An Improved Construction of Handles for Cricket Bats.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLEIE
DIEUITIVATI
An Improved Construction of Handles for Cricket Bats.
I, HENRY SIDNEY DARK, of the firm Messrs F. Dark and Sons of Lords
Cricket Ground, Middlesex, Cricket Bat Manufacturers, 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 manufacture handles for cricket bats from a
combination of cane or its equivalent, such as bamboo and cork, to obtain great
strength, also the required springyness between the grip and the blade and a firm
hold, and produce a better finish.
For the purpose of this invention, I prepare lengths of cane such as bamboo in
square, hexagonal, or other shape in cross section, parallel or otherwise in the
length and secure several of such lengths together by cement, glue, or other
means, to compose a square, hexagonal or equivalent shaped body as a centre stem,
one end of which is fastened into, or to, the blade at the shoulder in a well known
manner of fastening handles thereto.
On this prepared central stem, which may vary in thickness in its length I glue
or otherwise attach strips of cork; the inner surfaces of which have been prepared
to touch the exterior of the central stem and adhere to their edges, butting to
present a neat appearance.
The outer ends of the cork are dressed for the reception of a wooden or other
ferrule to give a finish to the handle, the grip portion being filed or dressed to the
required shape.
The invention will be further understood by the annexed drawings. Figure 1 is
a partial sectional elevation and Figure 2 a transverse section through the line a b
Figure 1, in which the cane or bamboo strips or lengths A are of square form but
glued or cemented together and shaped to fit at the lower part B (the tang) into
the blade C to the desired depth for firm attachment therein in the manner well
known.
The upper part at D is of increased dimensions to fit the shoulder E of the
blade Cand from this point the outer cane or bamboo strips or lengths are reduced
to a curve at the grip part, the extremity F being of larger size and with a stud G,
on to which an end ferrule or cap H is fixed, said cap H being sufficiently broad for
covering the ends of a cork, or its equivalent body I, this being in longitudinal
sections cemented on to the cane or bamboo strips to form the handle proper, or part
gripped by the batsman.
The lower ends of cork covering are shaped to fit the curve of the shoulder to
produce a neat joining. The cork is then shaved or filed to the requisite
dimensions and finished, the bat then having the appearance shown by the elevation
Figure 3.
At Figure 2 the cane or bamboo strips are of square shape in cross section and
the cork handle is composed of four pieces, but the cane or bamboo lengths may be
of any shape as exemplified at Figure 4 and finished off to any desired number of
sides for the reception of the cork, the strips or lengths of which may be in any
number.
By this invention, the handle is made very strong and stiff without losing the
required flexibility or springyness so essential for good batting.
The cork may be covered to any height by a wrapping of cord if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ;-
The improved construction of handle for cricket bats and composed of numerous

page_text: strips or lengths of cane or bamboo cemented together as an attachment to the
blade and covered with cork, as hereinbefore described, and substantially as shown
by the annexed drawings.
י
'נית
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Henry Sidney Dark.