A New or Improved Indicator for Ascertaining Numbers in Playing Games of Chance.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Indicator for Ascertaining Numbers in Playing
Games of Chance.
I, LEWIS WATERMAN, of Brigstocke Road, Bristol, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new or improved appliance, whereby a number may be
ascertained by chance, and has for its object to provide a means for quickly
exhibiting a number determined by lot, like is done at present by throwing a die or
dice, or by spinning a teetotum.
With many persons, there is a strong objection to the use of dice for parlour
games, on account of their conventional association with gambling; and with the
teetotum, a considerable amount of time is lost by waiting for it to cease spinning;
the objections to these means of obtaining chance numbers will be removed by the
use of boxes made according to my invention.
My invention consists in providing a box of any convenient size or shape,
preferably circular, made of wood, metal, or other material or materials, in the
bottom of which a number of holes or cups are formed similar to those made in
solitaire or bagatelle boards, each cup being marked at its edge, the lid or cover of
the box may be made of glass, or of opaque material similar to the box, and in the
box, one or more balls or marbles are placed; if the cover be of glass it is
permanently fastened, or if of opaque material, it will be left detached.
The box and balls being provided as described, to obtain a number by lot, the
player will slightly shake the box, and by looking through the glass or opening
the box, he will see the number shown and proceed with the game accordingly.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1893.
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.
OI MUITICATION.
A New or Improved Indicator for Ascertaining Numbers in Playing
Games of Chance.
I, LEWIS WATERMAN, of Brigstocke Road, Bristol, 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:-
My invention relates to a new or improved appliance for ascertaining and
indicating numbers for the purpose of playing what are known as parlour games,
and is intended as a substitute for dice or teetotums, which are at present used for
exhibiting chance numbers.
With many persons, there is a strong objection to the use of dice for games on
account of their conventional associations, and with teetotums, the time occupied in
spinning, makes the games tedious and monotonous; these objections will be
removed by the use of boxes made according to my invention.
The accompanying sheet of drawings will fully illustrate the manner of carrying
my invention into effect, which consists in making boxes with holes or cups in the
bottom, (similar to solitaire boards), in which one or more balls or marbles are
Price dr

page_text: placed, and when the boxes are shaken, the balls will roll into one or more holes,
and the numbers which are imprinted or stamped at the edges of the holes will be
the numbers to be used in the game, in the same manner as at present indicated by
dice or teetotums ;
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 show three different arrangements of holes in the bottom of the
boxes, and
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a box fitted with a glass lid, which appears to be
the most suitable manner of making them, and to be the best adapted for use as an
adjunct to all games where chance numbers are required to be ascertained.
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 :-
The construction of boxes with numbered cups or holes therein, in which a ball
or balls may roll when shaken to exhibit chance numbers for use in playing parlour
and other games, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and
described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1
Mach 1001
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.
J. G. WESTLAKE,
2, John Street, Bristol, Applicant's Agent.