improvement Games
Year: 1898

page_text: HAROLD ESAM, Maisonnette, Ewhurst, Sussex, Schoolmaster, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in such indoor games as cricket. The
special points that I introduce are
(1) That I produce, by means of an adjustible inclined plane, in the place of
the ordinary straightly propelled "ball," a rising & falling "ball," similar to
ordinary cricket "lobs."
(2) That I draw back the "bat," with a jerk, against a rebound-producing
substance (in the place of stumps) and thus the bat as it rebounds hits the ball.
(3) By this means I produce the actual action produced in ordinary cricket,
with the possibilities of the "ball" passing the bat, a result not hitherto obtained
in such games; & I introduce skill.
Dated this 27th dor of June 1808
improvements in Indoor Games.
I, HAROLD ESAM, formerly of Maisonette, Ewhurst, Sussex, now residing at
Oaklands, Molyneux Park, Tunbridge Wells, School Master, do hereby declare
the nature of my said 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 an improved indoor mechanical game, and has for
its object to provide a table or parlour cricket game in which a ball can be de-
livered by a player in such a manner as to reproduce similar effects to those of the
original outdoor game, while by means of certain mechanical arrangements the
bowling can be played off the bat in a manner requiring skill and judgement as
in the actual game of cricket. By this invention school-boys and other individuals
can learn all the rules of cricket and attain a degree of proficiency hitherto only
possible of attainment by means of continuous practice with the orthodox imple-
ments employed in actual cricket.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the
subjoined description. In order to accomplish the objects above mentioned, the

page_text: invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and arrange-
ment of parts, which are hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawing
and finally embodied in the claims.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings, there is illustrated a per-
spective view of the complete game apparatus.
Referring to the drawings a designates a suitable base or board which may
be formed of wood, metal or other suitable material and be provided with raised
sides a¹.
Hinged at to the said base or board a is a shute having a central groove bª
which has an outlet or muzzle at the free end, and a lateral extension near the
hinged end of such shute. At a convenient distance from the other end of the
base or board a are fixed two vertical pillars c at a suitable distance apart, through
the upper part of which pillars passes a horizontal rod d, which projects some-
what beyond one of the pillars at d. This horizontal rod d,-which is free to
turn in its bearings in the said pillars-is cranked at &, the extremity of which
crank is provided with an eye to which is attached a cord or its equivalent o,
which passes beneath a pulley f located, preferably upon the base or board. This
said cord or its equivalent e may be provided with a button or the like e¹ at its
free end.
Rigidly suspended from the centre of the horizontal rod d, is a bat g, such bat
being capable of a to and fro movement when the said rod is turned in its bear-
ings. Behind this bat g, and in a line therewith, are mounted upon the base or
board a a set of wickets, from the front of which, at a suitable elevation from
the surface of the base or board, projects a spring, which may take the form of
a coil or a flat spring, or be formed of any suitable resilient material or substance.
If desirable this spring i may be flush with the wicket h, instead of projecting
therefrom as shewn in the drawing.
In operation a ball is placed in the enlarged end of the groove, and is pro-
jected towards the wickets by means of a flicking movement of the bowlers finger
or in any other suitable manner. The "pitch" and "length" of the ball to be
delivered is regulated according to the degree of inclination given to the shute b,
which is effected by means of a movable wedge or its equivalent. The player
representing the batsman, when a ball is delivered by the bowler, pulls the cord e
until the bat touches the spring i, whereupon the recoil from such spring has the
effect of jerking back the bat sharply forward to meet and play the ball. It will
be readily seen that a considerable amount of judgement and skill is required both
in delivering a well pitched ball and also in timing the pull upon the cord e and
the right moment for releasing the tension upon same, in order to play the said
ball in a correct manner. Changes in the form, proportion and minor details of
construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing
any of the advantages of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
CLAIMS.
1. In an indoor mechanical cricket game, the bat rigidly mounted upon and
suspended from a horizontal rod, having a rotary movement and mounted in
vertical pillars fixed to a base or board, one end of said rod projecting beyond
its respective pillar and being cranked, to the end of which is attached a cord
passing beneath a pulley located upon the said base, or board, substantially as
described and illustrated.
2. In an indoor mechanical game, the combination of a bat rigidly suspended
from a horizontal cranked rod rotably mounted in vertical pillars, said bat being
capable of a to and fro movement; with a hinged shute having a groove in same
and capable of receiving various degrees of inclination; and a set of wickets

page_text: situated to the rear of said bat and having a suitable spring at their front, all
arranged, combined and operating, substantially as and for the purpose set forth,
and as illustrated by the drawing.
Dated this 15th day of September 1898.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.