Improvements in Pockets for Billiard Tables and the like.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 28th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 30th Dec., 1887
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pockets for Billiard Tables and the like.
We GEORGE JAMES ATKINS, Senior, on behalf of the firm of Thurston and Company
of 16 Catherine Street, Strand in the County of Middlesex, Billiard Table Manu-
facturers, and EDWIN JOHN SURL of Broad Street, Newent in the County of Gloucester,
Ironmonger do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
:-
According to this invention we make the pockets for billiard tables, bagatelle tables
and the like open below or at the side and provide or surround such opening with an
elastic band or part which is of such a size as just to keep the ball from dropping
through but so that it may be easily squeezed out of the pocket through the elastic
mouth or opening. The pocket may be of the usual netting (or of any other suitable
material) and the elastic mouth may be formed by means of an India rubber or 'other
elastic ring worked in the netting. Or the lower part or mouth of the pocket may be
made of an India rubber band which is wrung or twisted similarly to the neck or
mouth of tobacco pouches. Or the said elastic mouth may be formed by insertion of
strips of elastic material. By the use of such pockets we save the wear of the cloth
at the mouth of pocket, of the shoulders of the cushions and of the pocket itself,
prevent accidents to the wrist now sometimes caused by the hasty removal of a balí
from a pocket and save time and trouble in such removal. Instead of an elastic mouth
we may form the pockets with a slit closed by an India rubber part or parts.

page_text: Improvements in Pockets for Billiard Tables and the like.
We GEORGE JAMES ATKINS, Senior, on behalf of the firm of Thurston and Company
of 16 Catherine Street, Strand in the County of Middlesex, Billiard Table Manu-.
facturers and EDWIN JOHN SURL of Broad Street, Newent in the County of Gloucester,
Ironmonger 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 :-
According to this invention we make the pockets for billiard tables, bagatelle
tables and the like open below or at the side and provide or surround such opening
with an elastic band or part which is of such a size as just to keep the ball from
dropping through but, so that it may be casily squeezed out of the pocket through the
elastic mouth or opening.
And in order to facilitate the explanation of this invention we will describe the
same with reference to the accompanying drawings which show one mode of carrying
it into effect.
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the ball resting in the pocket and in
the act of being removed from the pocket respectively.
The pocket may be of the usual netting (or of any other suitable material) and
the elastic mouth may be formed by means of an India rubber or other elastic ring I
worked in the netting. Or the lower part or mouth of the pocket may be made of an
India rubber band which is wrung or twisted similarly to the neck or mouth of
tobacco pouches. Or the said elastic mouth may be formed by the insertion of a
metallic spring or a strip or strips of elastic material. By the use of such pockets
we save the wear and tear of the cloth at the mouth of the pocket, of the shoulders of
cushious, and of the pocket itself, prevent accidents to the wrist now sometimes caused
by the hasty removal of a ball from a pocket and save time and trouble in such
removal. Instead of an elastic mouth we may form the pockots with a slit closed by
an India rubber part or parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. Pockets for billiard tables and the like provided with elastic or spring openings
for the removal of the ball substantially as described.
2. The pocket for billiard tables and the like as described and shown on the
drawings.
L Qui
1007
GEORGE ATKINS, SENIOR.
EDWIN JOHN SURL.
By Jensen & Son,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.