Improvements in a Card Case and Game Counter.
Year: 1890

page_text: Complete Specification Left, 26th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in a Card Case and Game Counter.
I, JOHN WESLEY PALMER of Kansas City in the County of Wyandotte and State
of. Kansas, United States of America, Inventor 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:-
My invention is an improvement in a combined card-case and game-counter; and
it consists in certain novel features of construction and combination, which are herein-
after fully described.
I have illustrated several forms in which I have contemplated employing my said
invention in the accompanying drawings, and said invention is fully disclosed in the
following specification and claims.
In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved card-case and
game-counter in its open position. Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the
same in its closed position. Figure 3 is a section on line of Figure 2 through
one of the receptacles forming a part of the device. Figure 4 is a perspective view
of a modified form of construction in open position, showing the interior of the
device. Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same in its closed position.
The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. In these
figures, A represents the main body of the card-case, which is preferably of box like
construction and of a size suitable for the reception of one pack of playing cards,
although it may be made larger, if desired. One end of the said main body A. is
provided with a cylindrical socket B which forms one of the ends of the case as shown
in Fig. 2. The edges of one of the larger faces a of the body A are provided with
a projecting rib a', which extends slightly beyond the perpendicular face next
adjacent. A sliding plate A rests upon the face a of the body A, and is secured to
said main body by grooved projections a², which engage the ribs a¹ and permit the
plate A to slide along the face a of the case. These grooved lugs are preferably
formed by attaching a strip a³ to the inner end of the plate A¹ and bending the end
thereof to form the projections a² engaging the ribs a¹. A suitable band a is
secured to the case A adjacent to its open end to limit the outward movement of the
sliding plate A and prevent it from being disengaged from the case. The free
extremity of the sliding plate A' is provided with a cylindrical socket B' similar to the
socket B, and the edges of the case A are cut away at a as shown, to receive the said
socket when the sliding plate A¹ is pushed in, thereby forming a cover for said case
and preventing the cards from being accidentally discharged from the same.
The sockets B B' are provided with telescoping cups CC as shown in Figures 2
and 3, which slide and fit within the said sockets, and the said cups are provided
with projecting flanges c adjacent to their closed ends, which engage the mouth of
the sockets, limiting the inward movement of the cups and providing a raised surface
to assist in removing them from engagement with the sockets B B. In one of the
cups C. C' may be placed a suitable number of counting-chips, while in the other
D
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page_text: When the
will be placed a suitable number of counting pins and a number of dice.
cups C. C are removed they may be used conveniently as dice cups or boxes.
The face of the case A and the sliding plate A' are provided with a number of
apertures a arranged to receive. suitable pins to serve as counters for any game
desired. I have shown these. holes arranged in groups in the manner customarily
employed in the manufacture of cribbage-boards and arranged to be used as counters
for that game; but a different arrangement might be employed.
At each end of the cribbage counters I have shown a series of apertures a which
are conveniently arranged in groups of five, and which may be used in connection
with the usual pins for counting in any game-such as whist, euchre, &c.—or for any
other purpose.
In one of the faces of the case A, I have shown a series of apertures D. D¹ D²
adjacent to which are pivoted disks d d d² which are so arranged that a certain
portion of their surfaces can be seen through, the openings D D D. These disks
may be provided with sets of numerals arranged concentrically and adapted to be
brought successively beneath the said openings, or one of said disks may be provided
with one or more of each of the spots used on playing-cards, and may be used to
designate the trump when playing certain games. These disks are preferably arranged
so as to protrude slightly through suitable apertures in a face of the case A adjacent
thereto and perpendicular to the disks, and may be provided with milled edges,
whereby they may he turned from the exterior of the case and the score kept and
trump-card indicated as desired.
My improved card-case and counter may be constructed of any substance or sub-
stances which may be found convenient and desirable.. I have employed metal with
good results; but other substances such as hard rubber, wood, or celluloid-may be
employed for parts of the construction if desired. It is also obvious that the plate A¹
may be arranged to slide beneath the face a of the case if desired.
In Figures 4 and 5 I have shown a slightly modified construction. In these figures
the parts forming the cribbage-board consists of the plates E and El hinged together.
The plate E is provided with the upturned edges e, which are provided with wings e
extending parallel with the plate E, and form with the plate E a receptacle for a
pack of cards. The plate E is provided with upturned edges e, between which the
edges of plate E are pivoted by means of screws ΟΙ rivets. A cylindrical
receptacle F is preferably secured to edges e of plate E adjacent to and concentric
with their pivots.
This receptacle F has a suitable slot or aperture fin its side wall, through which
the cribbage or counting pins may be inserted and removed. The plate E is provided
along its free end with an upturned edge e² and the plate E' has a similar edge e
which edges are constructed to engage when the case is folded up and closed and
hold the parts in their closed position by frictional contact or by a suitable catch. A
tubular socket G, similar to the sockets B, B¹ in my device just previously described
may be secured to the edge e³ of plate E and is provided with a telescoping cup G¹
and a number of counting chips may be placed therein, if desired, or a number of
dice. If found desirable a sample cup may be substituted for cup G to close the
open end of the socket G. The receptacle F may be dispensed with, if desired, the
parts secured together in any suitable manner, and the socket G may be used to
receive the pins or pegs. The plates E and E' are suitably perforated to form a
cribbage board, and when used for that purpose will be placed in a reverse position
from that shown in Fig. 1, and the wings are perforated in any desired manner to
serve as counters for other games.
If desired, one or both of the said wings may be provided with a tally disk for
if but one disk is employed as shown in Fig. 4 it may be used to designate the trump
card, and a series of holes on each side may be used for counting the points of the
game. When the case is closed, the pack of cards will be placed in the receptacle
as before indicated, and will be retained in position before closing by the wings el
and edge of the plate E.

page_text: 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 combined card-case and game-counter consisting of two parts movable with
respect to each other and forming a receptacle for cards, each of said parts being
provided with apertures to receive pegs or pins, and a supplemental receptacle
secured to one of said parts, said supplemental receptacle opening on the outside of
the case, and a closing device for said supplemental receptacle whereby access may
be had to the supplemental receptacle without opening the card-receptacle, substan-
tially as described.
2. A combined card-case and game-counter consisting of two parts forming a
receptacle for cards and movable with respect to each other, a cylindrical receptacle
open at one end secured to one of said parts, and a cup telescoping within said
receptacle for closing the same, substantially as described.
3. A card-case consisting of a receptacle for cards; having a face provided with
apertures to receive pegs or pins, and a sliding plate provided with similar apertures,
lying upon said face when in a closed position, and adapted to be drawn out to form a
continuation of said face, substantially as described.
4. A card-case and game-counter consisting of a receptacle for cards, having a
face provided with apertures to receive pegs or pins, and a sliding plate provided
with similar apertures, lying upon said face when in a closed position, and adapted to
be drawn out to form a continuation of said face, said plate having its free end
provided with a construction for closing one end of the card-receptacle when the
plate is in its closed position substantially as described.
5. A card case consisting of a receptacle for cards, having a face provided with
apertures to receive pegs or pins, and having a rib adjacent to two of its edges, and
a sliding plate adapted to form a continuation of said face, provided with similar
apertures having at one end a construction to engage said ribs and at the other end a
cylindrical socket adapted to close said card-receptacle substantially as described.
6. A card case consisting of a receptacle for cards, having an open end and a
closed end and a cylindrical socket adjacent to said closed end, one face of said
receptacle being apertured to receive pegs or pins, a plate similarly apertured adapted
to slide on said face and form a continuation of the same when drawn out, said plate
being provided at its free end with a cylindrical socket adapted to close the open end
of said card-receptacle, and cups for closing said sockets capable of telescoping within
the same, substantially as described.
7. A card-case having a face provided with apertures to receive pegs or pins, and
having a projecting rib at two sides of the same a plate similarly apertured capable
of being drawn out to form a continuation of said face, having grooved projections
to engage said ribs, said case being rovided with a stop adapted to be engaged by said
sliding projections to limit the movement of said plate substantially as described.
Dated this 26th day of April 1890.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.