Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
I ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER, Mechanical Engineer and Patent Agent of
Cobden Buildings, Corporation Street Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
on behalf of my son WILLIAM ALFRED TURNER (a minor) of Cobden
Buildings, Corporation Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Technical
Student do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the production of a combined puzzle and
advertising tablet.
In carrying out my invention I construct the improved puzzle and advertising
tablet as hereinafter described under the several modifications.
The first modification or basic-structure constituting my invention consists of a
shallow dish or receptacle of special conformation, namely with a central concavity
or nest, surrounding which is a circular convex surface leading to a terminal wall,
the receptacle so constructed is for use in conjunction with balls as a puzzle game,
the puzzle-game consists of getting all the balls into the central concavity or
nest, the getting of the whole of the balls into the nest is rendered difficult on account
of the convex plane surface surrounding the nest.
I can use one, two, or any desired number of balls but I prefer to use five, that
number representing the average number of little birds in a nest who kick about
and roll out or are pushed out; the balls or shots may be of any size in accordance
with the size of the whole structure and may be made from any suitable material.
The dish or receptacle may be made of clay, porcelain, papier-mache, glass or of
any other suitable material in accordance with the size of the receptacle made
under this my invention and such receptacle can be used as a puzzle without any
cover, the boundary wall being of any suitable height to prevent the balls rolling
over the said boundary wall when the receptacle is tipped at various angles for the
purpose of causing the balls to roll into the nest.
The shape of the receptacle herein before described can be better understood
after taking the lid of a canister about two inches in diameter the rim of which is
is about an inch deep, such rim would form the boundary wall of the experimental
receptacle; by compressing the centre of such lid to form a nest and also bulging
outwards in an opposite direction the part surrounding such sunk nest so as to form
a convex circular level part leading to the nest, the desired shape would be
produced; if five small shots are then put in such canister lid, they will lie close
against the rim (corresponding to the boundary wall of perfect article) then the
puzzle can be tried. In order to cause the shots to roll into the central nest, the lid
must be tilted until one or more shots start to roll somewhere, the operator would wish
and intend to roll the shot direct into the central nest but on account of the convex
surface surrounding the nest the path of the shot would be difficult to define and
control, the five shots could be rolled into the central nest by dint of perseverance
and patience but after several shots had been rolled into the nest the operator of
the puzzle in tilting the receptacle to get the remaining shots into the nest would
be liable to liberate those shots already nested and therein consists the amusement
and the nuzzle

page_text: By a second modification of my invention I provide the nesting receptacle and
balls described in first modification but in addition, cover the nesting-receptacle by
means of glass or other transparent substance so as to secure the balls within a
closed box, this second modification can be readily produced out of very thin sheet
metal or other suitable material, the upper elge of the boundary-wall being in such
case folded over the edge of glass cover thus producing a rigid box or nesting-
receptacle from thin material.
By a third modification of my invention I exten 1 the upper elge of nesting-
receptacle in an horizontal direction outside the wall thereof and so proluce a dit
advertising-ring outside the nesting-receptacle, on this flat ring I place a ring of
printed matter, or produce lettering on such advertising-ring by means of suitable
dies, so that the glass cover when secured over the nesting-rec ptacle will present
to view a permanent advertisement that the person using the puzzle will be
continually gazing at.
By a fourth modification of my invention I produce the nesting-receptacle glazed
on the upper side as described in second modification or as described in third
modification but extend the wall so as to project from the under-side of nesting-
receptacle and within such wall or rim place an advertise neat-label to cover the
outer bottom side of nesting-receptacle, the advertising-label so placed may be
metallic and in such cases glazing would not be needed, or the label may be paper
or equivalent material over which would be secured a glass or other transparent
cover.
By a fifth modification of my invention I produce the nesting-receptacle, glazed
on the upper side as described in second modification or as described in third
modification, with the extended lower rim or wall as described in fourth
modification but instead of inserting an advertisement. I insert a disc of looking-
glass, so that the complete article will consist on the upper surface of an amusing
puzzle surrounded by a ring of advertising matter and on the lower face, of a
useful looking-glass such looking-glass can also in some cases be surrounded by a
ring of advertising-matter.
