IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR USE IN BILLIARDS BAGATELLE OR OTHER LIKE GAMES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, KENNEDY BERESFORD of No 1, Craigs Court Charing Cross London, Middlesex
Lieutenant in the first Battalion Royal Irish Rifles do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention for IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR USE IN BILLIARDS BAGATELLE
OR OTHER LIKE GAMES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
It is an improved apparatus for.holding Chalk for use in Billiards Bagatelle or
other like Games; with an improved arrangement for affixing the same to the
table or other convenient position.
The apparatus consists of a hollow box made of metal or other material; which
contains; chalk and which may be affixed either underneath the outermost pro-
jecting border, called the cushion-rail, of the table; or against the table or wall ;
by means of the projecting flanges A & B, Figs. I & IV.
The hollow metal box containing the chalk (Fig I. XY), called the holder, has on
one side of it, which is called the exterior side, a circular opening (Fig 1. O)
through which the cue can be applied to the chalk; inside.
This exterior side, in which is the circular opening, is made to draw back at
will, in order to replenish the supply of chalk when necessary, (see. Fig II).
In order to enable this to be done, there are two projecting ribs, (Fig II R. R.)
on the edges of this exterior side, which slide in grooves cut at the top of each side
of the holder where they join, the exterior side (for which see Fig III) thus
enabling it to be drawn back at will, (see Figs II & III).
To prevent it going too far & coming out altogether, there is another rib
underneath the left edge of the exterior side which catches in a groove at top of
right side of holder, (for, which see Fig III).
There is a spiral spring fastened in interior of holder which pushes the chalk up
to the above mentioned circular opening (O. Figs. I & II) and enables it to concede
to every motion of the cue, (see Fig III).
Therefore when this holder, as above described is required for affixing under-
neath the outermost projecting border, or cushion-rail, of the table; two flauges
are made projecting each from one side of the holder which is at right angles to the
exterior side, (see Fig I.. A & B, or Fig II..A & B).

page_text: 1
Thus the holder can be fixed in any required position underneath the cushion-
rail by means of nails or screws driven through the two holes in these projecting
flanges (Fig III. A & B.) while at the same time the circular opening above
referred to appears in front as in Fig I, in accompanying drawings.
This arrangement will be slightly varied, if the holder is to be fastened against
the table or wall or other convenient position in which case these flanges; instead
of projecting from a side at right angles to the exterior side; would project
outwards from back of holder which is the side parallel to, and behind, the exterior
side (see Fig IV).
Therefore, though the position of the flanges is altered in this case the con-
struction of the holder would remain the same. But in order to lessen the amount
of projection of the holder (for fear it might be an obstruction to the players)
when fastened against the side of the table; the spiral spring above-mentioned
would be omitted and a flat steel spring substituted, (see Fig VI).
This holder as above described, could then be fastened against the any con-
venient part of the Billiard or Bagatelle table, or wall; and it would have the
circular opening above referred to appearing in front (as appears in Fig IV) while
the method of replenishing the supply of chalk would be the same as described at
first, (see Fig V).
The above description, with Plates I to VI in accompanying drawings, are
intended to show an improved arrangement for affixing a box holding chalk, in
any convenient position.
In a case where a larger surface of chalk is required than is presented for use in
the above mentioned description of holder, the configuration of the holder would
be altered, but the improved method of affixing the appliance would be adhered to.
In this case, the chalk instead of being retained in a hollow box, would be
secured to a stand or base by means of four springs as is seen in Fig VII V. W
X Y. or Fig VIII X & Y, or Fig IX X. V. & Ý.
These springs incline inwards at a small angle (as in Fig IX. X & Y.) and are
forced outwards when the chalk is inserted (as in Fig VIII X & Y.) thus securing
the chalk in its place by means. of their elasticity.
The stand, referred to above, to which the chalk is thus secured has a projecting
flange on each side (Fig VII A & B) and by means of these the appliance can be affixed
underneath the outermost projecting border, or cushion rail, of the table, as in Fig I.
Thus in a similar manner as in the two arrangements before described; but in
a slightly altered form; the appliance when supplied with chalk, would have a
surface of chalk appearing in front to which the cue can be applied, in playing
Billiards Bagatelle or other like games.
If it is not advisable that this improved arrangement for holding the chalk
should be affixed to the. table; a slight variation would be made in the con-
figuration of the stand in order that the appliance night be affixed to the wall or
other convenient position.
In such a case, the projecting flanges which appear in Fig VII (A & B) would
be omitted; and the appliance would be affixed to the wall, or other convenient
position by means of nails or screws driven through two holes in the base
(Fig X. A & B).
.
i
Therefore it will be seen that, in this case, though the configuration of the stand
or base would be slightly altered, the improved method of holding the chalk by
means of four projecting springs inclining inwards, would be adhered to, (see
Figs XI. & XII).
L
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
t 1. An improved method of affixing an instrument containing chalk; so that it
may be attached to the Billiard or Bagatelle table, in ¡such a manner underneath

page_text: the outermost projecting border called the cushion-rail; that a surface of chalk is
presented for use, in playing Billiards Bagatelle, or other like games.
2. An improved method of affixing the same in any other convenient position,
against the table or wall; in playing Billiards Bagatelle or other like games.
3. An improved method of retaining chalk in an instrument, which can be fixed
to the table or wall or other convenient position; so that the cue can be applied to
the chalk, in the instrument without removing it therefrom, as herein described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.