Improvements in or connected with Chess and other Game Boards.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Chess and other Game Boards.
I, JAMES ECCLES WHINCOP, of 9 Lord Strect, Huddersfield, in the County
of York, Cashier, 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 :—
The object of my invention is to construct chess and other similar boards, in a
more compact manner than heretofore, whilst at the same time such boards are so
made as to be practically indestructible, and can be carried in the pocket.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe
same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters refer to
like parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a chess board constructed according to my
invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section of same; and Figure 3 is a front elevation
shewing the board partly inserted into a suitable case.
According to my invention I employ a sheet of material A, composed of paper
combined with canvas or other suitable strong material, and having the squares
printed or otherwise marked on the surface of same in the manner of an ordinary
chess board. On the lower horizontal border of each square I cut a slot or
opening B, the said slots being of suitable width. Similar slots B' are cut in an
extension of the sheet A, and the number of such slots B' may be varied according
to requirements. This sheet A is sewn round its border to a sheet of leather C, or
other suitable stiff material of similar size to that of the sheet A, after which the
surface of the said sheet A is varnished or otherwise polished.
The chess men to be employed in connection with the above described board are
formed of small discs D having tongues D₁ at their lower part, and the said chess
men are composed of xylonite or other unbreakable material. The figures of the
chess men are stamped, printed or otherwise marked on the surface of the discs D,
and they are illustrated in outline or in black, according as they are required to
represent white or black men.
In playing a game of chess the pieces D are set in the ordinary positions, hy
placing their tongues D' into the slots B of their respective squares. The pieces Ď
are moved in the ordinary way, and on a piece being taken, it is removed from the
board and its tongue is inserted into one of the slots B¹ in the extended portion of
the said board.
A case E formed of leather or other suitable material is provided for the reception
of the board, and after such board is placed therein, the flap E' of such case
is folded down, thus forming a very compact and neat arrangement; and the
board can be put into the said case with the pieces in position thereon..
By making the case E in a bellows like form, it may also be used as a pocket case
for letters and other papers.
If it is required to use the board with draughts men, instead of chess men, the
said draughts men are formed in a similar manner to the above described chess men,
but without the figures of the pieces marked thereon, in which case the draughts
men are marked either black and white or red and white, according to taste.
It will be readily seen that boards constructed according to my invention are
exceedingly strong and compact, and will be found most suitable for carrying in the
pocket and for use when travelling or for solving problems.

page_text: 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. A chess or other game board composed of two thicknesses, and having the
upper thickness slotted at the squares marked thereon, in combination with tongued
pieces substantially as shewn and described.
2. In chess or other game boards the combination of sheet A having slots or
openings B and B₁, sheet C, pieces D with their tougues D', and case E, substan-
tially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
3. The general arrangement, construction and combination of the various parts
forming the improved chess or other similar board, substantially as herein set forth.
1004
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.