An Improved Revolving Roulette Table or Toy.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1898-Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
An Improved Revolving Roulette Table or Toy.
A communication to me from ANTON FIEDLER, of Kukan, near Gablonz, Bohemia,
Manufacturer.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Chartered Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment, and accompanying drawing, that is to say: -
This invention differs from the ordinary revolving roulette table inasmuch as
the rotary disc is not surrounded by a cylindrical casing, but is provided with a
central downward projecting pivot on which it revolves when set in motion, like
an ordinary spinning top. Such a revolving roulette differs from the usual one,
inasmuch as the rotary disc will make a tumbling movement, as spinning tops do,
a short time before stopping. By this tumbling motion the ball is caused to roll
over the upper surface of the rotary disc, which is provided with radial channels.
These channels are in communication with a central annular channel. The ball
is prevented from escaping by means of a transparent cover. A roulette of this
kind shows preferably, instead of figures or numbers, inscriptions of such a kind
that the game can be used as a so-called fortune-telling device. By reason of the
tumbling motion of the roulette the result indicated by the ball is very much more
a matter of chance than in a revolving roulette of the usual shape.
The improved revolving roulette-device is illustrated in the accompanying
drawing. Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the roulette in its revolving
position. Figure 2 is also a vertical section, showing the roulette in the state
of rest. Figure 3 is a plan, and Figure 4 a section on the line IV-IV, Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V, Figure 4.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.
In the roulette device shown in the drawing, the pivot a, Figures 1 and 2, is
fastened to the rotary disc b in the following manner. To the pivot a is fastened
in any suitable manner, a screw c which passes through the centre b₁ of the rotary
disc b. This screw c also passes up through the transparent cover d made of glass,
celluloid, or the like. The upper screwed end of the screw c finally engages the
nut e, which has the shape of a knob.
The rotary disc b is made of sheet metal or other suitable material sufficiently
strong and unlikely to break, such as ebonite, horn, celluloid, or the like, and is
provided near its edge with upward projecting shoulders 62, Figures 1 to 5. These
shoulders are arranged in such manner, that each of them is situated between
two radial channels 6 of the rotary disc b, Figures 4 and 5. These shoulders 12
support the transparent cover d, Figures 1, 2, and 4, which is held in its position
by means of an angular ring f. f. Figures 1 and 2. While the flange fl touches
the upper side of the cover 'd the flange f, which is arranged nearly parallel with
the axis of the apparatus, surrounds the rotary disc b.

page_text: The bottom of the central annular channel 63 is preferably arranged somewhat
lower than the bottom of the radial channels . By this means, the ball I' made
of metal or the like, is retained near the axis of the disc as long as it turns on this
axis, as shown by Figure 1, but the ball g will leave this channel 63 as soon as
the revolving apparatus begins its tumbling movements, and finally the ball will
come into the position shown in Figure 2.
The radial channel may be provided with inscriptions such as the following:
"I shall be rich," "I shall be poor," "I shall be happy," or the like. These
inscriptions are printed on a sheet of paper or the like, which is fastened to the
rotary disc by gum or other suitable means, Figures 4 and 5. There may also
be arranged inscriptions of any other kind.
Between the nut a and the cover d is aranged a disc i, Figures 1 to 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A roulette table or toy, the rotary disc of which has the shape and movement
of a spinning top, substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
2.A roulette table or toy the rotary disc of which has the shape and movement
of a top, and is provided with inscriptions for so-called fortune-telling purposes,
substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 24th day of May 1898.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lanc, London,
Agents for the Applicant.