A New or Improved Parlour Game.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 11th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895
A New or Improved Parlour Game.
I HORACE REGINALD FISHER of 24, Victoria Street, Swindon, Wilts,
Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an apparatus for an indoor game, in which is represented
on a small scale, with a few variations, a game similar to that of football.. A
board is employed covered with haize as in the ordinary bagatelle boards, and
preferably hinged at the middle so as to fold.
A ledge of suitablo height is formed around the edges of the board excepting at
the middle of the two ends which are open and provided with a net or pocket
serving as the goal: In front of the goals and extending almost to the centre of
the board is a number of holes arranged in any suitable manner, preferably in rowe
at a short distance apart. In these holes, pegs representing men, are inserted,
twenty two being employed; eleven for each side, projecting when in place about
an inch from the surface of the board. The number of holes being much greater,
the men can be shifted about in the holes, so as to take up any desired position.
The game is played with a disc of ivory or other suitable material, of slightly.
convex shape, grooved at its edge and fitted with an india rubber ring.
The disc is struck with a short cue, or flicked with the finger, and the rubber.
ring causes it to rebound from the sides of the board and from the men when
struck.
The object of the game is to get the disc into the opponents goal, and the players
have alternate strokes.
The disc is first struck from the centre of the board, the men being placed in the
holes marked for the beginning of the game, and before each stroke of either side..
the opponent may remove any one of his men and place it in any hole of the board
he thinks most advantageous, excepting the holes immediately in front of the other
players goal. These holes are divided from the others by a line. Each player
may have a series of shots if one of his own men is the last one touched by
the disc.
Dend thin Ock 2. 190
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
A New or Improved Parlour Game.
I, HORACE REGINALD FISHER of No. 24 Victoria Street, Swindon, in the
County of Wiltshire, Architect, 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 object of the present invention is an apparatus for playing an indoor
reproduction, on a small scale, of the outdoor game of football..
In carrying the invention into effect, I provide a board similar in shape and

page_text: general construction to a bagatelle board. The surface of this board is the
equivalent of the football field.
The goals are two pockets, one in the middle of each end of the board.
A series of holes is symmetrically arranged in the board between each goal and
the transverse centre line of the former. Each series is a counterpart of the other
and both provide the variable positions of the men.
The men are represented by upright pegs. The latter are uniform in size, and
can be fixed in any of the holes. There are of course more holes than men.
pegs are divided by a difference in colour into equal sides.
The
The football is represented by either a disc or a ball, whichever may be preferred.
If a disc is used, it is made of ivory or other suitable material, slightly convex as
to the sides, and having a rubber ring round the edge of it. The function of this
ring is to make the disc rebound from the men. Disc or ball may be driven,-
"kicked" to adhere to the terms of the suggesting game-by either hand or cue.
When a disc is used, flicking it suffices to drive it, but when a ball is used a cue is
necessary.
Referring to the accompanying figures, which are, respectively, plan and
longitudinal sectional elevation :-
a is the playing surface covered with green cloth after the manner of a bagatelle
table. b, b are the cushions of the same construction as heretofore.
C el are the
goals. They are of the same general construction as the middle pockets of a
billiard table, but wider. One is fixed mid length of each end.
d is the transverse central line of the playing surface. There is a spot in the
middle of this line, which spot is the point from which the ball is "kicked off."
e, e¹ are the two series of holes. Those of each series may be arranged according
to any plan but preferably in rows. The holes must be set symmetrically with
reference to the respective goal and to the centre line d, and one series must be
the exact counterpart of the other in respect of their number and position on the
playing surface. There is no limit to the number of holes beyond this, that there
must be sufficient to afford changes of position for the men.
The figures shew the holes as provided by sockets which are let into the
playing surface flush with the face of it.
are the two teams, so to speak, excepting that instead of moving about the
field the playing surface a-and giving new direction and impetus to the ball,
they are stationary and change the direction of the ball only. The pegs or men
are used to guard the respective goal and are arranged accordingly by the respective
player against the play of his opponent. Each peg is shewn as having a pin
screwed axially into it, the said pin being adapted to fit into any of the holes
and to thereby hold its peg up steady. The pegs are of the same height as the
ball, or about that, and each has a rubber ring in an annular groove turned.
about it midway of its length. The object of these rings, which stand on a level
with the centre of the ball, is to make the latter spring from them at an angle
with a minimum loss of impetus.
e!.
The holes next to each goal' may be marked off as an "off side." 9, g are spots,
one in each corner of the board. They are points from which "free kicks" may
be taken.
his the ball; and i, one of the cues.
The object of each player is to make as many goals as he can, striking the ball
with his cue so as to drive it into the goal on the opposite side of his opponent's
team.
Any suitable code of rules may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of the playing surface, two sets of holes, two sets of pegs

page_text: 2. The combination of the playing surface, two sets of holes, two sets of pegs,
two goals and "off sides," as set forth.
3. The combination of the playing surface, two sets of holes, two sets of pegs,
two goals, "off sides" and spots for "free kicks," as set forth.
4. The herein before described apparatus for playing indoors a reproduction on a
small scale of the game of football, as set forth.
Dated this 11th day of February 1895.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.