A New or Improved Game.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec.. 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th June, 1894-Accepted, 28th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Game.
I GEORGE VARLEY of Bay Side Pendine St. Clears South Wales, Surgeon,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus to be used in a game of skill.
The apparatus consists of a flat board of any suitable material and preferably
square in plan, and provided on its lower side with a cup shaped part at the centre.
This serves to mount the board on a stand, which is formed of a post having a
rounded top fitting in the cup on the board, so that the latter can turn and be fitted
to an angle in any direction without becoming detached.
In the centre of the board a circular space is marked off, and at each corner a
set of men or counters is placed. In playing a small spinning top is employed
which is spun in the central space & the object of the player, is to knock down his
opponents men by tilting the board so as to cause the top to travel in the required
direction. The game may also be played so that the player who knocks down the
most men with one spin wins. A rim is placed around the board at the edges to
prevent the top falling off.
Dated this 90th day of December 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE TUITIVATION.
A New or Improved Game.
I GEORGE VARLEY of Bay Side Pendine St. Clears South Wales Surgeon 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:―
This invention relates to an improved apparatus to be used in a game of skill.
The apparatus consists of a flat board of any suitable material and preferably
square in plan, and provided on its lower side with a socket at the centre. This
serves to mount the board on a stand, which is formed of a post having a rounded
top fitting in the socket on the board, so that the latter can turn aud be tilted to an
angle in any direction without becoming detached.
In the centre of the board a circular space is marked of, and at each corner a set
of men or counters is placed. In playing, a small spinning top is employed which
is spun in the central space and the object of the player is to knock down his
opponent's men by tilting the board so as to cause the top to travel in the required
direction. The game may also be played so that the player who knocks down the
most men with one spin wins. A rim is placed around the board at the edges to
prevent the top or men falling off.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a vertical
section of the board, and Fig. 3, a vertical section of the board with a slightly
modified form of support.
A is the square board on which the game is played with the rim a of a suitable
height around the edges.

page_text: At the centre of the board is marked off the circular space B, three or four
inches in diameter, and in each corner a set of spots C, four being a convenient
number, as shown. Nearer to the central circle are placed the four additional
spots C. These sets of spots are differently coloured, and the men D are coloured
in sets to correspond, each player having one or two colours, according as two or
four are playing.
The men D placed on the spots C' are preferably slightly larger than the
-others.
The spinning top E is of boxwood or other suitable material, with a point on
which to spin, and a small extension at top which can be seized by the finger and
thumb for spinning purposes. This top is preferably formed with hexagonal sides,
or of other regular polygonal shape, in order that when it comes into contact while
spinning, with one of the men, it can easily overturn it.
On the underside of the board is fitted, by screwing or otherwise, the socket F,
split at fin order to spring open slightly when forced. This socket supports the
board on the stand G which is formed with a central post g, having a circular
knob g at top. When the board is pressed down on the knob, the latter will
spring into the socket F and allow the board to be freely turned in any direction
around it as a centre, having at the same time sufficient friction to hold the board
in any position it may take when released.
The board can immediately be removed from the stand when desired by simply
pulling the two apart.
In Fig. 3 the socket F is of different construction and is not detachable from
the stand, but is provided with a screw f¹ which enters the tapped socket F' on
:the board.
The board can be detached by unscrewing.
In playing the game the men are arranged on spots of their respective colours,
and the top is spun from the central space by the finger and thumb. Each player
takes up one or two sets of men, and endeavours by tilting the board in any
direction to cause the top while spinuing, to move to his opponent's men and over-
turn them. One of the larger pieces D' must be knocked down at each turn
before the others are attacked.
Other arrangements and rules may be used if desired and various games may be
played on the board.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An improved apparatus for indoor games, consisting of a board, mounted on a
rocking bearing, allowing it to be tilted in any direction; marked with a central
ring, and a number of variously coloured spots, with corresponding sets of men or
pieces, and a small spinning top, spun by hand, substantially as and for the purposes
-specified.
2. In an apparatus for indoor games, the combination with a set of men or
pieces, and a small spinning top, of a board with rim provided at its lower side
with a socket, fitting on to the ball bead of a support, allowing the board to be
tilted in any direction to guide the top while spinning, substantially as described
and for the purposes specified.
3. The improved apparatus for indoor games constructed and operating
substantially in the manner described and shown in the accompanying drawings
and for the purposes specified.
Deted this 21st der of Mov 1801
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.