Improvements connected with Billiard and such like Tables.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Billiard and such like Tables.
I, GEORGE CUMMINGS, of Waterloo Road, Blyth, in the County of Northumber-
land, Boot Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to means by which charges for the use of a billiard or
the like table may be automatically collected and the duration of such use auto-
matically terminated and the improvements relate more specifically to the method
described in the Complete Specification of my former Letters Patent No. 10401
of 1896.
In place of part of the mechanism therein described there may be used mechanism
of the following nature;
The cord or the like by which the frame is suspended is attached to a draw rod
in a case which may be engaged by a sliding frame having a handle projecting
from a slot in the case so that by moving said handle along the case the said draw
rod may be moved to raise the frame until the draw rod is retained by a detent.
This movement of the slide causes a lug thereon to move a lever which action
winds the clockwork; the backward movement of the slide caused by a counter
weight on release of the handle trips a lever which ensures the commencement of
action of the clockwork. The clockwork in running down moves a rod so as to
cause a dog thereon to move a lever withdrawing a pawl which releases the draw
rod in order that the frame may descend upon the table and stop further play
thereon. The rod aforesaid has more than one dog at different places and means
are provided for moving the rod so that that dog may act the position of which
accords with the duration of play corresponding to it which duration will depend
upon the sum paid into the machine, mechanisms being provided whereby the
coin or coins paid in move the said rod automatically in correspondence with the
size or amount or other concomitant of the relative value of the sum thus
paid in:
The coin or coins paid in release a detent which then enables the handle to be
moved as aforesaid to move the draw rod to lift the frame.
In order to prevent movement of the rod without movement of the slide and
handle a pawl engages the rod but is withdrawn by the movement of the slide.
At the commencement of the movement of the slide an electric contact is pro-
duced which causes a bell to ring or other signal to be made which continues until
the handle is again returned to place; thus the time cannot without detection be
extended indefinitely by fixing the handle in any definite position.
Electric contacts operated by the draw rod or otherwise are also provided to give
a similar signal when the draw rod is released by the clockwork should from any
cause the draw rod to be restrained in its movement or the frame be then prevented
from falling to its full extent.
A drum dial or indicator is moved by the clockwork in proportion as the

page_text: latter runs down and shows the progress of the time during which the table will
remain free.
Improvements connected with Billiard and such like Tables.
I, GEORGE CUMMINGS, of Waterloo Road, Blyth, in the County of Northumber-
land,, Boot Dealer, 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 means by which charges for the use of a billiard or
the like table may be automatically collected and the duration of such use auto-
matically terminated and the improvements relate more specifically to the method
described in the Complete Specification of my former Letters Patent No. 10401
of 1896.
In place of part of the mechanism therein described there may be used mechanism
of the following nature;-
The cord or the like by which the frame is suspended over table is attached to
a draw rod running out of top of machine case which is fixed to wall (see
drawing A A).
This may be engaged by a sliding frame B having a handle projecting
from a slot in the case, so that by moving the said handle downwards the said draw
rod A, may be moved (raising the frame from table) until it is retained by a
detent C which engages à collar at end of draw rod D).
To operate the machine the player drops into a slot the required coin or coins,
which falling into the cup 1, (or 8) of balance E depresses the lever to first position,
where it is stopped by a spring not shewn, thus drawing back the pawl F by con-
necting rod 2, and unlocking the slide B. By pulling down the handle of B the
draw rod A (which had been in position shew by dotted lines 3) is pressed down
and held in position by C, at same time a lug G on slide B coming in contact with
the lever H depresses it, & by means of connecting rod I lifts the clock lever J and
thus winds up clock the motive power of which is the weight of I J & N com-
bined. The slide B, returning upwards by means of a counterweight not shewn,
the loose nose 4 lifting the lever K. sets in motion the pendulum of clock M.
On the slide B, reaching the upper part of its return, the nose 4 presses the
top end of pawl F further back, and by means of connecting rod 2 tilts money
balance E and empties the coin out of box (1 or 8). Balance E resuming its normal
position allows pawl F to relock the slide B.
The rod N pivotted at 5 to connecting rod I being weighted, is the motive power
of clock and in gradually falling the dog 6 depresses the lever 0 (by engaging
at 11 a pin projecting from O) until the pin at bottom end of C can pass the
projection on O at 7, when the draw rod A can free itself of C & running up
through B allow the frame to descend on table by gravitation.
The arrangement for alternative time limits & charges is as follows-
Supposing the charge is 6d for 20 minutes and 1/- for 40 minutes slots and chutes
are provided whereby the 6d will fall into box 1 of balance E and on the
machine being operated the 6d would fall direct into the till (not shewn).
4
Should however the players wish for 40 minutes play, by dropping a shilling
into the other slot connected with box 8, of lever E the coin in due course would 5

page_text: pass into box 9 of lever P and depress it, thereby moving rod N into position
shewn by dotted line, and holding it there while rod N moved down at left side
of pin 11, would prolong the time until dog 10 (which is further up rod) depressed
lever O & released A.
The pawl Q locks the draw rod A when run out, but is removed by B in operation.
Electric contacts are made at R when machine is operated and gives warning
when time has expired, so that the duration of play cannot be unduly extended
without detection, should handle or frame be fixed other than in proper course.
A drum dial S indicates the time connected by a cord to end of J & running on
small part of drum moved by the clock lever in falling.
An electric light switch (when required) is operated by draw rod A, switch-
ing on "the light when held down by C and "off" when run out to 3.
«
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:-
An alternative method of working the invention fully described in the Complete
Specification of my Letters Patent of No. 10401 of 1896,-being the substitution of
a slide and draw rod working directly up & down, in place of the rotary drum and
handle described in the former specification.
The draw rod being connected to the cord attached to the frame above table, &
taking the place of drum. The slide acting on the draw rod and clock, substituting
the handle & cam in the former specification.