable of being moulded to the palm of the individual's hand,
and by this means the most solidly firm hold is obtained with any given strength
exerted.
In the carrying out of my invention gutta percha and cork sawdust are
thoroughly mixed in the proportion of 4 to 1 (by weight) and moulded into tubes
of a uniform circumference of about 24 inches, the thickness of the sides tapering
from say 3/16 to 1/16.
The gutta used in this composition must be such that it will become pliant enough
to receive an impression when immersed in boiling or nearly boiling water yet
not so easily melted as to become plastic on a hot day nor yet such as would become
too hard in cold weather.
The shaft is tapered for about 8 inches (the length of composition case) to fit
the corresponding taper in the gutta cover, this allows it to be firmly jammed on
and the shaft is allowed to protrude half an inch or so beyond the case.
The
tapered part to be roughed with a rasp and the case firmly forced on.

page_text: Then take a 12 inch square of strong cotton or some such material and wind it like a
newspaper wrapper round the gutta, making it temporarily fast to the protruding
inch of shaft above the composition and likewise below it. As it stands now
Í have a handle of gutta more or less firmly jamined on to the shaft with a cotton
envelope wound round it which prevents the hands adhering during the process
of moulding and also prevents the moulding becoming to deep.
Now immerse this handle in boiling or nearly boiling water when the composition
become: soft and plastic in which condition it will remain for a minute or two,
after being removed from it. Then the person whose hand or hands are to be im-
pressed grasps the club in his usual way and by means of a few tentative swings
assures himself that the composition is receiving the proper and desired depth of
impression.
When this is satisfactory the handle is immersed in cold water and so hardened
back to its original state, the cotton covering is removed and the handle is ready
either to be used as it is or to be covered as an ordinary club handle is.
This improvement is applicable to all handles such as tennis racquets, cricket
and other bats, foil and sword hilts, oars etc., in fact to anything where a maximum
power of grasp is wanted with any given force exerted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I say that I am aware
that the obtaining of a moulded formation corresponding to the mould of the palm
of the hand has been attempted before and I do not claim the exclusive right to
this principle but I say that as far as I am aware the practical method of carrying
out the principle in the manner as hereinbefore specified by me is novel and I declare
that what I claim is :-
1. For the handles of golf clubs and the like, the obtaining of a moulded forma-
tion corresponding to the mould of the palm of the hand, substantially in the
manner as hereinbefore described.
2. The moulding of gutta percha and cork sawdust, or their equivalent, into
tubes, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
3. During the process of making the moulding, providing a cotton, or other,
envelope or covering over the gutta percha, for the purpose of preventing the
hands adhering during the process of moulding and also for the purpose of pre-
venting the moulding becoming too deep, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 18th day of June, 1897.
JOHNSONS,
115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.