improvements in Cricket Bats.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1396
Complete Specification, Left, 6th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
improvements in Cricket Bats.
We, ROBERT RAMSBOTTOM of 89 Market Street, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Sportsman's Outfitter and HARRY JAMES ROFB of Mayfield House Flixton'
in the County of Lancaster Cycle Dealer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its chief object the preventing of the back of the bat
from splitting..
To this end our invention consists in fitting over the bat for the full length of
the blade a sheath of skin specially prepared and having a sewn seam.
The skin of the donkey is what we prefer to use as being specially suitable.
The sheath is first formed of the required length and when sewn is of about one inch
less in girth than the blade of the bat, it is then soaked by which it is more
readily stretched and drawn on to the blade and allowed to dry when it firmly
binds upon the bat obviating to a great extent the tendency of the wood to split
when struck with great force, and so conducing to the longer life of the bat.
1000
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.
We, ROBERT RAMSBOTTOM of 89, Market Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Sportsman's Outfitter and HARRY JAMES ROFE of Mayfield House, Flixton
in the County of Lancaster, Cycle Dealer, 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 invention has for its chief object the preventing of the back of the bat from
splitting.
To this end our invention consists in fitting over the bat for the full length of the
blade, a sheath or sleeve of skin specially prepared and having a sewn seam.
We prefer to use donkey skin as being specially suitable.
This is treated to a solution of alum and hot water until it attains a suitable degree
of softness. After being formed into a sheath or sleeve of suitable size, it is drawn
when damp on to the bat into position and as it dries, it contracts and binds firmly
upon the bat, no cement being necessary. The edges of the sheath or sleeve at the
joint or seam are preferably sewn together.
On the drawing attached hereunto a bat fitted with the sleeve is represented by
Figure 1 in back view and Figure 2 in side view.
The part a represents the sleeve which is placed upon the blade 6 with the seam c at

page_text: the back thereof. Similar instruments to cricket bats may also be treated in a similar
way as for instance hockey sticks, golf clubs and the like."
By this method of treatment the bat is rendered much more durable and very little
weight is added.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The improvement in cricket bats substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated and for the purpose set forth:
Second. In a cricket bat the arrangement and use of a sheath or sleeve suitably
formed of skin prepared and applied in the manner substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described and illustrated.
R. J. URQUHART,
:57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 6, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent...