Game Board.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1899 -Accepted, 25th Feb., 1899
Game Board.
I, HENRY LINCOLN HASKELL, of the Town of Ludington, in the County of
Mason, in the State of Michigan, one of the United States of America, Manu-
facturer, 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 that class of games in which disks are impelled across
a board having pockets for the reception of the disks.
The object of the invention is to provide a game demanding more skill than
is required by other games of its class, the skill of a player having full oppor-
tunity for exercise in the delicate measuring of force required to send a disk
just so far and no farther, and to maintain the proper relations between the
several disks; and the invention consists essentially of a board surrounded by a
cushioned rim, and having a central pocket and corner pockets, and other details
hereinafter particularly pointed out in the claims.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein,—
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of the board; Fig. 2, is a plan view of same;
Fig. 3, a detail section on the line 2-2, of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4, a broken section
of the board on the line 3-3, of Fig. 2.
The game board has as its essential features a flat board or face F, a rim G,
surrounding the face and projecting above and below the plane of the face, a
central pocket B, corner pockets J, and base-lines A. The face F, is preferably
composed of veneers of polished wood, with an interposed filling, the grains pre-
ferably running in different directions to prevent warping or splitting, and the
edges of the face preferably lying in grooves in the binding or rim G.
As shown in the drawings, the base lines A, are drawn so that four corner
spaces are marked out, and in each of these spaces a pocket J, is made by cutting
a shallow depression in the face F, said pockets being somewhat larger in sur-
face than a disk K, such as is used in playing the game, and adapted to receive
and retain the disks except against the impelling force of a properly directed
disk.
In the center of the board is a comparatively large pocket B, formed by a hole
in the face F, and a receptacle, in this instance of felt, slung beneath the opening.
The pocket B, has above it a ring frame D. which may be joined to or integral
with posts D, which are secured to the face of the board just outside the opening.
in this instance by means of bolts D³, passing from below into said posts; said
bolts fitting perforations in the face F, and held by nuts E. The bottom
of the pocket B, swings from a wire B¹, secured between the nuts E, and the
bottom of the face F, by washers E¹. The frame D. has at the under edge of its
central opening slender lugs D¹. which carry a wire C¹, which sustains a cur-
tain C. It is the function of this curtain C, to deflect an inaccurate shot, and
at the same time to prevent a disk from crossing the pocket or leaping from

page_text: the pocket once it has entered. The posts of the frame D, are covered with
rubber D, so that a disk will be thrown away at an uncertain angle if permitted
to strike one of the posts. I have ascertained by experiment that with rubber
cushions the angle of incidence is not equal to that of refraction in playing the
game. For this reason I use rubber on the parts which should be avoided by
skilful playing, and felt where an accurate carrom is properly_derived.
Attached to the rim of the board is a bevelled felt cushion H, preferably tri-
angular in cross-section, the apex being arranged to be struck by the playing
disks. The shape and material of this cushion are the result of careful study
to attain the best results with disks.
The action of disks is essentially different from that of balls, and I have found
by study and experiment that the best results are attained by a cushion of the
character described and bearing substantially the relation to the disks shown
in the accompanying drawing.
In playing the game each player takes disks and each in turn attempts to
shoot or snap them from within one of the bases marked by the lines A, so that
a disk may lodge within a pocket J, on the opposite side of the board. A suc-
cessful shot may, for example, be counted five. The opposing player attempts
to dislodge his opponent and put his opponent's disk out of the game by forcing
it into the central pocket, success scoring for him, for example, two, and five more
if he be able to retain his own disk in the same side or corner pocket, while the
disks remaining in the small squares may be counted out, if desired. For all
the disks left in the side pockets some credit, say two, may be given, one being
counted for each disk left on the board, and not placed in the central pocket.
The central pocket is thus a vital feature, and the felt curtain plays an impor-
tant part in requiring an accurately measured side blow or carrom to prevent the
deflection of a disk and yet serving to retain a disk once in and preventing skip-
ping across the pocket, so that a player must avoid the pocket with his own disks,
or suffer loss. The playing of the game requires the frequent use of carroms
and bank-shots, and for this I have especially devised the cushion H, and located
and formed it to produce the best results.
It is obvious that the game may be governed by a system of rules in general
accord with the previous suggestions, but subject to many variations of detail.
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
1st, In a game board, the combination of a face, a central pocket opening,
a frame supported by posts on the face and surrounding the pocket opening, a
curtain depending from the frame and guarding the pocket opening, a bottom
for the pocket, and means for securing the posts of the frame and the bottom of
the pocket substantially as described.
2nd. In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, lines run-
ning parallel with the rim and crossing near the corners to form squares, depres-
sions in the said squares, and a central pocket having an opening guarded by
a curtain, substantially as described.
3rd. In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, a cushion
on the rim, lines running parallel with the rim and crossing near the corners
to form squares, depressions in the said squares, and a central pocket having an
opening guarded by a curtain, substantially as described.
4th. In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, base lines,
corner pockets, and a central opening in the face forming the mouth of a pocket,
a frame projecting above the face and a flexible curtain hung from the frame
and depending within the mouth of the pocket, substantially as described.
5th, In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, corner
pockets, a central opening in the face forming the mouth of the pocket, a frame
projecting from the face and surrounding the mouth of the pocket, a curtain

page_text: hung from the frame and extending into the mouth of the pocket, a fabric form-
ing a bottom for the pocket, a set of posts supporting the frame, and means for
securing said posts and the bottom of the pocket to the board, substantially as
described.
6th, In a game board, a face, a series of base lines and a pocket between the
base lines for the retention of surface projectiles, having a curtain or fringe sus-
pended above and encircling the inner side of the pocket opening, substantially
as described.
7th, In a game board, the combination of a face, base lines, a pocket within
the base lines, a frame above the pocket and a curtain or fringe depending from
the frame into the mouth of the pocket, substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of March 1898.
Game Board.
I, HENRY LINCOLN HASKELL, of the Town of Ludington, in the County of
Mason, in the State of Michigan, one of the United States of America, Manu-
facturer, 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 that class of games in which disks are impelled across
a board having pockets for the reception of the disks.
The object of the invention is to provide a game demanding more skill than
is required by other games of its class, the skill of a player having full oppor-
tunity for exercise in the delicate measuring of force required to send a disk
just so far and no farther, and to maintain the proper relations between the
several disks; and the invention consists essentially of a board surrounded by a
cushioned rim, and having a central pocket and corner pockets, and other details
hereinafter particularly pointed out in the claims.
Reference being had to the drawings accompanying the provisional application
wherein:
1
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the board. Fig. 2 is a plan view of same; Fig. 3
a detail section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 a broken section of the
board on the line.3-3 of Fig. 2.
:
The game board has as its essential features a flat board or face F, a rim G,
surrounding the face and projecting above and below the plane of the face, a
central pocket B, corner pockets J, and base-lines A. The face F is preferably
composed of veneers of polished wood with an interposed filling, the grains pre-
ferably running in different directions to prevent warping or splitting, and the
edges of the face preferably lying in grooves in the binding or rim G.
As shewn in the drawings, the base lines A are drawn so that four corner
spaces are marked out, and in each of these spaces a pocket J is made by cutting
a shallow depression in the face F, said pockets being somewhat larger in sur-
face than a disk K, such as is used in playing the game, and adapted to receive
and retain the disks except against the impelling force of a properly directed
disk.
In the centre of the board is a comparatively large pocket B, formed by a hole
in the face F, and a receptacle, in this instance of felt, slung beneath the opening.
The pocket B has above it a ring frame D, which may be joined to or integral
with posts D, which are secured to the face of the board just outside the opening,

page_text: in this instance by means of bolts 14, passing from below into said post; said
bolts fitting perforations in the face F, and held by nuts E.
The bottom
of the pocket B swings from a wire B¹, secured between the nuts E, and the
bottom of the face F, by washers E¹. The frame D has at the under edge of its
central opening slender lugs D¹, which carry a wire C, which sustains a cur-
tain C. It is the function of this curtain C, to deflect an inaccurate shot, and
at the same time to prevent a disk from crossing the pocket or leaping from
the pocket once it has entered. The posts of the frame D are covered with
rubber D, so that a disk will be thrown away at an uncertain angle if permitted
to strike one of the posts. I have ascertained by experiment that with rubber
cushions the angle of incidence is not equal to that of refraction in playing the
game. For this reason I use rubber on the parts which should be avoided by
skilful playing, and felt where an accurate carrom is properly derived.
Attached to the rim of the board is a bevelled felt cushion B, preferably tri-
angular in cross-section, the apex being arranged to be struck by the playing
disks. The shape and material of this cushion are the result of careful study
to attain the best results with disks.
The action of disks is essentially different from that of balls, and I have found
by study and experiment that the best results are attained by a cushion of the
character described and bearing substantially the relation to the disks shewn
in the accompanying drawing.
In playing the game each player takes discs and each in turn attempts to
shoot or snap them from within one of the cases marked by the lines A, so that
a disk may lodge within a pocket J, on the opposite side of the board. A. suc-
cessful shot may, for example, be counted five. The opposing player attempts
to dislodge his opponent and put his opponent's disk out of the game by forcing
it into the central pocket, success scoring for him, for example, two, and five more
if he be able to retain his own disk in the same side or corner pocket, while the
disks remaining in the small squares may be counted out, if desired. For all
the disks left in the side pockets some credit, say two, may be given, one being
counted for each disk left on the board, and not placed in the central pocket.
The central pocket is thus a vital feature, and the felt curtain plays an impor-
tant part in requiring an accurately measured side blow or carrom to prevent the
deflection of a disk and yet serving to retain a disk once in and preventing skip-
ping across the pocket, so that a player must avoid the pocket with his own disks,
or suffer loss. The playing of the game requires the frequent use of carroms
and bank-shots, and for this I have especially devised the cushion H, and located
and formed it to produce the best results.
It is obvious that the game may be governed by a system of rules in general
accord with the previous suggestions, but subject to many variations of detail.
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
1. In a game board, the combination of a face, a central pocket opening,
a frame supported by posts on the face and surrounding the pocket opening, a
curtain depending from the frame and guarding the pocket opening, a bottom
for the pocket, and means for securing the posts of the frame and the bottom of
the pocket, substantially as described.
2. In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, lines run-
ning parallel with the rim and crossing near the corners to form squares, depres-
sions in the said squares, and a central pocket having an opening guarded by
a curtain, substantially as described.
3. In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, a cushion
on the rim, lines running parallel with the rim and crossing near the corners
to form squares, depressions in the said squares, and a central pocket having an
opening guarded by a curtain, substantially as described.

page_text: 4. In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, base lines,
corner pockets, and a central opening in the face forming the mouth of a pocket,
a frame projecting above the face and a flexible curtain hung from the frame
and depending within the mouth of the pocket, substantially as described.
5. In a game board, the combination of a face, a projecting rim, corner
pockets, a central opening in the face forming the mouth of the pocket, a frame
projecting from the face and surrounding the mouth of the pocket, a curtain.
hung from the frame and extending into the mouth of the pocket, a fabric form-
ing a bottom for the pocket, a set of posts supporting the frame, and means for
securing said posts and the bottom of the pocket to the board, substantially as
described.
6. In a game board, a face, a series of base lines and a pocket between the
base lines for the retention of surface projectiles, having a curtain or fringe sus-
pended above and encircling the inner side of the pocket opening, substantially
as described.
7. In a game board, the combination of a face, base lines, a pocket within
the base lines, a frame above the pocket and a curtain or fringe depending from
the frame into the mouth of the pocket, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of Tonuam 1800
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicant.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicant.