An Improved Game for Indoor or Outdoor Recreation, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th May, 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Game for Indoor or Outdoor Recreation, and
Apparatus therefor.
We MARY TINSLEY and ELLEN PERKINS both of 3 Somerset Street Portman
Square London Court Dressmakers 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 :-
Our invention has reference to an improved game, and to apparatus therefor,
which is equally applicable for use either as a table game, or for outdoor recreation,
and can be played by either two or more persons as desired. In carrying out our
invention, we construct the apparatus with which to play the game as follows:-
On a base of suitable dimensions three or more divisions or courts are formed by
means of small dividing screens or partitions extending across the base, after the
manner of the net of a tennis court.
In any suitable position near one end of the base, a spring is firmly affixed, on
which balls, rollers, or other like devices may be placed, and shot into the courts
by the players who depress the spring and then release the same for that purpose.
Our invention will be the better understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is an elevational plan view of the complete apparatus, as arranged for
table use.
Fig. 2 shows the spring on an enlarged scale &
Fig. 3 an alternative form of same.
Fig. 4 shows a spring fitted on a separate base and especially adapted for out-
door use.
Fig. 5 shows a convenient form of ball for use in the game.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
a is the base board, which may be of any suitable dimensions and material, this
base is divided into any desired number of courts as 1. 2 and 3, by the partitions or
nets b,,, . In any convenient position in front of the partition or net b³ a
spring c is firmly affixed to the base board by screws or other suitable means. This
spring may be of any convenient design, so that the balls or other devices used in
playing the game may be placed thereon and shot into any of the courts by the
players. On each of the longer sides of the board is a series of holes d d' preferably
25 in number and divided into fives for convenience of counting said holes being for
scoring the progress of the game, by means of pegs or markers e, e¹.
The spring e may be of any convenient form and of a strength adjusted to the
size of board with which it is used, and also to the weight of the balls to be shot by
the same.
Two convenient forms of such springs are illustrated in Figs. 2 & 3
respectively. The balls we make preferably of the somewhat elongated form shown
in Fig. 5 but other devices may be used according to circumstances. The table
apparatus may be constructed with the nets or partitions hinged or otherwise
affixed to the base in such a manner that the whole can be laid flat when not in use.
When it is desired to play the game in the open air the apparatus may be fitted up
on a lawn in lieu of the base board, the courts being formed by short nets, similar
to those used for lawn tennis, or by lengths of light wire fencing constructed for
that purpose.
When thus fitted up on a lawn, the whole apparatus is constructed
of much larger dimensions than for indoor use, the spring being bolted to a
separate base in preference to affixing it directly on the lawn. This arrangement
is represented in Fig. 4 where the spring c is shown firmly bolted to the wooden
or other base which is fitted with any requisite number of spikes or the
like 9, 9, 9, 9, to prevent said base from slipping out of position by the recoil of

page_text: the spring. When thus used, the spring can be most conveniently compressed by
the foot of the player. Any form of marker may be used when the game is
played in the open air, as for instance a whist marker.
The apparatus may be constructed of wood metal or other suitable materials,
the balls being either hollow or solid. For the regulation of the game we here-
unto annex the following rules viz. :-
.
1. The game may be played by 2 or more persons.
2. Three balls, preferably of different colours, are to be used' by each player in
succession.
3. Each ball shot by means of the spring into either of the courts, counts the
number of points marked therein viz.: No. 1 counts 1 point and so on.
4. The first player who scores 50 points wins the game.
5. No ball must be shot twice in one turn by any of the players.
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 :
1st. The improved game substantially as herein above described and
illustrated.
2nd. The apparatus for playing our improved game in its complete form for
table use, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
3rd. The apparatus for use in the open air, constructed of separate parts to be
set up on a lawn substantially as herein specified.
4th. The rules for playing our improved game as herein above written.
Dated this 28th day of May 1892.
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicants: