IMPROVEMENTS IN CUES USED AT BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE, AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Pursloe Fisher, of Edgbaston, near Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CUES
USED AT BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE, AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES."
Sealed the 16th January 1857, and dated the 21st July 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Pursloe Fisher at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st July 1856.
I, JOHN PURSLOE FISHER, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CUES USED AT BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE, AND OTHER
SIMILAR GAMES," to be as follows:-
The ordinary billiard cue is a wooden stick, with a piece or pieces of leather
forming the point or head, which is glued or cemented or permanently attached
to the end of the stick. By my Invention I construct the head and the end of
the stick in such manner that the head can be readily removed and replaced
by another. One mode of doing this consists in attaching small spring clips
or claws with dovetailed ends to the stick. The head is made of leather or
other suitable material, stamped or shaped to correspond with the clips, which
are pressed upon or into it by means of a ring, which slides over the clips,
or which is screwed upon them.
The form of the clips or holder admits of variation. When the head
becomes injured or worn by use, or when for any reason it is required to
change the head, the clip or holder is slackened and the head is removed, and
a new one applied and secured as before.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Pursloe Fisher in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 20th January 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
PURSLOE FISHER, of Edgbaston, near Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Pursloe Fisher, Her special licence that I, the said John Pursloe
Fisher, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Pursloe Fisher, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CUES USED AT BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE, AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Pursloe Fisher, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Pursloe Fisher, 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 thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing,
and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
The ordinary billiard cue is a wooden stick, with a piece or pieces of leather
forming the point or head or tip, which is glued or cemented or permanently
attached to the end of the stick. By my Invention, I construct the head or
tip and the end of the stick in such manner that the head can be readily
removed and replaced by another.
Figure 1 is a side view or elevation of the end of a billiard cue constructed
according to my Invention; Figures 2 to 10, both inclusive, show the interior
construction and the various parts of the same. The same letters refer to
similar parts in each Figure.

page_text: A is a portion of the stick; B is a cylindrical ferrule, by turning which the
head C may be released from the stick or secured to it. The ferrule B is
attached to or forms one piece with a tube b, as shewn in section in Figure 4.
The inside of the ferrule B is tapped with a screw thread, and is screwed
upon two clips D, D, which are connected together by a staple-formed spring d,
as shewn in elevation in Figure 9. The clips D, D, are formed with dove-
tailed recesses for the reception of a dovetail on the back of the head C, and
they are somewhat conical on the exterior, being rather smaller in diameter at
the end which is fixed to the spring d than at the end adjoining the head C,
so that when the ferrule B is screwed over them, they are forced together and
made to clip the dovetail on the back of the head C. It is necessary, however,
to provide some means for preventing the clips from being carried round with
the ferrule B, and also for connecting the ferrule B to the stick A, without
preventing it from being turned round when required. This is effected as
follows: E is a cylindrical rod or piece, which fits into the tube b and carries
a flange e at one end, as shewn in plan in Figure 5, and in section in Figure 6.
Figure 7 is an end view, shewing the flange e; and Figure 8 is a view of the
other end. A groove is formed along each side of the piece E and through
the flange e, and these grooves are united at the opposite end of the piece, as
shewn in the Figures. The spring d, herein-before mentioned, lies in these
grooves, in which it is capable of sliding backwards and forwards sufficiently
to allow the clips D to be screwed in and out of the ferrule B. F, in Figures
2, 3, and 4, is a small ferrule or piece of tube, which is slipped over the end of
the piece E and secured to it by a pin a, in Figure 1, which also serves to
secure the whole to the stick A, in the end of which a hole is bored for the
reception of the ferrule F and tube b. Figure 10 is a separate view of the
head C. Figure 3 is a section of the whole united together, with the excep-
tion of the stick A. The ferrule F, and the piece E with its flange e, are
immoveably fixed to the stick by the pin a. The ferrule B with its tube bis
capable of being turned round upon and in the stick A, but is prevented from
moving endways by the ferrule F and the flange e. The clips D, D, with
their spring d are capable of moving endways, but are prevented from turning
round by the fixed piece E. It follows, therefore, that if the ferrule B be
turned in one direction, the clips D, D, will be screwed forward and protrude
beyond the ferrule B, while at the same time they will be opened a little by
the action of the spring d, as their front or larger part escapes from the
ferrule B. The dovetail on the head C will thus be released, and the head
can be slipped off laterally, so as to slide the dovetail out of the recesses in
the clips. Another similar head may be inserted in its place, and by turning

page_text: the ferrule B in the opposite direction, the clips are drawn into the ferrule
and caused to clip the dovetail of the head. When it is screwed up tight,
the flat back of the head rests against the clips D and the end of the ferrule B.
The head C is thus separate or detached from the stick, but capable of being
attached to it or removed from it at pleasure, in lieu of being permanently
fixed to the stick, as is the case with the ordinary cues.
Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 represent a somewhat simpler arrangement
for securing the head to the stick. Figure 11 is a side view of a portion of
the stick A, with the head C attached to it by clips D and a ferrule B;
Figure 12 is a section of the same. Figure 13 is a side view, and Figure 14
is an end view of the clips. Figure 15 is a view of the back of the head C.
The back of the head C is made with a projection in the form of a cross,
which fits into corresponding recesses in the four claps D, which are united by
four springs, or a rod split into four springs d. The ferrule B is threaded
or tapped inside, and is attached to a tube or socket b, which is inserted and
driven into the end of the stick A, and secured by a pin a. The head C is
fitted into the clips, which are then screwed into the ferrule B, by which
means the clips are made to grasp or firmly clip the head, which is thus fixed
to the stick. By unscrewing the clips the head is released and another may
be inserted. The surface of the clips D in the arrangement herein-before
described is flat, but in this arrangement it may be flat or concave or cup-
shaped, and the back of the head C made of corresponding form to fit them.
Figure 16 is a side view, and Figure 17 is a section, shewing another
arrangement for attaching the head to the stick. The head C is screwed into
a ferrule B, as shewn in section in Figure 18. The ferrule B screws upon
another ferrule or ring G, into which is brazed or otherwise fixed a stem or
shank 9, as is shewn in the end view, Figure 19, and the longitudinal section,
Figure 20. The shank g is of the form of a cross in its transverse section.
Figure 21 is an end view of the shank g; Figure 22 is a transverse section,
and Figure 23 is a side view, of a similar shank, but made with three leaves or
blades instead of four. A hole is bored in the stick to receive the narrow part
of the shank g, and notches are cut in the end of the stick to receive the
wider part of the shank, which is surrounded by the ring G. The end of the
stick is turned or otherwise shaped to fit into the ring G; the ferrule B, with
the head C is then screwed upon the ring G; the wide part of the shank is
made to project slightly beyond the end of the stick, so that when the head C
becomes partially compressed or driven in by use it beds upon the wood, and
both the head and the ferrule B are thus prevented by the cross of the shank
from becoming loosened by use in playing. When it is required to insert a

page_text: new head, the ferrule B is unscrewed and the old head is unscrewed or driven
out of it and a new one is screwed into it, and the ferrule B is again screwed
on the ring G. To fix the ring G, the shank g is driven into the hole in the
stick, and is there secured either by inserting a transverse pin through holes
in the stick and in the shank, or by driving small pieces of wood previously
dipped in glue into the angular spaces between the leaves or blades of the
shank and the stick.
Figure 24 is a longitudinal section shewing a similar arrangement to that
last herein-before described, with the exception that the edge of the ferrule or
ring G is made to project slightly beyond the cross end of the shank g, and is
furnished with serrations or ratchet teeth, which enter the head C when it is
screwed on and is driven in by use, and prevent the ferrule B from becoming
loosened by use in play. Figure 25 is a side view, and Figure 26 is an end
view, of the ring G and its shank g. The number of teeth or serrations may
be varied, and a few large teeth will suffice.
Figure 27 is a side view, and Figure 28 is a section, and Figure 29 is an
end view, shewing another somewhat similar arrangement, but in which the
ferrule B is attached directly to the shank g, which is driven into the stick and
secured as before. The head is screwed into the ferrule B, and is made to bed
against the end of the wood, which in this case is made flush with the end of
the shank.
Figure 30 is a longitudinal section, shewing another arrangement, in which
the shank 9 terminates in a flat disc or flange fixed in or made of one piece
with the ferrule B, thus forming a sort of cup into which the head C is screwed.
Figure 31 is an end view of the cup with the head removed. The shank g is
secured in the stick A by a transverse pin at a in Figure 30; or it may be
screwed into the stick, as in the arrangement shewn in Figures 32 and 33,
which is siniilar to that shewn in Figures 30 and 31, with the exception that
the shank g has a screw thread formed upon it, and is screwed into the stick A.
In these last arrangements, in which the ferrule B is permanently fixed to the
stick, the head is removed when necessary by unscrewing the old head and
screwing a new one in its place.
The heads or tips may be made in three parts, as follows:-Figure 34 is a
side view, and Figure 35 is a front view, of a disc or cheese-shaped piece of
gutta percha k. Figure 36 is a section, and Figure 37 is a front view, of a
disc of strong leather, hammered hard, and having a small square hole in the
centre. Figure 38 is a side view, and Figure 39 is a front view, of a disc of
buff or other suitable leather.m. One side of the disc is covered with the
solution of gutta percha, which is commonly employed for cementing gutta

page_text: percha to leather. The cheese-shaped piece of gutta percha k is gently
warmed and placed in the centre of the cemented side of the disc l, as shewn
in section in Figure 40, and the two are then pressed or squeezed together in
a die. The gutta percha is thus forced through the square hole in the disc l,
and adds to the strength of the adhesion. Any projecting or superfluous parts
are cut off level with the surface of the leather; the leather disc m, forming
the extreme end or tip, is then firmly and securely attached to the other side
of the disc with good glue or suitable cement, as shewn in Figure 41, and
the whole is then turned in a lathe to the proper size and form, and finished
for use.
The heads or tips may be made entirely of leather (instead of the
combination of leather and gutta percha) in a similar manner, a projection
in this case being formed upon the disc k previously to uniting it to the
disc l.
This
Figure 42 is a side view, and Figure 43 is a back view, of another head or tip,
made of a piece of hard leather 1 and a piece of buff or other suitable leather
m glued or cemented together. The back of the piece is stamped or shaped
with a rounded surface, on which is a projection of the form of a cross.
head is adapted for the arrangement shewn in Figures 11 and 12; the piece
of leather m forming the extreme end or tip is turned to the proper size and
shape, and finished in like manner.
Figures 44 and 45 represent a head made in a similar manner of two
pieces of leather l and m, and adapted for the arrangement first herein-before
described. In some cases the tips or heads may be made with a bevelled
shoulder and fitted into holders of corresponding form, and it is not necessary
that they should in all cases be screwed into the ferrules or holders, as they
may be fitted by pressure only into holders similar to Figures 27, 30, 32, and
33, but made plain, or not threaded in the interior.
Figure 46 is a section of an arrangement in which the head C is made with
a bevelled shoulder, and is fitted into a ferrule or holder B, having its upper
edge slightly bevelled in the inside. It will be seen that the form and arrange-
ment of the apparatus or parts for attaching the heads or tips to the sticks
admit of great variation, but in all cases the back part of the head enters the
holder, and is secured by clips or otherwise, and can be removed from the
holder and replaced by another head without injury to the stick or holder.
The various parts herein-before described for attaching the heads or tips to
the sticks may be made of brass, or of silver, or German silver, or other
suitable material, and the ferrules may be plain or engraved, and plated or
japanned on the exterior, or otherwise covered or ornamented, if desired. In
Figures 16, 17, 27, 28, 32, and 33 I have shewn the ferrules B with a shallow

page_text: recess round them, which is filled with japan, or with other material or com-
position of a similar kind.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is, the
manufacture of cues for billiards and bagatelle, and similar games with clips
or holders at the ends of the sticks, in which the heads or tips are fitted or held,
and which are so constructed that the heads or tips may be readily removed
and replaced by others when required, and also the manufacture of the heads
or tips to be used therein or therewith, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Pursloe Fisher, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
FRA H. FISHER.
J. P. FISHER. (LS.)