The horizontal configuration of the nesting-receptacles hereinbefore described are
by preference circular, such shape appearing to he best adapted for the make-up of
the several modifications of my invention at a minimum of cost, nevertheless I
under this my invention include nesting-receptacles of an oval or polygonal
horizontal configuration.
The circular convex surface surrounding the nest would graduate into the oval
or polygonal horizontal shape when the nesting-receptacle is made oval or
polygonal.
By a sixth modification I use either of the shapes and parts herein described
under the several preceding modifications but vary the surface leading from the
nest recess by making such surface O G shaped, concave, or partly concave, or
partly convex and partly concave, in each case the surface over which the balls
roll is smooth and there are no grooves for the balls to roll in.
By the seventh modification I provide either of the shapes herein before described
under six modifications but provide grooves or paths over the part leading to the
nesting-recess, under this modification the balls would be led by the grooves to the
edge of nesting-recess or near to it, but I do uot consider this modification so likely
to be appreciated as the other six modifications because the time occupied in
moving the nesting-receptacle into the required positions to get the balls into the
central nest-recess would be likely to be more than an ordinary persons patience
would bear, insert this modification as a means of blocking subsequent applicants
for imitation or equivalent inventions in relation to puzzles.
Dated this 7th day of January 1896.
ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER,
Cobden Buildings, Corporation Street, Birmingham.

page_text: A Puzzle applicable for Advertising Purposes.
I ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER Mechanical Engineer and Patent Agent of
Cobden Buildings Corporation Street Birminghim in the County of Warwick, on
behalf of my son WILLIAM ALFRED TURNER (a minor) of Cobden Buildings,
Corporation Street Birmingham in the County of Warwick Technical Student 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 has for its object the production of a puzzle structure suitable for
use as an article of commerce to sell as a puzzle and also suitable for use as a
presentation article by shopkeepers so that the advertisement of the shopkeeper
can be produced on some of the parts of the puzzle structure and so be kept
continually before the notice of the person presented with the puzzle or before the
notice of the person who may purchase the puzzle for use as an amusement.
I will now proceed to describe the several modifications of my invention in
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of Figure 2 on the line A. B shewing the
first modification of convex racing-surface.
Figure 2 represents a plan of Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a vertical section similar to Figures 1 and 2, excepting that
the racing surface is concave.
Figure 4 represents a vertical section of second modification shewing a receptacle
similar to Figure 1 excepting that it is provided with a glass cover.
Figure 5 represents the third modification consisting of the covered nesting-
receptacle similar to Figure 4 with an additional advertising-ring.
Figure 6 represents a vertical section shewing parts of fourth inodification.
Figure 7 represents the racing-surface and nesting receptacle of a horizontal
oval configuration.
Figure 8 represents the racing-surface and nesting receptacle of a hexagonal
horizontal configuration.
Figure 9 represents a vertical section shewing the racing-surface of convex
O. G shape on the right side of dividing-line and a convex moulding shaped surface
on the left side of dividing line.
Figure 10 represents a plan of the seventh modification shewing grooves or paths
provided in the racing-surface.
Figure 11 represents an enlarged broken-off portion of the plan of Figure 6.
Figure 12 represents an enlarged broken-off portion of the vertical
section Figure 6.
In carrying out my invention I construct the improved puzzle and advertizing
tablet as hereinafter described under the several modifications.
In the construction of the first modification or basic-structure part I provide a
shallow dish or receptacle of special conforination as shewn in section at Figure 1,
and in plan at Figure 2; a represents a central concavity or nest, surrounding
which is a circular convex racing-surface b, leading to a terminal wall; c, the
shallow dish or receptacle so constructed is for use in conjunction with balls as a
puzzle-game, the puzzle-game consists in getting all the balls into the central
concavity or nest a the getting of the whole of the balls into the nest a is rendered
difficult on account of the gutter f and the convex racing-surface b surrounding the
nest a.
I can use one, two, or any desired number of balls e which may be all of one
colour, or which may be of many colours; in some cases I use two balls, each of a

page_text: different colour and by such arrangement the puzzle can be used for playing any
game played by two balls over my improved surface or racing-dome, in other cases
I prefer to use five or seven balls, such numbers representing the average number or
family of little birds in a nest who roll out, or kick each other out; the balls or
shots a representing the birds may be of any size in accordance with the size
of the complete structure or receptacle and such balls may be made of any suitable
material.
The dish or receptacle a as shewn at Figures One and Two may be made of clay,
porcelain, papier-maché, glass or any other suitable material in accordance with tho
size of the receptacle made under this invention, and such receptacle can be used as
a puzzle without any cover, the boundary-wall being of any suitable height to
prevent the balls rolling over the said boundary wall when the receptacle is tippel
at various angles for the purpose of enusing the balls to roll into the nest.
The advertising label or labels can be cemented or otherwise securel to the
underside of nesting recess and racing-surface.
In using the first modification as hereinhefore described, the receptacle wall be
held preferably between the thumb and fingers of the operator's han 1, the balls e
would be shaken into the grove f to lie against or near the boundary-wall e; the
puzzle consists in causing the whole of the balls e to roll into the nest a. By a
lucky shake, one or more of the balls can be shot into the nest a but to shake the
whole of the balls into the nest a would be a matter of difficulty because the depth
of the nest is such as to equal about two thirds only of the diameter of the balls e,
the operator would next tip the receptacle at such an angle as to permit of the
remainder of the balls a passing out of the circular gutter f on to the racing
surface b; by very careful tipping a bille may be so directed as to roll over the
convex surface b into the nest a, but the tendency would be for the balls to roll
round the gutter and even when the balls lo start to roll over the convex
surface b, they are liable to all roll back into the groove again instead of into
the nest a moreover unless the operator is very careful in tipping the receptacle,
the l'alls already ne-ted will be liable to roll out while the operator is watching the
nesting of the outside balls, and therein consists the puzle and the amusement.
In constructing the second modification of my invention illustrated at Figure 4
I provide the nesting-receptacle at, convex racing-surface 6, and balls & similar
to corresponding parts described in first modification, but in addition cover the
nesting-receptacle by means of glass or other transparent substance g, so as to secure
the balls within a closed box, this second modification can be readily produced out
of very thin sheet metal or out of other suitable material, the edge of the boundary-
wall being in such cases folded over the edge of glass cover at , a continuous
groove can be compressed at j so as to produce an inward ledging surface on which
to rest the glass y, thus producing a rigid box or nesting receptacle from thin
material.
In constructing the third modification of my invention l'extend the upper edge
of nesting receptacle in a horizontal direction outside the wall c as shewn
at Figure 5, and so produce a flat advertising-ring outside the racing-surface b,
on this flat ring k I in some cases place a ring of printed matter and in other cases
produce the required lettering on the metal or material from which the horizontal
ring k is made, so that the glass cover g when secured over the nesting receptacle
would present to view a permanent advertisement that the person using the puzzle
would be continually gazing at.
In constructing the fourth modification of my invention I produce a nesting
receptacle glazed on the upper side as described in second mortification in relation
to Figure 4 or with advertising ring as described in third modification in relation
to Figure 5, but under this my fourth modification 1 provide means for placing an
advertisement label in such a manner as to cover the bottom outer side of nesting-
receptacle; the advertising label may be paper gummed or cemented on to the
under side of receptacle or a suitable label may be used. In either of such cases
glazing would not be an absolute necessity; as a means of securing glass over the

page_text: under side and also over the upper side I provide a separate open-ring in, the
glass would rest on the turned over edge n of the wall or the wall may be
turned inwards continuously instead of at points, the upper glass g' would be secured
in position on the edge n by means of the turned over edge o of the ring m, the
lower glass would also be secured in position by means of the turned over edge p
of the ring m as shewn at Figures 6 11 and 12.
