New or Improved Game Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1892-Accepted, 16th July, 1892
COMPLETE STEIFICATION,
New or Improved Game Apparatus.
A communication by NILS OLSON STARKS, of Madison, in the County of Dane,
in the State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Mechanician.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Man-
chester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement :--
This invention relates to game apparatus and consists in various features, details
and combinations hereinafter set forth and claimed.
The invention will be understood from the following description, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the new game apparatus ;
Figure 2, a vertical transverse sectional view;
Figure 3, a top plan view showing a slight modification; and
Figure 4, a vertical transverse sectional view of the same.
The game designed to be played on this apparatus or game-board is somewhat on
the same general principles as the well known games of billiards and pool, though
the invention is not limited to those particular games by this statement.
A, represents the stand or support upon which is mounted the game-board or
table proper. This board B is preferably made rectangular in form, its four sides a
sloping or curving inward toward each other at the base b, which latter is perfectly
flat and should be preferably level when the game is played. The upper or inner
face of the board is usually covered with felt, rubber or other smooth material c,
so that the balls may move about without being in any manner obstructed. The
board may be made of wood, metal, paper or any other suitable material.
To ensure the board being placed level with reference to its supporting stand,
adjusting screws E E are em.loyed, which, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, bear
against the underside of the noard B; and in order that the adjustment may be
facilitated, the board is provided, at one corner or at other points, with a level D,
as shown in Figures 1 and 3. At one or more of the other corners are dials or
counters F, which not only enable the score to be kept, but give strength and finish
to the board as a whole. Each corner is further provided with a pocket C, which
is adapted to receive the balls when pool or a similar game is played, and they may
be shown in either Figure 1 or 3.
To form those shown in Figures 1 and 2, a curved piece of wood or similar
material is placed across each corner of the board, which enters notches in the
curved sides a, while those shown in Figures 3 and 4 are formed like the pocket of
an ordinary pool table.
To play the game, the player takes one of the balls in his hand and endeavours
to make it hit two other balls, which, if he succeed, counts a point, or he may
endeavour to hit one ball and force that one to hit another, or to drive it in one of
the pockets.
It will be seen that the curved sides of the board serve the purpose or in place of
the cushions of an ordinary billiard table, the ball rolling up and down the incline,
as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The ball thrown or projected should be slightly
heavier than the others, so as to impart considerable motion to the latter when
struck.
While the board or table is shown as square, it may be of any regular form so
long as the sides are curved or inclined.

page_text: The invention is not confined to the means shown for adjusting the table, as it is
obvious that it can be levelled by means other than screws. The pockets are not
essential, and may be omitted when desired.
When the game apparatus is not in use, a flat top or cover may be laid upon the
board B, so as to form a table; or, if preferred, the board may be removed from its
supporting stand to facilitate its storing.
•
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A game-board having a flat bottom and curved or inclined sides, substantially
as described.
2. A game-board comprising a flat bottom and curved sides, and a level applied
to the board, substantially as described.
3. A game-board having a flat bottom and curved sides, and pockets at the
corners of the board, substantially as described.
4. In a game apparatus, the combination of the stand A, board B, level D, and
means substantially such as shown for levelling the board.
5. A game-board having a flat bottom and curved sides and provided with
counters, substantially as described.
6. A. game board having a flat bottom and curved sides, its inner surface being
covered with felt or similar substance.
7. In a game apparatus, the combination, with the stand A, of the board B, and
screws E for adjusting the board.
8. In a game apparatus, the combination, with the stand A, of a detachable and
removable concave board B.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1892.
WM. F. THOMPSON & CO.,
Agents for the Applicant.