A Game for Amusement.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Nov., 1889-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Game for Amusement.
We, JAMES GARROW, Commercial Traveller, Hilburn Cottage, Baillieston, North
Britain, and JOHN MCKENZIE, Cabinet maker, 27 Surrey Street Glasgow, North
Britain, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a game for amusement and consists of a board or table
made of wood or of other material; the sides and ends are raised box fashion for the
purpose of confining the movements of a spinning top or float. Pins representing
men are arranged military or other fashion on the board for the spinner to knock
down.
Across the centre of the board is a division with two, three or other number of
gateways or openings to allow the spinner to travel through. Across each of the four
corners of the two divisions of the board we provide a partition with a gateway or
aperture through the same. The two portions of the board in this manner represent
fields with a pin representing a sentinel standing in each of the gateways or openings
formed both at the corners of the fields and at the division of the field. The positions
are attacked by discharging the top or spinner from one end of the board by means
of a cord, spring, or other contrivance, the spinner travelling from field to field and
into the forts at the corners of the fields; the number of pins that are knocked down
constitute the game.
The board may be of a size corresponding to that of a bagatelle board, and we
may provide the board with one or more spirit levels to ensure a true surface for the
spinner to travel on.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Petitioners' Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Game for Amusement.
Wo JAMES GARROW Commercial Traveller formerly Hilburn Cottage Baillieston
North Britain and now residing at eighty nine Cathcart Street Glasgow JOHN
MCKENZIE, Cabinet Maker, formerly of twenty seven, Surrey Street, Glasgow, now
of five, Eglington Lane, there, 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, and by reference being had, to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to a game for amusement, and consists of, First, a Table or
Board, hereinafter called "the Board "-Figure 1: Second, a Spinning Top or Float,
hereinafter called "the Float," Figure 2, marked A; Third, a Template, Post, or
Hold, hereinafter called, "the Hold," Figure marked B; and Fourth, Pieces or
Markers, hereinafter called "the Markers" Figure 3.
The Board is made of wood, or other material, and is fitted with sides and ends,
raised box fashion, for the purpose of confining the movements of the Float. It is
divided into two squares or spaces, of equal size, by a partition across the middle, of
the same height as the sides. Each corner of the two squares, is again cut off, by a
partition of similar height, thus converting each space into an octagon. The middle
partition, is provided with two or more gateways, or openings, of a size suitable to
allow the Float to travel from the one space, into the other. These openings may be
closed at pleasure, so as to allow of games being played simultaneously, on each
space; or, the partition may be removed, so as to form one field of the whole Board.
Each of the corner partitions is also provided with a similar opening or openings, in

page_text: :
which to place a marker. Markers are also placed on spots in the spaces indicated
by numbers painted thereon, representing the value of the position, in counting the
game. These numbers are of the values corresponding to the difficulty, or ease, of
attacking the position, and run from one to twenty. Any other values may be
substituted, as may be agreed by the players. The Board is intended to be placed
for the purpose of play, upon an ordinary table, or other similar flat and level surface;
and for insuring a true surface for the movements of the Float, it is provided with
three spirit levels, by the aid of which it may be adjusted-one level is placed longi-
tudinally, on the middle of the centre partition, and the others, one at each side, on
the ends of the partition, at right angles to the first. The Board may also be built
upon a stand of its own, having balluster or adjustable screws attached, for securing a
level surface. The sides and ends of the Board, are provided with a surrounding
projecting rod, of brass, or other material, for the purpose of ornament and forming
the support of a net or bag, in which to place the Markers removed from the Board,
during the course of a game. The Board may be of any size, with all its appur-
tenances corresponding.
'
The Float, is made of wood, or other suitable material, and shaped somewhat like a
Hattened umbrella, with a long stem, and is of a size to correspond with the gateways,
through which it is intended to pass. The bulb, or spread out part, of the Float, may
either be flat on the under surface, or may be made concave, so as to add to its buoyancy.
The point is made flat, or only slightly rounded-outwards or inwards-so that it may
not settle on one point of the Board, but shall be kept moving along the surface,
while the revolving impetus is alive. The stem is continued through the upper
surface of the bulb, so that it may be kept in position in the Hold, while being set in
.motion.
The Hold is made of wood, or other material, and consists of an upright,
having attached top and bottom pieces, in the front surfaces of which, are grooves, in
which the stem of the Float is held, while being set in motion. In the upright, at a
point corresponding to the centre of gravity of the Float, is pierced a hole, through
which the cord with which the float is set in motion, is passed. It is also provided
with a small spring-either spiral, or of the carriage spring pattern-through the
centre of which, the said cord passes. The position of the centre of force of this
spring, corresponds to the centre of gravity of the Float. The use of this spring, is
to give a forward, or travelling impetus, to the Float, while not interfering with its
gyrating motion. The Hold may be attached to either end of the Board, or may
be in the form of a portable template. When attached to the Board, it is placed in a
slot in either end, and whether attached or portable, it can be held, or adjusted, to
aim the Float, in any direction that may be desired. It may be used without the
spring, which is easily removable at pleasure.
The Markers are made of wood, or other suitable material, are bottle shaped, and of
a size corresponding to the Board, and the weight of the Float.
These being the apparatus and appliances, the game is played as follows, vizt. The
Markers being placed on the positions, as marked with their relative values, the Float
is prepared, by winding a cord round the stem, in such a way as to allow it to be
freely unwound, and to. be free of the spring. Only so much cord is to be wound up,
as can be freely drawn out, at one effort. The free end of the cord, is then passed
from the inner side, through the centre of the spring, and the hole in the Hold, by
the aid of a tongue, or pointer, attached for better guidance or conversely the cord
may be passed from the outer side, and thence wound on the Float. The Float is
then placed in position in the Hold, with the spring pressed back, with the cord
.drawn taut, and, after adjustment and aim, the cord is sharply pulled out, with the
result that the Float is set in rapid motion, on the Board, amongst the Markers.
Such of the Markers as are thrown down from their positions, by contact with the
Float, are at once removed, and placed in the net. The value of the stroke is ascer-
tained, by casting up the sum total of the figures thus left exposed. The skill of the
player, is indicated by his success in placing and aiming his stroke, so as to throw
down the greatest number of Markers.

page_text: Having now particularly described, and ascertained, the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
-
The Float;
The Hold;
The Markers; all severally above described; and
Their application and use in a game for anusement.
Dated this 19th of day November 1889.
JOHN M KENZIE,
Inventor.
JAS. GARROW.