An Improved Method of Converting for Temporary Use an Ordinary Oblong Table into a Billiard Table.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th July, 1894-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Converting for Temporary Use an Ordinary
Oblong Table into a Billiard Table.
I, WALTER FLEMING TELFER of No. 31 Holly Avenue, in the City and
County of Newcastle upon Tyne, Tobacco Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In many houses it is not convenient or not possible to devote a room to billiards,
where yet the game would be much appreciated; and the object of my invention is
to enable the game to be played on an ordinary table, by its prompt conversion
into a billiard table from which form it can, with equal promptness be restored to
its original state and use.
I construct six bars of wood so that, at what is to be the lower part of each bar
when the billiard table is formed, they shall fit to the sides of the table to be
converted accurately; while at the upper parts they have projections corresponding
to the cushions of an ordinary billiard table. Of these bars four are of equal
length, and two are of a length corresponding to the width of the table to be
converted approximately. If the proportions of the table are however such as to
make it practicable all six bars may be of equal length. To these bars the cloth
is attached so as exactly to fit the table when brought into a state of tension by
the means after described. The bars when in position completely surround the
table, with the exception of the spaces required for pockets, and they are held in
their places by pins or thumb screws passed into the frame of the table. I construct.
these pins or screws so that when pressed or screwed into their places they shall
draw the cloth tight, as is well understood. In the centre of the sides, and at the
four corners,
I construct as permanent fixtures to the table, six net work pockets
like the ordinary pockets of a billiard table and I make the rail supporting the
outside of the pocket net, with two pins which, when the billiard table is not in use,
are pressed into the frame of the ordinary table under the top so as to be out of
sight, but when the billiard table is erected these pins, on the rails referred to,
are pressed into the tops of the bars I have described as being placed round the
table; that is to say one pin of each rail into the end of each bar; so that with
the bars and rails the table is completely surrounded, and the table is thus complete
with cushions and pockets like an ordinary billiard table. For convenience I
prefer to construct, under the table, drawer slides running the length way of the
table, with a drawer, hung to these slides, capable of containing the bars and cloth,.
pins and other accessories, but this is not an essential part of my invention.
By the arrangement I have described it will be seen the whole of the bars and
cloth may be folded into a space but slightly exceeding the length of the bars;
that is to say by drawing the cloth from opposite corners the whole is brought
into a straight line divided, by the spaces occupied by the pockets, into three parts
which can be folded one on the other without injury to or removal of the cloth.
Dated this Eleventh day of November 1893.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Converting for Temporary Use an Ordinary
Oblong Table into a Billiard Table.
I, WALTER FLEMING TELFER of No. 31 Holly Avenue, in the City and
County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tobacco Manufacturer, 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 :-
In many houses it is not convenient or not possible to devote a room to billiards,
where yet the game would be much appreciated; and the object of my invention is
to enable the game to be played on an ordinary table, by its prompt conversion
into a billiard table from which form it can, with equal promptness be restored to
its original state and use.
I construct six bars of wood so that at what is to be the lower part of each bar
when the billiard table is formed, they shall fit to the sides of the table to be
converted accurately; while at the upper parts they have projections corresponding.
to the cushions of an ordinary billiard table. Of these bars four are of equal
length, and two are of a length corresponding to the width of the table to be
converted, approximately. If the proportions of the table are however such as to
make it practicable, all six bars may be of equal length. To these bars the cloth
is attached so as exactly to fit the table when brought into a state of tension by the
means after described. The bars when in position completely surround the table,
with the exception of the spaces required for pockets, and they are held in their
places by pins or thumb screws passed into the frame of the table. I construct
these pins or screws so that when pressed or screwed into their places they shall
draw the cloth tight, as is well understood. In the centre of the sides and at
the four corners, I construct as permanent fixtures to the table, six net work
pockets like the ordinary pockets of a billiard table, and I make the rail supporting
the outside of the pocket net, with two pins which, when the billiard table is not
in use may be pressed into the frame of the ordinary table under the top, so as to
be out of sight, but when the billiard table is erected these pins, on the rails
referred to are pressed into the tops of the hars I have described as being placed
round the table; that is to say one pin of each rail into the end of each bar; so
that with the bars and rails the table is completely surrounded and the table is
thus complete with cushions and pockets like an ordinary billiard table. For
'convenience I prefer to construct under the table drawer slides running the length
way of the table, with a drawer, hung to these slides, capable of containing the
bars and cloth, pins and other accessories, but this is not an essential part of my
⚫ invention.
By the arrangement I have described it will be seen the whole of the bars and
cloth may be folded into a space but slightly exceeding the length of the bars;
that is to say by drawing the cloth from opposite corners the whole is brought into
3 straight lines divided by the spaces occupied by the pockets into three parts
which can be folded one on the other without injury to or removal of the cloth.
In further illustration of this I may say, if the bars which surround the table be
numbered in consecutive order round the table from 1 to 6-No. 1 being the bar
or rail at the baulk end of the table-No. 2 the bar nearest to the left hand of the
player No. 3 the bar next to it-No. 4 the end bar at the spot end of the table-
No. 5 the side bar next following and No. 6 that nearest to the right hand of the
player I first double the cloth so as to make No. 1 bar lie over the top of
No. 4 bar No. 2 over No. 3-and No. 6 over No. 5-and thus have as it were
3 pieces stiffened by bars, I then take No. 2 and 3 bar and fold them against Nos. 1
and 4, and I take No. 5 and 6 and fold them against Nos. 1 and 4 and then roll
the loose part of the cloth round them.

page_text: In the drawing hereto attached A. A. is the table completely converted into a
billiard table, B. B. are the pockets, and B' is a separate pocket for the purpose of
shewing the arrangement of pins. I may split these pins so as to possess a slight
spring in the lower part of the sockets into which the pins are pressed, and so to
give a better hold. I find it convenient for the avoidance of creasing the cloth to
make the attachment to the bars at the sides of the table of such a character as
that it can be detached at will, so that the cloth may be, when loosed from the side
bars, rolled up on one or both of the end bars. In order to accomplish this I attach
hooks at frequent intervals to the cloth at the sides, and I form a groove in the side
bars into which the hooks pass if the side bar is held in a certain position. To
illustrate this I shew in the drawing Fig. 2. plan and elevation of a hook such as I
employ. shew a section Fig. 3. of one of my side bars, and of part of the table
in which T. is the table, W. is the wood of the side bar, and G. the groove for
receiving the hooks, C. the cushion. It is represented as ready to be lowered on
to the hooks but not actually on them, for the sake of clearness of illustration.
I shew also a section Fig. 4. of the same parts in completed position. It will be
observed that in the first instance the mere weight of the side piece tends to draw
the cloth tight, but in addition to this action there is a further tendency to tighten
as the cushion is raised into its true position and it is further tightened by the
thumb screws used for attaching the bars to the table having what is technically
called "draw upon them in a slight degree.
"
If the cloth should stretch it may be taken up by attaching (or merely slipping
in between the bar and the cloth) a small strip of wood or rope of the desired
thickness to the bar at what is the bottom when in its vertical position, or by other
convenient means.
In order to take the strain off the thumb screws in case too great pressure be
applied on the bars from above, I prefer to slightly groove the edge of the table
or the bar, and to raise a corresponding projection on the bar, or the table as shewn
at J. Figs. 3. and 4. The height of the table may be regulated by means of blocks
placed under the legs.
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 :-
The arrangements hereinbefore detailed whereby a table of ordinary construction
may be readily converted into a billiard table, substantially as described.
nated this Fifth day of July 1894
J. JAMESON,
Akenside Hill, Newcastle on Tyne, Agent for Applicant.