An Improved Machine or Appliance for Dealing Playing Cards.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 17th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Machine or Appliance for Dealing Playing Cards.
We, WILLIAM BOWN, of 308 Summer Lane, Birmingham in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, and GEORGE CAPEWELL, of 114, Upper Thomas Street,
Aston, juxta Birmingham aforesaid, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved means for dealing playing
cards to each player without the dealer handling or touching the cards and also to
facilitate their delivery, and consists in providing a suitable case or receptacle
having one of its ends left open for inserting a pack of cards. Inside the said case
or receptacle is placed a rising and falling plate on which the cards rest or the
mechanism for dealing the cards may be made to rise and fall instead; the said
rising and falling plate being kept in position by means of projections or pins or
their equivalent attached to or formed on the sides thereof and working in corre-
sponding slots formed in the sides of the case or receptacle, the said slots being so
formed at the bottom as to retain the plate in the desired position while the pack
of cards is being inserted, or a small catch or other suitable arrangement may be
employed for that purpose. One end of the said plate is bent downwards so as to
prevent the cards being inserted underneath, and may if desired be used for the
purpose of releasing the plate from its holdings or for retaining the plate at the
bottom of the case or receptacle.
The rising and falling piate is preferably raised and supported by means of one
or more springs, or other suitable means may be employed whereby the plate is
made to rise and fall and support and raise the cards. Formed out of the front
end of the case or receptacle or attached or placed thereto or to any other con-
venient part of the machine or appliance is an inclined projecting piece or pieces or
their equivalent, which we call the retainer or separator, by preference covered
with india rubber, leather or other suitable material, or the said retainer or
separator or its equivalent may be made entirely out of india rubber, leather or
other suitable material, or instead of using an inclined piece or pieces for a retainer
or separator or its equivalent we may use a circular or other shaped retainer or
separator fastened eccentrically or otherwise to the end of the case or receptacle or
other convenient part, or the said retainer or separator or its equivalent may be
hinged, jointed, swivelled or pivotted or made flexible or yielding or otherwise
suitably arranged for the same purpose.
The top of the case or receptacle which is left open is preferably provided with
flanges or projections which turn inwards for keeping the cards therein, the said
flanges or projections being provided with small rollers, balls or their equivalent
for reducing friction and for facilitating the delivery of the cards; or we may when
desired use instead one or more bars or stays or their equivalent placed or attached
across the top of the case or receptacle and provided with the necessary means for
reducing friction; also formed on or attached to the sides of the case or receptacle
or other convenient part are one or more brackets or arms or their equivalent for
supporting a spindle onto which is placed a loose spindle or piece of tube carrying
one or more wheels or parts of wheels or other suitably shaped dealer piece or
pieces or their equivalent covered with india rubber, leather or other suitable
material or the said wheels or parts of wheels or their equivalent may be made
entirely of india rubber, leather or other suitable material or formed of one or
more parts of solid and flexible pieces combined; any of the above arrangements
for dealing the cards may be serrated or grooved on their outer edges or have
inserted or connected thereto a series of small pointed pins or projections or the'r

page_text: equivalent either fixed or yielding for the purpose of obtaining a better grip upon
the card while being dealt. Instead of employing a loose spindle for carrying the
wheels or parts of wheels or their equivalent they may be carried by or
fixed onto the inner spindle. Motion is imparted to the said wheels or parts
of wheels or their equivalent by means of a pawl and ratchet and spring
combined actuated by a chain or its equivalent or other suitable arrangement
coiling round a small drum or collar or toothed wheel either separate or in
combination with a lever or other suitable arrangement, Attached to the small
drum or collar or toothed wheel is a circular or other shaped spring for coiling the
chain or its equivalent round the said small drum or collar or toothed wheel.
Instead of operating the above mentioned parts by a chain and drum or collar or
toothed wheel we may when desired operate them by means of a rack and pinion
or ratchet lever action and spring combined or any other means whereby the dealer
is made to operate upon the cards when actuated by the operator.
To any convenient part of the machine or appliance but preferably attached to
one of the brackets supporting the spindle is a check action for preventing the
wheels or parts of wheels or their equivalent or other suitable arrangement for
dealing the cards, from revolving or moving after the cards have been dealt until
again operated upon. Or we may operate the wheels or parts of wheels or their
equivalent by means of a handle and pinion wheels connected to the spindle. In
order to prevent the wheels or parts of wheels or their equivalent from moving the
under card before the top one has been delivered we attach or connect to any part
of the machine or appliance but preferably to the spindle or wheels or parts of
wheels or their equivalent one or more guards or pressure pieces for that purpose.
To ensure that the cards are regularly dealt we fasten or connect to any convenient
part of the machine or appliance but preferably to the spindle a flexible ejector or
other suitable arrangement for ejecting each card uniformally. We attach to the
box or receptacle one or more handles for holding the machine or appliance whilst
dealing the cards, and when desired the handle or handles may be made tubular or
otherwise shaped for the purpose of attaching or connecting suitable means for
actuating any part of the machine or appliance when operated upon by the dealer.
We may use a suitable cover for protecting the mechanism provided with a
spring, catch or lock.
Dated this 10th day of January 1891
WILLIAM BOWN.
GEORGE CAPEWELL.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Machine or Appliance for Dealing Playing Cards.
We WILLIAM Bown, of 308, Summer Lane, Birmingham in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, and GEORGE CAPEWELL, of 141 Upper Thomas Street,
Aston, juxta Birmingham aforesaid, Machinist, 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:-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved means for dealing or
delivering playing cards to each player without the dealer handling or touching the
cards and also to facilitate their delivery.
In order that our invention may be better understood we have annexed the
accompanying sheet of drawings.
Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation of our card dealing apparatus,
Fig. 2 is plan of same.
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1 shewing a different arrangement for actuating
the mechanism, and
Fig. 4 is plan of Fig. 3.
1 is the case or receptacle having the end a left open for inserting the pack of

page_text: cards 2. Inside the case is placed a rising and falling plate 3 on which the
cards 2 rest; or the mechanism which operates the cards 2 may be made to rise
and fall instead. The said rising and falling plate 3 is kept in position by means
of the projections or pins 4 or their equivalent attached to or formed on the sides
of the said plate 3 and working in corresponding slots 5 or recesses formed in the
sides of the case or receptacle 1, the said slots 5 are formed at the bottom with
small slots 6 running at right angles to the said slots 5, for the purpose of retaining
the plate 3 in the bottom of the case 1 while the pack of cards 2 are inserted; or a
small catch or other suitable arrangement may be employed for that purpose. The
end of the said plate 3 is bent downwards as shewn at 7, so as to prevent the cards
being inserted underneath, and may if desired be used for the purpose of releasing
the said plate 3 from its holdings, or for retaining the said plate 3 at the bottom of
the case 1. The rising and falling plate 3 is preferably raised and supported by
means of one or more springs 8; or other suitable means may be employed whereby
the said plate 3 is made to rise and fall. Formed out of the end of the case 1 or
attached to, or to any other convenient part of the machine is an inclined pro-
jecting piece 9, or pieces or equivalent, which we call the retainer or separator, by
preference covered with india rubber, or with leather or other suitable material, or
the said retainer or separator 9 or equivalent may be made entirely of india rubber,
leather or other suitable material by which means the cards are separated one from
the other and only one card allowed to issue from the case 1 at a time. Instead of
using an inclined piece 9 for a retainer or separator, we may use a circular or other
shaped retainer or separator, or a retainer or separator fastened eccentrically to the
end of the case 1 or other convenient part; or the said retainer or separator 9 may
be hinged, jointed, swivelled or pivotted, or made flexible or yielding, or otherwise
suitably arranged for the same purpose. The top of the said case or receptacle 1
which is left open, is preferably provided with flanges 10 which turn inwards for
keeping the cards 2 in their place. The said flanges 10 are provided with small
rollers 11 or balls or equivalent for reducing friction and for facilitating the
delivery of the cards 2. Formed out of the sides of the case 1, or attached to, are
one or more brackets 12 or equivalent for supporting the spindle 13 onto which is
placed the loose spindle 14 or piece of tube, carrying the wheels 15, or wheel or
parts of wheels or other suitably shaped dealers or delivers covered with india
rubber, leather or other suitable material or with emery, sand paper or other
gripping material, or the said dealers or delivers 15 or equivalent may be made
entirely of india rubber, leather or other suitable material, or formed of one
or more parts of solid and flexible pieces combined. The dealers or delivers 15 or
equivalent have a groove 16 formed on the outer edge, or the said dealers or
delivers 15 or equivalent may be serrated, or have inserted or connected thereto a
series of small pointed pins or projections or equivalent, either fixed or yielding for
the purpose of obtaining a better grip upon the cards 2 when being dealt or
delivered. Instead of employing the loose spindle 14 for carrying the dealers or
delivers 15, we may if desired secure the said dealers or delivers 15 onto the inner
spindle 13 and dispense with the said spindle 14. Motion is imparted to the dealers
or delivers 15 or equivalent by means of the chain 17 or its equivalent, or other
suitable arrangement, coiling round the small drum 18 or equivalent, either separate
or in combination with a lever or other suitable arrangement operated by the dealer.
Attached to the drum 18 or equivalent is a circular or other shaped spring 19 for
coiling the chain 17 or equivalent round the said drum 18 or equivalent as shewn
at Fig. 5.
It will be seen that when the chain 17 is pulled it will cause the drum 18 and
dealers or delivers 15 to revolve; the pawl 20 which is secured to the side of one the
said dealers or delivers 15 catches or takes into the ratchet 21 secured to the
spindle 22, by which means the said spindle 22 is caused to revolve also. Instead
of the drum 18 being connected to the dealers or delivers 15, it may revolve
independently, a pawl and ratchet being provided for connecting the said drum 18
with the dealers or delivers 15 when required.

page_text: For the purpose of preventing the dealers or delivers 15 or equivalent from
moving the next or under card before the top card has been delivered or ejected
out of the case 1, or before the chain 17 has been rewound upon the drum 18, we
attach the bar 23 to the sides of the case 1, which said bar 23 is allowed to
swivel or move in its bearings. Fastened to the bar 23 are two guards or presser
pieces 24, or one or more presser pieces 24 may be employed, which said presser
pieces 24 are actuated by means of the arm or lever 25 secured to the bar 23, and
the cam 26 fastened on the spindle 22. When the spindle 22 revolves the cam 26
will come in contact with the lever 25 and depress it, thereby causing the
presser pieces 24 to keep the cards 2 out of contact with the dealers or delivers 15
until the chain 17 has been rewound upon the drum 18.
For the purpose of helping the dealers or delivers 15 to uniformally or regularly
deal or deliver the cards 2 out of the case 1 we secure to the sides of the said case 1
or to any other convenient part, a bar or rod 27, which is allowed to oscillate or
move freely on its bearings, and to the said rod 27 we fasten the lever 28. When
the spindle 22 revolves the rod 27 is caused to oscillate by means of the eccentric 29,
(which is fastened on the said spindle 22) coming in contact with the lever 28.
Also secured to any convenient part of the rod 27 or to any other part of the
machine, is a flexible ejector 30 held in position by means of the spring 31. The
said ejector 30 by preference consists of a suitably shaped piece of metal b or other
material, weighted at one end or otherwise held down so as to always remain in
contact with the cards, and hinged or secured at the other end to the armas
shewn at Fig. 1, which said arm c forms part of or is attached to the said rod 27.
It will be seen that when the rod 27 is oscillated the arm e will move also, thereby
drawing the weighted piece of metal backwards, and when the rod 27 is released
the spring 31 or equivalent which rests on or is attached to the arm c suddenly
forces the said arm e and weighted piece of metal 6 forwards, by which means the
top card (which has been brought to the required position by the dealers or
delivers 15) is uniformally or regularly dealt or ejected from the case 1.
Instead of operating the dealers or delivers 15 as above described we may when
required operate them by means of the rack 32, pinion wheel 33, and lever 34, as
shewn at Fig. 3. In this case the dealers or delivers 15 are mounted loosely on the
spindle 14, and motion is imparted thereto by means of the ratchet 35 secured to
the spindle 14, and catch 36 secured to the side of the dealer or deliver 15. A
suitable check action being provided (as shewn at 37 Fig. 4) for preventing the
dealers or delivers 15 from revolving when the rack 32 and pinion wheel 33 are
making their return motion, which said rack 32 and pinion wheel 33 are caused
to return by means of the coiled spring 38 or equivalent fastened to the axis
of the lever 34. Or we may operate the dealers or delivers 15 by means of the
handle 39 and pinion wheels 40 and 41 as shewn at Fig. 6. Instead of employing
the presser pieces 24 as previously described we may secure the presser pieces 42
direct onto the same spindle as that on which the dealers or delivers 15 are secured,
as shewn at Figs. 3 and 4; thereby taking the pressure of the plate 3 off the top
card just before the said card is dealt or delivered.
We attach to or form out of the case 1 the handle 43 for the purpose of holding
the machine while dealing the cards, or we may employ two or more handles; and
when desired the handle 43, or handles, may be made tubular or otherwise for the
purpose of attaching or connecting suitable means for actuating any part of the
mechanism when operated by the dealer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we would have it understood
that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details as herein shewn and described
as they may be varied without departing from the nature of our invention, but what
we claim is
:-
Firstly The case 1 in combination with the slots or recesses 5 and friction
rollers or equivalent 11 substantielle. no konsin
1 1
1 1

page_text: Secondly-The inclined retainer or separator 9 or equivalent substantially as
herein shewn and described.
Thirdly-The case 1 in combination with the inclined retainer or separator 9 or
equivalent substantially as herein shewn and described.
Fourthly-The rising and falling plate 3 in combination with the pins or
projections 4 or equivalent for the purpose substantially as herein shewn and
described.
:
Fifthly The end 7 of the plate 3 for the purpose substantially as herein shewn
and described.
:-
Sixthly The arrangements substantially as herein shewn and described with
reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 5 for dealing or delivering playing or similar cards.
Seventhly The arrangements substantially as herein shewn and described with
reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 6 for dealing or delivering playing or similar cards in
combination with the inclined retainer 9 or equivalent.
Eighthly The bar 23, presser pieces 24, lever 25 and cam 26 or equivalents
for the purpose substantially as herein shewn and described with reference to
Figs. 1 and 2.
Ninthly The means substantially as herein shewn and described or equivalent
for ejecting the cards with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
Tenthly A flexible or other suitably formed ejector or equivalent for the
purpose substantially as herein shewn and described.
Eleventhly The means substantially as herein shewn and described for taking
the pressure off the top card with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.
Twelfthly-In a card dealing machine the use of one or more handles for the
purpose substantially as herein shewn and described.
Lastly-A card dealing machine substantially as herein described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of October 1891.
WILLIAM BUW N.
GEORGE CAPEWELL.