Patent GB-190110401-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Coin Freed Automatic Repeating Bagatelle Machine for Delivery and Non Delivery of Checks and Coins
Inventor: COCKS FRANCIS JAMES
Filed: 1901-05-20
Granted: 1902-04-17
Abstract: 10,401. Cocks, F. J. May 20. Bagatelle.-In a coinfreed bagatelle game balls R are impelled over a table C, having a number of holes, by a spring cue d<3> which projects through a metal strip engaging a groove in the end of the case. When a coin has been inserted and a spring- returned slide B pulled out, the table C turns on hinges at one side and discharges the balls into an inclined gutter P, partly covered bv an inclined block. The balls are ejected from the holes c by pins L fixed to a table and loose pins j guided by sockets J. The bottom of the gutter P is blocked by a spring- supported block T depressed by a spade f having a handle F guided by a plate f<1>sliding in grooved blocks. The balls are lifted in turn up a vertical channel E, and ejected by a spring e<2> on to the inclined part of the table in front of the cue. The cue holder is pivoted to a plate d<3> by a pin on a collar d', and at the end of the cue is attached a cup held in position by a nut and carrying a screwed wooden tip. The holder D may carry a projection to slide under a strip on a fixed block. A part of the muzzle is removed at the bottom to facilitate adjustment of the balls. The holder D may be carried by a sliding plate. In wide tables, the pins L at the hinged side are loose, and are raised in guiding tubes by projections on an arm carried by the slide B. A leather, American cloth, or like shutter or door may extend between the edge of the table and the gutter P. A glass cover V is provided, and rests on supports to which a rubber or leather cushion may be fixed. Blocks c<3>, c' are arranged as shown. A coin Q inserted in a shoot a<3> falls on to a coin balance X, and raises it out of engagement with a block b<2> on the slide B, which has blocks b<1> to support blocks c<1> on the underside of the table C. When one of the balls rests on one of the loose pins j, it raises the heavier end of a lever g<6>, pivoted to a slide G, out of engagement with a recess h in the bottom H of the casing. A sliding pin may be used to limit the motion of the lever X to suit halfpennies or pennies, as desired, and the lever g<6> may be notched to prevent it from slipping over a strip on the base. When the released slide G is pulled out, it delivers a check k from a column K. The checks may be flat, with central holes to slide on a pin k<1>. At the same time, blocks g', g<2> raise the pins and eject the balls on to the table. The slide G is returned by a spring 0, and its forward motion is limited by a stop g<5>. A hinged flap g<4> may be turned up to operate the balance X and allow the operator to have a new game when the issue of checks is not required. A sliding metal strip, with a hole in the centre for the passage of the cue, prevents a piece of wood from being pushed in to manipulate the balls. Loose pins j without balances may be used to fill up the holes when the check lever is held out in fraud. The block b<2> on the slide B may have a second step, to prevent the slide from being operated a second time if not fully returned, and in this case the coin rest is sufficiently long to support the coin until the second step has passed the balance X. To prevent the check slide from being pulled out with the table tilted, balances Z<1>, Z<2>, consisting of hollow pivoted tubes containing balls z, are arranged to co-operate with recesses and shoulders on the slide G. The balance Z<2> is freed, when the slide B is pulled out, by the action of a projection b<5> on a pin z<7>, and the balances Z' are freed by a projection b<4>. When the base of the machine is lifted from its support, the balance Z<2> may be brought into engagement with the slide G by a spring- pressed pin sliding in a tube inside the casing and having a rubber end engaging the surface of the supporting table. According to the Provisional Specification, when the ball is played into a certain hole and the check lever pulled, a vertical pin, which supports the coin, is withdrawn, and the coin falls down a shoot to a receiver outside of the casing.