Game of Skill.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 10th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Game of Skill.
I, EDWARD FULLER MAITLAND of Garth House Breconshire R.S.O. Gentleman do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to a ganie of skill played with counters by two or more
persons on a table or flat surface. Obstacles, such as rings, steps, bridges, ditches &c.
I place in a circle on this table. These obstacles which I make by preference of wood,
covered or uncovered, may be all of one shape or varied in shape. There is a starting
point and a winning post. The players play in turn, the object being to cause the
counters by pressure on the edge to pass over under or through the obstacles, and
arrive first at the winning post.
The counters are propelled by other counters or else by flexible implements made
for that purpose.
Dated this 15th day of June 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Game of Skill.
I, EDWARD FULLEB MAITLAND of Garth House, Breckonshire, R.S.O. 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:
"
This Invention relates to a game of skill played with "counters" by two or more
persons on a table or other flat horizontal surface. Obstacles, such as rings, hoops,
steps, inclined planes either direct or sinuous in direction-as also representative
obstacles such as bridges, hurdles, ditches and so forth, placed in a circle on the table.
These obstacles, which I make by preference of wood, covered or uncovered may be
of one shape or varied in shape. There is a starting point and a winning post. The
players play in turn, the object being to cause the " counters by pressure on the
edge, to pass over, under, or through the obstacles and arrive first at the winning
post. The " counters are propelled by other " counters or else by a flexible
implement made for that purpose, further reference to which is hereinafter made.
In order that my Invention may be the better understood, I have appended the
accompanying explanatory drawings illustrative of various types of obstacle devices
which I employ in carrying out my said Invention.
"
"
Figure 1 represents the winning post. It consists preferably of a circular or other
similarly shaped disc A of the requisite size and thickness, whereon the counters are
ultimately raised after having passed up or down, (as in the case of inclined planes)
through, on to, or across, passed into, over, or along the various obstacle devices
hereinafter more particularly identified, the latter being arranged in a circle and the
counters propelled forward in the direction indicated by the arrows either by counters
held in the hands of the players or by a suitable flexible impelling implement provided
for such purpose and which would preferably be of the form shewn at Figure 11;
that is to say, having one end wider than the other. The player using either end
according to fancy.
Figure 2 represents an obstacle consisting of two circular discs A, B, and an
inclined semi-circular block piece C, the three being held together by the connecting
pieces a, b. The counters in this case are propelled first on to C, then, from C over
to B and from thence over a to A.

page_text: Figure 3 shews an obstacle consisting of a block piece A having two raised inclined
surfaces a, c, at either end, and a central plane intervening therebetween. The
"
counters are impelled from the inclined surface c over the central portion or
"ditch" 6 without touching it on to the more remote surface a.
$6
Figure 4 is an obstacle composed of a block piece A formed with inclined
surfaces a, b, c, raised, "step fashion," one above. the other, the "counters" passing
from c to b, and from thence to a.
Figure 5 is an obstacle which consists of a circular disc A the central thickness of
which is somewhat in excess of that at its outer circumference and thus assumes the
form of a frustrum of a cone, having a very large base relatively to its angled or
inclined surface. The " counters " in this case pass up said inclined surface and
through the hole a in the truncated apex of A.
Figure 6 is an obstacle consisting of a block piece A with a flat surface a and
inclined: portion 6 the "counters" passing up and from the inclined plane b to a, and
thence through the hoop, loop or arch at c.
As another modification of inclined planes I may cause same to assume a sinuous or
curved form instead of that shewn at Figure 6.
The obstacle device shewn at Figures 7 and 8, by a front elevational and plan view
respectively, comprises a frame A, provided with an. aperture; B, said frame, being
supported by its lower end in the horizontal carriers a. In this instance the
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counters pass through the aperture B.
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>
Figures 9 and 10 shew, respectively a front elevation and plan of an obstacle
consisting of a ring A, carried, by a standard B resting on a base composed of the
four radial arms a. The counters in this instance, also, in their travel pass through
the space enclosed by the ring A.
1
Although I have herein specified several of the obstacles to be employed in the
game of skill according to my Invention, I would wish it to be understood that I do
not limit myself to the exact form or shape of the obstacles as shown nor do I confine
myself to exact details of the various devices before. described, as, it will be obvious
that these may differ and be slightly modified in construction without in any way
departing from the characteristic features or nature of my said Invention.
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:-
}
First: The method of and means employed for carrying out the game of skill
substantially as herein described and, shewn.
"
Second In a game of skill played with counters by two or more persons the
several obstructive devices herein described employed in carrying out such game,
substantially as set forth.
:
Dated this 10th day of December 1889
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.