Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham
in the County of Warwick and 31 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Civil 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 :---
This invention relates to a machine for dealing cards singly as was hitherto done
by the hand of the player, the cards having been first placed in the machine and
the machine set in motion.
On the accompanying drawing :-
:―
Figure 1 is a front view of this improved machine ;
Figure 2, a plan thereof; and
Figure 3, a section on the line. x of Figure 1.
The table which receives the cards a rests on four springs c which hold the
table in a horizontal position in combination with the guide rods d enclosed by
these springs. The movement of the table may, if desired, take place by hand by
means of a lever e which is pivoted at f and extends through a lug g at the under
side of the table and passes to the outside of the machine terminating in a handle.
Somewhat above the table b, two small rollers h and i are arranged, the front one h
of which is reduced in diameter in its centre part . This reduced part h' is
embraced by a belt 2, which is further passed round a belt disc or pulley k
supported on a spindle k. The latter carries a second belt pulley k² with a belt i
passing around another belt pulley of the rear roller i. The spindle k is rotated
by means of the two cog wheels Il' by a crank handle, and conveys this inove-
ment by means of the belts h² to the rollers h and i. The latter take such a
position that their lower edges lie in line with the edge m' of an opening m,
Figure 3, arranged in front of the roller h. The machine may be revolubly
connected with a foot or stand n in order to distribute the cards in various
directions.
The machine works in the following manner :-
After the cards which are to be distributed have been inserted between the
roller hand and the table b, the machine is directed by turning on its pivot
towards the person who is to receive the cards, and the crank handle / is rotated
by hand, whereupon the rollers h and i push the uppermost card, which by means
of the springs e of the table is in constant contact with them, towards the opening m
from which it is finally ejected by means of the front roller h to the place required.
After the first card has been dealt, the second card in consequence of the pressure
of the springs c comes in contact with the rollers and receives the same treatment
as the first. As soon as one player has received a sufficient number of cards, the
machine is turned a little on its pivot so that the cards afterwards dealt fall to a
second player. The process is continued until the cards are dealt in the manner
desired.
The speed of dealing depends on the circumferential speed given the rollers.

page_text: In order to properly guide the cards, two collars ³ are arranged on the front
roller h, so that the cards after being pushed forward by both rollers and after
having left the rear roller are dealt with certainty by the front roller to the player.
Any cards which during play have become somewhat bent are again levelled by the
rolling. Further, the moistening of the cards, which often takes place when
dealing with hand, cannot take place when delivered by this machine, and the main
reason for their becoming dirty is thus avoided. Fraud in dealing the cards is also
entirely prevented by means of this machine.
The machine may of course be operated otherwise than by hand, such as by
means of any suitable mechanical, electrical or other power.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The improved machine for dealing cards, characterised by the cards being
singly one after another pushed through an opening m arranged in the front of the
machine and then delivered in the required direction substantially as described and
shown on the accompanying drawing.
2. The general construction of a machine such as described in Claim 1 in which
the cards which are to be dealt are brought in contact with revolving rollers h and i
by means of the spring table substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In a machine such as described for the dealing of cards, pivotally connecting
the machine with a foot-plate or base n, whereby such machine can be turned in
any required direction.
Dated this 11th day of February 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.