Improvements in Apparatus for Scoring Lawn Tennis or other Games, or for use as a Calendar.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1890-Accepted, 5th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Scoring Lawn Tennis or other Games,
or for use as a Calendar.
WILLIAM ARTHUR PRICE Brass Founder 65 Weaman Street Birmingham and JAMES
MELLING Engineer Dashwood House New Broad Street London E.C. do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
The object of this Invention is to afford a means of scoring the game of lawn tennis
by the aid of an indicator dial, hands, and wheels, enclosed in a case of metal or other
suitable material. The hands being actuated by means of differential gear, so regulated,
that on pushing or turning the outside knob, each point in the game is correctly
indicated on the dial, and held in position until the knob is again moved.
By altering the indicator dial this same mechanism can be used for the purpose of
marking other games, or for a calendar or register of the year.
L
1 TL 1000
WILLIAM ARTHUR PRICE.
JAMES MELLING.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Scoring Lawn Tennis or other Games,
or for use as a Calendar.
We, WILLIAM ARTHUR I'RICE, of 65 Weaman Street, Birmingham in the County of
Warwick, Brass founder, and JAMES MELLING, of Dashwood House, New Broad Street,
in the City of London, 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 objects of our invention are to afford a means for scoring the game of lawn
tennis, or other games, and also for use as a calendar.
In order that our invention may be more clearly understood, we have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of one type of the
marking or scoring device, Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same, and Figure 3 is
an elevation corresponding to Figure 1 but with the face and hands removed to shew
the internal mechanism. Figures 4 and 5 are details, and Figure 6 is a view shewing
a modification of the type shewn by Figures 1, 2, and 3, and Figure 7 is a side view
of the mechanism constituting said modification. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate two other
modifications of a part of the device.
In carrying our said invention into effect we preferably enclose the whole of the
mechanism within a metallic or other suitable case, of such calibre as to be easily
carried in the pocket of the user, or appended to the watchguard as a charm, or orna-
ment. The preferable conformation is shewn by Figure 1, in which the dial is marked
off for scoring the game of tennis but with different markings or figures the instrument
may be employed for marking or scoring other games, or as a perpetual calendar.
The principle of the mechanism in any case would remain unaltered, although to meet
the conditions of different cases of adaptation, the ratio of the gearing may be varied.
Two indices or hands, h, are employed for the purpose of indicating, indicating
units, and moving with a definite rate, corresponding to one or more revolutions
of h, analogous to the movement of the hands of a clock or watch. A spring press-
knob iis employed to actuate the mechanism, although we do not confine ourselves to
this particular method and means, but may substitute other devices to be hereinafter
described.
When, however the arrangement of the instrument is carried out in the manner

page_text: shewn by Figures 1, 2, and 3, and motion is imparted to the gearing by pressing the
press-knob i, we attach a slide or catch; to the lower part thereof, which actuates a
ratchet Figures 2 and 4, so that one tooth thereof is advanced by each pressing.
Upon the spindle of k, and attached so as to move with it, we place a pin toothed
wheel, which gears with the locking pinion o, Figures 2 and 4, to the spindle of
which is attached the index or hand h. Above the wheel 1, and similarly attached to
the same spindle, we place a wheel m, with one pin tooth, which engages with the
locking pinion, n, carrying the index or hand upon its projecting boss or hub. The
wheel is arranged to fit loosely upon the spindle p of the wheel o, so that the relative
movements may be independent.
I is evident from the foregoing description that each movement of the knob i causes
the pinion o to revolve through the space of one tooth, causing a corresponding move-
ment of the index or hand h, while the pinion n remains stationary until k, l, m have
completed one revolution, when it is advanced through the space of one tooth by the
single pin tooth upon m, the index or hand being moved to a corresponding extent.
We may modify this arrangement by substituting a bevil or crown wheel 9, Figures 6
and 7 for the ratchet wheel k bereinbefore described, rotary motion being imparted
thereto by means of a pinion 7, attached to the spindle of the knobi, which in this
case is turned in a similar manner to the well-known action of a keyless watch. The
other parts of the mechanism are arranged in exactly the same manner as in the
previous example. We may further modify this device by using a worm or endless
screws upon the spindle of the knob i, as shewn by Figure 8, in which case the worm
wheel t is employed instead of the ratchet wheel & herein before described. Figure 9
illustrates a modified form of the catch and ratchet device first described. A slide
bar u carries a spring pawl v, actuated by the press knob i; this arrangement admitting
of a side action where necessary.
In adapting the device according to our invention for the marking or scoring of
games, it is necessary to mark out the dial in a suitable manner, and also to arrange
the ratio of the movements of the hands or indices to correspond thereto, and in the
case of its adoption as a calendar, when the hand or index h indicates the days of the
month, and the months, the ratio would be,
of which would be synchronous with that of h.
DUTORES CHO days of the WOOK, the motion
We do not confine ourselves to the, circular shape of the case as shewn in the
drawings, but may adapt the mechanism as described and shewn, to any form or shape
of case or covering.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is,
First. In a marking or scoring instrument, or moveable calendar, the employment
of a press-knob i, catch j, compound wheel and ratchet, k, l, m, differential pinions o
and n, with a dial and two hands or indices substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and shewn by the appended drawings.
Second. In a marking or scoring instrument, or moveable calendar, as referred to
in the preceding claim, the methods of, and means for, substituting a rotary movement
of the knob instead of pressing, substantially as herein described and shewn by
Figures 6, 7 and 8 in the appended drawings.
Dated this 24th day of May 1890.
FREDK, WALKER & HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicants.