Patent GB-190312115-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Appliances for Indicating the Scores in Billiards and other Games and for Recording the Results at Distant Points.
Inventor: BAXTER CHARLES
Filed: 1903-05-27
Granted: 1904-05-27
Abstract: 12,115. Baxter, C. May 27. Scoring and marking; time checks for games.- Relates to apparatus for indicating the scores in billiards and similar gamea, and for transmitting and integrating the maximum scores to give a check on the attendant. Units, tens, and hundreds discs, a, b, c, respectively, Fig. 2, each graduated on its circumference from 0 to 9, are free to rotate on a common spindle d inside a box. The box has a slot which enables three numerals, on3 on each disc, to be seen from the outside. simultaneously. On a parallel spindle f, Figs. 1 and 2, are mounted star-wheels, one e, fixed to the spindle, and the other e<1>, loose on it. The disc a is rotated by hand, and has a pin a<1>, which engages once in the revolution of the disc with radial slots in the arms of the star-wheel. These slots being in continuous engagement with a set of ten pins b<1> on the tens disc, the latter is advanced by one numeral to each complete rotation of the units disc. A similar method is used for rotating the hundreds disc. A spring g, Fig. 1, presses on each set of pins b<1>, c', to cause the discs b, c to rotate by steps. The units, tens, and hundreds discs can be independently set to any required numeral by means of buttons a<2>, f<1>, c<2>, a<2> being fixed to the disc a, f<1> to the spindle f to move the disc b, and c' fixed to the disc c. The units disc a may be geared to a motor, and turned by putting the latter into operation by a button. The rotation of the discs may be limited by a pointer, that is moved to indicate the maximum score for the game. The other end of the pointer has a projection g<4>, that is moved over the entrance to grooves h on the disc c, according to the score indicated by the pointer. The grooves are of different lengths to suit the scores, and the discs are able to rotate until the projection g<4> butts against the blind end of a groove. An electric bell may be automatically rung to indicate that this point has been reached. To stop the tens disc, a second pointer, similar to that in Fig. 3, has a pin adapted to run on a circular flange b<3> or b<4>, Fig. 1, on the face of the disc b, butting against a radial extension at the end of the rotation of the disc. The scores are transmitted and added together by means of an electric current. Conducting-pins k<1>, Fig. 3, pass freely through the centres of discs i of insulating- material. The discs can rotate, but are, normally, held in one position by springs. A quadrant is cut out of each disc, and a plate of conducting-material arranged on the side of the quadrant towards the pointer, the plate being electrically connected to the pin. On moving the pointer to the required score, a conducting-pin l on it contacts with the several plates on the discs, making and breaking circuit in the wires shown. These currents are caused to actuate a pawl which drives a ratchetwheel, away from the apparatus. On passing back to be reset, the pin l meets the non-conducting edge of the quadrant and does not complete the circuit.