Improvements in or connected with the Manufacture of Billiard Tables.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Manufacture of Billiard
Tables.
We, HENRY HUMPHRIES CRIBB, of Boar Lane, Leeds, in the County of York,
Billiard Table Manufacturer, and HENRY JOSEPH HOOKE, of Basinghall Street,
Leeds aforesaid, Cabinet Maker, 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 an improved mode of making and fixing the
pockets in and against the adjoining parts of the table.
The objects of the invention are (1) to fix the pockets in a more compact and
complete manner than has heretofore been attempted; (2) to render the fixing,
removal, or renewal of a pocket a simpler matter, without the cushions or any
other parts of the table being disturbed; (3) to avoid damage to the balls, such as
often occurs by their coming in contact with the tacks or nails at present used in
fixing the netting of the pockets to the surrounding parts of the table; and (4) to
leave a better upper surface on the main framing where the pockets occur.
In order to fully describe the manner in which our invention is carried out we
have annexed two drawings on which
Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a pocket made and fixed after our mode, whilst
Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the pocket frame and netting, corresponding to Fig. 1,
but removed from the table, and
Fig. 4 is a corresponding plan.
In Figs. 1 and 3 the netting, about which there is nothing unusual, is shown torn
away to save space, and in Figs. 2 and 4 the position of the said netting is shown
by the heavy dotted lines.
The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.
The drawings are to be taken as examples only as modifications may be made
in many ways without departing from the essential features of our invention.
We carry out our invention as follows:-We arrange a loose frame A, entirely
separate and distinct from the table itself, and strong enough to allow the netting B
to be attached to it on all sides, say for example by cording, lacing, or the like, as
at A¹ and A³, but without requiring any of the usual nails, and to this frame we
attach the netting before the said frame is fixed to the table. From this it will be
seen (1) that the netting is not fixed in any way to the table, but only to the pocket
frame, which is a complete and self-contained one; and (2) that when the netting is
attached to the pocket frame the whole forms a self-contained and independent
pocket.
The pocket frame may be in one piece or it may be built up in two or more
pieces, as may be convenient, and it need not necessarily be of metal, as all that is
required is that it shall be of ample strength. The frame shown on the drawings
is proportioned for brass-work.
We fix our self-contained pockets as follows:-and show on the drawings what
we believe to be the best mode of fixing, but we do not wish to limit ourselves to
this plan as the essential points (namely, the hiding away of the pocket frame so
that no part-except the usual top member-can be struck by a ball) may be kept
in view whilst the whole is modified to suit special circumstances.
On the sides of the pocket-frame are projecting portions A', A', which not only
form the side members of the frame but serve as guides which, when fitted into
grooves in the adjoining ends of the table framing D, embed themselves therein
when the complete pocket is introduced from below. These guides A2, A3, are

page_text: (preferably) not continued to the top, and this allows a shoulder to be formed at C,
which not only presents a neater top surface but makes a stop against which the
pocket frame may be made to fit. All that is now required-when the whole is in
place is the insertion of one or more screws (whose heads embed themselves)
through each side guide and into the table frames D, as shown at E.
It will be seen that a pocket once-fixed may be taken down from time to time
with the certainty that it will go back into its proper place and present a neat top
surface as at first. The grooves receiving A, A, form a convenient recess into
which the ends of the cushion cloth may be brought, before the pockets are fixed,
whereby a neater finish is obtained.
The lower member A³ of our frame, which holds open the pocket mouth, projects
under the bed of the table so as to be out of the way of any ball in motion.
The slanting disposition of the grooves receiving A2 A2 in the table framing D,
arises from the pockets expanding somewhat downwards.
If instead of grooves, which may be as shown or otherwise, simple rebates were
cut in the table frames D, D, our pockets could be pushed in sideways, and
afterwards secured with additional screws-but we do not recommend any such
plan.
The drawings show a corner pocket arrangement; that of a side pocket only
requires that the parts should be modified to suit that position.
Holes may be drilled (or some equivalent arranged) in the side members A* A*
so that the netting may be secured thereto, but round the lower member A³ the
lacing material may be wrapped, without holes being necessarily required.
Except so far as we have set out, the attachment of the netting to the frame is
carried out in the usual way: that is to say, the net is attached to the usual top
stay A in the usual way, and this member is also protected in the usual way so as
not to damage the balls.
If under special circumstances it was inconvenient to embed the side
frames A, A, in the table frames D, it would be necessary to cover these side
frames with indiarubber or the like to protect the balls but we prefer the plan
shown.
The lower half of the lower member A³ may be likewise shielded with some
yielding covering--not shown on the drawing-if any fear exists of a ball striking
it at any time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The combination of an independent and self-contained pocket-frame for a
billiard table, with a net correctly held and attached to and by the said frame, by
lacing or otherwise, in such a manner as to avoid the necessity of using nails, with
the objects set forth.
2. The arrangement of an independent and self-contained pocket-frame for a
billiard table, substantially as described and shown in Figs. 3 and 4, consisting of a
top member A' (this as usual), to which is added our two side members A³, A³, and
our lower member A³, enabling a pocket to be completely and properly supported,
by lacing or otherwise, without the necessity of using nails, with the objects set
forth.
3. The combination, arrangement, and mode of fixing a self-contained pocket
frame to a billiard table, substantially as described and shown, with the objects and
for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 15th day of Avot 1801
WM. SNOWDON,
9, Old Bank Chambers, Leeds, Yorks, Agent for the Applicants.