IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS, AND FOR INDICATING THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Henry Russell, of Regent Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, and Julius Sax, of Great Russell
Street, Bloomsbury, in the same County, Telegraph Instrument
Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
MARKING OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS, AND FOR INDICATING THE NUMBER OF
GAMES PLAYED, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
Sealed the 3rd December 1872, and dated the 7th June 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Henry Russell
and Julius Sax at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 7th June 1872.
We, CHARLES HENRY RUSSELL, of Regent Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, and JULIUS SAX, of Great Russell Street, Blooms-
bury, in the same County, Telegraph Instrument Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS, AND FOR INDICATING THE

page_text: NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to apparatus for marking or scoring at billiards,
and for indicating the number of games played, and for other similar
purposes.
E
The indications for marking or scoring, and for shewing the number
of games played, are effected by means of pointers or indexes travelling
over a suitably graduated or divided dial. The pointers are so connected
that when a pointer on the scoring dial has arrived at the end of a game
]
the pointer on the game dial will show that a game has been played.
In billiards or like games where each player has a ball, one a plain
ball and the other a spotted ball, one pointer on the scoring dial corre-
sponds with one ball, and another pointer with the other ball, each
pointer being worked independently.
There may be any number of pointers corresponding with any number
of balls or playing appliances, the motions whereof are to be scored.
Whichever of the two pointers is first started will communicate
motion to the game reckoning pointer.
In one arrangement each pointer is worked by a handle, motion being
communicated by the handle to the pointer axis by chain wheels or
'similar contrivances. An intermediate wheel bearing projections is
moved by the gearing of one or other of the scoring pointers, and through
suitable gearing communicates motion to the pointer of the game
reckoning dial, so that the end of the game marked on the scoring dial
may be indicated on the game dial.
In another modification the pointer wheels of the scoring dial are
worked by drivers, clawkers, or hooks, or hook ended levers.
In one arrangement the connection between the scoring apparatus and
the game reckoning apparatus is effected by electro-magnetism. For
this purpose a wheel or disc is moved by the gear of one or other of the
pointers, and caused to act on an arm or appliance effecting and breaking
electric contact with a game indicating apparatus, which may be placed
away from the billiard room so as to be under the inspection of the
manager or proprietor of a public billiard room, and thereby allow of
the exercise of control over the billiard marker. In this case conducting

page_text: wires lead from the scoring apparatus to the game indicating apparatus,
which may thus form a detector or tell-tale. When electric communi-
cation is effected and the current. passes, the pointer on the game
indicating dial moves one degree or space.
In another modification the apparatus is so arranged that it may be
worked from the table without requiring the players to move from the
table to another part of the room. For this purpose electric wires are
carried from the billiard table to a suitably placed scoring and indicating
apparatus. The currents are controlled by knobs, buttons, or studs
forming current communicators, breakers, interceptors, or commutators,
and readily worked by pressure. Electro-magnetic action is thus con-
veyed to a detent, or other suitable apparatus working the pointers and
causing them to move to a required extent.
The currents may pass through bells, strikers, or alarms so as to
indicate each indicating motion of the pointer by a phonetic signal.
Bells of distinctly different sounds may be used, so as to distinguish
between the different pointers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Henry Russell and Julius Sax in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th December 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, CHARLES
HENRY RUSSELL, of Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex, Gentle-
man, and JULIUS SAX, of Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, in the same
County, Telegraph Instrument Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-fifth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto us, the said Charles Henry Russell and Julius Sax,
Her special license that we, the said Charles Henry Russell and
Julius Sax, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said Charles Henry Russell and Julius Sax, our exc-
cutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
'

page_text: exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for “Im-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS, AND FOR
INDICATING THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Charles Henry
Russell and Julius Sax, our executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Charles Henry Russell and Julius
Sax, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
-
"
This Invention relates to apparatus for "marking or scoring at
billiards, and for indicating the number of games played, and for other
similar purposes.
The indications for marking or scoring and for shewing the number of
games played are effected by means of pointers or indexes travelling over
a suitably graduated or divided dial or dials. The pointers are so con-
nected that when a pointer on the scoring dial has arrived at the end of
a game the pointer on the game dial (or dial for showing the number of
games played) will shew that a game has been played.
In billiards or like games where each player has a ball, one a plain
ball and the other a spot or spotted ball, one pointer on the scoring or
marking dial corresponds with one ball and another pointer with the
other ball, each pointer being worked independently.
(There may be any number of pointers corresponding with the number
of balls or playing appliances, the motions whereof are to be scored.)
Whichever of the two scoring pointers is first started will first com-
the
municate motion to the game reckoning pointer, that is to say,
pointer that marks the number of games played.
In one arrangement each pointer is worked by a handle, motion being
communicated by the handle to the pointer axis by chain wheels or

page_text: similar contrivances. An intermediate wheel bearing projections is
moved by the gearing of one or other of the scoring pointers, and com-
municates motion to the pointer of the game reckoning dial through
suitable gearing, so that the end of the game marked on the scoring dial
may be indicated on the game dial.
In another modification the pointer wheels of the scoring dial are
worked by drivers, clawkers, pushers, pawls, or hooks, or hook-ended
levers.
In one arrangement the connection between the scoring apparatus and
the game reckoning apparatus is effected by electro-magnetism. For
this purpose a wheel or disc is moved by the gear of one or other of the
pointers, and caused to act on an arm or appliance. effecting and
breaking electric contact with a game indicating apparatus, which may
be placed away from the billiard room, so as to be under the inspection
of the manager or proprietor of a public billiard room, and thereby allow
of the exercise of control over the billiard marker. In this case con-
ducting wires lead from the scoring or marking apparatus to the game
indicating apparatus, which may thus form a detector or tell tale. When
electric communication is effected, and the current passes the pointer on
the game indicating dial, that is the dial indicating the number of games
played, moves one degree or space.
In another modification the apparatus is so arranged that it may be
worked from the table without requiring the players to move from the
table to another part of the room. For this purpose electric wires are
carried from the billiard table to a suitably placed scoring and indicating
apparatus. The currents are controlled by knobs, buttons, or studs,
forming current communicators, breakers, interceptors, or commutators,
and readily worked by pressure. Electro-magnetic action is thus con-
veyed to a detent or other suitable apparatus working the pointers and
causing them to move to a required extent.
The currents may pass through bells, strikers, or alarms, so as to
indicate each indicating motion of the pointer by a phonetic signal.
Bells of distinctly different sounds may be used so as to distinguish
between the different pointers.
The accompanying Drawings represent apparatus constructed according
to this Invention for marking or scoring at billiards and games marked

page_text: or scored in similar manner, and for indicating the number of games
played, though the same apparatus may, with obvious modifications, be
applied for other similar purposes.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of our marking or scoring apparatus. A
is a frame in which is fitted a dial B, marked with proper graduations or
divisions for indicating the score; C, D, are index pointers travelling
over the surface of the dial when actuated as herein-after described.
One pointer is for shewing the scores of the player who uses the plain
ball, the other pointer is for shewing the scores of the player who uses
the spot ball. The axes of the pointers pass through the dial, and are 1
actuated on the inner side by mechanical arrangements held in a
case A*, Figure 2, fixed at the back of the dial, and forming part of the
frame A. The mechanical arrangements are supported in a frame-
work A fitted in the case, and mainly consisting of a front and back
plate with necessary brackets and cross pieces fixed thereto.
]
Figure 2 is a side elevation, and Figure 3, a top plan of these arrange-
ments. The front presented in Figure 2 is that which is nearest the
dial. c is the axis of the pointer C, and d is the axis of the pointer D. One
of the frame plates A' is removed in Figure 2 in order that the arrange-
ments may be properly seen. The axis c is within the axis d for a 1
portion of the length of the former. Of course the axis d is made
tubular for the purpose; hence the pointers work or radiato from one
centre, but are worked independently of each other. E, F, are two
handles depending from the frame of the apparatus so as to be within
The handle E is for the player
casy reach of the marker or players.
who is to work the pointer C; the handle F is for the player who uses
the pointer D. The handle E is jointed to an arm e which carries a
hooked piece, driver, or pusher G engaging the teeth of a toothed
wheel on the axis c, so that when the handle E is pulled it moves the
driver G and causes it to move the wheel g one tooth, and thereby to
move the axis c and the pointer C. The teeth of the wheel correspond
in number with the number of graduations or divisions to be indicated
by the pointer, so that for every pull of the handle and every tooth of
the wheel the pointer moves to the extent of one graduation. e' is a
spring on the arm e for keeping the driver in position; e³ is a spiral
spring abutting against the frame, and connected at top with collar e' on
the arm e to restore or help to restore the arm to position after the
handle has been pulled to work the wheel. The handle F is jointed to

page_text: an arm, which carries a hooked piece, driver, or pusher H engaging in
a toothed wheel on an axis * supported in the frame A². This axis
also carries a toothed wheel ³ in gear with a toothed wheel i mounted
loosely on the axis c, so that axis c and wheel turn independently of
each other. The tubular axis d of the pointer D is fixed to this wheel i
and projects therefrom. It passes through the front frame plate A*
and carries the pointer D. On pulling the handle F the driver H is
moved, thereby moving wheel h, axis h³, wheels h³ and i, axis d, and
pointer D. The teeth of the wheels are so arranged that each pull of
the handle F will move the pointer D to the extent of one division or
graduation. f and f³ are springs arranged and acting respectively in
regard to the driver H, as the springs e³, e³, respectively act in regard to
the driver G; f* is a collar similar to collar e'; j is a stud or projection
on the face of the wheel g; k is a similar stud or projection on the face
of the wheel i; is a cam-shaped piece, shewn separately in Figure 3*,
and mounted loosely on the axis c; m is an arm mounted on an axis m*
in the framework A², so as to be capable of oscillating thereon a little
way in each direction. We call this arm a "carrier." It carries a
small platinum point or stud m³ for making contact with an insulated
spring n on a metal angle piece n³ fixed below the bottom of the arm m.
This spring communicates with a galvanic battery, and in the circuit is
an index pointer travelling over a small dial placed in any convenient
position, and marked with graduations or divisions intended to indicate
the number of games played. Whichever of the two wheels g, i, happens
to be first moved (which of course depends on whichever of the two
handles, E, F, happens to be first moved) will bring its stud (j or k, as
the case may be) against the cam so as to move the cam, which coming
in contact with the arm m moves it so as to bring its point m² in contact
with the spring n, thereby causing an electric current to pass, the circuit
being thus completed the index pointer of the game marking dial will
be caused to moved one graduation. 12, 1, are friction springs; 1³, 1³,
springs on the drivers G and H; is a spring to restore the arm to
position after its having been moved by the cam 1, and after the electric
current has passed. The frame A³, or at least the parts with which the
electric wire is connected, must be of a conducting material to allow of
the passage of the electro-magnetic fluid.

page_text: the dial indicating their respective scores, may be in one room, while the
dial, worked by the electric current, may be in another room under the
control of the master of the billiard room.
Figure 4 is a front view of an arrangement for carrying out the object
of the Invention by mechanical means without the aid of electricity.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation shewing the mechanical arrangements
with the dial removed; Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, are details; Figure 6
is a side view of the spindle detached, with the wheels which it carries;
Figure 7 is a plan of the same; Figure 8, front view of the intermediate
wheel; Figure 9, side elevation of one of the knobs with its spindle and
chain wheel; Figure 10, section through the line a, B, of Figure 9.
the axis c of the
is actuated. q³is
B is the dial mounted in the frame A with pointers C and D. On this
At the back or
dial are two smaller dials a and b, with pointers a², b².
inner side of the dial are mechanical arrangements for working the
pointers. These arrangements are held in a case at the back forming
part of the frame A. p, q, are knobs on the outside of the case A. and
on the ends of spindles p*, q*, which pass through the front of the case A
and carry chain wheels. The spindle p* carries a chain wheel p³, and
the spindle q* carries a.chain wheel q². One knob with its spindle and
chain wheel is for working one of the pointers, and the other knob with
its spindle and chain wheel is for working the other of the pointers; one
for the plain ball and the other for the spot ball. 2³ is a chain which
passes over the wheel p³ and also over a wheel 2* on
pointer C; thus by turning the knob p the pointer C
a chain which passes over the wheel q* and also over a wheel q* on an
axis q³, on which is keyed a toothed wheel q' in gear with a toothed
wheel q² loose on the axis c. On the wheel q' is fixed a hollow axis d,
which passes over the axis c for a portion of the length of the latter, and
carries pointer D. When the knob q is turned the pointer D is turned
through the intermediary gearing q³, q², q', q³, 9, 9', without interfering
with the axis c and pointer C. Of course the wheels are so toothed as to
correspond with the required graduations to be travelled over by the
pointers. On the spinille of each knob is a ratchet wheel
gears a pawl k* (held to its work by a spring ), to prevent
reversed from working the pointers. " is a toothed
loose or free on the axis c between the wheels p³ and q²;
fixed on the wheel r, one on cach face of the wheel.
into which
the knob if
wheel mounted
1ºª, 7ª, are levers
Each lever is

page_text: 1°
centered on the wheel i; springs keep the levers against the faces of
the wheel, to which one end of each spring is fastened. 8, 8, are two
studs, one on the wheel 15 and the other on the wheel q', so placed that
when either stud comes opposite the corresponding lever and abuts
against it it moves it. Whichever of the wheels p, q, is first moved
(and this depends on whichever of the knobs is first moved) brings its
studs against the spring lever opposite it and moves the wheel round
with it until overtaken by the stud on the other wheel, which continues
to carry round the wheel r. When this wheel is in motion it turns a
train of wheels and pinions t, l², l'º, 1º³, 1', 1º, 1º, 17, 18, tº, t¹º, with which it
is in gear, and which form a train of multiplying wheels working the
pointers a, b, of the smaller dials a, b, which are graduated or marked
with divisions to indicate the number of games played (by hundreds and
thousands).
The gearing is so arranged that it is only when either one of the
scoring wheels shall have made a complete revolution, the pointer of the
game reckoning dial will be moved to the extent of one division or
graduation. Thus the players or markers in indicating the number of
the scores cause the number of games played to be indicated on the dials.
Figures 11, 12, 13, refer to a modification in which the whole
apparatus is worked by electricity or electro-magnetism. The front of
the dial is not shewn. The electro-magnetic apparatus is shewn in
elevation Figure 11, and in plan Figure 12. It is held in a case or
frame A* at the back or inner part of the dial. Figure 13 is a detached
view shewing details; C, D, are the index pointers, one of which is on
an axis c, and the other on an axis d. The axis c lies for a portion of
its length within the axis d. " is a toothed wheel on the axis c; vis a
toothed wheel on the axis d. T¹, T, are two pairs of electro-magnetic
coils served by a battery not shewn in the Drawings. 10¹, w³, are
armatures jointed to the frame and free to move when attracted by the
electro-magnet. The pair of coils or magnets T is intended to attract
the armature wo², and the pair T, to attract the armature. 20ª, 20³, 20',
are springs for restoring the armatures to position when they have been
released from the attraction of the electro-magnet. The armature w³,
carries a driver lever or pusher W₁, engaging in the teeth of the wheel u.
W is a similar driver or pusher carried by the armature w², and
engaging into the teeth of the wheel v. x, x, are two hinged bars
jointed to the frame, one near the armature wo¹, and the other near the

page_text: armature to. Each bar x carries a stud x¹, so shaped as to drop into the
teeth of the wheel u or v, one for each wheel to hold such wheel after
cach push of the driver, the driver lifting the stud out of the teeth as it
(the driver) moves the wheel one tooth. The travel of the drivers is
adjusted by stops y, y, regulated by screws y³ passing through a cross
frame bar, one stop y to each driver. ¹ is a counterbalance weight on
the wheel ; and is a counterbalance weight on the wheel v. Con-
ducting wires 1, 2, and a return wire 3 pass from the coils, and are in
connection with a galvanic battery, electric communication being made
and broken by knobs which act as current breakers and current makers.
These knobs are fitted in the frame of the billiard table so as to be acted
on by the players. One knob is for the player of the plain ball and the
other for the player of the spot ball, and when the players desire to
mark or score they press one or other of the knobs, the one of course
corresponding with their own ball, and electric communication is
produced by the coil which attracts the corresponding armature, the
driver on which moves the corresponding toothed wheel, one tooth
producing a corresponding movement of the pointer. The weights =',
and on the wheel act to keep the pointers in proper position after they
have been shifted by the action above described.
and v an
This wheel
To combine these arrangements with arrangements for indicating the
number of games played we mount between the wheels
intermediate toothed wheel free to turn loose on the axis c.
carries appliances or arrangements similar to those shewn in Figures 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and it is caused to revolve by either one of the weights
,,coming in contact with those arrangements or appliances, or
instead of it being caused to revolve by the weights it may be caused to
revolve by coming in contact with studs or projections fixed on the inner
faces of the wheels u, v, there being one such stud on each wheel.
Whichever of the weights or studs first comes in contact with the
intermediate wheel starts it. This intermediate wheel is in gear with
and actuates a train of multiplying gearing which work a pointer on a
smaller dial to mark each game as completed.
'
Although we have described the Invention as applied to billiard
marking, it is evident that it may be employed in like manner for other
similar purposes.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same may be performed, we declare that we claim,—

page_text: First. Arranging and combining apparatus for marking or scoring
during the game, with apparatus for indicating the number of games
played, so that the former apparatus shall actuate or operate the latter
apparatus substantially as described.
Second. The employment of electric or electro-magnetic agency for
marking or scoring during the game, and indicating the number of
games played, and especially the arrangements whereby if desired the
pointers may be moved by the players without their quitting the table,
substantially as described.
Third. The arrangement and combination of apparatus substantially as
described for marking or scoring at billiards, and for indicating the
number of games played, and for other similar purposes.
In witness whereof, I, the said Julius Sax, for myself, and on
behalf of the said Charles Henry Russell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of December, in the year One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
E. DE PASS,
68, Fleet Street,
London.
JULIUS SAX. (L.s.)