IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE TABLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Smith, of 5, Somerset Villas, Lordship Road,
Stoke Newington, County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN FOLDING BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE TABLES."
Sealed the 29th September 1877, and dated the 12th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th July 1877.
EDWARD SMITH, of 5, Somerset Villas, Lordship Road, Stoke Newington,
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE
TABLES."
This Invention of improvements in folding billiard and bagatelle tables consists
in applying to these folding tables, and hinged or otherwise fastened to them, the
necessary legs or supports, so that when a table is folded together, the two pairs of
legs fold inversely to the table, and then become the legs upon which the table
stands; just as when the table is opened out it stands upon them. Castors may be
applied to these legs. It then becomes very easy to move the closed-up table from
one room to another, and is a great convenience.
The action will be easily understood by supposing the table and legs when in
process of folding up to represent the letter M, the right and left lines of the letter
representing each one pair of legs, folding towards the lower sides of the table,
and the downward pointing middle angle of the letter representing the table
doubling.up.
"
To fit the pairs of legs to an ordinary folding-up billiard or bagatelle table, the
pairs of legs are hinged to the under side of the table; at a convenient distance from
each end a strut, preferably hinged to the table, starting from near the middle of the
table, notches or struts into the cross bar which forms the legs into pairs, a bolt or
other fastening when the table is opened, also tending to lock the two parts of the
table into a straight line. In place of a strut, tie rods from the ends of the table
may be used to attach to the cross bar of the legs.
The length of the legs is such that they project a few inches beyond the
mid-division of the table, and thus form the support for the table when closely
folded up.

page_text: When the tables are made, as is frequently the case, with deep under sides in
place of being hinged, the legs may be bolted through to the deep under sides; the
bolt itself then forms the pin or centre upon which the legs work to take up their
desired position, whether the table is open or closed. A table with deep sides
(these forming the recess within which the legs fold) will not in this way occupy
any more space than the same table without legs would, except only the few
inches of additional height to keep the table when folded slightly raised from the
ground.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Edward Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th January
1878.
EDWARD SMITH, of 5, Somerset Villas, Lordship Road, Stoke Newington'
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE
TABLES."
This Invention of improvements in folding billiard and bagatelle tables consists
in applying to these folding tables, and hinged or otherwise fastened to them, the
necessary legs or supports, so that when a table is folded together the two pairs of
legs fold inversely to the table, and then become the legs upon which the table
Castors may be
stands; just as when the table is opened out it stands upon them.
applied to these legs. It then becomes very easy to move the closed-up table from
one room to another, which is a great convenience.
The action will be easily understood by supposing the table and legs when in
process of folding up to represent the letter M, the right and left lines of the
letter representing each one pair of legs folding towards the lower sides of the table,
and the downward pointing middle angle of the letter representing the table
doubling up.
To fit the pairs of legs to an ordinary folding-up billiard or bagatello table, the
pairs of legs are hinged to the under side of the table; at a convenient distance from
each end, a strut preferably hinged to the table, starting from near the middle of
the table, notches or struts on to or into the cross bar, which forms the legs into
pairs, a bolt or other fastening when the table is opened, also tending to lock the
two parts of the table into a straight line. In place of a strut, tie rods from the
ends of the table may be used to attach to the cross bar of the legs.
The length of the legs is such that they project a few inches beyond the
mid-division of the table, and thus form the support for the table, when closely
'folded up.
When the tables are made, as is frequently the case, with deep under sides in
place of being hinged, the legs may be bolted through to the deep under sides,
the bolt itself then forms the pin or centre upon which the legs work to take up
their desired position, whether the table is open or closed. A table with deep sides
(these forming the recess within which the legs fold) will not in this way occupy
airy more space than the same table without legs would, except only the few
inches of additional height to keep the table. when folded slightly raised from the
ground.

page_text: In the Drawings accompanying this Specification and forming part of it,―
Figure 1 is a view of the table folded up, a moveable panel to hide the legs being
removed.
Figure 2, a bagatelle table opened and set up ready for play.
Figure 3, a table showing the action of being folded up.
Figure 4, the well-known cramp or dog to block the table when extended.
Figure 5, loose panel.
The same letters represent the like parts in all the Figures.
a, the table; b, the leg; c, the cross bar of the leg; d, the struts; d, the notch of
the strut locking on to the cross bars; e, the pins on which the table legs turn;
fhandles; g, the locking dog or cramp; h, hinges of the table; i, hinges of the
struts; j, buttons to keep in loose panel to hide legs; k, hooks holding table together
when folded up.
It will be observed that as the table doubles up as in the ordinary table, the legs
fold in the frame and stand together in a space very little more than the width of
an ordinary table.
The legs fold out to a stop, and the strut acting against this makes the table
support very firm, and the locking at the mid-division of the table by the cramp or
dog, or any other suitable means, then makes the whole structure nearly as solid as
a fixed table.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,―
Firstly. In a folding bagatelle or billiard table attached, folding in legs and struts,
substantially as described.
Secondly. In the supporting frame and legs of a folding bagatelle or billiard table,
the method of fixing and folding in the legs and the struts, and the method of fixing
and folding them, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Smith, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
EDWARD SMITH. (L.S.)