New or Improved Apparatus for Playing a Game of Skill.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 8th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 8th June, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Apparatus for Playing a Game of Skill.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM HERBERT, of The Birmingham Toy Manufactory, Dean Steet,
Birmingham, Warwickshire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows
This invention has reference to a new or improved apparatus for playing a game
of skill in which a number of balls are discharged or otherwise propelled one after
another against a vertical board or target and it consists chiefly in the construction
and arrangement of the target and its accessories which when arranged as a game for
"board
playing on a table are constructed as follows:-1 provide a
or target prefer-
ably made of sheet metal perforated by a number of holes (preferably nine in number) at
equal distances apart each hole being of circular form and numbered from 1 to 9 inclusive.
This "board" or target is placed in a vertical position when the game is being played
and it is conveniently supported in that position by being fitted edge upwards in the
open box which contains the apparatus when not in use and the lid of the box when
standing upwards being connected at the top to the target by two moveable stays one
at each side thus firmly holding the target in a vertical position. Each of the said
nine holes is provided at the back of the target with a loose shutter bearing the
particular number of the hole and hinged at its bottom edge to the "board"
target. Each of the said shutters is maintained in a vertical position by a light
spring catch which engages with its upper edge. When in the course of the game
one of the numbered shutters is struck by a ball that shutter flies back and drops
down upon its hinge out of sight thus allowing the ball to pass through the hole and
after striking the lid of the box to fall into the box ready for use again. By the
shutter falling out of sight it clearly indicates that a ball has passed through that
particular hole, the number scored to the player being shown by the number of
the hole.
"
or

page_text: The balls may be propelled against the target by a spring cannon or pistol or by
other means which however form no part of this invention.
At each side or in any other convenient part of the target are dials for indicating
the numbers scored by the players.
When employed for a lawn or room game in which a racquet is used to send the
balls through the holes the target is mounted upon a suitable stand or frame so as to
raise it to a convenient height for the players.
Dated: KIR
A1007

page_text: New or Improved Apparatus for Playing a Game of Skill.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM HERBERT, of The Birmingham Toy Manufactory, Dean Street,
Birmingham, Warwickshire, Manufacturer, 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 has reference to a new or improved apparatus for playing a game of:
skill in which a number of balls are discharged or otherwise propelled one after
another against a vertical board or target and it consists chiefly in the construction
and arrangement of the target and its accessories which when arranged as a game for
playing on a table, which game I call "Cantelle," are constructed as follows:-I
provide a "board or target preferably made of sheet metal perforated by a number
of holes (preferably nine in number) at equal distances apart each hole being of
circular form and numbered from 1 to 9 inclusive. This "board" or target is placed in a
vertical position when the game is being played and it is conveniently supported in
that position by being fitted edge upwards in the open box which contains the
apparatus when not in use, and the lid of the box when standing upwards being con-
nected at the top to the target by two moveable stays one at each side thus firmly
holding the target in a vertical position. Each of the said nine holes is provided at
the back of the target with a loose shutter bearing the particular number of the hole
and hinged at its bottom edge to the "board" or target. Each of the said shutters
is maintained in a vertical position by a light spring catch which engages with its
upper edge. When in the course of the game one of the numbered shutters is struck
by a ball that shutter flies back and drops down upon its hinge out of sight thus
allowing the ball to pass through the hole and after striking the lid of the box to fall
into the box ready for use again. By the shutter falling out of sight it clearly
indicates that a ball has passed through that particular hole, the number scored to the
player being shewn by the number of the hole.
The balls may be propelled against the target by a spring cannon or pistol or by
other means which however form no part of this invention.
At each side or in any other convenient part of the target are dials for indicating
the numbers scored by the players.
When employed for a lawn or room game in which a racquet is used to send the
balls through the holes the target is mounted upon a suitable stand or frame so as to
raise it to a convenient height for the players.
On the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents in front elevation, Fig. 2 in side
elevation and Fig. 3 in plan the said apparatus arranged for playing the said table game
of" Cantelle"; Fig. 4 shews the target of the same separately and Fig. 5 shews a detail
of the said target on an enlarged scale; Fig. 6 represents in front elevation and
Fig. 7 in side elevation the said apparatus arranged for use in playing the said game
of Raccotelle" and Fig. 8 shows how the frame part of the same will fold up when
not in use..
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Referring firstly more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, both inclusive, A is the board or
target pierced by the nine holes and numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and B is the
box in which the target, balls and cannon or pistol are kept. Secured to the sides

page_text: of the target and projecting from the lower edge are the wire stems c which fit in
the eyes d in the box and support the target in a vertical position at the front of
the open box. The upper edge of the target is supported by the two stays E
which are hinged to the lid b and hook into eyes e, e at the upper corners of
the target.
Each of the said holes numbered I to 9 has at the back of the target
the loose shutter F bearing the particular number of the hole and hinged at its
bottom edge f to the target. Light spring catches g fixed to the target engage
with the upper edges of the shutters F and keep them in their vertical position.
On any one of the shutters being struck by a ball in the course of the game
that shutter (as for instance the one marked "5") drops down upon its hinge out
of sight and indicates that a ball. has passed through, the number of the hole
being shewn by the number below it. As the balls pass through the target they
strike the lid and fall into the box ready for use by the next player.
The dials at the side of the target indicate the numbers scored by the players.
The target represented by Figs. 6 and 7 consists of two boards hinged together so
that they will fold when not in use. The holes marked 1 to 9 have each a shutter
at the back similar to those in the target illustrated by Figs. 1 to 5 on which the
number is painted. In order to prevent any one shutter falling foul of the next
below it they have each a projecting part which prevents their turning down
too far. At the back of the target I prefer to provide a net H for catching the
balls after they have passed through the holes, this net being supported by the
projecting rods I which fit in socket holes or are otherwise carried from the frame
or from the target. Any suitable construction of frame may be employed for
supporting the target at the proper height in a vertical position, that shewn on
the drawing being what I have found to be a good arrangement. It consists of
the two uprights K K made of flat iron and formed at their lower ends for sticking
in the ground and having the upright bars L L hinged respectively to their
upper ends by the rivets m. The tops of these upright bars L L are bent
down so as to clip the upper edge of the target and the lower edge is held by
the brackets n. Each standard has a back stay O secured by a bolt
which passes
through the lower end of the upright bar, through the standard K and back stay O.
By removing this bolt p the back stay O can be removed and the parts K L folded
together as shewn in Fig. 8.
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
I claim is :-
1st. In a target and in combination with the hole or holes thereof through which
the balls pass, a shutter or shutters supported at the back of the target so as to close
the hole or holes and arranged to turn down out of view when struck by a ball
passing through the hole, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination of the target A and its containing box B arranged for use
together substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
of the accompanying drawings.
3rd. The construction combination and arrangement of a target and its stand
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 7th dove of MT. 1000
CHARLES BOSWORTH KETLEY,
Agent for the Applicant.