Improvements in Pockets for Billiard Tables and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 31st Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pockets for Billiard Tables and the like.
I, GEORGE DAVISON STEVENS Manager of Thurston & Company of
16 Catherine Street, Strand, in the County of London, Billiard Table Manu-
facturers do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for object to construct the pockets for billiard tables and the
like in such manner as to allow of the easy withdrawal of a ball therefrom.
The pocket may be made partly or wholly of netting and a more or less elastic
mouth or hole is arranged partly at the bottom and side or wholly in front in such
manner as to allow of the withdrawal of a ball by using for instance a thumb and
finger or either or one only. If a vertical slit or opening be arranged at the side
the spring keeping such slit or opening closed need not have any appreciable
strength if placed in such a place that the ball cannot under ordinary circum-
stances strike right into the centre of said slit and the spring may even be left out
altogether as the netting itself has a certain elasticity.
Dated this lot dov of Tanuary 1801
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pockets for Billiard Tables and the like.
I, GEORGE DAVISON STEVENS Manager of Thurston & Company of
16 Catherine Street Strand in the County of London Billiard Table Manu-
facturers 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 has for object to construct the pockets for billiard tables and the
like in such manner as to allow of the easy withdrawal of a ball therefrom.
The pocket may be made partly or wholly of netting and a more or less elastic
mouth or hole is arranged partly at the bottom and side or wholly in front in such
manner as to allow of the withdrawal of a ball by using for instance a thumb' and
finger or either one or the other. If a vertical slit or opening be arranged at the
side the spring keeping such slit closed need not have any appreciable strength if
placed in such a place that the ball cannot under ordinary circumstances strike
right into the centre of said slit and the spring may even be left out altogether as
the netting itself has a certain elasticity.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the corner of a billiard table provided with a
pocket constructed according to my invention and
Figures 2 and 3 are different forms of rings for the lower elastic opening in the
pocket while
Figures 4 to 7 are diagrammatic views of modifications.
As shown in Figure 1 the pocket P is made nearly wholly of netting and a more
or less elastic mouth or hole is arranged at the bottom by working into the netting
of the pocket an elastic ring I while a similar elastic or other soft ring R is worked
into the side or front of the pocket in such manner as to allow of the withdrawal of
a ball by using for instance a thumb and finger or one only. In the drawing the
thumb is shown as being applied for the purpose of pushing down the ball which is
then caught in the hand.

page_text: Referring to Figures 2 and 3 I have here shown two modifications as examples of
alternative rings I. In Figure 2 the ring is made of metal and covered with
rubber, leather or the like. The normal shape is shown in full lines and the ring
alters its shape approximately to that shown by dotted lines when the ball is
squeezed through the lower part of the pocket P. Figure 3 is a similar view of
another metal ring of an oval shape which is constrained to assume a more circular
shape when the ball is being passed through.
Figure 4 shows a metal spring I made out of a ring and the netting is worked on
to it. The opening here is in front and underneath, the upper part of the spring
serving to allow of the insertion of a thumb or finger.
Figure 5 is a modification of the preceding arrangement the only difference being
that the upper part of the spring R is formed with one or more turns so as to allow
more clasticity.
Figure 6 shows the spring R I made in the form of a pair of jaws which open
and assume the dotted position when the ball is being forced through them by the
thumb or finger.
Figure 7 shows a vertical slit or opening arranged near the bottom and at the
side or in front provided with a spring I R which normally keeps such slit closed.
Instead of one slit two or more may be provided.
The spring in this case need not have any appreciable strength if placed in such
a place that the ball cannot strike right into the centre of said slit and the spring
may even under some circumstances be left out altogether as the netting has a
certain elasticity. It is evident that the springs in all cases may when necessary
be covered with any suitable soft material so as not to cause damage to
the balls.
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. A pocket for a billiard table and the like provided with an opening.or
openings in front or at the side for insertion of the thumb or finger and an
elastic opening at the bottom for the exit of the ball substantially as described and
shown.
2. A pocket for a billiard table and the like provided with an opening or
openings at the side or in front and near the bottom for allowing of the
insertion of the thumb or finger and the exit of the ball substantially as described
and shown.
3. The constructions of pockets for billiard tables and the like as shown.
Dated this 10th da
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.