New or Improved Convertible Billiard and Dining Tables,
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 4th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Convertible Billiard and Dining Tables,
I, ARTHUR JOHN Fox, of 17, St. Vincent's Parade, Clifton, Bristol, Tailor,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:―
.
My invention relates to a new or improved method of constructing and arrang-
ing convertible billiard and dining tables, and has for its object to provide
means whereby a table, apparently an ordinary dining table, may be immediately
changed into a billiard table, and vice versa.
My invention consists in hinging the ordinary sides and ends, which form the
surrounding walls of billiard tables, to the beds or tops of dining tables, and so
constructing them that they will fall within or lie flush with the edges when not in
use for billiards, and providing holders for the pockets which are attached at
the corners and sides of the tables, to serve also as grips to hold the sides firmly
in a vertical position when in use.
In carrying this invention into effect, the table is first made like an ordinary
dining table, with the corners rounded or chamfered, but if preferred, with more
massive frame work, the table top being of the usual material, such as oak,
mahogany, or walnut, or a slab of slate may be embedded therein; the usual sides
and ends of a billiard table are made to rest near the outer edge, with apertures
to allow the balls to roll into the pockets, rubber or other cushions on the interior
walls are also provided, these parts are hinged to the under aide of the bed of
the table in such a manner that the whole of the sides and ends, when let down
will fall below and lie flush with or within the marginal edge of the table, and
occupy the vacant space around the frame, so that when not in use for billiards
and covered with the ordinary table cloth, it will have all the appearance of a
dining table.
To prepare the dining table for billiards the sides and ends are turned upwards,
a projecting bead or plinth covering the margin of the table, the usual pocket
holders are inserted in sockets in the ends of the various parts, the pockets being
first put around the holders, or preferably the holders may be made in two parts,
a part of the curved portion of each being halved to overlap the other, a ring is
provided to slip over the lapped parts to keep the holder in position; one half of
each of these joined holders is fastened to an end of a section of the wall, and the
other half to an adjacent end of another section, when the two are fastened by
the ring, the holder is quite rigid, and like the solid holder, will keep the sides
firmly in their vertical position. A piece of cloth with the usual markings,
is laid on the bed of the table when required, suitable fastenings being provided
for holding it tightly under the plinth of the wall when in position for play.
Dated this 15th day of November 1898.

page_text: New or Improved Convertible Billiard and Dining Tables.
I, ARTHUR JOHN Fox, of No. 17, St. Vincent's Parade, Clifton, Bristol, Tailor,
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 new or improved method of constructing and arrang-
ing convertible billiard and dining tables, and has for its object to provide
means whereby a table, apparently an ordinary dining table, may be immediately
changed into a billiard table, and vice versa. -
My invention consists in hingeing the ordinary sides and ends which form the
surrounding walls of billiard tables to the tops or beds of dining tables, and so
constructing them that they will fall within or lie flush with vertical lines from
the edges when used as dining tables, or may be altogether removed therefrom,
and providing holders or carriers for the pockets, which are attached to the
corners and sides of the walls, these carriers serving as grips to hold the walls
or sides firmly in a vertical position when the table is used for billiards.
The means employed for putting this invention into operation will be more
fully described, in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of one of the side or end walls, ready for attachment
by hinges to the under part of the dining table top; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal
elevation of the same, with a carrier attached thereto supporting a pocket; Fig. 3
is an elevation, showing part of the table with a billiard wall hinged thereto,
und falling underneath the table, within a vertical line from its edge; Fig. 4
is an elevation of part of the table with a side and end of the billiard walls in
position, and secured by a pocket carrier; Figs. 5 and 6 are plans of Figs. 3 and 4
respectively.
The same letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.
A represents the side or end walls of the billiard attachment with a right
angled recess B to fit over the edge of the dining table and to grip the cloth and
hold it firmly in position; the inner faces of the walls are fitted with the usual
rubber cushions C, and covered with cloth to match that on the table; the walls
Jave hinges D, one half being screwed on the walls, and the other half on the
fower surface of the table top; the hinges are conveniently made with the pins d
on one leaf to slide in and out of sockets on the other leaf, so that if
preferred; the billiard appliances may be entirely removed from the table, by
simply sliding one leaf of each hinge away from its other leaf; Carriers E are
attached on the adjacent corners of the walls and on the adjacent ends in the
centre of the table, the usual pockets F being suspended from the carriers;
G shows part of the top of an ordinary dining table, with corners chamfered
at 9, to allow the pockets to lie in position; screw threaded pins H are fixed
in plates on the tops of the walls in position to receive. the carriers F, and
thumb nuts I are provided to secure the carriers to the pins and walls; the nuts
are shouldered, so that the lower parts may fit tightly in the circular hole e or
slot el of the carrier, this will supply both a vertical and horizontal tension on
the carrier: the carrier is first fastened by fixing the nut to the pin in the circular
hole and then the slot el is put round the other pin, and by a slight pressure
against the wall, the end of the slot is brought up to the pin, which tightens the
adjacent sides; a piece of cloth with the usual markings, is laid on the table
and slightly strained before the walls are turned up, suitable holes having been
made in the cloth to allow it to, pass round the hinges and be unobstructed by

page_text: them; when the walls and carriers are put in position, the cloth is again strained,
and by means of the slot e¹ and nut I, the walls are tightened, which brings the
angled recess tightly on the cloth at the edge of the table, and thus it is held firmly
in the required position.
As mentioned in the Provisional Specification, the carriers may be made in two
parts and secured at their junction by a ring or the like, but in practice, it is
found that the ring gets loose and the carriers do not hold the adjacent sides
with sufficient firmness.
'
The various parts of the billiard fittings being provided as described, tho
whole of them, including the cloth may be removed from the table, except one
leaf of each of the hinges D; this method will probably be adopted when the
table is only occasionally used for billiards; but when more frequently so used,
the sides will be kept hinged to the table, as shown in Fig. 3; and stud pins
attached below the cushions at the nearest adjacent corners, will permit the
walls to be further drawn and kept away from the vertical position by a strap
with a button hole at each end passed over the stud pins, which will hold the
corners closer together.
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 1
claim is:
In the construction of convertible billiard and dining tables, the arrangement
and combination of the various appliances for rapidly converting the tables, either
by altering the position of the hinged walls, or by entirely removing or replacing
them, substantially as and for the purpose herein described and set forth, and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Data in Qule of Vak 1900