An Improved Miniature Representation or Imitation of the Game of Football.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Miniature Representation or Imitation of
the Game of Football.
I, ISAAC HOYLE of 34, Rawlins Street, Fairfield, Liverpool, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a miniature imitation of the game of football. A
rectangular board, constructed of wood, pasteboard or other suitable material, ·
and provided with goal posts at each end, constitutes the "football field," which may
be furnished with a suitable covering. Round the sides are side pieces to prevent
the ball rolling off the board.
A small indiarubber ball is preferably used as the football, although balls made.
of marble, glass, ivory or other material would be almost as serviceable.
The men are wooden figures of peculiar construction. One of the legs of the
figure is fixed on a round wooden base, so as to maintain the figure upright, whilst
the other leg is capable of swinging freely on a hinged joint or pin at the extremity
of the trunk of the body. The head of the figure is supported on a spindle, which
penetrates the centre of the body, and protrudes downwards until it rests on a small
projection on the leg, close to where it is hinged. When the man is struck on the
head this leg is thrown forceably outwards.
One or any number of men may be employed on each side of the board, which is
marked off with goal and centre lines as in the ordinary game. The men on one
side may be coloured red, while those on the other may be coloured blue.
Supposing the competitor with the "blues" kicks off.
This he does by placing
one of his men on the centre line, striking him on the head, 'and causing him
to kick the ball towards his opponents' goal posts, or he can pass the ball to
any of his brethren. If the ball falls short, it is kicked by the man who is
nearest to it, be he a blue or red.
The game may be kept up for a stipulated time, and the competitor, who
causes his men to score the most goals during this period, wins the game.
All the rules may be observed as in Association football.
It will be seen that a considerable amount of skill will be necessary in order to
do justice to the game, and properly manipulate the men.
When this proficiency
has been attained, the game will form an endless source of amusement to those
who take part in it.
Dated this 27th day of August 1892.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Miniature Representation or Imitation of
the Game of Football.
I, ISAAC HOYLE of 34, Rawlin's Street, Fairfield, Liverpool, Gentleman, 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:-
My invention consists of a miniature imitation of the game of football. A
rectangular board, constructed of wood, pasteboard or other suitable material, and
provided with goal posts at each end constitutes the "football" field, which may be
furnished with a suitable covering. Round the sides are side pieces to prevent the
ball rolling off the board.

page_text: A small indiarubber ball is preferably used as the football, although balls made
of marble, glass, ivory, or other suitable material would be almost as serviceable.
The men are wooden figures of peculiar construction. One of the legs of the
figure is fixed on a round wooden base, so as to maintain the figure upright whilst
the other leg is capable of swinging freely on a hinged joint or pin at the extremity
of the trunk of the body. The head of the figure is supported on a spindle, which
penetrates the centre of the body, and protrudes downwards until it rests on a small
projection on the leg, close to where it is hinged. When the man is struck on the
head the leg is thrown forceably outwards.
One or any number of men may be employed on each side of the board, which
is marked off with goal and centre lines as in the ordinary game. The men on
one side may be coloured red, whilst those on the other may be coloured blue.
Supposing the competitor with the blue men "kicks off." This he does by
placing one of his men on the centre line, striking him on the head, and causing
him to kick the ball towards his opponents goal posts, or he can pass the ball to any
of his brethren. If the ball falls short, it is kicked by the man who is nearest to it,
be he a blue or red.
The game may be kept up for a stipulated time, and the competitor, who causes
his men to score the most goals during this period wins the game. All the rules
may be observed as in Association football.
It will be seen that a considerable amount of skill will be necessary in order to
do justice to the game, and properly manipulate the men. When this proficiency
has been attained, the game will form an endless.source of amusement to those who
take part in it.
In the accompanying drawings, A is a plan view of the miniature football field
or playing board, round the sides of which are side pieces B to prevent the ball
rolling off. These are preferably constructed separate and distinct from the playing
board, and for this purpose are fit together with strips of leather, or other suitable
material C to maintain them in an upright position, and in order that they may be
closed up when not in use, as seen in Fig. 2. The goal posts D are preferably,
though not essentially, pieces of bent wire, (seen in Fig. 2). The ends of the goal
posts or wires D are inserted in the loops E of the leather pieces C.
The men are wooden figures of peculiar construction, as seen in Fig. 3. One of
the legs of the figure F is fixed on the round wooden base G, so as to maintain the
figure upright, whilst the other leg H is capable of swinging freely on the hinged
joint or pin at the extremity of the trunk of the body J. The head K of the
figure is supported on a spindle L, which penetrates the centre of the body and
protrudes downwards until it rests on a small projection M of the leg H, close to
where it is hinged. When the man is struck on the head, the leg H is thrown
forceably outwards and kicks the ball N, which may be of indiarubber or other
material.
All the rules and conditions may be observed as herein before described.
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. The wooden figure F for playing imitation football, arranged and constructed
substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 3.
2. The general arrangement of a playing board or miniature football field,
substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
3. The side pieces B provided with strips of leather C, substantially as described
and illustrated for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of Decembar 1905
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. The wooden figure F for playing imitation football, arranged and constructed
substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 3.
2. The general arrangement of a playing board or miniature football field,
substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
3. The side pieces B provided with strips of leather C, substantially as described
and illustrated for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1902
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent.