An Improved Indoor Game.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1805-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1895
An Improved Indoor Game.
I, JOHN HERBERT TYRER, no occupation, of 58 Bolton Street, Brixham,
Devon, 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 hy
the following statement :-
My improved game is intended for parlour use and to resemble in its essential
features a game at Association football. It is intended to be played on a board of
any suitable size but preferably not less in dimensions than a sheet of foolscap.
Any dimensions mentioned in this Specification, will have to be increased or
diminished according as the board is; larger or smaller, in size than foolscap. A
plan is given in the accompanying drawing. A line is ruled about, three quarters
of an inch from each of the longer sides of the, board. These are, the
lines," a line is also ruled about one inch, from each of the narrow sides of the
board. These are the "goal lines." The liuesineet at the corners z, y, w, v, and
form a rectangular figure of which a, y, and w, v are tho, goal, and z, w, and
tho touch lines.
touch
In the centre of each of the goal lines is a goal marked by two upright posts HI
and, JK inserted in holes provided for them. In front of each goal is a spot
which I call G: midway between G. G. is a central spot. A. There are four
spots 1, 2, 3, 4, two on one side of A and two on the other side. Right
and left of an imaginary line passing through G 1, 2, A 3, 4, G are other
spots 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, on the right,, and 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, on the left. These
two rows of spots are distant from the imaginary centre line rather less than half
the distance between that centre line and the touch lines. At a short distance
from each touch line is another row of spots, the end ones being referred to as B,
the others being those marked in the sketch 15, 16, 17, 18, and 18, 20, 21, 22,
These spots are equidistant between those immediately to the right and left of
the centre line.
The board is made preferably of brownish colour intermingled with green, so as
to represent a.field. The spots are indicated by black dots about the size shewn
in the sketch for that size of board.
*
The game is played with one counter; one the size of a threepenny piece being
suitable for a foolscap board. The board may be made to fold up like a draught
board. Instead of a board being used, the lines and spots may be set out ou a
table specially made for the purpose. The game is played for five minutes or
more, but not to exceed ten minutes: the parties changing sides, when half the
time (two and a half or five minutes.as the case, may be) has passed.. The game
is played in the following manner :-The action denoted by the word "flip," being
the jerking or shooting of the counter from, one spot to another by means of the
first or any finger placed behind the counter. The players divide themselves into
two parties, one half taking one side, and the other half the opposite side. One
of the players on, the side agreed to start the game places the counter on spot A,
and must try and flip the counter on to the spot in front of A cither 2 or 3 as
case may be (as in a game of Association football). If he succeeds, he is allowed
to flip at any of the three spots nearest to 'the spot shot at, according to his own
discretion. These spots are either 4, 6, or 11, or 1, 8, or 13 as case may be. If he
again succeeds another flip is allowed him in the same manner as before, for
instance if spot 11 was covered, a flip at either spots 3, 10, or 19 would be allowed;

page_text: of course if playing for the other goal J, K, at spots 3, 12, or 20, and so on until
spot G is covered.
When the player of one side fails to cover a spot aimed at, one of the opposite
side is allowed, from the spot missed, to flip to any one of the three nearest spots,
(as before) to that which was shot at and missed by the opposing player and if he
succeeds is allowed to flip again according to his own discretion in the same
manner as before. After he has failed the other side start shooting again from
the spot missed.
The object of the players is to get the counter on spot G in front of the goal
they are aiming at. To do this they must place the counter on either spot B, (by
gradually working down to it in course of the game) of the goal aimed at by them,
and shoot on to spot G from there. If they succeed the counter'must be shot
through the goal (as in real football) and a goal is allowed them. If they fail to
place it on G, the opposite party must continue the game as before, by shooting
to the spot nearest in front of the counter, (but ou no account should spot B be
shot at, as if missed it would give the opposite side another shot at goal). When
a goal is scored, the party it is scored against must start the game again as at the
commencement.
If the counter is sent into touch the party sending it in is penalised one spot.
Thus if party A shot at spot B and sent the counter into touch, party B would be
allowed to continue the game from the spot in front of spot B, and not from spot B
as in the ordinary course of the game.
If the counter is sent over the goal line by the attacking side it is out of play
and the other side starts the game from spot G, by flipping at any one of the three
spots in front of it either 4, 5, or 10, or 1, 9, or 14, as case may be, and if
successful carry the game on as before. If however the defending side put it over
their own line, the attacking side is allowed a free Bip from spot B on the side
of the goal posts on which it was sent over the line. With this free flip given
them, they are allowed to try to shoot through the goal from spot B without
getting on spot G at all. If they fail to score a goal, and the counter is sent
over the line or even if the counter does not reach the goal, the game must be
started from spot G by the opposite party.
All spots shot at must be completely covered, or it is counted as nothing, just
as if it were quite missed. Spot G is an exception to this, as this spot need only
be touched. Each member of the party should take a turn at flipping the
counter, according to the discretion of the captain of the side..
Spot G must be shot at from shot B only and on no account from any other spot.
Thus if the counter was on spot 4, then the player would be allowed to shoot at
spots 5 or 10 only, and not at spot G, although it would be one of the nearest to
spot 4.
Having bow 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 :-
The improved indoor game, in imitation of football, provided for, and played
substantially as described in the above Specification, and exemplified in the
accompanying drawings.
Dead: 1911 1
ANT
L... 100
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23. Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant..