Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Points Scored in Billiards and similar Games, and for Recording the Number of Games Played..
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1898
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Points Scored in
Billiards and similar Games, and for Recording the Number of
Games Played..
I, OSWALD OSRIC ROTHWELL, of the Unicorn Hotel, Little Lever, in the County of
Lancaster, Licensed Victualler, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This invention relates to apparatus in which the points of the game as they are
scored are indicated on a rotating roller by a sliding pointer and is designed to provide
for the turning of the roller automatically when the pointer has completed its travel
across the board the automatic return of the pointer and the automatic return of the
roller to zero or its primary position when a hundred has been scored, also means
for recording the total number of games or the total number of points scored actuated
either by the movement of the roller or of the pointer.
In carrying out the invention I construct the roller of ordinary shape with the
indicating figures imprinted thereon and mounted to rotate about its axis and the
pointer is also of ordinary shape and appearance mounted to move backwards and
forwards in a slot across the face of the scoring board. It is to be understood that
the scoring appliances are in duplicate one for "plain" and the other for "spot" but
I will describe the invention with reference to one such inechanism only.
The roller is mounted in suitable bearings to allow it to revolve and at one end is
fitted with bevel or other wheels by which it is rotated and at the other end with a
catch and releasing mechanism to hold it at each fourth of a revolution and until it
has made a complete revolution and then release it.
The mechanisin for holding the roller comprises a ratchet on the end of the roller
and a pawl or click with which it engages to prevent backward movement.
A pin
projects from the side of the ratchet and engages with a loose lever or finger pivoted
preferably on the same centre. This pin is so placed that when the roller has nearly
completed one revolution or three fourths of a revolution it engages with the loose
ever or finger and carries it back with it until the end engages with the pawl and
ifting it clear of the ratchet allows the roller to rotate back in the opposite
direction to zero. This movement carries the loose lever back again and allows the
bawl to again come into operation.
A lever extending outside the case may be placed to operate the pawl to release
he roller when 50 has been scored and allow it to return to zero. A stop applied to
his lever prevents the roller being released except when 50 has been scored it being
elf-liberating or adjusting at 100.
A volute spiral or other spring is attached to the roller which is coiled as it is
noved in one direction and carries it back in the opposite direction to zero when
eleased.
The bevel or other wheel connected to the other end of the roller gears with
nechanism by which it is carried forward part of a revolution each time the pointer
ravels back to the zero end of the roller.
This may be operated in several ways by the forward movement of the pointer
uch as by means of a cord, screw or other device.

page_text: In one arrangement a cord is affixed to the pointer and to a spring barrel and the
outward movement of the pointer winds a spring which has sufficient power to draw
the pointer back and also during this backward movement to rotate the roller the
desired part of a revolution. A suitable train of wheels connect the spring with the
roller a ratchet and pawl connection being employed to permit the roller rotating in
the opposite direction when released at the other end. To prevent a forward move-
ment of the roller a pawl engages with a notched wheel such pawl being released by
the rotation of the spring barrel or drum allowing it to carry forward the connecting
wheel which gears with the roller.
Connected to the same spindle or geared to it are fingers moving over a dial to
indicate each 25 or 50 points with additional dials to indicate hundreds and
thousands, such points being operated by ordinary counting wheels.
The pointer moves past or over a rack which prevents it returning until it has
completed the full length of the travel. To the back of the pointer is fitted a sliding
tongue or pawl which engages with the teeth of the rack. This falls down of its
own gravity or by a spring. At one side it is fitted with a projection or notch which
when it is raised is engaged by a spring catch which holds it up away from the rack
during the return run. The slide or catch is raised to the desired height at the end
of the rack by an inclined plane and at the other end the spring catch is released by
coming into contact with a fixed pin or projection.
The pointer may be mounted on a long screw which is caused to rotate by the
forward movement of the pointer and a strong ratchet and pawl on this may if
desired be employed to prevent the backward movement of the pointer before it has
reached the end of its travel. The pointer may be drawn back by a cord attached to
a spring pulley as described or a spring or weight may be applied to it in other ways
or where it travels along a screw the screw may be caused to rotate by a spring and
thus carry it backwards. A spiral or other spring may be employed.
The clockwork or registering mechanism with fingers and dials is attached to the
front or end of the apparatus or otherwise placed to register either the number of
games or the total points scored. Such clockwork may be of any suitable con-
struction.
It may be connected with and actuated by the rotation of the roller or it may be
driven by a cord connected with the pointer where the pointer is mounted on a screw
it may be driven by the rotation of the screw.
The pointers may be locked to prevent the use of the apparatus. This may be
done by a pivoted lever with projecting arms which are turned down or forward into
the path of the pointer when they are at the zero end of the board. A spring catch
or lock is connected with the lever and a knob or rod projects beyond the case. By
pushing in this end the lever arms are brought into position and locked or held there
by the catch. A key releases the lock from the outside without opening the casing.
Dated this 16th day of December 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Points Scored in
Billiards and similar Games, and for Recording the Number of
Games Played.
I, OSWALD OSRIC ROTHWELL, of the Unicorn Hotel, Little Lever, in the County of
Lancaster, Licensed Victualler, 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 :-
1
This invention relates to apparatus in which the points of the game as they are

page_text: cored are indicated on a rotating roller by a sliding pointer and is designed to
rovide for the turning of the roller automatically when the pointer has completed its
ravel across the board, the automatic return of the pointer and the automatic return
of the rotter to zero of its primary position when a hundred has been scored also
heans for recording the total number of games or the total number of points scored
ctuated either by the movement of the roller or of the pointer.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1. Front elevation showing what appears on the front or face of the marking
oard.
the Toler to zero or TUS primary position when a nunaren has been scored also
means for recording the total number of games or the total number of points scored
actuated either by the movement of the roller or of the pointer.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1. Front elevation showing what appears on the front or face of the marking
board.
Fig. 2. Elevation from back, the figs. being arranged so as to be projected one
from the other.
Fig. 3. Elevation of indicating mechanism from back (enlarged details).
Fig. 4. Elevation of indicating mechanism with back covering plate removed.
Fig. 5. Plan of same.
Fig. 6. Front elevation (enlarged) of indicating mechanism with the dial removed.
Fig. 7. Side elevation of mechanism for holding and releasing the roller.
Fig. 8. Elevation showing modified arrangement for rotating the roller.
Fig. 9. Section on line - Fig. 8.
The invention will be described with reference to the working of one roller-
the top one--but it is to be understood that both rollers and pointers are
operated and controlled in precisely the same manner with such slight variation
of the arrangement and position of the mechanism as is necessary on account of
the pointer being placed below the top scoring roller and above the bottom
scoring roller as is usual in scoring or marking boards.
??
The scoring or recording roller A is constructed of the ordinary rectangular
shape and form with the indicating figures imprinted on the four sides thereof,
and mounted to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The pointer B is also of
ordinary shape and appearance mounted to move backwards and forwards
in a slot c across the face C of the scoring board. The scoring appliances are in
duplicate one for "plain and the other for "spot," each working independently
of the other and the same reference letters will apply to similar parts of each.
The roller A is mounted in suitable bearings to permit of its rotating in either
direction and at one end is fitted with bevel or other suitable wheels D by which it
is rotated in a forward direction by the action of a spring E or otherwise as the score
increases.
At the other end the roller A is fitted with catch comprising a ratchet wheel F
and pawl f which hold it at each fourth of a revolution to prevent it being turned
backwards, also with a spring G operating in the reverse direction to the spring E to
return the roller to zero when released and a releasing mechanism to disengage the
pawl and ratchet wheel F when it is desired to return the roller A to zero.
