Patent GB-190517479-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Markers for Card Games such as Bridge and the like.
Inventor: BIANE RUFIN
Filed: 1905-08-29
Granted: 1906-08-29
Abstract: 17,479. Biane, R. Aug. 29. Scoring and marking.-The scores of bridge &c.. players are registered separately, either by providing each player with a scorer as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or by using a scorer provided with four compartments as shown in Fig. 4. The total points scored by tricks and honours are together added to or subtracted from each player's score, a separate account being kept of the score for tricks. Each scorer, Figs. 1 and 2, comprises two rings a, b, which rotate in grooves in a block c. The ring a is marked with the natural numbers from 1 to 40, and the ring b is marked with the even numbers from 0 to 98, and a slit e in a cover d, fixed to the block c, enables any number up to 4000 to be scored. The ring b is also kept in place by a fixed cover f, which is graduated similarly to the ring b, and between the covers d,f a space is left for a number of holes h to be formed in the ring b, the holes corresponding to the markings on the cover f. The ring b is rotated, in order to score points, by means of pegs placed in the holes h, the pegs being moved over the required number of points by the aid of the scale on the cover f. At each complete revolution of the ring b, the ring a is moved forward one division by a tooth k, which rotates the ring by means of a pinion i and crown-wheel j. A series of holes m is formed in the cover f for scoring points for tricks. Fig. 4 is a section of a combined scoring-device, in which four wheels a<1>, b<1>, marked similarly to the rings a, b, Fig. 1, are freely mounted on a shaft n in a casing provided with slots which exhibit the scores. The rings a<1> are actuated from a square shaft s, which is rotated by gearing from the shaft n provided with a craukhandle q<1>. A wheel a' is provided for each player, each ring being provided with a toothed wheel, which is geared with the shaft s, when a score is to be put on, by depressing a knob and thus moving a spring- controlled lever which engages a grooved hub t<1> of a wheel and moves the wheel along the shaft S into gear with a wheel a<1>. A number wheel similar to the wheels a' is mounted on a shaft n, and is set to zero before the knobs u<1> are depressed in order to take on a score. The shaft n is then rotated until the number wheel indicates the number which is required to be put on. Each wheel a<1> is provided with a tooth k<1>, which, once during each complete revolution, moves a wheel b<1> by means of gear-wheel i<2>, i<1> on a sleeve mounted on a shaft o, and teeth j<1> on the wheel b<1>. Instead of points being added to the winner's, and subtracted from the loser's, scores, the winners may be credited with twice the score made, and the total number of points scored may be registered by a device similar to the wheels a<1>, b<1>. The points gained by any player are obtained by subtracting the total score from his score as thus registered. The wheels a<1> may be marked with numbers which are multiples of four, and two teeth k<1> be provided. The rings a<1>, b<1> may be arranged on separate spindles, and the arrangements for putting the rings a, b<1> in and out of gear with the operating-mechanism may be varied.