Improvements in Billiard Tables and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 16th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Billiard Tables and the like.
We, JOHN BARAgwanath King, of 48, Connaught Avenue, Mutley, Plymouth,
in the County of Devon, Engineer, and FREDERICK ROUSE POOL, of 83, Cedars Road,
Clapham Common, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of our invention to be as follows:-
―:
The invention relates to billiard and like tables and games, and has for its
object to economise space, save expense, and produce a novel and interesting
game.
In carrying the invention into effect we construct the table of less size than
usual, preferably of half size, and we arrange a vertical mirror at one end thereof,
which has the effect of apparently doubling the surface of the table.
When the invention is applied to an English billiard table, two pockets are
arranged at one end of the table as usual, and these reflected in the mirror appear
to represent the pockets at the other end of the table. The two central pockets
are arranged in the sides of the table exactly below the mirror, and a cushion
is arranged across the table coinciding with the reflecting surface of the mirror.
The table is preferably arranged with the mirror end thereof against a wall,
and it is constructed so that when not in use, it may be placed with its playing
surface against the wall. A convenient way of carrying this into effect is as
follows.
The mirror is hinged to the end of the table and is provided with means for
retaining it in a vertical position when in use and for allowing it to be folded
down when not in use. The mirror end of the table when in use rests on adjust-
able supports or brackets attached to the wall, and the outer end of the table rests
on hinged legs provided with adjusting means, so that the table may be regulated
to stand level. Two arms or links are hinged to the floor near to the wall, one at
each side of the table. These arms or links have slotted ends in which rest pins
or rollers attached to the underside of the table.
When the table is in position for use the arms or supports are in an inclined
position and their pins or rollers are at the outer ends of the slots. The table
cannot therefore be pulled away from the wall and off the brackets upon which the
end is resting. When the table is placed with its surface against the wall the
weight of the table may be carried by the arms or folding supports, which are
moved into a vertical position, the pins resting in the lower ends of the slots or
the slots may be made sufficiently long to allow the table to rest on the ground.
It will be understood that a French billiard table may be arranged in the same
manner, and that the invention is also applicable to bagatelle and other similar
tables.
In some cases we form the table with an extra number of pockets; for instance,
with three at the outer end and one in the centre of each side. The table as seen
would thus appear to have ten pockets.
We also propose to form billiard tables of a semi-circular shape with the mirror
across the flat side or diameter of the circle.

page_text: Other methods of connecting the table to the wall may be employed, or the
table may be provided with four legs. A suitable catch or hook may be employed
to prevent the table falling forward when it is resting against the wall, out of use.
Dated this 16th day of November 1898.
Improvements in Billiard Tables and the like.
We, JOIN BARAGWANATHI KING, of 48, Connaught Avenue, Mutley, Plymouth,
in the County of Devon, Engineer, and FREDERICK ROUSE POOL, of 33, Cedars Road,
Clapham Common, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, 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 invention relates to billiard and like tables and games, and has for its
object to economise space, save expense, and produce a novel and interesting
game.
In carrying the invention into effect, we construct the table of less size than
usual, preferably of half size, and we arrange a vertical mirror at one end thereof,
which has the effect of apparently doubling the surface of the table.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully to describe
the same...
Fig. 1 is a side view and Fig. 2 is a front view of a billiard table constructed
according to our invention, Fig. 3 is a side view of the same when folded up
against a wall.
Fig. 4 is a side view of a billiard table showing a modification and Fig. 5 is a
back view thereof.
When the invention is applied to an English billiard table as shown in the
drawings, two pockets are arranged at one end of the table b as usual, and these,
reflected in the mirror c, appear to represent the pockets at the other end of an
ordinary table.
The two central pockets a¹ are arranged in the corners of the table slightly
behind the mirror c, and a cushion is arranged across the table coinciding
approximately with the reflecting surface of the mirror.
The table is preferably arranged with the mirror end thereof against a wall A
and it is constructed so that when not in use, the table may be placed as shown
in Fig. 3 with its playing surface against the wall A. A convenient way of
carrying this into effect is as follows:-
The mirror c is hinged at c¹ to the end of the table and is provided with means
for retaining it in a vertical position when in use and for allowing it to be folded
down when not in use. The mirror end of the table when in use rests on adjust-
able supports or brackets d attached to the wall A, and the outer end of the table
rests on hinged legs 61 provided with adjusting means b³, so that the table may be
regulated to stand level. Two arms or links 6' are hinged to the floor near to
the wall A, one at each side of the table. These arms or links have slotted ends b*
in which rest pins or rollers b attached to the underside of the table. When
the table is in position for use, the arms or supports are in an inclined position
as shown in Fig. 1 and the pins or rollers bare at the outer ends of the slots b.
The table cannot therefore be pulled away from the wall and off the brackets d
upon which the end is resting so long as the legs bare in a vertical position.

page_text: We have found it necessary to attach other folding supports 66 to the supports 63
and to provide the rods or hooks 67 to prevent them opening out too far. These
two sets of folding supports 68 66 thus form a trestle which carries the weight of
the table temporarally after the legs 6 have been knocked inwards preparatory
to folding the table against the wall as shown in Fig. 3. When the table is placed
with its surface against the wall, the weight of the table may be carried by the
arms or folding supports, which are moved into a vertical position, the pins
resting in the lower ends of the slots 6* or the slots may be made sufficiently long
to allow the table to rest on the ground.
We prefer to avoid using the slots 6' and to mount the pins & in holes in the
arms or links 63 in which case the length of the arms is so arranged that the
edge of the table just rests on the ground when the table is placed against the
wall.
In Figures 4 and 5 we have shown a modified form of billiard table.
In this arrangement the table is provided with four hinged legs b¹ which fold
inwards and with two quadrants e hinged at e¹.
A frame work hinged at f¹ is employed to keep the two quadrants apart when
they are in use. When it is desired to place the table against a wall the table
is slightly raised at the mirror end, the two legs b¹ at that end are folded inwards
and the weight of the table is then carried by the quadrants e. The outer end
of the table is then raised and the table rolling on the quadrants assumes a
vertical position with its upper surface against the wall.
It will be understood that the table rolling upon the quadrants e into the
position for use leaves the wall. We therefore propose to provide the quadrants e
with castors e so that the mirror end of the fable may be readily pushed back
into contact with the wall. In some cases the legs at the mirror end of the table
may be dispensed with and that end of the table may rest solely upon the
quadrants.
A buffer g is provided at the mirror end of the table which extends slightly
beyond the quadrants e and it is upon this buffer that the table rests when in
a vertical position.
Other means may be provided for retaining the mirror in a vertical position
than those shown in the drawings.
It will be understood that a French billiard table may be arranged in the same
manner, and that the invention is also applicable to bagatelle and other similar
tables.
In some cases we form the table with an extra number of pockets, for instance,
with three at the outer end and one in the centre of each side. The table as seen
would thus appear to have ten pockets.
We also propose to form billiard tables of a semi-circular shape with the mirror
across the flat side or diameter of the circle.
Other methods of connecting the table to the wall may be employed, or the table
may be provided with four fixed legs. A suitable catch or hook h may be em-
ployed to prevent the table falling forward when it is resting against the wall,
out of use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A billiard or like table provided with a vertical mirror at one end thereof
arranged approximately in the same vertical plane as that of the cushion, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described.
2. A billiard or like table provided with a hinged mirror at one end thereof
approximately in the same vertical plane as that of the cushion and means for
retaining the mirror in its vertical position, substantially as herein shown and
described.
3. A billiard or like table having a folding mirror at one end thereof approxi-

page_text: mately in the same vertical plane as that of the cushion, folding legs and a fold-
ing support enabling the table to be readily raised into a vertical position with
its face against a wall substantially as herein shown and described.
4. A billiard or like table having a folding mirror at one end thereof approxi-
mately in the same vertical plane as that of the cushion, folding legs and a hinged 5
support in combination with adjustable brackets and means for retaining the
table in a vertical position against a wall, substantially as herein shown and
described.
TAL: 1411
1000
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.