A New or Improved Game or Puzzle.
Year: 1891

page_text: ".
Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, '22nd June, 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Game or Puzzle.
I, SAMUEL DYER "NIX' of 65 Hatcham Park Road, New Cross in the
County of Surrey, Artist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention 'to be
as follows:-
My invention is intended to provide a game or puzzle of the well known "pigs
in clover" type but constructed in such a manner that," whereas, in the said
pigs in clover" and like puzzles, by means of manipulating a box divided or
spaced out into various partitions or divisions, marbles or the like are moved or
compelled to run to certain arbitrarily defined points or positions apparent to the
operator (as soon as he or she has once looked at the plan of the device) all that is
required to effect this object being steadiness of hand and patience, now my inven-
tion is designed' to provide a puzzle of the above nature constructed so that the
plan of the device contained in the box or other receptacle is of the character of a
mazé (say the Hampton Court Maze) or of so intricate a nature that it is impossible
at a glance or even after considerable study to determine in which direction a
marble or other body shall be moved so as to be readily impelled to the centre or
object of the puzzle. Moreover in the well known puzzles before alluded to it is
easy to get the balls or marbles out from their original destination but in my
arrangement it will be found that as much ingenuity and patience is required to
return the marble or moving body from the centre to the entrance as to impel it
thereto, so that not only steadiness of hand and patience are required for this object.
but also a considerable amount of foresight and forethought in determining in which
direction 'the marble, ball or other object should be impelled.
"The puzzle may take 'the form of say a square shallow box having raised within
it walls or partitions of card or other suitable material in the form of a maze as
before described and may be covered either by a lid or permanently with glass, or
in place of the usual form of maze with the destination in the centre I may form an
entrance at one side or end for the marble which is caused to traverse the maze the
object being to eject it through a prescribed exit at the opposite end.
L
In place of the ordinary marble or ball a lump or ball of quicksilver may be
employed which will render the operation more difficult as the mercury will upon
contact with any sharp corners or surfaces become divided into small portions
which must be re-united before the solution of the game or puzzle can be accom-
plished.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1891.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Game or Puzzle.
I, SAMUEL DYER NIX of 65 Hatcham Park Road, New Cross in the
County of Surrey, Artist 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:-
My invention is intended to provide a game or puzzle of the well known "pigs
in clover" type but constructed in such a manner that, whereas, in the said
"
pigs in clover" and like puzzles by means of manipulating a box divided or

page_text: spaced out into various partitions or divisions, marbles or the like are moved or
compelled to run to certain arbitrarily defined points or positions apparent to the
operator (as soon as he or she has once looked at the plan of the device) all that is
required to effect this object being steadiness of hand and patience, now my inven-
tion is designed to provide a puzzle of the above nature constructed so that the
plan of the device contained in the box or other receptacle is of the character of a
maze (say the Hampton Court. Maze) or of so intricate a nature that it is impossible
at a glance or even after considerable study to determine in which direction a
marble or other body shall be moved so as to be readily impelled to the centre or
object of the puzzle. Moreover in the well known puzzles before alluded to it is
easy to get the balls or marbles out from their original destination but in my
arrangement it will be found that as much ingenuity and patience are required to
return the marble or moving body from the centre to the entrance as to impel it
thereto, so that not only steadiness of hand and patience are required for this object
but also a considerable amount of foresight and forethought in determining in which
direction the marble, ball or other object or objects should be impelled.
For the purpose of more readily explaining my invention I have attached to this
Specification a drawing of a maze such as might be cast or moulded in plaster of
Paris or other material or in metal and to this I shall refer.
The puzzle may be contained in or form part of a rectangular shallow box
having raised on its lower part or bed B walls or partitions A in the form of a maze
as before described and this may be covered by a lid or the walls A may be raised
or formed on a plate B which may be enclosed in a separate shallow box and lid.
The marble is placed say at C'and the object of the puzzle is to propel it along the
ways or paths of the maze so as to bring it to the point D, or I may form an
entrance to the maze at one side or point and an exit at the opposite side or other
point.
In place of a marble or marbles I may employ a small mass of quicksilver which
in its progress may become subdivided into small globules which must be re-united
by being brought into contact before the puzzle can be solved. The drawing
shows a convenient form of maze with the destination D near the centre but any
form may be employed.
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 1
claim is
The puzzle or maze substantially as described and illustrated.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.