Improvements relating to Billiard Tables.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 30th Sept., 1889-Accented, 16th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Billiard Tables.
1, SOLOMON ABRAHAMS of No. 68 Union Street and No. 61 Renfield Street, Glasgow
in the County of Lanark, Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention, which relates to improvements in the construction of Billiard Tables
has for its objects to combine in one table, mechanism which will enable such table to
be used 1st as a Billiard Table; 2nd as a table of small dimensions for parlour,
domestic or other general purposes; and 3rd as a dining table or such like article and
purpose.
In the improved Billiard Table, constructed according to this Invention the top
of the Table proper is formed in two principal portions which are hinged or other-
wise connected together, centrally across the breadth or narrowest part thereof and
on the upper surface of each of these principal parts or hinged leaves, are attached,
near the outer margins thereof, strips, pins or other upright members of wood or
metal, which serve as seats upon which the frames containing the cushions are
placed these cushion frames being removeable and replaceable at pleasure.
When the cushion frames are removed, one (or either) leaf of the table top may
be folded over upon the top of the other portion, similarly to the covers of a book,
the strips upon the margins of the one leaf, resting upon or against the strips
attached to the other leaf: the hinged joint, before named, being made suitable for
this folding purpose.
The lower part of the Table, or the frame upon which the table top is supported
is formed so as to slide, longitudinally, (after the manner of an ordinary dining
room table), so that it can be extended to the full length required for Billiard and
dining table purposes or shortened to half the length thereof.
When the structure is to be used for Billiard Table purposes the framework is
extended to its full length and the half of the table top which has (previously) been
folded over upon its binges, or equivalent joints upon the other half thereof is
unfolded so as to lie flat upon the extended frame in which state the table is of
suitable dimensions for being used as a Billiard Table: the Cushion frames are then
adjusted upon their seats (strips, pins or other kind) and the pockets, or cups for
receiving the balls are attached to the table in any convenient manner, or may be
formed as integral parts thereof.
When the billiaril table is in its folded-up form and the frame thereof contracted to its
shortest length, as hereinbefore described, it constitutes a small table suitable for Parlour,
Domestic, business or other general purposes and when it is unfolded and extended
out to its full length as heretofore described it can be used as a dining table by first
removing the Cushion frames and pockets and the substitution therefor of separate
leaves which are, or may be, laid upon the top of the cushion frame seats or holders
upon the table top.
Instead of employing separate and additional leaves for converting this billiard table
into one adapted for dining purposes as above described the whole hinged top of my
improved table inay be detached from its supporting frame and turned upside down
upon the supporting framework, which latter frame is provided with brackets and other
bearers for such purposes.
In order to adjust and regulate the height of the table as required, each of the
four principal legs of the supporting framework, is furnished (at the upper part)
with a screwed belt which fits upon (or within as required) another screwed member
or screw threaded socket attached to the table frame and by revolving each leg, one
way or other the table may be raised or lowered to any required height.

page_text: I also provide additional legs, when necessary, to support the central part of the
side frames whenever the table is extended to its fullest dimensions.
Instead of arranging the framework to be drawn out by hand when lengthening it,
it may be provided with one or more nuts and screws or with a rack and pinion wheel
or with the mechanical equivalent of either of these, for the purpose of lengthening
or shortening it. Such appliances are in frequent use for similar purposes in connection
with dining room tables.
Dated this 8th day of February 1889.
JOSEPH LOCK WOOD,
Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Inventor.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Billiard Tables.
1 SOLOMON ABRAHAMS of No. 68 Union Street and 61 Renfield Street Glasgow
in the county of Lanark Cabinet Maker & Upholsterer, 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, which relates to improvements in the construction of Billiard Tables,
has for its objects to combine in one table, mechanism which will enable such t thle to
he used; 1st as a Billiard Table; 2nd as a table of small dimensions for Parlour,
domestic or other general purposes; and 3rd as a dining table or such like (article,
and) purpose.
In the improved Billiard Table constructed necording to this invention the top of
the table proper is formed in two principal portions which are hinged or otherwise
connected together centrally across the breadth or narrowest part thereof and on the
upper surface of each of these principal parts or hinged leaves are attached. near the
outer margins, thereof, strips, pins or other upright members of wood or metal which
serve as seats upon which the frames containing the cushions are placed theso cushion
frames being removeable and replaceable at pleasure.
When the cushion frames are removed one (or either) leaf of the table top may be
folded over upon the top of the other portion similarly to the covers of a book the
strips upon the margin of the one leaf resting upon or against the strips attached to
the other leaf the hinged joint before named being made suitable for this folding
purpose.
The lower part of the table or the frame upon which the table top is supported is
formed so as to slide longitudinally (after the manner of an ordinary dining room
table) so that it can be extended to the full length required for Billiard and dining
table purposes or shortened to half the length thereof.
When the structure is to be used for Billiard table purposes the framework is
extended to its full length and the half of the table top which has previously been
folded over upon its hinges or equivalent joints upon the other half thereof is unfolded
so as to lie Hat upon the extended frame in which state the table is of suitable
dimensions for being used as a Billiard Table the cushion frames are then adjusted
upon their seats (strips, pins or other kind) and the pockets or cups for receiving the
balls are attached to the table in any convenient manner or may be formed as integral
parts thereof.
When the Billiard Table is in its folded up form and the frame thereof contracted
to its shortest length as hereinbefore described, it constitutes a small table suitable for
Parlour, Domestic, business or other general purposes and when it is unfolded and
extended out to its full length us heretofore described, it can be used as a dining table
by first removing the cushion frames and pockets and the substitution therefor, of
separate "leaves which are or may be, laid upon the top of the cushion-frame-seats
(or holders) upon the table top.
Instead of employing separate and additional "leaves" for converting this Billiard
table into one adapted for aining purposes as above described, the whole hinged top

page_text: of my improved table may be detached from its supporting frame and turned upside
down upon the supporting framework, which latter frame is provided with brackets
and other bearers for such purposes.
In order to adjust and regulate the height of the table, as required, each of the four
principal legs of the supporting framework is furnished (at the upper part) with a
screwed belt which fits upon (or within as required) another screwed member or screw
threaded socket attached to the table frame and by revolving each leg one way or other
the table may be raised or lowered to any required height.
I also provide additional legs when necossary to support the central part of the side
frames whenever the table is extended to its fullest dimensions.
Instead of arranging the framework to be drawn out by hand when lengthening it,
it may be provided with one or more nuts and screws or with a rack and pinion-wheel
or with the mechanical equivalent of either of them for the purpose of lengthening or
shortening it. Such appliances are in frequent use for similar purposes in connection
with dining room tables.
I effect the aforesaid objects by means of the mechanism which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings in which-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved table in its extended form.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved table in its folded up form.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view in elevation of my improved table top when folded into its
smallest compass.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view in elevation of my improved table top as shewn in
fig. 1.
Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views in elevation of screw elevating and adjusting
mechanism for my improved table legs.
Figs. 7&8 are sectional views shewing two methods of fitting the removeable
cushion frames to my improved table top.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of my improved table top turned upside down upon
its frame.
Fig. 10 is a sectional view of my improved cushion frame.
Fig. 11 is a sectional view of my improved method of fastening each cushion frame
to my table top.
Fig. 12 is a sectional view of my improved table top and framework with bracket
and screw-fixing mechanisin for "turnover" operations.
Fig. 13. is a sectional view similar to fig. 9 but shewing my table top & cushion
frame furnished with pins and corresponding sockets for use instead of strips.
The top of the table which is shewn in fig. 1. is composed of two principal parts A
and B connected together in the centre by a narrow strip marked C which is united
by a series of hinges marked D to the two leaves" A and B. The strips marked E
(figs. 1 to 9) are employed as seats upon which the cushion frames (fig. 10.) are
adjusted as shewn in fig. 7 each of the said cushion frames being provided on the
under-side with a groove F (fig. 10.) for this purpose.
When this hinged table top is opened out as shewn in fig. 1. it is adapted for use as
a Billiard Table by fixing upon the six strips (E) a corresponding number of cushion
frames and pockets-the latter being attached in any convenient manner to the
structure and usually at the four corners and centre where the strips E are
disconnected.
If the pockets are detached and the cushion frames removed from off the strips E
(fig. 1) and separate "leaves" laid upon the said strips the table is then suited for
Dining Room purposes. The said top as shewn in fig. 1. is or may be attached to its
supporting frame G (fig. 9) by means of screws H passing through the brackets J so
that by relaxing the screws H the whole of the top may be lifted off its frame and
turned upside down as shewn in fig. 12. with the strips E resting upon the brackets K
(or their equivalents) attached to any convenient part of the framework of the
table.
In fig. 4 it will be seen that the dimensions of the strip C require to correpond with

page_text: those of the two contiguous strips markel E so that when the leaves A and B aro
folded one over the other as shewn in this figure the one marked B may be horizontal
and parallel to that marked A.
If the cushion frames are furnished with pins 1 (fig. 8) which are fitted into corre-
sponding holes in the table top as shown in figs. 8 & 11. the strip (fig. 1 is not
requires but the two principal leaves A and B may be hinged together as shown
in fig. 3.
When the table, thus formed, is folded together into its smallest compass as shown
in figs. 2 and 3 it is adapted for Parlour (and other such) uses.
