A BILLIARD MARKING BOARD WITH CHECK ACTION FOR REGISTERING THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAY
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1886.
Complete Left, 2nd Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 11th Jan., 1887.
the Number of Games Played.
1, HENRY AMBROSE FROST 18 Fawcett Street Sunderland in the County of Durham
Accountant do hereby declare the nature of my invention for A BILLIARD MARKING
BOARD WITH CHECK ACTION FOR REGISTERING THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED to be
as follows:-
An indicator moves in a groove which after indicating the number of points scored,
on the ordinary roller at present in use, is prevented from being pushed backwards
by means of india rubber or Metal springs or Hinges fixed within the groove and after
each number is indicated. When the indicator reaches number 25 on the roller, the
latter is turned as in ordinary marking boards, the numbers then count backwards
from 26 to 50, the indicator is then continued in the groove round the end of the
roller, numbers up to 50, and then drops through a slit or opening into a locked box,
and cannot be used again until released, the second game is then proceeded with, the
Billiard Marker being provided with other similar indicators to continue a series of
games.

page_text: the Number of Games Played.
I, HENRY AMBROSE FROST, of, 18, Fawcett Street, Sunderland, in the County of
Durham, Accountant, do hereby declare the nature of the 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 improved billiard marking apparatus in which the means
of indicating or marking off the progress of the games played also constitute the
means of registering the number of games played, so that an effective check can be
kept upon the marker or attendant who is responsible to the proprietor for the
payments made for the use of the table.
The improved apparatus may be made of any required size: The accompanying
drawings illustrate a construction suitable for playing a game of 50 up or for playing
a game of 100 up for which the amount charged for the use of the table is double that
of the 50 game.
Fig. 1 represents a front view of the improved marking apparatus.
Fig. 2 represents a transverse section through one of the marking rollers; being on
a larger scale.
Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of Fig. 2.
1, represents the casing of the marking board or apparatus, which is adapted with
marking rollers, 2, 3, the former being the spot-marking roller. The rollers are
furnished with flattened faces upon which the indicating numbers are marked, the
numbers of the alternate rows of each roller being marked (according to the present
improvements) in reverse directions so that the indicators in making a complete
traverse of their respective rollers lengthwise thereof will indicate the full score of the
50 game, for which a given amount is due to the proprietor.
The framing is recessed at, 4, for the reception and free turning of each of the
rollers, 2. 3. and through front apertures, 5, permits of the indicating faces of the
rollers being freely seen; the framing is also recessed at, 6, longitudinally and on
both sides of each of the rollers and around one or both ends thereof to permit (in the
case of the plain ball) of the indicator, 7, being traversed in a forward direction only
along the two sides and around one end of its roller, and in the case of the spot ball,
of the indicator, 8, being traversed in a like direction continuously around its roller in
the manner illustrated.
The indicators, 7, and, 8, serve as the means of recording the progress of the game
by being moved forward around their respective grooves, 6, in the direction of the
arrows, 9, until the game is finished, when the spot ball indicator, 8, can be moved
forward so as to be again set for a new game, but the indicator, 7, of the plain ball as
it completes the traverse of its roller, and passes the "50" thereon, falls into a
receptacle, 10, under the safeguard of a lock and key, and to which the proprietor
only has access, and cannot be got at or again used, and thus acts as and keeps a record
of the game for which it has been used. Upon turning the rollers forward and using

page_text: a fresh indicator for the plain ball another game can then be immediately proceeded
with, the marker or attendant being provided with a supply of similar indicators to
continue the scoring of a series of games.
.
The indicators, 7. are inserted into their grooves, 6, at the enlarged end, 11, thereof,
and after they pass the, "1," on their rollers, 3, cannot be returned, but can only be
moved forward, so that fraud in the use of the apparatus is prevented.
This action can be ensured in various ways, but the arrangement illustrated on the
accompanying drawings, possesses the merits of being simple in construction, easily
applied, and inexpensive in cost.
In such arrangement, the markers are represented as provided with inwardly-
extending enlarged T-shaped parts, 12, of which are inserted into the said recesses, 6,
and can slide therein, as aforesaid, the heads of such paris, 12, being bevelled, and
their rear ends formed abruptly, and they may also be formed with catch parts, 13, at
an intermediate part.
These T-shaped parts work in connection with catches, 14, or equivalent devices
carried by the framing of the apparatus, and which permit of the marker being moved
forward but immediately thereafter fall behind it or the catch part, 13, formed on it,
and prevent the marker from being moved backward. The catches, 14, in the
arrangement illustrated, are represented as being hinged at, 15, to the framing, and as
falling by the action of gravity, or they may be actuated by springs, 16, or other
equivalent means may be used for the like purpose, for instance, the inner parts of
the recesses, 6, which receive the catches, 14, may be serrated, and the T-shaped
parts, 12, of the markers provided with springs engaging with such serrations with
the effect above mentioned.
The marker of the spot ball may be similarly applied and adapted if required, and
the rollers may be reversely numbered than as represented the lock up receptacle or
receptacles being arranged accordingly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A Billiard marking apparatus in which the means of indicating or marking off
the progress of the games constitute the means of registering or recording the number
of games played, when effected substantially in the manner herein before described.
2. The marking of the numbers of the alternate rows of the score-indicating rollers
in reverse directions, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The formation of the frame of the apparatus with recesses, adapted for the
markers longitudinally on both sides of each of the rollers and around one or both
ends thereof, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. Adapting the recess of the plain ball marker (as also of the spot ball marker
when required) with an enlarged entering end and with a closed receptacle at its exit
end, substantially as herein before described.
5. Adapting the recesses of the markers with means of preventing them from being
moved backwards, substantially as hereinbefore described.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.