A New Game and Means for Playing same.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1890-Accepted. 10th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Game and Means for Playing same.
I, JOHN WILLIAM SCOTT of Number 14, Holker Street Keighley in the County of
York, Timber Merchant and Steam Joinery Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows, that is to say:―
It relates to a new game and means for playing same the novel features of which
may be said to consist of the peculiar combinations of the elements of chance and skill
displayed and exercised therein and of the construction and arrangement of means
through and by which the gaine may be played.
The means to be employed in the playing of this game consist of a table with its top
part of any shape, but preferably rectangular, and made especially for the purposes of
this game alone, or any common dining room or other table may be employed.
Framework to form a kind of flange is made to encircle the outer edges of the top
part of the table, said flange being made to project upwardly and, should the table be
made expressly for the purposes of this game, be attachel to said top part, while if an
ordinary, say dining room or like table, is used, then this flange part or framework
may be loosely laid thereon.
The inner surface or surfaces of this upwardly projecting flange or framework is or
are made to form a kind of cushion by having flat or tubular (which may be square or
circular or other shape in cross section) pieces of india-rubber attached thereto, these
pieces forming the said cushion being either arranged to be in perfect continuity through-
out its extension around the flange or it may be formed in disjointed sections placed at a
distance from each other the latter arrangement adding to the complexity of the game.
Or instead of the inner surface or surfaces being covered with a cushion as above
described they may be left in their ordinary rigid state and other means, as hereinafter
described, may be made use of.
Each player in the game is represented by one or more articles, that may be styled
"perches," which are made to stand vertically upon the table and carry the stake or
game such as a counter, token or coin.
A ball (which may be of metal, ivory or glass or one that is constructed of india-
rubber externally and internally of any substance, as lead, to give the desired weight
or density thereto,) to be employed and propelled, in accordance with certain prescribed
rules of the game. by the player, is preferably directed, firstly, to strike the cushion
or flange above described from which it will rebound to displace any of the stakes or
tokens etc. whose perches it may come in contact with, any of said stakes or tokens
that may be thus displaced passing to the benefit of the player who propelled the ball.
The rebounding of the bail, from the cushion or flange against which it is propelled
by the player, being one of the chief features in the game, it will be seen that a
considerable amount of skill may be exercised to obtain the desired deflection in the
ball's course for striking one or more perches to attain at each impact the best possible
results.
On the other hand any one not exercising any skill whatever but merely propelling
the ball against the cushion or flange, may by "chance," displace some of the stakes.
When the ball is made to have an external covering of india-rubber, the elastic
cushions on the flanges may be dispensed with as hereinbefore described.
The ball may be thrown or propelled directly by or from the bands of the player or
any spring or air gun or other propeller might be employed.
The game is played in conformity with the following rules:
دو
One of the persons taking a part in this "round_game is elected by the others
(the number of which is unlimited) as president. This president controls the bank or

page_text: pool, hereinafter descrbed, as also a central "perch" called the keeper, as well as
settles all disputes that may arise respecting the game between any of the players.
The players have one shot each in rotation."
The president commences the game by propelling the ball and directing it so as firstly
to strike the cushion from which it will rebound to displace any of the stakes on the
perches it may come in contact with, all that it displaces being paid for by their respective
owners, the central one or keeper being paid for out of the pool or bank, while should
the ball fail to displace any of the perches then the player (which in this case is the
president) pays his stakes into the pool or bank, however if the ball comes in contact
with any one of the perches and yet without sufficient force to displace the stakes, the
player saves his stakes from the pool although he gains nothing, again provided that
the player displaces the keeper he receives double stakes from the pool.
Should the ball displace any of the perches before striking the cushion the player
propelling same pays double the ordinary stakes to the pool and if the keeper is thus
displaced then four times the amount is payed to the pool.
Each player in succession propels the ball in like manner as has the president above
described and so the game proceeds until it is agreed, (as might be when the stakes of
one of the players are exhausted,) that the forfeits in or paid to the pool shall be played
for, when the keeper perch" is removed from the table by the president, who again
commences the round of "playing for the pool" noting the results of each player's
impact and making a division of the stakes in the pool pro ratá among the players
when the round is finished.
To increase the risks or chances against each active player those not propelling the
ball may have command over each of their own perches and between each throw or
impact of the ball may alter the respective positions of their said porches.
The angle at which the ball rebounds from the cushion, being somewhat in con-
formity with the laws of the reflection of light from or by a polished surface, it will
be seen that a study of these angles will enable a player to attain great precision and
skill in directing the ball to where the groups of perches are best situated for producing
the best results from his respective position at the table.
Dated this 11th day of February 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Game and Means for Playing same.
I JOHN WILLIAM SCOTT of Number 14 Holker Street Keighley in the County of
York Gentleman formerly Timber Merchant and Steam Joinery Manufacturer 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, that is to say :-
It relates to a new game and means for playing same the novel features of which
may be said to consist of the peculiar combinations of the elements of chance and
skill to be displayed and excercised therein and of the construction and arrangement
of means through and by which the game may be played, and in order to elucidate
the description of this invention so that same may be more readily understood and
carried into effect I have hereunto appended drawings illustrative thereof to which
reference is made in the following description.
Fig. 1 shews a view of table as seen from above, the same having parts applied
thereto in accordance with this invention, as hereinafter described.
Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of parts shewn by Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a drawing
of a portion of the parts hereinafter described, shewing same in detail.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views shewing modifications in the formation of the
part shewn by Fig. 3.
Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are sections in detail of parts hereinafter described.

page_text: The means to be employed in the playing of this game consist of a table with its
top part a of any shape, but preferably rectangular as shewn by Fig. 1, and same
may be made especially for the purposes of this game alone, or any common dining-
room or other table may be employed.
Framework bb bb to form a kind of boundary or flange is made to encircle the
outer edges of the top part a, said flange b b b b being made to project upwardly and,
should the table be made expressly for the purposes of, this game, be attached to said
top part a while if an ordinary, say dining-room or like table is to be used then this
flange part or framework bb bb may be loosely laid thereon as shewn by Figs. 4, 5
and 6. Fig. 4 shews a formation of framework to overhang so as to lay hold of the
top part a while the other drawings shew said framework merely placed thereon,
either arrangement being appropriate. The shape, in cross section, of this framework b
may be varied as may be desired (provided that the inner edge c is at about right
angles to the surface of the part a) as is shewn by Fig. 2, 4, 5 and 6, however the
shape shewn by Figs. 2 and 4 is the most preferable on account of the hollowed upper
edge 6 forming a suitable receptacle for the players counters.
The framework bbbb may be made in parts or sections to be joined together when
on the table, so that when not in use they may be more readily stored.
The inner surface or surfaces of the flanges or framework bbbb is or are made to
form a kind of cushion d by having flat (as shewn by Fig. 7) or tubular (as shewn by
Fig. 5) pieces of india rubber attached thereto, or the formation, in cross section, of
these pieces of india rubber may be further varied as shewn by Figs. 8, 9 and 10, and
these pieces of 'india rubber forming the said cushion d may be arranged in perfect
continuity throughout its extension around the flange bb bb or it may be formed in
disjointed sections or parts placed at a distance from each other (as shewn by Fig. 3),
by which latter arrangement considerable complexity is added to the game.
Instead of the inner surfaces of the framework bb bb being covered with a cushion
as above described, they may be left in their ordinary rigid state and other means, as
hereinafter described may be made use of.
Each player in the game is represented by one or more articles e, that may be
styled "perches" which are made to stand vertically upon the table a and carry or
support the stake or game such as a counter, token or coin.
A ball (which may be of metal, ivory or glass or one that is constructed of india-
rubber externally and internally of any substance, as lead, to give the desired weight
or density thereto,) to be employed and propelled (in accordance with certain
prescribed rules of the game) by the player, is preferably directed firstly to strike the
cushion or flange bb bb, from which it will rebound to displace any of the stakes,
tokens etc., whose perches e it may come in contact with, any of said stakes or tokens
that may be thus displaced, passing to the benefit of the player who propelled
the ball.
The rebounding of the ball from the cushion, flange or boundary against which it is
propelled by the player, being one of the chief features in the game, it will be seen
that a considerable amount of skill may be excercised to obtain the desired deflection
in the ball's course for striking one or more perches to attain at each impact the best
possible results.
On the other hand anyone not exercising any skill whatever but merely propelling
the ball against the cushion, flange or boundary may by "chance" displace some of
the stakes.
When a ball having an external covering of india rubber is employed, the elastic
cushions on the flange or boundary may be dispensed with, as hereinbefore
described.
The ball may be thrown or propelled directly by or from the hands of the player or
any spring or air-gun or other propeller might be employed.
The process of or the operations in the game are as follows
One of the persons taking part in this game is elected by the others (the number of
which is not limited) as president. This president controls the bank or pool, herein-
after described, as also a central perch f, called the keeper, as well as settle all

page_text: disputes that may arise respecting the game, and otherwise conducts the game
generally.
The players have one or more shots each in rotation as may be agreed upon.
The president commences the game by propelling the ball and directing it so as
firstly to strike the cushion or boundary from which it will rebound to displace any of
the stakes on the perches e it may come in contact with, all it displaces being paid for
by their respective owners, the central one or keeper being paid for out of the pool
or bank, while should the ball fail to displace any of the stakes then the player (which
in this case is the president) pay his stakes into the pool or bank however if the ball
comes in contact with any one of the perches and yet without sufficient force to
displace the stakes, the player saves his stakes from the pool although he gains
nothing, again provided that the player displaces the keeper he receives extra stakes
from the pool or bank.
Should the ball displace any of the stakes before striking the cushion or before
rebounding from the boundary the player propelling same pays extra stakes to the
pool and if the keeper is thus displaced then stakes in addition to the usually extra
stakes are to be payed to the pool.
'
Each player in succession propells the ball in like manner as has the president
above described and so the game proceeds until it is agreed, (as might be when the
stakes of one of the players are exhausted) that the forfeits in or paid to the pool
shall be played for, when the "keeper perch" is removed from the table by the
president, who again commences the round of "playing for the pool" noting the
results of each player's impact and making a division of the stakes in the pool pro ratâ
among the players when the round is finished.
To increase the risks or chances against each active player those not propelling the
ball may have command over each of their own perches and between each throw or
impact of the ball may alter the respective positions of their said perches on the table.
The angle at which the ball rebounds from the cushion, being somewhat it
conformity with the laws of the reflection of light from or by a polished surface, it
will be seen that a study of these angles will enable a player to attain great precision
and skill in directing the ball to where the groups of perches are best situated for
producing the best results from his respective position at the table.
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 method of and means for playing the game herein described, substantially
as specified.
2. In combination the framework 6 formed as described, the perches e arranged to
carry the stakes or tokens and a rebounding ball to be operated by the player sub-
stantially as herein specified and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 19th day of ovember 1800.
JOHN WILLIAM SCOTT.
Per Samuel Hey,
Agent.
JOHN WILLIAM SCOTT.
Per Samuel Hey,
Agent.