Improvements in or relating to the Heating of Billiard Tables.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1899*
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Heating of Billiard Tables.
I, JEAN ARMAND ANATOLE VISCOUNT DE VEAUCE, Gentleman, of 39, Rue de la
Boetie, Paris, in the Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what nianner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement: —
The object of my invention is to produce, as desired, a uniform heating which
can be regulated, for billiard tables and consequently for the cloth covering them.
The advantage resulting from the use of this system is to avoid humidity in
the cloth on the cushions and bed of billiard tables and thus facilitate the
running of the balls thereon.
An example of the application of my system is represented in the annexed
drawings. Fig. 1 is a transverse section of a billiard table provided with my
heating arrangement. Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1 in section on the line a―y.
Fig.3 is a detail view.
Several modes of heating could be utilized for instance gas, coal, petroleum or
any other heat giving fuel, but these different systems need care in installation
and maintenance and apparatus of more or less cumbrous nature; they produce
smoke and dust, and are apt to originate fire. My system in the contrary is very
simple, the warmth is instantaneous and can be regulated as desired, moreover
the apparatus needs no attention during its working and does not produce flame
or smoke.
Fig. 1 of the annexed drawings shows the disposition adopted by me, com-
prising rheostatic radiators R, which I arrange under the bed B of the billiard
table giving a sufficiently high temperature for avoiding condensation on the
cloth C of vapour from the air of the apartment. The rheostats R are arranged
under the bed B of the billiard table; are conveniently connected in an electric
circuit and a switch T Fig. 3 is arranged handy for the player, for regulating
the intensity of the resistances and consequently the variation of the heat of the
wires of the rheostats.
The rheostats have two wires, one for slight heating and the other for a
medium heat. On passing the current through the two at once a stronger heat
is obtained.
The air rising from below is heated by contact with the resistances and raises
likewise the temperature of the table.
Under the rheostats and used for supporting them is a partition I arranged,
preventing the outside air from entering or the heated air from escaping too
quickly.
The roostats can vary in number and may be arranged in series or in mul-
tiple, the switch can be arranged on the billiard table itself or on the wall of
the room.
The electric current can be taken directly from an already existing circuit
or from accumulators conveniently arranged.
Safety cut outs are arranged in the circuit of the rheostats in order to prevent
excessive augmentation of temperature.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
In apparatus for heating billiard tables.
1. The combination with a billiard table of a series of rheostats arranged
under the bed thereof and means for controlling their separate and collective
operation.
2. The combination with a billiard table of a series of rheostats arranged
under the bed thereof means for supplying electric current thereto and means
for varying the resistance and consequently of the heating intensity of the wires.
3. The combination with a billiard table of a series of rheostats provided with
two resistances, one of them serving for low heat the other for medium heat
and the two combined for greater heat.
4. The combination with a billiard table of a series of rheostats and a switch
for coupling them on the billiard table itself or on the walls of the billiard room.
Dated this 18th day of January 1899.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London.