Improvements in Chessmen.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1893-Accepted, 22nd July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chessmen.
I WILLIAM MOFFATT of Grove Mill Stroud in the County of Gloucester
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Namely the production of a set of chessmen in medallion form especially
adapted for marine railway or travellers use. The form adopt is (as stated)
that of a medallion used horizontally; I first make circular disks and upon the
upper surface, I fix, in relief, the emblems, crown, coronet, mitre, horse's head,
castle and hemispheres indicating respectively the king, queen, bishop, knight,
rook and pawn. The materials I use are, hardwood, xylonite, celluloid ivory or
other suitable substances. The method used in making these chessmen is, after
first turning, stamping or moulding the disks. in the ordinary way, to turn or carve,
stamp, or mould the crown, coronet, mitre, castle, and knights, and divide each
of these emblems perpendicularly into, two equal parts, and fix the flat side of
each part on separate disks, thereby making 2 kings 2 queens &c. For the pawn
I either turn stamp or mould same completely, leaving the hemisphere in relief,
or I turn, stamp or mould a hemisphere and fit it on the disk. Or, if the material
will admit, as xylonite or other composition, I mould or stamp the pieces and
pawns in medallion form, with emblem and disk complete in one piece.
For the use of travellers I fix pegs. in the base of each piece and pawn in the
usual way the same fitting into corresponding perforations in the squares of the
chessboard.
Dated this 10th day of September 1892.
WILLIAM MOFFATT.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chessmen.
I,. WILLIAM MOFFATT of Grove Mill Stroud in the County of Gloucester
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of the said 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. for its object improvements in chessmen whereby a much
cheaper and more pleasing design of such pieces is produced and at the same time
its form allows of such pieces being packed in a very small compass thus especially
adapting them for the use of marine, railway, or other travellers.
And in order that the said invention may be properly understood and readily
carried into effect I have appended hereto a sheet of drawings in which.
Figures 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 are plans of the various pieces or men used in the
game of chess and constructed according to my invention and
Figures 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and -12 are edge views of the same.
Figure 13 is a plan and Figure 14 is an edge view of one of the pawns used
in the game of chess and constructed according to my invention such piece being
especially adapted to the game of draughts.
Figure 15 is a section of two pawns or draughts one above the other in position
to "crown
or mark a kingin said game.
"
"
It will be seen on reference to the drawings that the form I adopt is that of a
medallion used horizontally.
The emblems representing the various pieces viz. the king, queen, bishop
knight, rook and pawn being in relief thereon.

page_text: In carrying my invention into effect I build up the various pieces or men by
first turning, stamping, moulding or otherwise forming the base or disc a of the
desired shape. The various emblems marked are then turned carved moulded
or otherwise constructed so that two of such emblems b arc formed in one piece,
back to back, which said piece is then divided centrally and perpendicularly thus
making two kings, queens, or other emblems.
The flat side of each of these emblems is then fixed by suitable means
centrally to the upper side of the disc a. Thereby producing a pièce or man
having a flat base a with the emblem b in relief thereon.
If desired the pawns which are represented by a hemisphere or part of a
hemisphere or sphere may be turned, stamped moulded or otherwise produced in
one piece, the formation preferred will be readily seen on reference to Figures
11 and 12.
Chessmen constructed according to my invention may be readily produced in
wood (such for instance as boxwood or ebony) xylonite, celluloid, ivory or other
desired materials or combination of such materials.
When it is desired to form chessmen of celluloid, xylonite or other substance
capable of being moulded or cast the disc a and the emblem b in relief thereon
.may be formed in one piece.
I prefer to colour the base or disc a black, and the emblems or parts >> in relief,
red or white, but it will be understood that they may be coloured in any suitable
manner as desired.
For the use of travellers I fix pegs in the base a of each piece to fit in
corresponding perforations in the squares of the chess board.
It will be readily seen that my invention may be applied to draughtsmen with
equally good results. Such pieces or draughtsmen, referring more particularly
to Figures 13, 14 and 15, are constructed in the same manner as the pawus above
described.
The base or disc a being in preference hollowed out on its underside to fit over
the hemisphere or part hemisphere or sphere formed in relief on the upper side
of another piece, so that one piece will stand on another when it is necessary to
crown or mark a "king" in the course of the game.
-66
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1. declare that what I
.claim is
1. The construction or formation of chessmen in the form of medallions having a
flat base with the emblem representing the king, queen bishop &c. in relief on
the upper side thereof substantially as herein described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
2. The construction of the pawns as used in the game of chess as hereinbefore
described having the base hollowed out so as to fit over the portion in relief of
-another piece substantially as and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 26th day of May 1893.
W. MOFFATT.