An Improvement in the Construction of Billiard Tables.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application. 9th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Construction of Billiard Tables.
WALTER BUTTERY, of 5 Pemberton Gardens, Holloway, in the County of
Middlesex, Billiard Table Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to an improvement in the construction of Billiard Tables
whereby the fixing and straining of the cloth over the cushion may be effected.
without fear of causing a dislocation or separation between the cushion frame and the
rubber block and a perfectly even surface ensured upon the top of the cushion.
In the ordinary construction of Billiard Tables a recess or groove is formed on the
top of the rubber block where it joins the cushion frame when in place; and the cloth
is stretched or tightened over the rubber block by means of a wedge shaped slip of
wood driving it into this recess.
This construction is open to the objection that if the wedge be driven very forcibly
in it may loosen the attachment of the cushion frame to the table depriving it of the
rigidity which is so desirable.
I obviate this objection by forming a similar recess or groove in the back of the
rubber block, insted of at the top, or by forming the groove in the cushion frame
behind the block carrying the rubber, so that the wedge securing the cloth is driven
in a horizontal instead of a downward vertical direction and does not interpose
between any of the parts of which the cushion is composed; the recess is covered
by the cushion frame to which the rubber block will be secured by bolts and nut,
by screws or in any convenient manner. I now find it preferable to bolt the rubber
block on to the cushion frame, the bolts being passed in from the face or front of
the frame and countersunk therein, and I may conceal the whole by a bead. I
may simply make a saw cut along the back of the rubber block and secure the
cloth therein by driving it in with a thin metal plate.
My invention will be found particularly applicable to Billiard Tables in which a
metal plate is introduced between the cushion frame and the rubber block as described
in the Specification to my Letters Patent No. 16328 of 1886 in which case I make
the groove or recess preferably at or on the back of the metal plate:
'
By placing the stretching and fastening recess at the back of the rubber block 1
also avoid the irregularities which often occur upon the top of the cushion by the
wedges having being driven in unequally some projecting above the rubber block and
others being driven below its upper horizontal surface.
Dated this Ninth day of March 1889
For the Applicant,
W. E. GEDGE.
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Construction of Billiard Tables.
1 WALTER BUTTERY, of 5 Pemberton Gardens, Holloway, in the County of
Middlesex, Billiard Table 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 an improvemeet in the construction of Billiard Tables
whereby the fixing and straining of the cloth over the cushion may be affected
without fear of causing a dislocation or separation between the cushion frame
027

page_text: and the rubber block and a perfectly even surface ensured upon the top of the
cushion.
In the ordinary construction of Billiard Tables a recess or groove is formed on the
top of the rubber block where it joins the cushion frame when in place; and the cloth
is stretched or tightened over the rubber block by means of a wedge shaped slip of
wood driving it into this recess.
This construction is open to the objection that if the wedge be driven very forcibly
in, it may loosen the attachment of the cushion frame to the table, depriving it of the
rigidity which is so desirable.
I obviate this objection by forming a similar recess or groove in the back of the
rubber block instead of at the top, or by forming the groove in the cushion frame
behind the block carrying the rubber, so that the wedge securing the cloth is driven
in a horizontal instead of a downward vertical direction and does not interpose between
any of the parts of which the cushion is composed.
My Invention will be found particularly applicable to Billiard Tables in which a
metal plate is introduced between the cushion frame and the rubber block as described
in the Specification to my Letters Patent No. 1632S of LS86 in which case I make
the groove or recess preferably at or on the back of the metal plate.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
Figure 1. represents a section through an ordinary Billiard frame and cushion, the
cloth being secured in the ordinary manner in a vertical groove.
Figure 2. illustrates the same but having the groove formed in the back of the
rubber block in lieu of above and the cloth secured according to my invention.
Figures 3 and 4. represent the application and method of applying my Invention
to a frame fitted with a metal plate.
A. being the rubber block or cushion. B. is the cloth. C. the recess or groove
into which the end of the cloth is secured. D. the wedge for securing the cloth in
recess. E. the metal plate. F. the cushion frame. G. the bed of the Billiard
Table.
Upon reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4 it will be seen that the cloth B is secured
and stretched by the wedge D being driven horizontally on to a solid piece and not
downward as at Figure 1 between parts of the frame, whereby the frame is some-
times dislocated, and further, the block weakened by the position of the groove often
splits as illustrated in this Figure.
By placing the stretching and fastening recess C at the back of the rubber block A,
or of the metal plate E, I also avoid the irregularities which often occur upon the
top of the cushion by the wedges D having been driven in unequally, some pro-
jecting above the rubber block A and others being driven below its upper horizontal
surface.
The recess is covered by the cushion frame F to which the rubber block A will
be secured by bolt and nut, by screws or in any convenient manner. I now find
it preferable to bolt the rubber block A on to the cushion frame, the bolts being
passed in from the face or front of the frame and countersunk therein, and I may
conceal the whole by a bead. I may simply make a saw cut along the back of
the rubber block and secure the cloth therein by driving it in with a thin metal
plate.
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 -
1. In the construction of a Billiard Table, fixing and straining the cloth over the
cushion by means of a wedge entering the cloth into a horizontal groove or recess in
any part of the cushion or its frame substantially as described.
2. The recess C on the rubber block A, in combination with the wedge D securing
the cloth B substantially as described and illustrated Figure 2 of the Drawing.

page_text: 3. The recess C on the metal plate E, in combination with the wedge D securing
the cloth B substantially as described and illustrated Figures 3 and 4 of the
Drawing.
T
1000
For the Applicant,
W. E. GEDGE,
Agent.