Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 8th Oct., 1897--Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
I, WILLIAM HENRY BACKUS, residing at 49 Main Street, Danielson, in the County
of Windham, and State of Connecticut, United States of America, Journalist, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be follows:-
This invention relates to puzzles and game devices, and the object thereof, is
to provide an improved device of this class which is simple in construction and
operation, but the solution of which is difficult, said solution being capable of
accomplishment however, by the exercise of care, skill and judgment in the
manipulation of the device.
In the practice of my invention, I provide a platform or table, which is pivotally
supported at each end by standards which are connected near the bottom by a cross
bar or rod, and the platform or table is so adjusted as to be exactly balanced on its
pivotal end connections.
I also provide a lock, consisting of a bolt which passes through a keeper secured to
the bottom of the platform or table, and is adapted to be inserted into the adjacent
standard, the object of this device being to lock the platform or table in position,
and to prevent the movement thereof on its pivots.
In connection with the platform or table, I employ a plurality of small disks which
are exactly alike in form, but which are composed of different materials, and are of
different weights, and the solution of the puzzle consists in arranging these disks
on the platform or table so that when said locking bolt is withdrawn, from connection
with said standard, the platforın or table will remain exactly balanced on its pivotal
supports.
This solution is exceedingly difficult because of the fact that the said disks are all
of different weights, and if the device is employed as a puzzle simply, the solution
will be as above stated; but if it is employed as a game device, then two or more
parties will participate in the game, and the party or parties toward whom the
platform or table tilts will be regarded as winning the game.
It will be understood of course, that any desired number of these disks may be
employed, and that each side of the table or platform is to have a number placed
thereon.
I also contemplate employing a ball or other body, which is suspended from the
centre of the platform or table preferably by a rod or wire which is intended to assist
in holding the platform or table in a perfectly level position on its pivotal supports,
before the disks are placed thereon, but this device is not absolutely essential and
may or may not be employed.
1 11 .
1
1007

page_text: I, WILLIAM HENRY BACKUS, residing at 49 Main Street Danielson, in the County
of Windham, and State of Connecticut, United States of America, Journalist,
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 :—
This invention relates to puzzles and game devices, and the object thereof, is
to provide an improved device of this class which is simple in construction but
the solution of which is difficult but may be accomplished by the exercise of
care, skill and judgment in the manipulation thereof.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, in which ;-
Fig. 1, is a side view of my improved puzzle or game device;
Fig. 2, a plan view thereof; and
Fig. 3, a transverse section.
In the practice of my invention I provide a platform A, which is pivotally 1
supported at each end by standards B, which are connected near the bottom by a
cross bar or rod b, and in practice, the platform A, is so adjusted as to be exactly
balanced on its pivotal end connections. I also provide a lock consisting of a bolt C,
which passes through a keeper D, secured to the bottom of the platform and is
adapted to be inserted into the adjacent standard B, as shown at E, the object of 3
this device being to lock the platform in position, and prevent the movement thereof,
on its pivots, when desired.
In connection with the platform A, I employ a plurality of small disks F, which
are exactly alike in form but which are composed of different materials, and are of
different weights, and the solution of the puzzle, consists in arranging these disks on
the platform so that when the holt C, is withdrawn from connection with the end
standard B, the platform will remain exactly balanced on its pivotal support.
This solution is exceedingly difficult, because of the fact that the disks E, are
all of different weights, and if the device is employed as a puzzle simply, the
solution will be as above stated, but if it is employed as a game device, then two or
more parties will participate in the game, and the party or parties toward whom
the platform tilts will be regarded as winning the game.
It will be understood, of course, that any desired number of these disks may be
employed, and that each side of the platform is to have an equal number placed
thereon, and it is evident that changes in the construction herein described, may
be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing its
advantages.
I also contemplate employing a ball or other body G, which is suspended from
the centre of the platform by a chain or suitable flexible device and which is
intended to assist in holding the platform in a perfectly level position on its pivotal
supports, before the disks F, are placed thereon, but this device is not essential and
may be omitted if desired.
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. In a puzzle or game device, the combination with a table which is pivotally
supported at each end, and adapted to be held in a horizontal position on its pivotal
supports, of a plurality of disks which are of the same form but of different weights,
substantially as shown and described.
4

page_text: 2. In a puzzle or game device, the combination with a table which is pivotally
supported at each end, and adapted to be held in a horizontal position on its
pivotal support, of a plurality of disks which are of the same form but of different
weights, and means for preventing the turning of said table on its pivotal supports,
substantially as shown and described.
3. In a puzzle of game device, the combination with a table which is pivotally
supported at each end, and adapted to be held in a horizontal position on its pivotal
supports, of a plurality of disks which are of the same form but of different weights,
and means for preventing the turning of said table on its pivotal supports, consisting
of a pin or bolt mounted in a keeper at one end of said table and on the lower side
thereof, and adapted to engage with one of the supports of the table, substantially
as shown and described.
4. In a puzzle or game device, the combination with a table which is pivotally
supported at each end, and adapted to be held in a horizontal position on its pivotal
supports, of a plurality of disks which are of the same form but of different weights,
and means for preventing the turning of said table on its pivotal supports, consisting
of a pin or bolt mounted in a keeper at one end of said table and on the lower side
thereof, and adapted to engage with one of the supports of the table, and said table,
being also provided with a ball or spherical body which is suspended centrally from
the bottom thereof, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.