New Indoor or Table Game.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 24th May, 1900-Accepted, 28th July, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Indoor or Table Game.
CHARLES BROWN, Cabinetmaker, of 95, Cromer Street, King's Cross, in the
County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This game consists of a flat, oblong, rectangular case, 23 skittles and 1 spinning
top. On each of the longer sides are 2 partitions, where 2 skittles each are placed
in, the 4 corners are also partitionned to receive 1 skittle each and another par-
tition is fixed in the centre for 1 skittle. Two sets of 5 skittles each are also
placed in the open spaces at the short ends of the case. The sides of the partitions
are cut so as to allow the spinning top to enter and get out again freely The
positions of the skittles are marked by figures 5 to 50; the figures of the skittles
thrown down by the spinning top are added and credited to the player. The top
is to be started from either of the shorter sides, either in the ordinary way by
aid of a piece of string or by a mecanical contrivance.
Any number of players can participate at this game.
CHARLES BROWN, of 95, Cromer Street, King's Cross, 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 portable table or tray upon which a number of
skittles are placed in certain positions. The players in rotation each set a spin-
ning top in motion by means of a string and the skittles overturned by the top
in its gyrations count to the particular player, according to the numerical value
ascribed to each skittle so overturned. Any number of players can take part in
this game and the varying degrees of success are regulated by the total value of
the skittles overturned by each player respectively.
For this purpose I construc. a tray or table as illustrated on Fig. I of the accom-
panying drawing. A vertical section is shewn on Fig. 2.
This tray or table I construct either of wood, metal, glass, papier-maché, or
any other material or materials which shall hereafter be found suitable and in
form either circular oval, triangular, rectangular, or polyangular.
The top of the tray or table-which may be constructed of wood, slate, glass,
papier maché and the like, and either cloth covered or uncovered, is enclosed on
all sides by a cushion fence or rim, as shewn in vertical sections. Figs. 1 and 2.
A, A, from four to six inches in height. A number of partitions or enclosures
the same in height as the aforesaid rim are fixed to the bed or top of the tray
or table in such positions as may be hereafter deemed most convenient for the

page_text: purposes of the game. Should it be hereafter found necessary to further modify
the conditions of the game any obstacles, such as pieces of wood or any other
material may be affixed to the top of the tray or table to check or divert the spin-
ning top in its passage. The partitions or enclosures before mentioned and indi-
cated in Fig. I on plan are cut out as shewn in Fig. II. B, B, so as to allow the
spinning top to freely enter and leave the enclosures.
At the end of the table or tray at which the players stand a vertical slot is cut
in the centre of the end cushion or rim. Fig. 1, C, to a depth of about one and
a half inches. Upon the bed or top of the table immediately under the slot a
small platform shaped like the quarter part of a sphere or ball, is fixed, the same
being from one to two and a half inches in height. Fig. 1, D, Fig. 2, D,
Fig. IV D. The top Fig. III can be made of wood, bone, ivory or partly wood
and ivory, or any other material or materials hereafter found suitable and either
in the shape as shewn in the diagram or in any other form that may be deemed
necessary, and either weighted with metal or otherwise.
The player winds upon the spinning top a string, cord, wire, or piece of gut,
to the end of which a cross piece or grip is fastened.
The top is then placed point downwards upon the spherical platform before
described and the string laid in the slot in the rim or cushion. Fig. IV.
The top is kept in position by one hand being laid lightly upon it. The grip
or cross-piece is then held in the other hand and the string drawn smartly away
from the table. The top being thus released springs downward upon the bed
or top of the table or tray, and spins until the impetus given by the player is
exhausted.
All skittles overturned by the top in its passage count to that player according
to the numerical value which shall be ascribed to each particular skittle.
Fig. 1 shews one arrangement of the game.
The table or tray is here shewn as oblong.
An enclosure is placed at each corner containing one skittle bearing the num-
ber 40. On each of the longer sides two more enclosures are placed each contain-
ing two skittles each bearing the number 20. In the centre is another enclosure
containing one skittle bearing the number 50. In the front and rear of this
central enclosure are placed two groups of five skittles each the centre ones bearing
the number 10 and the others 5.
There are therefore eight two sided and one four sided enclosure each side or
partition of which is cut out to allow free ingress and egress to the top in its
passage. The total value of all the skittles in this arrangement of the game is 430.
Smaller or larger numerical values can be ascribed to the skittles or the numbers
of skittles or enclosures can be increased or diminished or the shape of the table
or tray can be altered to any design or form as may be deemed expedient.
The spinning top before described can be set in motion by a cord, string, wire,
or piece of gut, or by any spring or mechanical contrivance which I may at any
future time construct or adopt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:―
A portable tray or table upon which skittles to any number, and either
enclosed or open-are placed, and overturned by a spinning top in lieu of the
usual ball or missile.
Dated this Twenty third day of May, Nineteen hundred.