Novel Recreational Game or Pastime.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Novel Recreational Game or Pastime.
We, ALFRED WATSON of No. 8 First Avenue, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Electrical
Engineer, and ROBERT JOSEPH HOOPER-RASTRICK of No. 30 Lavender Gardens,
Lavender Hill, Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
The device according to our invention comprises one or more tubes arranged
either horizontally, vertically or at a suitable angle, up or through which is or are
impelled one or more projectiles of suitable shape and dimensions, such for instance
as spherical, cylindrical, conical and the like.
The tubes, which may be curved or straight, are disposed upon or in an ornamental
structure, preferably a model of a popular and attractive monument, as for example
the "Eiffel Tower.' Said tubes have a number of apertures formed preferably in
their outer sides thereof, into which is inserted glass or equivalent, so that the height
to which the projectiles have been impelled, may be readily seen, and the number of
points in the game noted. A number of incisions are also made in the length of the
tube or tubes, into each of which is inserted a pivoted, spring or other light catch,
which, in their normal position, project within the tubes a sufficient distance to hold
the projectiles in suspension and prevent them from falling back by their own gravity
to the starting point. A gong, bell or equivalent adapted to the summit of the
structure is struck and sounded by the blow of any of the projectiles reaching that
point, thus announcing the winning of the game by one of the players.
When a game is completed, and in order to place the projectiles in readiness for.
a new game, the catches above referred to, which are preferably connected together.
are withdrawn from the interior of the tube or tubes, thus allowing said projectiles
to fall by their own weights, until checked by a movable shutter actuated simul-
taneously with the withdrawal of the checks, and by the same means. This shutter
diverts the course of the falling projectiles into a subsidiary chamber adapted to the
lower end of each tube, whence, by means of a bolt, valve or equivalent device, each
projectile may be passed successively into the main tube or tubes.
Any source of power may be employed for impelling the projectiles up, along or
through the tube or tubes, as for instance springs, which may be locked and released
by a suitable trigger or equivalent arrangement, by compressed air, by steam or the
like, or, if desired, the projectiles inay be impelled by hand, simply, or by means of
a billiard cue or like implement.
We may, under some circumstances, arrange the device as a coin-freed" machine,
by effecting the release of the projectiles from the subsidiary chamber by the weight
of a coin, token or equivalent falling upon, and depressing a balanced lever.
Dated this 19th day of November 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Novel Recreational Game or Pastime.
We, ALFRED WATSON of No. 8 First Avenue, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Electrical
Engineer, and ROBERT JOSEPH HOOPER-RASTRIOK of No. 30 Lavender Gardens,
Lavender Hill, Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, 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, reference
being also had to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which:-
Figure 1 represents a perforated tube (partly in section) up or through which
projectiles are impelled ;
Figure 2 is a frame for holding in position a transparent cover over the
perforations ;
Figure 3 is a loose catch for preventing the return of the projectiles ;
Figure 4 is a valve for use with compressed air;
Figure 5 is a plan of an opening whereby the projectiles may be removed from
the tube;
Figure 6 is a side view of same; and
Figure 7 a sectional view of same;
Figure 8 illustrates in section the lower end of a tube having a subsidiary chamber
for the reception of the projectiles; and
Figure 9 represents a type of bolt employed to allow of each of the projectiles
used in the game, to be successively passed from the subsidiary chamber to the main
tube.
The device according to our invention comprises one or more tubes A arranged
either horizontally, vertically or at a suitable angle as shown, up or through which is
or are impelled one or more projectiles a of suitable shape and dimensions, such for
instance as spherical, cylindrical, conical and the like.
The tubes A which may be curved or straight are disposed upon or within an
ornamental structure, preferably a model of a popular and attractive monument, as
for example, the "Eiffel Tower." Said tubes have a number of apertures 6 formed
preferably in their outer sides, into which is inserted glass or equivalent c supported
in suitable frames c' so that the height to which the projectiles have been impelled
may be readily seen, and the number of points in the game noted. A number of
incisions d are also made in the length of the tube or tubes, into each of which is
inserted a pivoted, spring or other light catch e, which, in their normal position,
project within the tubes a sufficient distance to hold the projectiles in suspension and
prevent them from falling back by their own gravity to the starting point. Agong,
bell or equivalent B adapted to the summit of the structure is struck and sounded by
the blow of any of the projectiles reaching that point.
When a game is completed, and in order to place the projectiles in readiness for a
new game, the catches above referred to, which are preferably connected together by
a rod C, are withdrawn from the interior of the tube or tubes, thus allowing said pro-
jectiles to fall by their own weights until checked by a movable shutter D Figure 8
actuated simultaneously with the withdrawal of the checks, by means of a suitable
connection between the rod C and shutter D. This shutter diverts the course of the
falling projectiles into a subsidiary or collecting chamber E adapted to the lower end f
of each tube, whence by means of a bolt, valve or equivalent device F, Figure 9,
which is raised out of the tube A by means of the key each projectile may be passed
successively into the main tube or tubes A.
Any source of power may be employed for impelling the projectiles up, along or
through the tube or tubes, as for instance springs which may be locked and released
by a suitable trigger or equivalent arrangement, by compressed air which is allowed
access to the tube A by means of the spring valve G, Figure 4, by steam or other
power, or, if desired, the projectiles may be impelled by hand simply, or by means of
a billiard cue or like implement.

page_text: Instead of the subsidiary chamber E above described, we may form a slot or
opening H in the upper surface of the lower end of the tube A to which is adapted a
frame I supporting a transparent medium, such as glass, talc or the like, and moving
in a suitable slide J, so that when the projectiles are released by means of the rod C,
and fall to the initial position at the end of the tube A, such projectiles may be
withdrawn through the aperture H.
We may, under some circumstances, arrange the device as a coin-freed machine,
by effecting the release of the projectiles from the subsidiary chamber by the weight
of a coin, token or equivalent falling upon and depressing a balanced lever.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is-
First The novel recreational game or pastime substantially as herein described
and set forth.
Second-In the recreational game or pastime herein described, the propulsion of
projectiles up or through a tube by means of springs, air, steam or other power.
Third-The method which we adopt for releasing the projectiles and allowing them
to return to their initial positions.
Fourth-The adaptation to the end of the perforated tube A of a subsidiary
chamber for collecting the projectiles after being released by raising the catches sub-
stantially as set forth and shown.
Fifth-The employment of a sliding shutter whereby the projectiles may be
removed from the tube A after being released by the catches substantially as
described.
Dated this 20th day of August 1890.
EDGAR GEORGE,
101, London Wall, E.C., Agent.