In constructing the fifth modification of my invention I produce a nesting
receptacle and ring as described in relation to the fourth modification but instead
of inserting an advertisement covered by a glass I insert a dise of looking-glass
in lieu of the advertisement label and transpareat glass, s that the complete
article made under the fifth modification will consist of an amusing puzzle which
may or may not be surroun led by a ring of advertising inatter and on t'he lower
face a useful looking-glass, this looking-glass can also in some cases be surrounded
by a ring of advertising matter which may be a metallic embossed lettering ring,
or a ring of paper or other suitable material on which would be printed the desired
advertisement: A person using this fifth modification would see the upper
advertisement when operating the puzzle and would see the lower ring advertisement
when using the looking-glass.
In constructing the sixth inodification of my invention I use either of the shapes
and parts hereinbefore described under the several preceling mdifications, but
vary. the racing-surface leading from the nesting-recess by making such surface
as shewn at y Figure 9, or concave and partly convex as shewn at s Figure 9 or
concave as shewn at Figure 3, in each of such cases the surface over which the
balls roll would be smooth and its horizontal plane continuous (not undulated) and
there are no grooves for the balls to move through.
In constructing the seventh modification of my invention I provide either of the
shapes hereinbefore described under six modifications but provide grooves or
paths over the racing-surface, leading to the nesting recess as shewn at Figure 10-
under this modification the balls would be led by the groovest near to the edge
of nesting receptacle.
The horizontal configuration of nesting-receptacles bereinbefore described under
seven modifications are by preference circular, such circular shape appearing to
be best adapted for the make up of the several modifications of my invention at
a minimum of cust, nevertheless I include nesting-receptacles of an oval horizontal
configuration as shewn at Figure 7 and I also include nesting receptacles of any
polygonal borizontal configuration; I have shewn a hexagonal horizontal view
at Figure 8, the racing surface surrounding the nest would graduate from the
edge of nest at u into the oval gutter e as shewn at Figure 7 and in a like manner
graduate from the edge of polygonal horizontal shaped gutter as shewn at
Figure 8.
Among other suitable substances from which to make the puzzle-structures and
the balls, would be chocolate sugar and other mixtures generally known as
confectionery a cover could be made of isinglass or equivalent edible substance
that is transparent, the balls in such cases being made of confectionery and
coloured where desiral.
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 invention as illustrated and described for use in the manner described.
2nd. The making of a puzzle-structure by the production of an open shallow
dish with an internal peripheral groove or gutter from which springs an arch or
dome leading to a central nest or recess and the utilization of balls with the domed
dish, the puzzle consisting of so tilting and manipulating the grooved dish as to
roll the whole of the balls out of the outer groove over the domed surface into the
central nest, as illustrated and described in relation to Figures One and Two of the
first modification.

page_text: 3rd. The making of a puzzle-structure consisting of a closed box in which is
formed the racing-surface and central-nest as illustrated and described in relation
to Figure 4 of second modification.
4th. The making of a puzzle-structure in combination with upper and lower
advertising surfaces as illustrated and described in relation to Figures 6. 11. and 12
of fourth modification.
5th. The making of a puzzle-structure consisting of a box carrying an
advertising-ring as illustrated and described in relation to Figure 5 of third
modification.
6th. The making of a puzzle-structure carrying a looking-glass on its lower
side as illustrated and described at Figures 6 11 and 12 in relation to the fifth
modification.
7th. The making of a puzzle-structure with a continuous racing-surface of the
section shewn at Figure 3 or of the section shewn at s Figure 9 or of the section
shewn at Figure 9 in relation to the sixth modification.
8th. The making of a puzzle structure with grooves or paths leading from the
circumferential groove to the nesting-recess as described in relation to t Figure 10
of seventh modification.
Dated this 7th day of November 1896.
ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER.