and Used for Playing the Game of “Chess.”
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 27th May, 1887.
and Used for Playing the Game of “Chess.”
I LUDWIG SIGISMUND SCHMITTHENNER of Darmstadt in the Empire of Germany
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to bo performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :—
The invention consists in making chessmen which will automatically assume a
standing or erect attitude or position.
In the accompanying Drawings in which similar letters of reference on the several
figures denote corresponding parts, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are side elevations and
Figures 7 and 8 are sections of chessmen constructed in accordance with the
Invention. In the Sections the weights d hereinafter referred to are shewn as
exposed but in the elevations they are shewn in dotted lines only. Fig. 9 is an
inverted plan view of one of the Chessmen the weight d being exposed; and Fig. 10
is an inverted plan view of one of the Chessmen in which the weight cannot be seen
being covered over by a piece of cloth or other suitable material f
a denotes the body of the Chessmen of any ornamental or suitable configuration
and representing the usual figures such as King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, and
Pawn. Each Chessman is formed or provided with a spherical or rounded foot or
base 6 holding a weight d. The expression "spherical or rounded foot or base" as
herein used is to be understood as signifying the form of foot or base delineated in
the drawings and also as including any convenient form of foot or base on which the
Chessmen may roll or rock. And in particular as including an incomplete spherical
or rounded foot or base, that is to say having a segment removed so that the
remainder may present a plane or flat surface on which the Chessmen may the more
firmly and more promptly settle and rest after rolling or rocking, and so
ensure their assuming a more precisely upright attitude when at rest. The weight d
in the several figures is preferably conical or cylindrical in form and is placed in a
cavity in the foot . The said weight consists of any suitable heavy material such for
as to
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page_text: example as lead or iron. If of lead it can be poured into the cavity in a molten
state and when it has become cold and solid a little hammering will securely fasten it
in its place. Or the weight whether of lead or iron may be fastened in the foot in a
cold state by screwing or by pins, dowels, cement or any other suitable means. To
conceal the weight from view and to prevent it from scraping or injuring a
Chess-board some material may be applied as a covering over the weight at the
bottom C C. This covering may consist of cloth, leather, parchment, paper or other
convenient material, and be suitably attached, as for example by means of glue or
other adhesive material. The exposed part of the weight may also simply be painted.
The weight & should be so heavy that when the Chessmen are laid down flat on a
level board or table as shewn in the sectional views Figs. 7 and 8 and when a vertical
line is drawn from the bearing point e upwards till it intersects the centre line of the
chessmen mnat o the centre of gravity of the chessmen will fall between the point o
and the base cc on the centre line, the consequence being that the figures will rise by
themselves into a vertical position and will retain that position on any level surface.
The Chessmen may be made of wood, hard rubber, paper-pulp or any other convenient
material. According to the material employed they may be made solid or for lightness
partly hollow, and the body a may be of any convenient shape, the foot
weight d being always proportioned to the size and weight of the figure. The foot b
may be made in one piece with the body a of the Chessman, or it may be a separate
piece, upon which the body can afterwards be mounted.
and the
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be porformed I declare that what I claim is
The construction of Chessmen with a foot or baso of such form and so weighted or
loaded as to cause them automatically to assume a standing or erect attitude or
position when dropped or placed upon a chess-board or level surface.
Dated this 26th day of Avril 1887.
DAVID J. McLAUCHLAN,
Agent for Applicant.