The pointer B is of ordinary construction at the front of the scoring board and
moves to and fro in a slot therein. At the back of the board is placed a rack H¹ and
the pointer is fitted with a sliding catch pawl or equivalent h which engages the rack
to prevent it returning towards zero until it has completed the full length of the
travel. The catch his raised at the end of the travel by an incline h¹ at the end of
the rack when the pivoted lever h² engages the projection h³ or a notch and holds it
up to pass back over the rack teeth and at the zero end of its travel the lever h² is
pushed out of engagement with the pawl h which then falls of its own gravity or is
pressed down by a spring.
The mechanism for rotating the roller A in a forward direction is set into
notion or operation by the forward movement of the pointer B so that after the
pointer has completed its forward travel and as it travels back to the zero end
the roller is carried forward part of a revolution. A cord, tape or band K is
attached to the pointer B and to the drum E¹ which gears with the barrel of the
spring E and is wound upon the drumm E¹ so that the outward travel of the pointer B
draws the cord off the drum and winds the spring E which has sufficient power to

page_text: draw the pointer back and also during this backward movement to rotate the roller
the desired part of a revolution.
To the barrel of the spring E is attached a wheel e which gears on one side with
the wheel e¹ loose upon the spindle d upon which the second bevel D¹ is fixed.
Rotating with the bevel D¹ and fixed to the spindle d is a ratchet e² with four
teeth which is rotated in one direction (the forward direction of the roller) by the
pawl 3 and over which the pawl e rides in an opposite direction to permit of the
rotation of the wheel e¹ as the spring barrel is rotated in the reverse direction to
wind the spring E. At the free end of the spindle d is fitted another ratchet d with
four teeth and a pawl d² to prevent the forward movement of the bevels D D¹ and
the roller A past the ratchet e² except at the proper time when the pawl d² is
raised. The pawl d² is raised by pins or studs d³ on a wheel or disc d' which
engage an arm or tail on the pawl. The disc d is also rotated by the wheel e
attached to the spring barrel E gearing with the wheel M. The wheel M is loose
upon the spindle m to which is affixed the ratchet m¹ operated by the pawl m²
pivoted to the side of the wheel. The movement of the wheel M in one direction
rotates the ratchet wheel m¹ the spindle m and disc d thereby releasing the pawl d²
from the ratchet wheel d¹ and permitting the forward rotation of the roller A at the
desired time.
Any other suitable or convenient train of wheels may connect the roller A with
the spring E to operate the roller A in a forward direction and to permit of it
rotating backwards to zero when desired or released.
The wheel M through the spindle m and suitable clockwork train M¹ operates the
recording fingers L L L which respectively register on the dial N twenty-fives,
hundreds and thousands, or any other number that the clockwork train may be
desired to register. The finger L makes one revolution for each revolution of the
roller A moving on 25 points or one quarter revolution for each quarter revolution of
the roller A.
The ratchet F of the retaining mechanism at the other end of the roller A is
provided with four teeth or indents with which the pawl f engages and holds it from
being rotated backwards after each forward movement until released. A pin f¹
projects from the inner side of the ratchet F and on the roller axle is pivoted a loose
lever P with which the pin f1 engages first on one side and then on the other
according to the direction of rotation of the roller A and ratchet F and carries it
round with them.. To the pawl f is also fitted a projecting pin and the end of the
loose lever P is notched with notches or projections p to engage with the pin f2 of
the pawl f. When the roller A has nearly completed one revolution or three fourths
of a revolution the pin f¹ engages with the loose lever or finger P and carries it back
with it until the end engages with the pin f2 on the pawl f and lifts the pawl and
holds it clear of the ratchet Fallowing the roller A to rotate back in the opposite
direction to zero. The backward or return movement of the ratchet F brings the
pin f¹ into contact with the other side of the loose lever P and carries back again
and disengages it from the pin f2 on the pawl f and allows the pawl to come again
into operation with the ratchet F.
A rod or lever R which extends outside the case is placed to operate or depress
the pawlf to release the roller when 50 has been scored and allow it to return to zero.
The rod R is fitted with a pin or projection which when it is depressed engages the
end of the pawl f. To prevent the roller A being released to return to zero by the
rod or lever Ŕ except when 50 has been scored upon it, a second pawl or stop lever S
with a notch 8 which engages with the pin on the rod R and locks the rod preventing
its downward movement. On the face of the ratchet F is a second pin &¹ so placed
that when the roller stands with the score at 50 the pin s¹ engages the side of the
stop lever S and presses it away from the pin r and permits of the rod R being moved
to operate the pawl f. The pawl is automatically released as above described when the
score has reached 100.
A volute spiral or other spring G is attached to the roller A which is coiled as it

page_text: is moved in the forward direction and carries it back in the opposite direction to zero
when released.
To prevent the backward movement of the roller A except when the pointer is at
the zero end of the roller a ratchet U is placed on the roller axle with a spring pawl u
engaging therewith the pawl being released by a stud or projection u¹ on the finger B
coming into contact with the lower end of it.
The forward rotation of the roller A after each 25 points have been scored may be
effected in several ways, either by winding up a spring by the operation of a cord
and drum as above described or by rotating a screw as the pointer is moved
forwards or in other ways or by the direct operation of a screw, rack band or the like
as the pointer is moved back to the zero end of the roller.
In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the pointer B is mounted upon a screw T
with a nutt to traverse the screw. The screw is connected by a train of wheels with
the roller A, a pawl and ratchet being introduced into the train to transmit movement
when moving in one direction only. On the outward travel of the pointer the screw
rotates without moving the roller but on the return travel of the pointer B to zero the
movement of the screw is transmitted to the roller A which is rotated a quarter
revolution. Releasing mechanism and counting mechanism similar to that already
described may also be fitted to the roller.
The clockwork or registering mechanism with fingers L and dials N may be
attached to the front or end of the apparatus or otherwise placed as found most
convenient to register either the number of games or the total points scored. Such
clockwork may be of any suitable construction, and may be exposed to view or encased
as desired.
The pointer may be locked at zero to prevent the use of the apparatus, by a pivoted
lever w with projecting arms w which are turned down or forward into the path of the
pointer when it is at the zero end of the board. A spring catch or lock W¹ is connected
with the lever and a knob or rod w¹ projects beyond the case. By pushing in the
knob or rod w¹ the lever arms ware brought into position and locked or held there by
the catch. A key is inserted in the hole w² to release the lock from the outside
without opening the casing.
It is to be understood that the different mechanism either for rotating the roller
or for holding and releasing the roller and returning it to zero may be used without
the automatic recording mechanism if so desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. Apparatus for scoring the points made in billiards or similar games constructed
with mechanism connected to the pointer which is operated by the movement of the
pointer and causes the roller to rotate part of a revolution each time the pointer has
completed its travel across the board, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for scoring the points made in billiards or similar games
the combination with the roller of mechanism for holding the roller and releasing it
when desired and a spring to cause it to rotate back again to zero, substantially as
described.
games
3. In apparatus for scoring the points made in billiards or other similar
the combination with the pointer of a spring driven barrel for rotating the roller the
spring of which is wound up by the outward travel of the pointer across the board by
means of a cord, screw or other device with or without a clockwork train and
recording mechanism, substantially as described.
4. In apparatus for scoring the points made in billiards and other similar games the
combination with the roller of a spring (such as F) wound up by the forward rotation
of the roller, a ratchet and pawl for holding the roller, a loose lever and rotating pin
and also a sliding rod and pin for releasing the roller and permitting it to return to
zero, substantially as described and shown.

page_text: 5. Apparatus for scoring the points inade in billiards and similar games having the
several parts constructed and arranged in combination substantially as described and
shown with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 or either of them or to Figs. 8 to 9.
Dated this 16th day of September 1898.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.