Figs. 5 & 6 show the means which I adopt for regulating the height of my improved
tablo namely, the union of each table leg to the table frame by the agency of screws
one of which, marked M fig. 5. being contained within a hollow chamber occupying
the corner or other part of each table frame G and a corresponding screw Nattebe!
to the table leg so that as the leg is revolved one way or another it either raises or
lowers the table.
Instead of the screw M being contained in a cavity or recess in the table frame it
may be with advantage affixed to the sail framework in the minner shown in lig. 6
am the screw markel N be inserted in a ress cont sined in the upper part of the
table leg. In some instances when it is found objectionable to have the strips E placed
as permanent fixtures upon the face of the table I employ two or more pins market L
in fig. & attached to each cu-hion frame P (fig. 8) either as the only means of their
ljustment to the table top or in combination with one or more screws Q fig. 11. the
said screws being employed in the manner shewn in the drawing for the purpose of
giving increased firmness & fixity to the said cashion frames when in use. These said
Screws are also found occasionally of service for connecting the pocket frames to the
table when each screw is so placed as to pass through both the en-hion and pocket
frame. As the means which I employ for lengthening and shortening my improved
table are those which are commonly employed in connection with Dining Tables 1 do
not think it necessary to illustrate or describe them further than by the references
thereto in the prerer ling account. In operating my improved table, which, as shewn
in fig. 2 is adapted for parlour uses it is effected thus: The two legs Rand S (which
are nearest the hinged strip C) with their associate framework may be lengthened out
ns before described to their fullest extent and the leaf Bi. then folled over upon them
as shown in fig. 1. The cushion frames being place upon the strips Ean the pockets
attached suitably in their places the table is adapte 1 for billiard purposes by subsequently
removing the pockets unil cushion frames and placing upon the strips E a series of
dining table leaves the table is adapted for dining and other purposes. When the
strips are made removeable from the table and replaceable therein by man of,
screws, bolts or any simple catches; they too may be taken off and the parts
marked A B and C) form a table top adapted for dining and other purposes: in place
of the strips E and cushion frames P as shewn in figures 7 & 10 I sometimes use the
pins marked T attached to the table top as shown in fig. 18. and the socket U formed
in the cushion frames V or as a variation of this latter mechanism Lattach the said
pins to the cushion frames as shewn at L fig. 8 & 11 (separately or in combination
with the screws Q fig. 11) and form the sockets for the said pins in the table top and
employ the hinged joint shewn in fig. 3 in which case the two leaves A and B alone
form the table top either for parlour, Dining, Billiard or other purposes according as it
is furnished and operated as herein described.
The height of the table and its level adjustment upon an uneven floor ara effected hy
means of revolving each screw containing leg as shown in figs. 5 & 6 until the required
height is attained. I am aware thai hinged and folding table tops for parlour & other
purposes are in common use and flat table legs have been made with castors containing
scrow mechanism attached at their lower extremetios for purposes of level adjustment
upon uneven floors it will therefor be understood that do not claim as my
invention, broadly, the combination of hinged leaves and screw appliances in connection
with tables.

page_text: 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-
1st. The combined Billiard, Dining and Parlour table all substantially as herein
described and shewn and for the purposes specified.
2nd. In a Billiard table top the combination therewith of hingeing mechanism all
substantially as herein described and shewn and for the purposes specified.
3rd. In a Billiard table top the combination therewith of mechanism for rendering
the cushion frames removeable, replaceable, adjustable and firm, therefrom and upon,
all substantially as herein described and shown and for the purposes specified.
4th. In a Billiard Table the combination therewith of mechanism for attaching,
detaching, and supporting the table top in the turnover operations which are illustrated
in figures 9 and 12 all substantially as herein described and shewn and for the purposes
specified.
5th. In a Billiard Table the combination with its legs and framework of screw
mechanism all substantially as herein described (and shewn in figs. 5 and 6) and for
the purposes specified.
Gth. In a Dining Table the combination with its legs and framework of screw
mechanism all substantially as herein described (and shewn in figs. 5 and 6) and for the
purposes specified.
7th. In a Parlour Table the combination with its legs and framework of screw
mechanism all substantially as herein described (and shewn in figures 5 & 6) and for the
purposes specified.
8th. In a table for any purpose the combination with its legs and framework of
screw mechanism all substantially as herein described (and shewn in figures 5 and 6)
and for the purposes specified.
9th. In the improved Billiard, Dining and Parlour table herein described the
combination with its legs and framework of screw elevating and level adjusting
mechanism all substantially as herein described (and shewn in figures 5 and 6) and for
purposes specified.
the
Dated this 28th day of Sent 1100
JOSEPH LOCKWOOD,
Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Inventor.