Improvements in Apparatus for Parlour Table Games.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Parlour Table Games.
I, DAVID FOSTER, of 34, Broad Street, Selby, in the County of Yorkshire,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to parlour table games and consists of apparatus designed
to enable a kind of imitation of either the game of cricket football or lawn tennis
(or the like games) to be played as desired and according to suitable rules and
regulations as to players playing and scoring.
For this purpose I proceed as follows:-
Upon any ordinary dining or other suitable table or surface a green baize cloth
(or other suitable cloth or covering) is laid and upon this cloth I arrange and
mount a "fence" which completely encloses the central part of the table.
This "fence" is advantageously constructed of wood (or it may be made of any
other suitable material) and is made in several parts some of which may be hinged
together or otherwise so that the said fence can be taken to pieces and folded up for
packing away but when set up for use it is rigid and stands up firmly on the table
the several parts being firmly secured to each other for this purpose.
Around the bottom edge of this fence a number of openings are arranged
(advantageously semi-circular in shape) and at about the centre of each side a post
or pillar is arranged for the purpose (as hereinafter described) of supporting a
tennis net when the game of lawn tennis is being played.
The fence is also arranged to carry posts to support suitable nets for retaining
the ball on the table when playing either the game of parlour football or tennis
according to my invention.
The aforesaid series of openings in the fence are to be used as follows:-
Cricket For playing the game of cricket small wickets or stumps (on a stand)
are set up at one end and the bowling takes place from the other and if the ball be
struck through one of these openings (which are numbered according to their
positions) and is not stopped outside by the "fielders" (or players on the opposite
side) it counts so much according to the number marked on the opening through
which the ball has passed.
:
Football For playing football goal posts, (on a stand or having heavy flat feet)
are placed at each end and each player is represented by a miniature boot or shoe
(made of any suitable material) mounted on a rod or handle each of the actual
players taking part in my imitation game using such a handle and boot on the end
thereof to strike or "kick
the small football and endeavour to "kick" the latter
through the goal posts. Should the ball go through one of the openings in the
fence then the ball is treated as being over the boundary and is thrown back and
scrimmaged as in the ordinary outdoor game of football.
"
"
Lawn tennis: For playing lawn tennis a net is stretched across from the aforesaid
posts fixed in the sides of the fence, and the ground (i.e. the table cloth or cover) is
marked out like an ordinary tennis court is marked.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Patentee.

page_text: COMPLETE 'SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Parlour Table Games.
I, DAVID FOSTER, of 34, Broad Street, Selby, in the County of York, Merchant,
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 by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to parlour table games and consists of apparatus designed
to enable a kind of imitation of either the game of cricket football or lawn tennis
(or the like games) to be played as desired and according to suitable rules and
regulations as to players, playing, and scoring.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into practice I will proceed to describe the drawings hereto annexed which will
serve to explain the arrangement and construction of apparatus suitable for playing
the parlour games of cricket football and lawn tennis.
playing the parlour game of cricket.
Figure 2 is a similar view of a table suitably arranged for playing the parlour
game of football and
Figure 3 a similar view of a table suitably arranged for playing the parlour game
of lawn tennis.
The other figures show separate views of the instruments used in playing the
several games and also one method of securing the sides and ends of the "fence "
together.
Upon any ordinary dining or other suitable table or surface a plush cloth or
green baize cloth (or other suitable cloth or covering) is laid and upon this cloth I
arrange and mount a "fence a which completely encloses the central part of
the table.
"
"
"
"
a
17
a
This "fence" a is advantageously constructed of wood (or it may be made of any
other suitable material) and is made in several parts some of which may be hinged
together or otherwise so that the said "fence can be taken to pieces and folded up
for packing away but when set up for use it is rigid and stands up firmly on the
table the several parts being firmly secured to each other for this purpose.
One method of constructing the "fence a is shown by Figures 4 and 5 Sheet 4
of the drawings Figure 4 showing part of a side view and plan of the "fence
and Figure 5 part of a side view plan and end view of one side of the "fence
which when connected together form one corner of the "fence
a the other corners
being formed and connected together in like manner. a' a' are headed pins or
screws (fixed on the ends of the sides of the "fence" a) which are inserted into the
key hole shaped slots a² a² in the ends of the "fence a the necks of the pins or
screws a' a' by passing down into the narrow parts of the slots a³ a² firmly secure
the corners of the "fence" together. The sides of the "fence
tageously formed in two parts hinged together at a for convenience in packing.
Around the bottom edges of the "fence a a number of openings as a³ are
arranged (advantageously semi-circular in shape) aud at about the centre of each
side a post or pillar a is arranged for the purpose (as hereinafter described) of
supporting a tennis net when the game of lawn tennis is being played.
openings as a are numbered so as to count various points according to their
positions.
"
22
"
29
a are advan-
The
The "fence' a is also arranged to carry posts to support suitable nets for
retaining the ball on the table when playing either the game of parlour football or
tennis according to my invention.

page_text: "
The aforesaid series of openings a³ in the "fence" are to be used as follows :—
Cricket For playing the game of cricket small wickets or stumps b Figures 1
and 6 mounted on a stand 6' Figure 7 are set up at one end of the table within the
fence a and the bowling takes place from the other end and if the ball be struck
through one of the openings a (which are numbered according to their positions)
and is not caught when dropping off the table by the "fielders" (or players on the
opposite side) it counts so much according to the number marked on the opening
through which the ball has passed. Figure 8 shows one of the cricket bats.
Football. For playing football goal posts c Figures 2 and 9 (on a stand or
having heavy flat feet) are placed at each end of the table and each player is
represented by a miniature boot or shoe d (made of any suitable material) mounted
on a handle or rod d' each of the actual players taking part in my imitation game
using such a handle and boot on the end thereof to strike or "kick" the small
football and endeavour to "kick" the latter through the goal posts e should the
ball go through one of the openings in the fence then the ball is treated as being
over the boundary and is thrown back and "scrimmaged as in the ordinary
outdoor game of football.
"
Lawn tennis. For playing lawn tennis a net e Figure 3 is stretched across from
the aforesaid posts a fixed in the sides of the "fence" a and the ground (i.e. the
table cloth or cover) is marked out like an ordinary tennis court is marked.
Figure 11 shows one of the brass rods fat each corner of the frame a and upon
which netting g is stretched-for catching the balls when playing football or lawn
tennis-as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
It will be obvious that other parlour table games of a like character may be played
upon the fenced table with the same or similar instruments to those previously
described such games being governed by rules-determined upon by the players or
otherwise.
A special cloth may be provided marked on one side for cricket and on the
reverse side as in Figure 3 for lawn tennis or any other suitable cloth or table
cover may be used as desired-but for which I make no claim.
Having now 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 :-
1. The arrangement and construction of a portable frame or "fence" such as a
mounted on a table or surface and used in combination with tools or implements
such as b c and d for playing parlour games of cricket football lawn tennis and other
like games substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in the drawings
hereto annexed.
2. The combination of a handle such as d' with a miniature boot such as d to
form the "kicking" or striking instrument in the game of parlour football substan-
tially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings
hereunto annexed.
f
3. The combination with a fence such as a of the brass or other rods such as
mounted and supported at each corner of the said "fence" and carrying or
supporting netting y substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before
described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 21th dor of December 1800
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Patentee.