Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Score and Checking and Registering the Number of Games Played at Billiards and other similar Games.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 16th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 8th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Score and Checking
and Registering the Number of Games Played at Billiards and
other similar Games.
We, JAMES EDWARD FARROW, of 8, Railway Walk, Birkdale, Southport, in the
County of Lancaster, and JAMES MCGUFFOG CARSON, of 8, Encombe Place, Salford,
in the said County, Machinists, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for indicating the score of
billiards and other similar games, whereby the score will be plainly displayed as the
game proceeds; the scoring will be checked or stopped when it reaches a certain
point; the number of games played will be registered; the takings of the attendant
checked; and if desired the apparatus will be freed for action on insertion or payment
of a coin or coins of the prescribed amount.
In carrying out the invention we construct a casing of any suitable material to
contain the mechanism. In most respects the mechanism will be in duplicate, one
part for indicating the score of one player, and the other part the score of the other
player and in describing the invention it will be sufficient only to describe the
mechanism for indicating one score, it being understood that similar mechanism is
provided for the other.
Two revolving discs or drums are provided with a series of numerals on their
edge or periphery which are displayed through a small aperture in the casing. To
the first of these is connected either directly or by means of a rack and pinion or
other suitable gearing a pointer which moves over a scale either circular or straight
corresponding to the numbers to be scored. The first disc or drum is rotated by
the handle and the second one is moved one tenth (or other proportion) of a
revolution at each revolution of the first. The two are geared together by suitable
teeth or their equivalent meshing together, these preferably take the form of a
series of pins on the first disc or drum and of projecting brackets or pins on the
second placed near the periphery some inches apart. The score as it progresses is
displayed through an aperture cut in the casing at a point where the two discs or
drums approach each other. A small catch or pawl acts against the teeth or pins
to prevent the disc or druin being turned in the wrong direction. This pawl can
be thrown out of contact by means of a key when it is desired to return the
apparatus to zero. The second disc or drum is also provided with a catch or pawl
to prevent it rotating in the reverse direction, and has attached to it a spring
which when the pawl is released returns it to zero.
The two discs or drums and
the handle and pointer serve to display the score.
In order to prevent the apparatus being used to score beyond any predetermined
number say 50, 63, or 100, a small sliding catch is fitted to engage with a series of
projections or pins on the second disc. These pins are of varying length and the
sliding catch is formed with three steps against which the teeth engage. If it is
desired that the apparatus should not score beyond a given point, say 50, the sliding
catch is moved so that the shorter pins will clear it and the disc will be stopped when
the other pin comes in contact with the catch. By altering or varying the length of
the stop pins and the number of steps on the stop catch the apparatus may be set to
register up to any given number short of the highest number that the machine is
capable of scoring. The sliding catch is set in position by a key under the control of
the attendant. The catches for working the two sets of scoring mechanism are

page_text: ·
connected together and set at the same time so that the score on neither apparatus
can be run up above the number.at, which the apparatus is set. Connected either to
the sliding catch or to one of the discs, preferably to the catch which has to be moved
for each game is a set of registering wheels and dials upon which will be kept a
record of the games played, this will act as a check upon the takings of the attendant.
Where a game is played of double the minimum length the index will register two
games.
Whero it is desired that the attendant should not retain the money in his possession
or that the scoring may be proceeded with without an attendant the apparatus may be
constructed with one or more balanced levers, and suitable connections which will
allow of the return of the scoring mechanism to zero and will set the apparatus for a
game of any desired length by the insertion of a coin or coins of the required
denomination into the machine.
Instead of a coin freed attachment for the apparatus an electric or other bell may
be attached to the actuating mechanism the moving of the "push" of which will
return the mechanism to zero aad at the same time the bell will announce that ono
game has been finished and another one begun.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Score and Checking
and Registering the Number of Games Played at Billiards and
other similar Games.
We, JAMES EDWARD FARROW, of 8 Railway Walk, Birkdale, Southport, in the
County of Lancaster, and JAMES MCGUFFOG CARSON, of 8 Encombe Place, Salford,
in the said County, Machinists, 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 apparatus or improvements in apparatus for indicating or
displaying the score of billiards or other games as the play proceeds. It is designed
with the object of providing a scoring apparatus in which the score will be plainly
displayed; the apparatus will be checked or stopped, when the score reaches a certain
point, until reset; the number of games played will be registered; and the takings
or receipts of the attendant checked.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1 front elevation of the apparatus.
Fig. 2 front elevation of internal mechanism with casing removed.
Fig. 3 transverse sectional elevation on line X. Y. Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 elevation of dials from the back.
Fig. 5, end elevation with end door removed showing pool registers.
The mechanism for indicating the scores will for the most part be in duplicate, one
part for indicating the score of one player, and the other part the score of the other
player and in describing the invention we will refer more particularly to the
mechanism for indicating one score, the duplicate parts being marked on the
drawings and referred to throughout the specification by similar letters of reference.
This mechanism is enclosed in a casing A of wood or other suitable material and of
any convenient shape whereby it is for the most part obscured from view and is
preferably attached to or supported by the framing B. Two apertures or small glass
panels a are provided or placed in the front of the casing through which the scores
are displayed in bold figures from the outer edges of two revolving discs C. D.
The discs C and D are provided with a series of numerals 1-0 on the front side in a

page_text: ring at or near the edge or periphery and are mounted to rotate on stud pins c d
secured to the frame B.
To the disc C is attached a knob or handle c¹ by which it is rotated about its axis.
This handle is as shown preferably attached to the centre of the disc by means of a
sleeve or stud projecting through a hole cut in the front of the casing A so that
the handle and disc rotate together when turned upon the same axis. If desired
however the handle may be placed at the side or in other convenient position and be
connected to the disc by means of a rack and pinion or other suitable gearing or
device and a scale with an index or pointer finger in connection therewith may be
provided but we prefer the arrangement shown.
The discs which carry the units arò each fitted with one projecting tooth or
finger on the back side and the discs D with 10 projecting pins or teeth d" with
one of which the finger el engages at each revolution of the disc C carrying it on
one figure for the tens. The discs Care provided with brakes to prevent them
being rotated too rapidly.
In order to stop the apparatus and prevent further scoring after a predetermined
or arranged No. say 50, 63, or 100 has been displayed the discs D are fitted with
projecting pins or brackets d¹ which engage with moving or sliding catches E placed
behind them. The pins d¹ form a second ring on the back of the discs D each of
a different length. We prefer three such pins to correspond with the above mentioned
numbers but a greater number may be used if desired. The sliding catches E are
formed with three or more steps e corresponding to the number of pins d' on the
back of the disc D and according to the position of the sliding catch E one or other
of the pins come in contact with it to prevent the further rotation of the disc.
The sliding catches E are both carried by a vertical rod or bar F which can be
raised or lowered to either of the required positions as indicated by the index
plate G by the knob G at the end of projecting finger g. The rod F is held in
position by the catch H which engages with the rack or teeth L. In the position
shown in Fig 2, the apparatus is locked at zero when drawn down with one tooth
over the catch H it is set to score up to 50 with two teeth over the catch H up
to 63 and with all three teeth over the catch H up to 100. The catch His pivoted
on a pin or screw and can be locked in any of the above positions by the lock J
the bolt of which is turned by a key fitted to the spindle J. H¹ is a knob
or handle to move the catch H.
When it is desired that the apparatus should not score beyond 50 the rod H and
catches E are drawn down until the first siep e of the catch E stands in the path
of pins d when the shorter pin will as the disc is rotated come in contact with it
and prevent further forward movenient. When a score of 63 is required the
catches are drawn down until the second step taking the place of the first allows
the short pin to pass and arrests the progress of the second which is sufficiently
long to engage with the second step e of the catch E. When a score of 100 is
required the catch E is moved down still further so that the second pin d¹ can pass
over it and the third pin stops the disc by coming in contact with the catch E when
the disc has made one revolution.
The discs D are each fitted with a spring K which tightens as they are rotated
and when the discs are released will cause them to rotate in the opposite direction
and return to zero. To prevent a backward movement the pawls or catches L
engage with the teeth or pins d", these pawls rest on the top of the catches E and
when the catches E are raised the pawls are also raised out of contact with the pins d¹¹
(as shown in Figs. 2 and 3). When the catches E and pawls L are lifted. the springs
cause the discs D to rotate back to zero and the longest of the pins d' passes in
behind the spring latch M which prevents any further forward movement until the
catch E is again drawn down and the projecting part el of the catch E prevents it
moving back past the catch. The spring latches M move up and down with the rod F
and catches E.
Connected to the sliding rod F is an index registering and counting mechanism
with recording dials of any ordinary or suitable construction upon which will be

page_text: kept such a record of the number of games played as will act as a check upon the
takings of the attendant. Where a game is played of a higher score than the
minimum the index will register two games. The rod F is connected to the registering
mechanism by the pawl which moves the first wheel of the mechanism on either
one or two teeth and the dial the same number of units one for a short game and two
for a long game. b is a lever to lift the pawls out of gear to allow the index to be
returned to zero.
When the apparatus is set or returned to zero the movement of the catch H causes
the hammer to strike and ring the bell which will announce that a game has
been finished and the table is at liberty or another game has been begun. Instead of
the bell placed inside the casing an electrical connection may be made by the
movement of the rod F and an electric bell rung in any part of the room ΟΙ
building.
To render the apparatus capable of being used for scoring at "pool" there may
be added a number say 10 small dials Reach with a separate registering or counting
mechanism T which will register the number of games scored upon the dial R with
which it is in connection. The scoring dials R and registering mechanism T, which
are of ordinary construction are preferably attached to the sides of the casing A five
at each side. Each set of five dials R may be locked so as to prevent the use or
movement of either of them by a moving rod R¹ with pawls engaging with a
ratchet wheel on each dial spindle. Another rod S has fingers s which simultaneously
engage with the pawls to raise them out of gear and allow each, registering or
counting mechanism to be turned back to zero.
The working of the apparatus may be as follows. The apparatus having been locked
at zero as in Fig. 2 when a game is about to begin the attendant turns the bolt j of
the lock J and sets the apparatus to score say 50 by drawing back the catch H and
drawing down the rod F and catches E one tooth. The apparatus is then again
locked by turning down the bolt j of the lock J. As the score rises the dial is
rotated the distance of one numeral or one tenth of a revolution for each point scored
or according to the number of points scored at each stroke of the player and the units
are displayed thereby. At each revolution of the disc or dial C the finger c" thereon
engages with one of the pins on the disc or dial D which displays the tens.
When the disc C has rotated five times the short pin on the back of the disc D comes
in contact with the catch E and prevents further rotation of either disc. The scoring
can then only be continued to a higher point by the attendant resetting the apparatus.
When the game is concluded the attendant should return the apparatus to zero.
The apparatus cannot be used by unauthorized persons or without registering the
number of games that have been played.
In the provisional specification we referred to the addition of coin freed mechanism
for setting the apparatus for scoring but this we have not yet been able to work out
or to apply in the time at our disposal and we therefore make no claim herein for
any such mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
wo claim is-
1. An apparatus for indicating the score of billiards and other similar games having
rotating dials for displaying the score and stopping or locking mechanism working
in conjunction with such dials so that the dials can be locked at zero and stopped or
arrested when the score displayed has reached any given number substantially as
described.
2. An apparatus for indicating the score of billiards and other games having dials
by which the same is displayed fitted with projecting pins on the back side in com-
bination with sliding stepped catches whereby the rotation of the dials is arrested at
any predetermined number substantially as described.
3. An apparatus for indicating and registering the score of billiards and similar
games having dials to display the scores, locking catches to arrest the movement of

page_text: the dials, locking device to retain the catches when set and registering mechanism to
record the number of games played substantially as described.
4. Indicating and registering mechanism for scoring at billiards and other games
with or without the "pool" scoring mechanism constructed and arranged substantially
as described and shown.
Dated this 14th day of December 1889
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.