An Improved Game.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
An Improved Game.
We, CARL BUSSE, of No. 14, Handelstrasse, and HERMANN LIEBENSTEIN, of 48,
Waisenhausgasse, both in Cologne on the Rhine, in the German Empire, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
-
This invention relates to a game consisting of a flat box or case closed by a
transparent place of glass, celluloid or other suitable material, the bottom of
the case having hemispherical recesses and figure plates, dice-faces, or other
signs, with which engage rollers or balls.
In order that this invention may be the better understood we now proceed
to describe the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and
to the letters and figures marked thereon. Like letters refer to like parts in
the various figures.
Figure 1 is a plan of the game and Figure 2 shows a cross section of the
same on the line y-y Figure 1.
A box or case b is closed with a transparent plate a of glass, celluloid or other
suitable material. The bottom d has any suitable number of recesses c say
eighteen, as shewn in the drawings, arranged in a circle and adapted to receive
balls which may roll into them. The circle of recesses c is arranged so that the
annular space is left between them and the wall of the case b around which the
balls may roll. The centre part of the bottom d of the casing b curves slightly
upwards so that the balls f cannot rest on it. The balls are conveniently three
in number of different colours, say black, white and red. Three of the recesses
are arranged at equal distances apart, these are marked g and are also colored
differently. so as to correspond with the balls f as regards number and colours.
The game may be played in different manners.
For instance the game may be to cause the balls f to roll each in the coloured
recess corresponding to it, which may be done by balancing the casing 6 and
knocking against it, or in any other manner agreed to by the players, and a
certain value may be given to each recess and trial if desired.
Or. the game may be used as a dice box. For this purpose each recess is
provided with a sign near it, corresponding to one of the faces of a die. Thus
if there are 18 recesses the number of a single die 1-6 will appear three times
around the ring of recesses. The balls act thus as dice indicators.
The case
is shaken and then placed horizontal, conveniently on a table. The three balls
will then be found grouned in a varying manner indicating dice surfaces similar
to a throw of dice. The recesses c and g are for this purpose conveniently
reckoned alike. It will be obvious that the game may be used for all purposes
for which dice are used. and that all rules and games relating to the use of
dice may be applied to this game. Its advantages are that it can always be
carried in a compact manner, that the dice cannot roll away and be lost and inter-
fere with the game, and that the open dice box is obviated.
If desired the recesses c, g may have figures provided near them either con-

page_text: secutively or mixed as shewn in the drawings. The device may be used to play
games on terms and under rules settled by the players.
The balls f which have settled in the recesses form numbers, which may be
read in a predetermined manner; for instance after the colours of a nation.
In the description the colours referred to are black, white, red, these are the
German colours; the number indicated by the black ball will thus indicate
hundreds, the white ball tens, and the red ball digits.
This game is interesting for young and old, and it is an educational game for
children, improving their abilities in mental arithmetic by the reading of
figures and addition of sums occasioned by such game. As before mentioned,
the number of recesses need not be eighteen, but may be of any desired number,
and the number of balls may be two, four or more instead of three.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
An apparatus consisting of a box or case having in its bottom a number of
recesses partly coloured forming a multiple of a number of coloured balls, and
arranged in a circle between the raised central part of the bottom and the
wall of the box or case; numbers letters, dice-faces or other signs arranged
near the recesses; and the whole closed by a transparent cover;-so that the
balls provided in the box or case can roll therein and drop into the recesses to
provide a variety of games, by colours, numbers dice-faces and other signs, sub-
stantially as described.
Dated this 14th day of September 1899.
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicants.