An Improved Game.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1,01
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug.. 139:
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Game.
I, WALTER MCDERMOTT of Alleyn Park, Dulwich in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improved game may be described as a sort of billiards or pool which is
played on a smooth surface with sliding counters instead of balls, the counters
being propelled by a spring pistol or like device. The board employed preferably
has a raised circular central portion made of highly polished wood, metal, or glass.
On the surface a number of concentric circles are marked for limits used in
counting at the end of each game according as the counters remain within or without
them. Around this board is a depression or channel which is bounded by a raised
rim and at various points on the board are depressions or pockets into which the
counters used are to be driven and also small posts of rubber which serve as
cushions and cause the counters to rebound when they strike same.
These posts
may be arranged so as to increase the difficulty of getting into the pockets. The
counters employed may be flat discs but I prefer to make them slightly convex on
one or both sides or convex ou oue side and flat or slightly concave on the other
the object being when the counter is placed on the convex side to enable it when
struck off the centre to screw or revolve in its forward motion so that its course
is affected on striking an object. The arrangement of pockets, circular channel,
and posts, allows of the use of much skill in directing the counters over the smooth
surface so as to drive the opposing counters into unfavourable positions and to
secure the maximum count at the end of the game.
"
The pistol or shooting device employed for propelling the counters may consist
of a light stick with a short barrel in which a cue is forced forward by a spiral
spring the pressure of which can be regulated as desired.
Dated this 16th day of October 1891.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Game.
I, WALTER MCDERMOTT of Alleyn Park, Dulwich in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, 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 improved game may be described as a sort of billiards or pool which is
played on a smooth surface with sliding counters instead of balls, the counters
being propelled by a spring pistol or like device, though balls may be employed if
desired.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Game.
I, WALTER MCDERMOTT of Alleyn Park, Dulwich in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, 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 improved game may be described as a sort of billiards or pool which is
played on a smooth surface with sliding counters instead of balls, the counters
being propelled by a spring pistol or like device, though balls may be employed if
desired.
To clearly explain my invention reference is made to the accompanying drawing
in which
Figure 1 is a plan of the board.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of same.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views of different forms of the pistol or cue propelling
devices.
Figure 6 is a-plan and Figure 7 a sectional elevation of one of the counters or
discs which are employed.

page_text: The board is provided with a central raised circular surface a of polished wood,
metal, glass or the like. On this surface a number of concentric circles bbb are
marked for limits used in counting at the end of each game, according as the
counters or discs c remain within or without them. Around the surface a is a
depression channel or ditch d.bounded by a raised rim e which is higher than the
surface a.
At various points on the board are pockets fone being preferably in the centre
of the surface a and the other around the outer line and also small posts g of
rubber preferably arranged around the inner line as shown, said posts acting as
cushions and causing the discs or counters to rebound when they strike same.
The counters a may be flat discs but I prefer to make them slightly convex on
one or both sides or convex on one side and flat or slightly concave on the other
the latter form being that shown in the drawings, the object being to enable the
counter when placed on its convex side to screw or revolve in the forward motion
so that its course is affected on striking an object while when placed on its concave
side it will travel slower and straighter. The pistols or shooting devices may be of
different forms as shewn in Figures 3, 4 and 5 or of other forms the essential
feature of such instruments being that the force with which the cue portion h is
projected forward by the spring may be regulated at the pleasure of the person
using same.
This it will be seen is the case with all the instruments shewn as it
will be evident that at times a very gentle blow is required to be given while at
other times a strong action is necessary to drive an opposing counter away into the
ditch d or elsewhere depending upon the conditions of the game.
In Figure 3 the pistol shown is provided with a crank or a trigger i one end of
which carries a string which is attached to the cue portion h, while in Figure 5 the
trigger i forms part of the cue . In both these instances the cue is withdrawn
against the pressure of the spring by pulling back the trigger so that on releasing
same the spring will project it forward.
In Figure 4 the trigger i is connected by a rod to the cue said trigger
consisting of a bar having a slot through which passes a retaining pin t said bar
being notched on its lower face as shewn. These notches engage with a spring
operated catch or pawl m which will hold the trigger bar in any position against
the pressure of the spring until said catch m is released.
The conditions of the game may vary but in one form of same two three or four
players may take part. These take sides and playing with counters e of different
colour endeavour to secure positions which count, such as within the central
pocket and inside of the inner circular line b, and also to drive their adversaries
into unfavourable positions such as into the outer pockets for the ditch d, a system
of counting for such strokes forming part of the rules of the game. The pockets f
can either be simple depressions of a depth about one half the thickness of the
counter so that when one of the latter is in, it can be driven out by a smart blow
from another or the pockets may be deep so that one having gone in another will
not be prevented from following.
The board may be arranged for the use of balls in place of flat counters by
employing a somewhat less sinooth or polished surface and by having same properly
levelled.
-I-am aware of a game which includes the use of a raised central board, a centre
pocket, concentric marks, a ditch, equidistant cushions and flat counters which are
propelled by the finger and I do not claim anything comprised therein but;
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 :-
1. In a game a raised table provided with a centre pocket a series of surrounding
cushions and outer pockets substantially as described.
2. In a game the combination of counters with one or both sides convex with a
table as described.

page_text: 3. In a game the combination of an adjustable spring cue or pistol with sliding
counters or balls and a table having cushions and pockets as described.
4. In a game the combination of a driving cue or pistol, arranged so that the
driving force can be regulated at will, with a board having one or more depressions
or pockets, raised cushions, and sliding counters or balls substantially as set.
forth.
5. In a game the combination of the improved table counters and cue or pistol
all substantially as set forth.
Dated this 12th day of July 1892.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Applicant's Agent.