Improvements in Means for Finishing or Polishing Playing Cards.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Finishing or Polishing Playing Cards.
I EDWARD TRUSTRAM of 49, Marlborough Street, Oldham, Lancashire, Solicitor,
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 :-
This invention relates to an improved means for finishing or polishing playing
cards, so that they can be manipulated freely without the cards sticking together.
New playing cards even when highly polished by the ordinary means, always
tend to stick slightly together, thus preventing them being easily dealt and
manipulated.
According to my invention, after the cards have been finished in the ordinary
manner, they are placed in a case of suitable construction in which they are
oscillated to and fro, each card sliding over the adjacent one. By this means a
much better surface is given than in the ordinary case, and all minute irregularities
of surface are rubbed down, so that the cards will slip past one another with very
slight friction.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 are sections of the case showing
it in two positions, Fig. 3 is a plan of the same, and Fig. 4 is a section of a slightly
modified form.
A is the base fixed or movable as may be found convenient, to which are hinged
the sides B carrying the top C. This top is furnished with a handle c by which it
can be oscillated from side to side, moving in a direction parallel to itself, and
turning the hinged sides from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2,
the opposite sides being always parallel. To allow of this being done the top C is
loosely connected to the sides, pins e, each formed with a head, passing through
slots in the sides B. The slots allow of the top moving up and down relatively
to the sides, at the same time oscillating them to and fro with the horizontal
reciprocating motion. Any pressure found most suitable can be given to the top
by means of the handle, or of a weight or spring bearing on the top: The cards D
placed within this case will as shown in the drawings be caused to slide to and fro
over each other by the sides B against which the edges bear, the faces being
ground against one another. Referring to Fig. 4, the base is made in two
parts a a, one capable of sliding on the other, a slot a² and screw pin a³ being
employed to fix them in the required position. Allowance can thus be made for
varying sizes of cards.
The case as shown in the drawings is operated by hand, but it is obvious that
mechanism of ordinary description could be applied to the arrangement to give the
oscillating movement and the desired pressure, and to feed the cards in at one end
in a continuous manner ejecting them from the other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A means for finishing or polishing playing cards consisting of a case, in which
one or more packs are placed having a top and hinged sides, to which an oscillating
motion can be given, causing the cards to slide to and fro over one another, substan-
tially as described and for the purposes specified.
2. The improved means for finishing or polishing cards consisting of a case

page_text: having hinged sides with slots, a top loosely connected to the sides by means of pins
passing through the said slots, and a handle by which the top and sides are oscillated
substantially as described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 19th day of September 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.