Automatic Ball Delivery Apparatus for Billiard Tables.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1895
.
Complete Specification Loft 3rd Oct 1805 cented
0th Nov
1805
Date of Application, 22nd July, 1895
Complete Specification Left 3rd Oct
1805 Accepted, 0th Nov,
1005
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Automatic Ball Delivery Apparatus for Billiard Tables.
I, EDWIN FOSTER DAVES 3 Stewart Buildings Penzance Surveyor do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
:-
It is to prevent the continual moving around the billiard table by the marker in
order to fetch the balls out of the various pockets much to the detriment of the
players.
The apparatus consists of two wood channels marked a and b Figure 1 fixed on
each side of the ordinary billiard table running from the baulk end pockets as b
Figure 1 and centre pockets as a Figure 1 in each case to the marker at the end
taking the balls by gravitation to bag nets one fixed against the top left hand leg
for the left side and on the right one for the right side as shown at d Figure 1.
If the players' balls get into the baulk end pockets they remain there for the
players to take out if the red then the marker by pulling knob C Figure 1 which
by drawing back the trap door F Fig. 4 allows the red to fall into the channel
(the marker then letting the knob go the pocket is again closed instantly) and run
down either the left or right hand channels as the case may be to the marker
which he can then spot.
If either of the white balls or both or the red get into the centre pockets they then
go to the marker and he returns them over the surface of the table to their
respective players and the red he spots.
The pockets adjoining the marker will remain as at present as nothing would be
gained by connecting them.
The connection at the pockets with the channels is made by stretching the
rubber rings at the bottom of pockets over the flange (marked H Figure 4)
provided for the junction.
The sides and bottom of channels would be rubber lined to prevent
reverberation.
The channels could be either closed in or remain open: as shown they are only
closed in at the pocket junctions to prevent the balls bounding out with the starting
impetus.
The channels are fixed against the side and legs of the table as shown in
Figure 2 by means of a bracket kept in position by thumb screws easily screwed
into the sockets by the haud, marked R in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 3 shows the end of channels disconnected with the pocket.
Figure 4 shows the connection with the ball resting on the trap door F which is
closed.
Figure 4 K shows rubber concussion pad fixed into trap for ball to fall on.
Figure 5 shows the trap door pulled back and the ball released and in the act of
falling.
M Figure 5 is a fixed stop for the spring O to coil against.
U Figure 3 represents slot or slide for the trap door to glide into when drawn
back.
Figure 6 represents a section of the ordinary billiard table with the apparatus
fixed.
"a" is the channel from centie pocket.
b is the channel from the end one.
In this case a double bracket screwed onto the leg similarly as in Figure 2
supports the both channels, g, Figures 1 and 6.

page_text: V Figure 6 is a hole or slot in bracket piece (or could be fixed separately) for
the rod or chain connecting with the spring trap to run in.
In case of this apparatus being used where no marker is available such as in
private houses and the like the right hand channels could then be disconnected and
fixed on the left hand side of table and vice versa and the top end pockets connected
with them instead of the baulk ones the bag nets d.Figure 1 would then be placed
with the aid of a siot attachment against 'the baulk end legs and the pull spring
and rod reversed and-slipped-into-slot provided for it. (The channels could also
be reversed and fixed on same side of table but that would entail probably polishing
and carving the inner side of channels also, as when 'reversed in this case the inside
comes to view.) This would then reverse the falling direction of the balls anil
they would then return to baulk end after falling into, pocket with the exception
of the red which falling into either of the top pockets would remain there and be
spotted by the players.
If either or both of the white balls fell in the top pockets the player would draw
the spring, and they would then return the balls falling into the centre pockets
would return to the player, by falling into the net at the left or right as the case
may be. The pockets at baulk end would be uncounested in this case.
Dated this Nineteenth day of July 1895.
'I, EDWIN FOSTER DAVES of 3 Stewart Buildings Penzance Surveyor 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 invention relates to a device by which the balls entering the pockets of a
billiard table are automatically delivered to the spot or top end of table or by
readjustment of device to baulk end of same.
The drawings referred to in this Specification are those left with the Provisional
Specification.
Figure 1 is the side elevation of a billiard table with two channels indicated as a
and which I employ as ball conductors fixed in position on both sides of aforesaid
table and canted just sufficiently to bring the balls (after entering the pockets) by
gravitation at a convenient rate of speed to in this case the spot or top end of table.
The ends or outgoes of the channels are curved downwards in order that the
balls shall be precipitated into bag.net d.
A bar or chain with a handle or lever marked C to-govern baulk end pocket in
this case, is provided at each side of table.
Figure 2 is a section of a portion of the side of a billiard table showing the
channel supported by the bracket R conducting the ball from one of the end
'pockets.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the elbow or junction for connecting the channels
with the pockets showing also spring and portion of draw.rod or chain used in
connection with the corner pockets.
U is a slide or groove of brass or other metal for trap door to slide into when
actuated upon. A cover is also provided to slide over on this-grooveito, protect
spring.
is a flange on each elbow for pocket attachment and has a buffer or pad of
rubber around the interior of same to prevent noise when ball falls into it.
Figure 4 is a section of same showing a corner pocket connected with onetof the
chaunels by means of stretching the rubber ring at bottom of pocket over the
flange and showing the trap door F closed and ball on same ready to fall.

page_text: K is a rubber.concussion piece or buffer fixel into top surface of trap door to
prevent noise when ball falls into pocket and a 'buffer of -rubber or other suitable
material is provided at end of sliding slot to prevent noise and jarring being caused
by the trap door coming back when released.
Figure 5 is also a section of same showing the trap door drawn back and the
spring compressed against the stop piece M provided for that object and showing
ball in the act of falling into channel.
Figure 6 shows section of the side of a billiard table showing channels fixed in
position at one side of table.
a is the upper channel that is.the one connecting the centre pocket.
bis the lower channel that is the one connecting the end or corner pocket.
In this case a double bracket g fixed in required position 'as indicated by brass
screw sockets let into side of billiard table and attached by means of thumb screws
screwed by hand into same, supports both channels.
V is a hole or slot in bracket piece to take the rod or chain governing the spring
and trap door.
Referring now to Figure 1 the two channels are fixed in position on each side of
billiard table by means of brackets screwed into sockets (which are let into sides
of table) by means of thumb screws screwed into same as shown also in 'Figures 2
and 6 or by other efficient attachment.
In this instance the channels slope and run from baulk end pocket and from
centre pocket at each side of table to the spot or top end of table taking the balls
(which may fall into them) by gravitation to a bag net d for each side fixed at or
against each top or spot end leg under the ledge of the table.
These channels may be of wood to match and harmonize with the table or may
be of other material.
A rod or chain with handle or lever as shown at C Figure 1 at spot end of
table and spring at baulk end as shown in Figures 3 and 4. and marked O Figure 5
is provided at each side of table in order that the trap door F Figures 4 and 5
can be pulled back and when the 'handle is released it slides back with the
pressure of the spring into its place again.
In carrying my invention into effect I use pockets with flexible rubber or
elastic rings at bottom and by stretching or elongating same connect them with
the channels by stretching them over the flanges marked h Figures 3 and 4 at
the elbows in each case.
In this instance if the players ball gets into the baulk end pocket it remains
there for the player to take out if the red then the marker or attendant by
pulling, the knob or lever C Figure 1 which by drawing back the trap door F
Figure 4 and as shown in operation in Figure 5 allows the red to fall into the
channel (the marker then removing his hand from the knob or lever the pocket
is instantly closed) and proceed down either the left or right hand lower channel
as the case might be to the bag net at its end or outgo and which the marker
can then take out and spot.
If either or both of the white bails or the red get into the centre pockets they
then go down the left or right hand top channel as the case may be and come to
a stop in the bag net for that side, and in the case of the white balls the marker
then returns them over the surface of the table to their respective players and
spots the red ball.
If either of the white balls or red one falls into the pockets at top or spot end
of table the marker takes them out of saine returns the white over the surface
of table to their respective players and spots the red as is ordinarily done.
The sides and bottom of the channels are lined with rubber or other suitable
sound lessening material to prevent reverberation.
The channels are closed in that is provided with a capping or cover at the
pocket junctions as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 to prevent balls bounding out
with the starting impetus.
The channels are fixed against the sides and legs of table as shown in Figure 2:

page_text: by means of a single bracket where one channel only is and by means of a double
bracket as shown in Figure 6 where the two channels come, fixed in required
positions.
The brackets are attached by aid of thumb screws screwed by hand into sockets
provided or by aid of other efficient attachment.
I sometimes employ a board of the whole length of table fixed against channels
on both sides of aforesaid table of sufficient depth to hide from view aforesaid
channels if needed.
In the case of bringing the balls to the baulk end of table for use when no
marker or attendant is available the right hand channels and brackets would then
be disconnected and reversed and fixed on the left hand side of table, the brackets
being screwed into sockets provided also the left hand channels disconnected
reversed, and fixed on the right hand side of table and the top or spot end
pockets connected with the aforesaid channels in the manner already explained
instead of the baulk end ones.
The bag nets would then be disconnected from the top or spot end legs and fixed
by aid of a slot or other efficient attachment against the left and right hand legs
in each case at baulk end under the ledge of table and the pull rods or chains and
springs reversed and slipped into the bearers on top of brackets for the former and
slide for the latter provided for their support, and the handle or lever would be in
this case at baulk end.
This re-arrangement of device would reverse the falling direction of the balls
and they would then return by gravitation to the bag nets at baulk end of table
after falling into the pockets with the exception of the red which falling into either
of the top or spot end pockets would remain there and be spotted by either of the
players.
If either or both of the white balls fall into either of the top or spot end pockets
the player would either draw the right or left hand spring or both as the case may
be by means of the handle or lever attached to the rod or chain provided and the
balls would then return by running down either the left or right hand lower channel
as the case might be and fall into either the left or right hand bag net as the case
may be.
j
The balls falling into the centre pockets would return to the players by running
down either the left or right hand upper channel as the case might be and be
deposited in the right or left hand bag net as the case might be.
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
claim is
1. The new and improved device in connection with billiard tables consisting of
the use of inclined detachable channels as ball deliverers fixed at or against both
sides of aforesaid tables by means of detachable brackets and the use of bag nets at
outgoes of same.
2. In a device in connection with billiard tables consisting of a detachable con-
nection at pockets by means of a flange for stretching the rubber or elastic rings
at bottom of pockets over same.
3. In a device in connection with billiard tables consisting of a trap door and
spring governing same attached to a rod or chain worked by means of a handle or
lever.
4. The improvement in billiard tables or the like as substantially set forth and
shown by the drawings lodged with the Provisional Specification.
Dated this Second day of October 1895.
EDWIN FOSTER DAVES.