Improvements in the Handles of Cricket Bats and Tennis Racquets.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 31st Aug., 1887
Complete Accepted, 28th Oct., 1887
Improvements in the Handles of Cricket Bats and Tennis Racquets.
PERCY HENRY NEWILL now of 80 Romilly Road Finsbury Park in the County
of Middlesex but late of Bishop's Castle in the County of Salop Solicitor's Articled
Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The principal object of this my invention is to construct the handles of Cricket Bats
and Tennis Racquets in such manner and with such materials that they (viz. the
handles) may be more flexible and less liable to break than those now in use while at
the same time they may be made smaller in girth.
My invention consists in constructing the handle of a cricket bat or tennis racquet
of a longitudinal spring or springs of steel or any other sufficiently tough and flexible
metal firmly fixed to the blade of the bat or the neck of the racquet; the said spring
or springs not being used in combination with a longitudinal strip or strips of wood
cane, cork or whalebone; and the said longitudinal spring or springs being either flat
or of any other shape such as will allow it or them sufficient flexibility in the direction
perpendicular to the face of the blade or racquet to permit the handle to bend or give
to the requisite extent when the ball is struck; and the said spring or springs having
fastened thereto some more or less elastic padding, substance or substances in such or
similar manners as are hereinafter more particularly described, in order to give the
handle a suitable outward shape and to enable the player to grasp it comfortably and
firmly.
Such longitudinal metal spring or springs must not be formed in the shape of a
circular tube or tubes or such similar hollow or other shapes as would not possess
cufficient flexibili

page_text: A good means of carrying out my invention is to use a single flat steel spring,
whose flat sides lic in planes parallel to the face of the racquet or of the blade of the
bat or thereabouts. This may be firmly fixed in position by forming the one end
thereof in the shape of a fork, the two flat arms of which grasp the blade of the bat or
the neck of the racquet and are fitted closely into the saine on each side thereof so
that the outside surface of the metal is level with the general surface of the said blade
or neck, and are fastened thereto by screws or otherwise. However any other method
may be adopted by which the spring can be firmly fixed, and I do not restrict myself
to the method here mentioned, although it is the one I prefer.
The said spring when firmly fixed in position forms the essential portion of the
handle as regards the necessary qualities of strength and flexibility, but to enable the
player to grasp it comfortably and firmly it is necessary to fasten to it some more or
less elastic padding substance or substances. Such padding or other substances will
unavoidably vary more or less the strength and olasticity of the handle when
finished, and therefore its influence must not be overlooked when calculating the
strength and flexibility necessary for the metal spring. The materials chosen for such
padding should be such as will as little as possible interfere with the flexibility and
free action of the metal spring, while at the same time possessing sufficient solidity to
give the player a good grip.
The methods by which the said spring may be so padded are evidently various.
One good method is to firmly fasten to the said spring by screws rivets, wire or
otherwise a shell or tube of leather canvas or other suitable material of a similar
character having the same outward shape as it is desired the handle should have.
This tube is fixed neatly at the end next the blade of the bat or neck of the racquet by
glue cement nails screws or otherwise, and it is then stuffed with horsehair, wool,
or any other such suitable padding until the handle is hard enough to suit the taste of
the player and to give him a firm grip. The top or other end of the handle is then to
be neatly finished off, as for example by sewing a round piece of leather thereon, or
by fixing by a screw a circular piece of wood on to the top of the metal spring, and
then fastening the leather tube round it by nails screws or otherwise.
Another method is to surround the said spring with vulcanized indiarubber moulded
thercon into the required shape; in this case it might be adviseable to firmly fix some
short pegs in the metal spring leaving portions thereof protruding therefrom, so that
the india rubber should not by any chance fail to firmly adhere to the spring. When
india rubber is so used it may either be solid or be moulded with a hollow on each
side of the spring, in which latter case if the hollows are large enough to weaken the
outside layer of india rubber they must be stuffed with padding in same way as
described where a leather tube is used.
Either of the methods above described could with slight modifications be used
where more than one spring is or a spring or springs of any other shape are used.
The handle of a cricket bat so constructed may now if desired be wound with twino
in the usual manner, to give the bat as much as possible the usual outward appearance,
and also for the same purpose the metal fork by which the metal spring is attached to
the blade may be shaped and painted so as to resemble the ordinary splice in the bats
now in use.
My improved handles either for cricket bats or tennis racquets may also be covered
with a thin outside coating of leather or the like to give a better finish and greater
softness to the player's hands.
It is evident that my improved handles can be applied to racquets with metal frames
as well as to those with wooden ones.
By varying the size of the metal spring or springs and, when steel is used, by
tempering them more or less, my improved handles can be so made as regards
strength and elasticity as to suit each player's individual requirements. Care should
however be taken not to make the handle so flexible as to prevent the player having
complete control over the bat or racquet.
It must be distinctly understood that I do not in any way include in my invention

page_text: neither do I claim the use of a strip or strips of flexible metal in the handles of cricket
bats or racquets in the manner and in combination with tho substance or substances
described either in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 8503 granted to Frank
Edwin Fensom and dated the 14th July 1885, or in the specification of Lotters
Patent No. 9455 granted to Richard Frederick James Cobbett Allen and dated the
8th August 1885.
Neither do I include in my invention nor claim the use, in the manufacture of
cricket bats, of a metal spring in conjunction with a loose handle joined to the blade
by a hinge or knee joint in the manner described in the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 1014 granted to John Cavanah and dated the 24th April 1863.
Dated this 1st day of December 1886

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Handles of Cricket Bats and Tennis Racquets.
I PEROY HENRY NEWILL now of Bishop's Castle in the County of Salop but late
of 80 Romilly Road Finsbury Park in the County of Middlesex Solicitors Managing
Clerk do hereby declare tho 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 principal object of this my invention is to construct the handles of cricket bats
and tennis racquets in such manner and with such materials that they (viz. the handles)
may be more flexible and less liable to break than those now in use while at the same
time, they may be made smaller in girth.
My invention consists in constructing the handle of a cricket bat or tonnis racquet
of a longitudinal spring or springs of steel or any other sufficiently tough & flexible
metal firmly fixed to the blade of the bat or the neck of the racquet; the said spring
or springs forming the main strength of the handle and not being used in combination
with a longitudinal strip or strips of wood cane cork or whalebone so as to form a
compound spring therewith which has been heretofore proposed; and the said
longitudinal spring or springs being either flat or of any other shape such as
will allow it or them sufficient flexibility in the direction perpendicular to the face
of the blade or racquet to permit the handle to bend or give to the desired
extent when the ball is struck; and the said spring or springs having fastened
thereto some more or less elastic padding substance or substances in such or
similar manners as are hereinafter more particularly described in order to give
the handle a suitable outward shape and to enable the player to grasp it comfortably
and firmly.
Such longitudinal metal spring or springs must not be formed in the shape of a
circular tube or tubes or of such similar hollow or other shapes as would not possess
sufficient flexibility in the required direction but the spring may be made of a flattened
or elliptic tubular form as hereinafter set forth.

page_text: Fig. 7 shows the end of handle with metal cap () removed.
Figs. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate different methods of finishing the end of handle.
Fig. 11 to 17 are detail views viz.:-Fig. 11 shows a piece of metal w' which may
be used instead of piece w and Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively sections thereof on
lines y y³ and ³ ³
Fig. 14 is an enlarged view showing application of said piece of metal w¹.
Fig. 15 represents the appearance of the lower end of the tubo L and piece w after
the same have been fastened together but before they have been placed in position
over spring A.
Fig. 16 shows the sharp edge pl and the series of sharpe projecting ridges p which
may be formed on arms and and Fig. 17 is a side view of same.
Fig. 18 is a section of a handle where indiarubber is used to surround spring A and
Fig. 19 is a cross section thereof on line y* y*.
Fig. 20 is an enlarged front view of arm f¹, bolts and nut s² shown in section
in Fig. 18.
Fig. 21 shows another way of finishing the end of indiarubber handle.
Fig. 22 is a
formed therein.
cross section of indiarubber handle with longitudinal hollows h
Fig. 23 which is partly in section illustrates another method of fastening the metal
spring
to blade B and Fig. 24 is a section thereof at right angles thereto on
line z¹ x¹.
Fig. 25 which is partly in section illustrates another method of fastening the metal
spring to the blade B and Fig. 26 is a section thereof at right angles thereto on
line x x¹.
Fig. 27 represents the handle of a tennis racquet and Fig. 28 is a section thereof on
line a³ ³.
Fig. 29 is a front elevation, Fig. 30 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 31 is a plan
section on line y' (Figures 29 and 30) of another modification of my improved handle
spring.
Figs. 32 and 33 show a handle spring of a somewhat flat tubular section in
longitudinal and cross section respectively Fig. 34 being a modification of that shown
in Fig. 33 also in cross section.
Fig. 35 is a side elevation of another modification of a handle in which the spring
is made somewhat in the form of a crescent and Fig. 36 is a plan section thereof on
line y yo.
Fig. 37 is a front elevation of the upper part of a cricket bat with flat handle
springs with their planes at an angle to one another, Fig. 38 is a plan section thereof
on line y and Fig. 39 a detail plan view of the top of the springs A and A10.
Fig. 40 is a sectional elevation of a handle with two longitudinal crescent shaped
springs secured together by a bolt at the bottom and hinged together at the top,
Fig. 41 being a plan section of the springs on line y'.
Fig. 42 is a plan section of the whole handle of the bat also on line y' Fig. 43 is a
longitudinal section of Fig. 42 on line 2, Fig. 44 is a plan detail view of Figs. 40
and 43 and Fig. 45 is a plan view of springs A" and A2 and connecting piece T
5 showing the mode of hinging the said springs.
A good means of carrying out my invention as applied to a cricket bat is to use
a single flat steel spring A whose flat sides lie in planes parallel to the blade of the
bat B or thereabouts so that it may be capable of bending in the required direction.
The spring A has its lower end formed in the shape of a fork whose flat arms f
0 grasp the blade B being closely fitted into same on each side thereof so that the
outside surface of the metal arms ff are level with the general surface of blade B
and are fastened thereto by screws s. In order to give arms ff a better grip on
blade B the extreme_ends thereof may be turned inwards and made into a sharp
edge p' as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, and also for the same purpose the underside of

page_text: arms may have notches cut thereon with a chisel producing a series of sharp
projecting ridges p for instance in the manner shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Or little
triangular projections similar to those on a very rough rasp file may be used in
substitution for the straight ridges.
As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 the spring A and the arm are in one piece and
arm is fastoned thereto by rivets r, but the spring A may have the fork at its end
formed in other manners for instance the spring A & arms ff' may be made in
one piece. Or the fork part may be made as a separate piece as shown at ffa
Figs. 23 and 24, the lower end of spring A' being formed in the shape of a wedge
which is driven tightly into a corresponding wedge shaped slot in fork piece and
firmly secured by rivets r. In this case the fork piece f might be made of cast
metal such as brass or malleable cast iron or steel and the rough surface of the metal
casting would be allowed to remain on underside of fork piece f2 as shown or it may
be cast with distinct ribs, points or other projections to give
The spring A may also be screwed into the fork piece for fixed in any other
good grip on blade B.
suitable manner. This remark also equally applies to the method to be described
with reference to Figs. 25 and 26.
a
In place of screws's the bolts s'having nuts & countersunk into the part f¹ may
be used as shown in Figs. 18 and 20.
Another method of fixing the metal spring to blade B is illustrated by Figs. 25
and 26. The metal spring A2 is made in one piece with a round rod R and has its
wedge shaped portion driven tightly into the corresponding wedge shaped slot in a
metal fork piece f³ and fixed there by rivets r. In this case the rod R is pulled
downwards by the nut R¹ and holds the spring A' firmly to and in the blade B while
the fork piece f³ gives the whole handle a good hold on the blade B. The fork
piece may be made considerably larger than here shown and screws may be used
to fix it more firmly to blade B. The slot g in back of blade B must be made large
enough to allow nut R' to be tightened and it is closed by a piece of wood gl (Fig. 26)
capable of removal when required. The rod R might go completely to the end of
blade and nut R¹ be placed there whereby the weakening effect of the slot for the
g would be obviated.
nut
However any other method may be adopted by which the metal spring can be
firmly fixed and I do not restrict myself to the methods here mentioned.
The metal spring thus firmly fixed in position forms the essential portion of the
handle as regards the necessary qualities of strength and flexibility but to enable
the player to grasp it comfortably and firmly it is necessary to fasten to it some more
or less elastic padding or other substance or substances thus giving the handle the
outward shape and appearance suitable for a cricket bat and racquet handle. Such
padding or other substance will unavoidably vary in some slight degree the
strength and elasticity of the handle when finished and therefore its influence
must not be overlookod when calculating the strength and flexibility necessary
for the metal spring. The materials chosen for this purpose should be such
as will as little as possible interfere with the flexibility & free action of the metal
spring while at the same time possessing sufficient solidity to give the player a
good grip.
The methods by which my improved handle may have a proper outside shape given
to it by so surrounding the metal spring with such padding or substances are evidently
various. One good method illustrated by Sheet 1 is to fasten to the spring A a shell
or tube L of leather canvas or other suitable material of a similar character the tube
having the same outward shape as it is desired the handle should have. The tube L
is fastened to the spring A in the following manner the bottom edges thereof are
doubled under a piece of hardwood w and fastened thereto by nails n or by screws
cement or otherwise. The outside lower end of tube L will then have the appearance
shown in Fig. 15. The tube I with wooden piece to so fixed thereto & with the
bolts bb in position is pulled down on to top of arms ff¹ so that the bolts bb pass
:-

page_text: through holes (Fig. 6). The nuts are placed on bolts bb and tightened
causing piece w to hold tube L tightly against arms ff. Of course this must be
lone before the spring A is fixed to blade B. The piece of metal wc shown in
Figs. 11, 12, & 13 may be used in the manner shown in section in Fig. 14 (Sheet 3)
in substitution for the hardwood piece w in which case tube I would be fixed thereto
by rivets passing through holes n² or by screws cement or otherwise.
The tube L is then stuffed with horsehair wool or any other such suitable
padding P until handle is hard enough to suit the taste of the player and to give him
a good grip. Care must be taken not to destroy the symmetry of handle in stuffing
it and for this purpose it may while it is being stuffed be placed in a mould of the
required shape.
The end of handle is now finished off as follows:-A round piece of wood T (Fig. 2)
is placed on end of spring A and the edges of tube L are doubled over it and
fastened to it by nails n or otherwise; the end of handle will then have the appearance
shown in Fig. 7. The round metal cap C is then screwed on to end of spring A thus
giving the handle a neat finish. Fig. 8 illustrates another method where a smaller
piece of wood T and metal cap C¹ are used. It is not essential that the wooden or
metal cap should be fixed to spring A and the end of handle may be formed as shown
in Fig. 9 where an outside wooden cap is fixed to an inside piece of wood T² by a
screw t. Another method would be to simply saw a round piece of leather C¹³ on to
end of tube L as shown in Fig. 10.
Another method of forming the handle is illustrated by the longitudinal section
Fig. 18 (Sheet 2) and consists in surrounding the spring A with vulcanized indiarubber
or an indiarubber composition I moulded thereon in the required shape.
To aid in preventing indiarubber I from slipping off the spring A and in order to
keep it firmly attached thereto I provide projections thereon of any convenient form
and suitably made of vulcanite or metal. These projections may be in the form of
the pieces of vulcanite m fastened to the spring A by rivets m¹. Also for the same
purpose the piece of metal w¹, of same shape as that shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13,
with pieces of canvas klapped round its edges is placed in the position shown in
Fig. 18, the whole being held together by the bolts bb and the indiarubber handle is
then moulded so as to envelop them. By slightly tightening the nuts 626 the
indiarubber I will be held closely against the top of arms while the edges of
piece to will be prevented from bursting through it by the canvas kk. The top end
of the indiarubber handle may be finished with a small wooden or metal cap C
screwed on to the spring A or the cap Ce may be dispensed with as shown in section
in Fig. 21.
The indiarubber I should not stretch lengthways and the projections m and cap Cª
when used will help to prevent this. To prevent it still further and also to give extra
strength and toughness to the handle canvas or such similar material in strips or in
form of tubes or otherwise may be moulded in with the indiarubber either on its
surface or beneath same, as is well understood in the making of canvas rubber and
steam packing.
In moulding indiarubber on to spring A and vulcanizing same care must be
taken that the temperature used is not great enough to destroy the temper of the
spring A.
Instead of moulding the indiarubber I direct on to spring A it may be moulded
and vulcanized separately the piece wol canvas kk and bolts bb being imbedded in it
in their proper positions and a small hole being left down the centre through which
to push the spring A. The indiarubber sleeve I would be held down by bolts b b
and nuts in same manner as before. In this case the projections m could not
conveniently be used but the spring A might be wound tightly round with and have
fastened thereto a strip of canvas before the indiarubber sleeve I is pulled over it in
order to give it a better grip thereon. The indiarubber I may also be fixed with
cement to the spring A or its said canvas covering.

page_text: The indiarubber I may have longitudinal holes running through it, such as the
holes shown in Fig. 22. If the holes h are made large enough to unduly
weaken the outside layer of indiarubber they must be stuffed with padding in the
same way as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 where tuhe L is used.
A covering of leather canvas or like material may be fastened round the indiarubber I
if desired. And washers or short tubes or half tubes of indiarubber may be substituted
for the horsehair or other padding used in stuffing the tube L.
The handle may if desired now be wound with twine in the usual manner
to give the bat as much as possible the usual outward appearance and also
for same purpose the arms ff may be painted so as to resemble the ordinary
cane splice in cricket bats or may be sunk into the blade B and covered with a
veneer of cane.
It would be best to make the blades to be used with my improved handle heavier
at the bottom and lighter at the top than those now in use in order to counteract the
extra weight of the metal spring in the handle.
Handles made after either of the improved methods hereinbefore described may
be used for tennis racquets with some slight, to some extent, self evident modi-
fications such as shaping the arms of the fork differently so as to fit the neck of the
racquet.
In Figs. 27 and 28 is shown as an example a handle of the kind represented in
Figs. 1 and 2 but adapted to a wooden framed tennis racquet. F is the frame of the
racquet. The arms which correspond with the arms in Figs. 1 and 2 are
modified to suit the neck of racquet, as shown. T³ is a round piece of wood similar to
piece T in Fig. 2 and used in same manner, C+ is a round piece of wood held firmly
down by nut which screws on to the spring A. The remaining parts are marked
with the same letters as the corresponding parts in Figs. 1 & 2 and are substantially
the same.
I have hereinbefore described the use of a single flat metal spring but it is evident
that two or more springs or a spring or springs made in other shapes may be used
provided they are such as will allow the handle sufficient strength and flexibility in
the required direction. It is impossible to describe in reasonable space all the
numerous variations which may be made but in Figs. 29 to 45 are shown as examples
some different springs which may be used.
Figs. 29, 30 and 31 show a spring similar in shape to that in Fig. 5 but built up
differently, being formed of two pieces of flexible metal A³ and A shaped and
rivetted together as shown in the drawings.
Figs. 32 and 33 represent a spring formed of a flattened tube A³ the same being
split at its lower end as shown and the split portions formed into fork pieces 10 and f
similar in shape to f and f' in Figs. 5 and 6. R is a metal ring which may be used
for the purpose of preventing the tube from splitting further than is required. t¹is
a plug fitted into and rivetted to top of the tube A5 and has a screw cut thereon for
the same purpose as in the previous cases. Instead of formning the spring from a
flattened tube it may be made in a somewhat similar form but of two pieces A and A'
as shown in Fig. 34. These springs A and A' are formed in similar manner to A³
and A (Fig. 30) and they are rivetted together in the same way, the only difference
being that they are wider and thinner than said A³ and A* and are curved in section
instead of being straight.
Figs. 35 and 36 show a single spring A8 having a curved sectional form. It is
made in two pieces which are rivetted together to form the fork pieces in like manner
to that shown in Figs. 5 and 6. 2 is a piece of metal with a screw at the top which
is rivetted to the spring AB as shown.
