Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec.. 1898 -Accepted, 15th Apr., 1899
I, HENRY RUSSEL BRANCKER, 2nd Lieutenant Royal Artillery, of Newburgh
House, Belgrave Crescent, Torquay, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, 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 an improved in-door game which is intended to repre-
sent on a board the out-door game of Rugby football.
I employ a board to represent a football field, the board being of about the
same proportions as the field. The board is divided into two equal parts by a cross
line or division, the two parts representing the two sides of the field. The whole
board is also divided up into a large number of squares and lines are also provided
representing the half way position, the dead ball lines, and touch and goal lines.
The players are represented by different coloured pieces which are marked to
distinguish the goal keepers, backs, three quarter backs, half backs, and forwards.
The moves are determined by the throwing of dice.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan of the board on
which the game is to be played, Fig. 2 shows the detachable goals, which are
mounted upon the board Fig. 3 shows some of the pieces employed, with distin-
guishing marks, the dice, and the ball, and Figs. 4 to 7 show certain positions
and moves in the game.
The board A which may be made to fold in the middle is entirely divided into
small squares some of which are marked to indicate the starting positions of the
players. The square a at each end is for the full back and the squares a¹ a² and a³
are respectively for the three-quarter backs, the half backs, and the forwards,
15 pieces being shown on each side.
The lines B one on each side represent the touch lines of an ordinary football
field and these lines are placed two squares from the edge. The lines B' represent
the goal lines and on these the detachable goals C are placed, these goals being
formed of wood, wire or the like having points which can extend into holes in the
board so that the goals stand upright.
The centre line B³ divides the board into two equal sides and the lines B³ equi-
distant between the centre and the goals are the half way lines. Both_centre
lines and half way lines divide the squares through which they pass. Behind
the goals are the dead ball lines B which are three squares from the goal lines
and may be at the extremity of the board.
In playing the parts of the board between the goal, dead ball and touch lines
produced are regarded as in goal." Between the goal and touch lines pro-
duced at each corner is "touch in goal." Beyond the touch lines and between
the goal lines produced is "in touch."
The pieces D shown in Fig. 3 along with the ball E are of any suitable form,
and as shown in Fig. are distinguished by characteristic marks. The full back
player on each side is shown with two black rings, the three quarter backs, of

page_text: "
which there are four on each side, are provided with black tips and the two half
backs have a single ring, the forwards being plain. The bail E is formed with
a flattened surface on which it can rest when placed upon the board.
In playing the game two dice F are employed also shown in Fig. 3. These
dice are not marked in the ordinary manner, but are provided with the follow-
ing spots 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 3. The players move alternately, two dice being thrown
for each move, the ball and men or pieces being moved in accordance with rules
similar to those employed in the ordinary out-door game of Rugby football. The
game should be played for a pre-arranged time divided into two equal portions
and at half time" the sides change ends. The game must not end nor should
"half time" be called until the ball is held" or out of play," or in the case
of a "kick for goal" from a "try," "penalty" or mark until the kick has
been taken.
"
"
To begin the game the ball is placed at the centre of the field in the position
marked at in the drawing and the ball must be moved at least four squares at
the kick off. The pieces are all placed on the squares marked for them excepting
the centre forward who "kicks off." If the ball lands "in touch" the opposite
side may claim a fresh "kick off." "Kick off" occurs as in the ordinary game
at the commencement of a game, after a goal has been scored or after "half time."
The players toss with the dice for "kick off" or choice of goals and after "half
time the opposite side to that which started the game "kicks off."
"
،،
"
"
A "try" is scored when the ball is in the defending side's in goal" and an
attacking piece is on a square next to it providing no defending piece be on a
square next to the ball. A "try" if not converted into a goal counts three points.
The side scoring a try" brings the ball out parallel to the touch lines as far
as is thought desirable and the defending pieces line up in goal. The defending
side has one throw and if the number thrown be sufficient to enable a piece to
occupy the square next to the ball over which it must pass to the goal the kick
is "charged down" and no goal is scored. A goal, which counts five points, is
scored when the ball from the position taken passes between the posts and rests
on or passes over one of the three squares immediately behind the goal. At least
three squares must intervene between the ball when kicked and the goal if a goal
is to be scored. If the ball is "in goal" and a defending piece is on an adjacent
square the attacker is "held up," no "try" is scored and the ball is taken out
parallel to the touch lines, placed on the third square from the goal line and a
scrummage" is formed. To form a scrummage the forwards of both sides
are placed in rows on each side of the ball and the other pieces are arranged as
the players decide, but must be behind the ball. A throw is taken and the winner
can (1) move the whole "scrummage" straight back two squares the opposing
back pieces also moving back if necessary to keep behind the ball; (2) move the
ball back between the two rear forwards which are placed with a free square
between them or (3) "wheel" to the right or left the forwards being moved to one
side and caused to take up diagonal positions. The ball is moved at the same
time two squares. The positions for a scrummage" and for a wheel" are
shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the cross in the latter figure showing the original position
of the ball before the "
wheel" occurs. If the ball is "wheeled into touch"
it is taken straight out three squares and a fresh "scrummage is formed. After
an unsuccessful "try" or a touch down or if the ball go into "touch-in-goal
or beyond the dead goal line" the defending side "drop out." The attacking
pieces line up just outside the 25 yards line 133 and one of the defending pieces
takes a "drop kick" from any square within this line, the pieces on the same side
being behind the ball. "Drop out" must travel at least four squares and if the
ball lands in touch" a fresh "drop out" may be claimed.
"
"
"
"
The other incidents in the ordinary Rugby game are imitated as follows. If
the ball be in the defending sides "in goal" and a defending piece be on an
adjacent square and no attacking piece be on another adjacent square the defender
may "touch down" in defence. The defending side then drop out." If an
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page_text: attacking piece be on a square adjacent to the ball a
as already described.
"
scrummage" is formed
A player must not "pass," carry" or "kick" the ball back over his own goal
line and the defending side "touch down." The ball must after such a case be
brought back to the place of infringement and a scruminage" formed.
"
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6
366
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«
A piece is considered to have possession of the ball when it is on a square imme-
diately in front of him. He can then run "with the ball" pass it" "punt"
drop" or dribble." If however an opponent be on a square next to him he
must pass 'punt" " dribble" or let himself be "held." When the ball is
held" a scrummage " is formed. "Running" with the ball is represented
by moving the piece and the ball together in a straight line (longitudinal, lateral
or diagonal,) the ball being on the square in front of the piece. More than one
"the ball is
straight
run"
may be taken in one move, if between the
touched by another piece of the same side. "Passing" is performed by the ball
being thrown from a piece in possession of it to another on the same lateral line
or diagonally behind it. The "pass" must be in a straight line and over not more
than three vacant squares.
6
"
runs
"
The ball may be "punted" or moved any distance within the throw in a straight
line over any number of men, providing it falls on a vacant square and the first
square it passes over be also vacant. A drop kick" is similar to a "punt
except that the first two squares passed over must be vacant and the piece in
possession of the ball may "drop" only if there is no opponent on any square next
to him or the ball.
A goal may be "dropped" direct from the field of play, a "drop goal" counting
four points.
For a "place kick" the ball is placed on a certain square and a piece on one
of the three squares next to and behind the ball "kicks" the ball along the line
of squares on which both stand. The "place kick" is otherwise similar to a
punt."
<<
To dribble" a piece on one of the three squares next the ball can "kick" the
ball along its line of squares and make any number of such "kicks" (no one of
which must travel more than three squares or pass over another piece) as long as the
throw lasts.
A piece is considered "in front of the ball" when it is on the same transverse
line of squares, and "off side" if the ball has been "kicked," "touched," or is
"being run with by one of the same side behind it. It is placed
$6
"
"
on side"
(1) when the ball has touched an opponent; (2) when one of the same side has
run " in front of it with the ball or after having "kicked" the ball.
An "off side" player must not touch the ball or obstruct an opponent.
penalty for so doing is a free kick."
<<
66
The
When a "punt" or drop "lands the ball on the square immediately in front
of an opponent, the latter has "caught" the ball and may claim a "free kick"
"mark" which may be a "place kick," "drop kick," or
for a
punt." It is
taken at any square directly behind the "mark" and the kicker's side must be
behind the ball. A goal "dropped" or placed" from a "mark" counts four
points. A "free kick" is played in a similar manner to a "mark." A goal
obtained from a "penalty" counts three points.
"
The rules governing "touch" are generally similar to the football rules, but the
ball must not be thrown more than ten squares. If the ball falls square between
two opponents a scrummage" is formed.
"
Figs. 6 and 7 show two typical moves in the game, but of course it is to be
understood that an indefinite variety of positions and moves is possible.
Referring to Fig. 6 the circles show the opponents as in Figs. 4 and 5 and the
ball is supposed to have been dropped on to the square five squares from the
nearest piece I belonging to the next player. Two sixes are thrown and the player
proceeds to move his piece over the numbered squares. At 5 the piece is behind
the ball and both are then moved together to 8 and respectively when an opposing

page_text: piece prevents further "running" with the ball. The player can then "punt"
it into "touch" the ball being moved diagonally over squares 9, 10 and 11 and
on to 12 passing over an opponent on the way. The play is completed by moving
the playing piece into the square vacated by the ball.
"
In Fig. 7 in which a larger number of pieces is shown the ball is on the square z
and the player throws say, nine. The piece D is moved one square to get behind
the ball and thence over the numbered squares along with the ball. At square 4
with the ball at the player, being prevented from "running" further owing
to an opponent being close at hand, decides to pass" the ball to his piece D₁.
This does not count in the throw. The ball is now at 3 and the piece DI "
with the ball over the squares 5, 6 and 7 meeting at the last position an opponent,
the ball being at a3. The piece is then "held," although the throw is not exhausted,
and a 61
scrummage" is formed.
runs
"
The side wins which scores the greatest number of points, counted as described.
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) Improved indoor game apparatus comprising a board divided into a large
number of squares and having cross lines representing the positions of a football
field, pieces corresponding to football players and appropriately marked, and a
ball substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(2) The improved indoor football game apparatus comprising board, goals,
pieces, and dice all substantially described and shown in the accompanying draw-
ings and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1808
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.