The springs shown in Figs. 32 to 36 have the advantage of being lighter than the
spring A before described but they are not so strong.
In Figs. 37 to 45 are shown two examples of the use of two separate springs in
the handle. In Figs. 37 to 39 the springs A and A10 are rivetted into a fork piece /*
made in a similar manner to that shown in Figs. 23 and 24. They are here represented

page_text: as being joined together at the top and a bolt t³ (see Fig. 37) is placed through a hole
therein for the purpose of fastening a cap such for instance as the cap C shown in
Fig. 2. The springs A and A10 need not be joined at the top except for the convenience
of placing the bolt 3 in the centre of the handle.
Figs. 40 to 45 represent another example of the use of two springs. The springs A¹¹
and A2 are curved in section as shown in Fig. 40 and the lower end of each is formed
into a fork piece as before. They are held firmly together at the end next the blade
by the bolt and nut¹ (Figures 40 and 41). At the top they are connected by a piece
of metal or hard wood T hinged thereto by pivots on which it can turn freely.
The leather tube L is fixed to the metal piece w by rivets or otherwise and with the
bolts in position as shown in Fig. 43 it is pulled down close to the fork piece.
The part d'is then placed against the bolt and by means of the nuts is
made to press the leather tube L tightly against the fork pieces. The tube Lis
then stuffed as before a piece of wood T placed on the top of the connecting
piece T and the leather fastened over it. And finally the cap C is fixed thereon by
screws t¹.
The leather or indiarubber tube (whichever is used) may be fixed to the springs
shown in Figs. 29 to 45 by a metal piece similar to piece w previously described
except that the whole in its centre would be altered to suit the particular spring it
was to pass over.
My improved handle is applicable to a metal framed racquet and in this case could
be rivetted or otherwise fastened to or be made in one piece with the metal frame. I
do not claim the use of a metal frame to a racquet except in combination with my
improved handle.
By varying the size of spring A and when steel is used by tempering it more or
less my improved handle can be so made as regards strength and elasticity as
to suit each players individual requirements. The handle must however not
be made so flexible as to prevent the player having complete control over the bat
or racquet.
I am quite aware that in my improved steel spring handle the tube Land padding P
or the indiarubber I might be replaced by or be used in combination with longitudinal
strips of wood cane cork or whalebone but I prefer to cover the spring A with a soft
homogenous substance or padding such as described.
I have here only described what I consider the best way of carrying out my
invention that is to say by use of a steel spring or springs forming the main strength
of the handle, but a spring or springs made in other shapes & of other metal than
steel may be used provided that they allow the handle sufficient strength and flexibility
in the required direction.
The following are some of the advantages of my improved handle especially as
applied to a cricket bat:-(1) A broken blade can be removed from the handle with
great ease and replaced by a new one, and a bat may be sold with duplicate blades
all made to fit the same handle; (2) A good and comfortable grip is afforded to the
player (3) The handles can be made with any required amount of flexibility to suit
the requirements of each player and (4) They have great driving power consequent
on their increased flexibility.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I do not claim the use
of a strip or strips of flexible metal in the handles of cricket bats or tennis racquets
substantially in the manner and in combination with the substance or substances
described either in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 8503 granted to Frank Edwin
Fensom and dated the 14th July 1885 or in the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 9455 granted to Richard Frederick James Cobbett Allen and dated the Sth August
1885, nor do I claim the use in the manufacture of cricket bats of a metal spring in
conjunction with a loose handle joined to the blade by a hinge or knee joint substantially
in the manner described in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 1014 granted to
B

page_text: John Cavanah and dated the 24th April 1863; nor do I claim the use in the manu-
facture of cricket and other bats of a slotted handle and springs combined therewith
as described in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 7273 granted to Henry
Richardson and dated 31st May 1886, but what I claim is :-
1. In a cricket bat or tennis racquet forming the handle of a metallic spring or
springs firmly united to the blade of the bat or neck of racquet and surrounded with
suitable padding or other substance or substances substantially as set forth.
2. The constructions of metallic spring handles for cricket bats and tennis racquets
and the modes or means for uniting same with the blade of bat or neck of racquet
substantially as described and shown.
11: 901
1007
P. H. NEWILL.