IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS AND MECHANISM FOR RECORDING, MARKING, AND REGISTERING THE SCORE AND GAMES OF BILLIARDS, PYRAMIDS, POOL, SHELL OUT, AND LIKE GAMES."
Year: 1880

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to John Hope, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, for
an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS AND
MECHANISM FOR RECORDING, MARKING, AND REGISTERING THE SCORE AND
GAMES OF BILLIARDS, PYRAMIDS, POOL, SHELL OUT, AND LIKE GAMES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hope at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th January 1880.
JOHN HOPE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO APPARATUS AND MECHANISM FOR RECORDING, MARKING AND REGIS-
TERING THE SCORE AND GAMES OF BILLIARDS, PYRAMIDS, POOL, SHELL OUT, AND
LIKE GAMES."
My Invention relates,―
First. To certain constructions and arrangements of dials to be used for marking
billiards, pyramids, pool, and shell out.
Second. To the construction of a combined apparatus to be used as a marker for
the games of billiards, pyramids, pool, and shell out, both for marking the score and
for registering the numbers of games played.
Third. To a billiard marker, and pyramid marker, and game register combined.
Fourth. To a billiard marker and game register.
Fifth. To a pyramid marker and game register.
Sixth. To a pool marker and game register.
Seventh. To a shell out marker and game register.
The heads under which my improvements may be classed are,-
First. The combined arrangement and construction of dials, indicators, and
pointers.
Second. The individual arrangement and construction of dials, indicators, and
pointers.
Third. The scoring mechanism and attachments combined to work an apparatus
as described under the first head.
Fourth. The scoring mechanism and attachments for each individual marker,
namely, the billiard marker, the pyramid marker, the pool marker, and the shell
out marker.
Fifth. The game registering mechanism either for grouped games or individual
games.
'

page_text: First. The combined arrangement and construction of dials, indicators, and
pointers under the first head consists of an arrangement of billiard marker, pyramid
marker, pool marker, and shell out marker. The billiard marker is in this com-
bination grouped with the pyramid marker and arranged on a board superposed
over the pool marker, which in its turn is superposed over the shell out
marker. The group being the billiard marker and pyramid marker consists
of three dials, two of which are arranged concentrically, the inner one being
numbered from 0 to 15 and correspondingly divided, and representing the
pyramid dial, and the outer one being numbered from 0 to 100 or from 0 to 50,
and correspondingly divided, and representing the billiard dial of games to
100 score or to 50 score. The third dial is superposed over the billiard dial at the
back thereof, and exhibits its indications through an aperture or window in the
billiard dial, and is divided into 10 or 20 divisions, being numbered from 100 to
1000, with or without the intermediate fifties. This dial serves in conjunction
with the billiard dial to indicate games up to 1000 score. A modification of this
arrangement consists in forming the outer or billiard dial with no numbers at all
upon its face and substituting windows or openings in lieu of numbers, for example,
in 100 scoring dial there would be ten windows in lieu of the figures 10, 20, 30,
and so on.
The other dial instead of being superposed is placed concentrically at
the back of the outer dial and exhibits its figures through the windows or openings
round the outer dial. The effect may be thus described:-Suppose the outer dial
to be divided into 50 scores or points the back dial will exhibit at the commence-
ment of the game or the first rotation of the pointer, hereafter described, the
following figures, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and so on, but on the second rotation of the
pointer, and after it has just passed the 50 indication, the back dial will make a
movement and change all figures round the outer dial to 55, 60, 65, 70, and so on.
It will thus be seen that games of 100 scores can be counted by continuous
consecutive reading of the numbers spread over the dials. The pointer in con-
nection with the billiard marker dial, before described is mounted on a hollow
shaft which is carried by and runs loosely on the shaft of the pyramid marker
hereinafter described, and rotated by the mechanism hereafter described.
advance or score pointer in connection with the pyramid marker dial before
described is mounted on a hollow shaft which carries and passes through the
hollow shaft of the billiard marker; the other, which I will call the retrograde
pointer, is mounted on a shaft which passes through and carries the two hollow
shafts, namely, the billiard marker shaft and the pyramid marker shaft. The
mechanism by which the billiard marker and pyramid marker score pointers are
operated comes under the description of the third head. The pool dials consist of a
series of discs marked by 3, 2, and 1 lives, by black spots radially arranged. The
dials are placed side by side, and exhibit their indications through windows, the
margin of which are coloured to represent red, white, yellow, and so on, to
correspond with the colour of the balls. The mechanism by which these dials are
operated is hereafter described. The shell out dials consist of a series of discs, each
divided and marked with numerals up to 15, with two extra divisions, being 0 and
blank, making in all 17 divisions. These disc dials exhibit their indications through
windows placed side by side and horizontally under the pool marker, and like the
pool marker may be coloured to correspond with the balls. The operating
mechanism is hereafter described.
The
Second. The individual arrangement and construction of dials, indicators, and
pointers under the second head consists in separating and arranging all or any of
the dials described under the first head on separate boards.
Third. The scoring mechanism of the combined dials is thus:-The billiard
mechanism consists of a hollow shaft, before spoken of, upon which is fixed the
billiard indicator or pointer. On this shaft there is fixed a ratchet wheel cut with
one hundred teeth or a number corresponding to the number of points or divisions
on the dial. There is also fixed a chain wheel and a cam. The chain wheel is
used to impart motion to the shaft and pointer when mechanical action is used as

page_text: «
the indicating agent. The apparatus however is also arranged for electricity to be
the indicating agent. In this case the pointer is moved by a lever and a pawl
which takes into the teeth of the ratchet wheel before described. This lever has
attached to it an armature worked by the agency of an electro magnet. The
apparatus may be further arranged to be worked by pneumatic agency consisting
of an arrangement of bellows, to which is connected a pawl which operates the
ratchet wheel. The bellows may be worked by the operator squeezing a ball or
operating a bellows or pump, as in pneumatic bell arrangements. In the chain
wheel arrangement an endless chain is led from the chain wheel round a second
chain wheel at the side of the board. This second chain wheel is mounted on a
shaft to which it is keyed in conjunction with a ratchet wheel. The shaft and the
endless chain are worked by a disc or wheel having spokes or handles projecting
through the side of the board, and arranged with a pawl which enables the chain
wheel and thereby the pointer to be moved forward in one direction only, the disc
or wheel running free in the other direction. The electro magnet can be operated
by a "push" with suitable wires, as usual in the working of electric bells, the wires
being arranged to enable the electro magnet to move the pointer a unit at a
time; or by the use of a switch or separate push to cause the movement of the
pointer to be continuous for the purpose of completing the score of a loser when a
game is finished. A modification of the mechanical operating mechanism may
consist of a lever which is or works the pawl of the ratchet wheel. This lever
is worked by a rod actuated by a "push" at the side of the board, the
recovering action being obtained by a spring regulated so as to give a unit of
advance for each push. The mechanism is so arranged that by pulling out the
push" the lever and pawl will score many units of advance at a time, which
operation is useful in running up the score of a loser in the event of a new game.
The before described arrangements constitute the mechanisms for working the units
of advance of the billiard marker. The centals and demi-centals are recorded by
the before described superposed dial, or the secondary dial, which exhibits through
the window or windows of the unit dial. The superposed dial is a rotating dial
mounted on a shaft on which is fixed a ratchet wheel having, say, twenty teeth,
representing, when the billiard dial is divided into fifty scores, the fifties and
hundreds of one thousand score; but when the billiard dial is divided into one
hundred scores the ratchet wheel of the superposed dial has ten teeth representing
the hundreds or tenths of one thousand score. The ratchet wheel and thereby the
dial is operated by a pawl in connection with a weighted lever or a spring, which
receives motion from a rod or link actuated by a second lever, which receives
motion from the cam before referred to as being fixed on the shaft of the unit
pointer. The rod or link may be so arranged as to be capable of being disconnected
from the superposed dial when it is desired to play games of 100 score only.
in every complete revolution of the unit pointer on its dial, and at the end of such
revolution, the said cam operates on the levers and mechanism in connection with
the superposed dial and thereby causes such superposed dial to change its exhibit
through the window of the unit dial. Like mechanism may be used to actuate the
secondary dial, before referred to as exhibiting through windows in an unnumbered
primary or front dial. The scoring mechanism of the inner or pyramid dial consists
of a hollow shaft passing through the hollow shaft of the billiard dial. This
pyramid marker shaft may be worked by a chain wheel and gear, or by electricity,
or by a pneumatic arrangement, in manner similar to the billiard shaft, or it may
be worked by a mill bead on the central shaft, hereinafter referred to.
two indicators or pointers in connection with the pyramid marker, one pointer
being fixed on the hollow shaft in front of the dial and used to denote the advance
of the game, and the other being fixed on the central spindle and used to mark the
retrograde and backward losses of the player. The retrograde pointer is arranged
so that it can only be moved backwards, and when it is covering the advance
pointer it will move therewith. The shaft of the retrograde pointer is provided
with a milled head which may also serve as the medium for working the advance
Once
There are

page_text: pointer. The scoring mechanism of the pool marker consists of a series of eight,
ten, or twelve shafts or spindles, upon each of which a marking dial is rotated.
These dials are arranged in pairs, number one and two, or white and red, form
the first pair, number three and four or green and yellow the next pair, and so on
consecutively in the order of numbers and colours. For convenience of description
I will describe the arrangement of mechanism of one pair of dials, which will serve
for any other pair, as all the pairs are alike. The before mentioned spindles of the
pool marking board are mounted between two plates separated by pillars similar to
a clock movement, and long enough to include as many dials as it is intended to
put in the series. Upon or over each of the spindles between the plates there is
placed a ratchet wheel, three sliding plates, and three discs or cams. These spindles
with their dials and other mechanism are arranged in pairs, the reason of which
will be presently explained. Suppose I now describe the second pair, namely,
number three and four, or green and yellow dials. First, upon the back plate of
the frame there is placed a sliding plate working in suitable guides, and having as
many holes, about one inch in diameter, in it as there are spindles in the frame.
The normal position of each spindle is in the centre of the hole, and this sliding
plate I call the locking plate. Over this plate and fixed to the spindle is a round
disc about three quarter inch larger in diameter than the bole in the plate. At the
back of this disc and about half an inch from its centre is fixed a short stud or pin.
When the disc is rotated the pin travels round the edge of the hole in the plate,
but there is fixed to the plate and projecting within the hole a stop or tooth. If
the disc now be rotated the pin at the back of it will come against the tooth in
the hole, and its rotation will be arrested. The plate must now slide forward so
that the pin in the disc can pass the tooth, and backward before the disc can make
another rotation. There is a stud fixed in the face of the sliding plate close to
the top edge of the disc at the side opposite to the tooth within the hole. There
is a recess in the edge of the disc similar in form to the tooth just mentioned.
This recess in the disc comes opposite the stud on the plate at the same
time that the pin at the back comes against the tooth, consequently the
plate can only slide when the disc with its spindle comes to a certain point in its
path of rotation, and that point corresponds with the end of the game or blank on
the dial. A ratchet wheel with twelve teeth is next mounted on the spindle, and
a pawl pivoted to the frame. Next comes the sliding plate that I term the regis-
tering plate, which is similar to the locking plate just described, except that it is
lighter. It has oblong holes or slots in the middle opposite to each spindle, and
through which the spindles pass, and which allows it to slide without interference
with the spindles. Next there is fixed firmly to each spindle a cam or disc similar
to the locking cam working in connection with the registering plate. These cams
or discs have upon their peripheries projections or teeth of peculiar form and size.
The number three registering cam (I am now describing number three and four)
has two projections or teeth. The cam of number four has only one projection.
There are studs fixed upon the registering plate which these cam teeth work
against, causing it to slide forward, and a spring is attached to the plate which
brings it back to its normal position. This registering plate is connected with the
register for the purpose of recording the number of players. The two teeth on the
registering cam are placed on opposite parts of its diameter, one being twice
the length of the other, which causes the registering plate to move twice the
distance of the lesser tooth, the reason for which is hereafter explained. On the
number four cam there is only one tooth corresponding with the lesser tooth on
the number three cam. These smaller teeth are for registering the star players.
When at the commencement of a game I turn number three cam I find that it
registers two players. When I turn number four cam it does not register
at all, the number three having registered for it. It is a rule in playing pool on
public tables that when three persons are going to play they must pay for four,
and five must pay for six, and so on. Upon number three spindle there is fixed
eccentrically another and smaller disc, which actuates another short sliding plate

page_text: fixed at the back of the front frame plate. (I call that the front frame plate which
is nearest to you when you stand looking at the back of the instrument.) This
short sliding plate reaches from number three to number four spindles only. It
likewise has oblong slots, which allows it to slide freely without interfering with
the action of the two spindles it connects. I call this the checking plate, as it
checks or prevents the use of number four until number three has been set for play.
There is a small eccentric disc upon the No. 3 spindle, which works between
two cross bars on the checking plate. Every rotation the eccentric makes it causes
the checking plate to move forwards and backwards. Upon number four spindle
there is a small disc with a tooth like a ratchet wheel tooth, which impinges against
a tooth, or lug, or projection upon the checking plate at a certain point in the path
of rotation of the spindle upon which it is fixed, namely, that point which corre-
sponds with the end of the game; consequently number four spindle cannot turn
until number three has been turned and carried the checking plate forward and
the projection upon it out of the way of the tooth that is upon the cam, that is,
upon the number four spindle. I have elected to construct this pool marking
board with ten dials for ten players, the spindles of which are actuated by milled
heads or knobs on the front of the board. The dials have the conventional signs
of round spots, called lives, and polygonal spots, called stars, or star lives, arranged
in radial lines of three spots, two spots and one spot, and occupying one quadrant
of the dial, corresponding with three teeth of the ratchet wheel on the mechanism.
The star lives are similarly disposed, and occupy the opposite quadrant of the dial.
The other two quadrants are blank. The registering plate is provided with stop
brackets, which prevent the star lives being put on without registering. The register
may be an ordinary gas meter register, or it may be formed like the mechanism of
a pageing machine. My improvement consists in making it applicable to my
purpose by the manner of actuating the unit spindle. I fix to the unit spindle a
ratchet wheel of ten teeth; behind this ratchet wheel I place a sliding plate, which
slides freely in suitable guides without impeding the rotations of the wheel. Upon
this plate I fix two clicks or pawls, one at each end, and attached at opposite edges
of the plate. Each of these pawls fall into the teeth of the ratchet wheel at
opposite parts of its diameter. What is effected by it is this. Suppose the teeth
of the ratchet wheel are, say, one fifth of an inch apart, if I slide the plate one fifth
of an inch forwards and backwards I move the ratchet wheel round its axis two
teeth, and consequently two points or units on the registering dials or recorders.
If I move the plate one tenth of an inch forwards and backwards the wheel is
moved one tooth, and one point or unit only is recorded. I connect this plate just
described by means of a link to the registering plate herein before described. When
the registering plate is moved by the largest tooth on the registering cam it causes
the sliding plate at the register to move two teeth, and consequently to record two,
but when the registering plate is moved by the lowest tooth on the registering
cam it causes the sliding plate at the register to move only one tooth, and conse-
quently only one is recorded. The link bere referred to, which connects the
registering plate with the sliding plate at the register, is capable of being discon-
nected by the movements of the mechanism of a peculiar lock, which is actuated by
a key from the face of the locking board. The object of it is this. As a rule only
one, and possibly never more than two players, are ever allowed to enter the game
afresh by using the polygonal and star signs; consequently, those that have not
been used when the game is ended must be moved round to the end of their
rotation without registering. This is effected by a lever in the lock, which is
actuated by the key in a certain position of the mechanism. When the key is
inserted in the lock, and it be moved to the right, it causes the locking plate to
slide, and all the pins at the back of the locking cams can pass the points of the
projections or teeth in their respective holes in the locking plate, and when the key
is turned back it brings the locking plate with it, and such is the peculiar shape of
the projections within the holes that as they press upon the pins which have just
passed their points they force the cams, spindles, and dials round on their axis for

page_text: the distance of one tooth on the ratchet wheel, and consequently they automatically
bring the lives on the dials opposite to their respective windows ready for play, but
if the key be turned in the opposite direction, say to the left as far as it will go, it
carries with it both the locking plate and the registering plate. In this position
the star teeth on the registering cams can pass round on their axis for a limited
distance without effecting the record or register, but as this movement of the
registering plate by the key just referred to would have actuated the register just
the same as if the cam had moved the plate, this is prevented by the link being
disconnected during the operation. The key of the pool board has a small pointer
and dial to indicate its proper application.
The shell out scoring mechanism consists of a locking plate and a registering plate
with a locking cam and a registering cam arranged in manner similar to the pool
mechanism, and provided with a key. The dials, as before stated, are divided into
seventeen divisions, and are rotated by milled thumb nuts.
Fourth. The scoring mechanism for each individual marker consists in applying
the hereinbefore described mechanisms separate from the combination to each
individual marker.
Fifth. The registering mechanism for the billiard and pyramid marker consists
of a train of units, tens, and hundreds wheels, which is worked by the unit spindle
which is operated by a shaft which carries three plates with pawls which take into
teeth on a ratchet fixed on the said shaft. One of these plates receives motion
from the spot dial of the billiard marker, and one from the plain dial of the billiard
marker, and the other receives motion from a wheel which is operated by an
endless chain running on and worked by a chain wheel on the hollow spindle
which carries the pyramid pointer.
A modification of the registering operating mechanism consists of a link or rod
attached to a plate in connection with a ratchet wheel which works the unit spindle
of the register. This link has a jaw or gab, which takes over an eccentric placed
between the ratchet wheel of the billiard marker pointer and the ratchet wheel of
the pyramid marker pointer. This eccentric has a tooth cut therein, and arranged
so that once in every revolution of the billiard pointer ratchet wheel a tooth or pin
on such ratchet wheel engages with and rotates the eccentric and thereby
scores a unit of advance upon the register. A similar tooth or pin on the ratchet
wheel of the pyramid pointer forms the like operation and registers for the pyramid
games.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said John Hope in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 23rd July 1880.
JOHN HOPE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO APPARATUS AND MECHANISM FOR RECORDING, MARKING, AND REGIS-
TERING THE SCORE AND GAMES OF BILLIARDS, PYRAMIDS, POOL, SHELL OUT, AND
LIKE GAMES."
My Invention relates,―
First. To certain constructions and arrangements of dials to be used for marking
billiards, pyramids, pool, and shell out.
Second. To the construction of a combined apparatus to be used as a marker for
the games of billiards, pyramids, pool, and shell out, both for marking the score and
for registering the number of games played.
Third. To a billiard marker and pyramid marker and game register combined.
Fourth. To a billiard marker and game register.
Fifth. To a pyramid marker and game register.
Sixth. To a pool marker and game register.
Seventh. To a shell out marker and game register.
The following is a description of my Invention in such full, clear, and exact terms
as to enable any one skilled in the art to which my Invention appertains to make
and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying eight Sheets of Drawings
making a part of this Specification. Like letters throughout the various Figures
denote the same or corresponding parts in the Drawings.
The heads under which my Improvements may be classed are,-
First. The combined arrangement and construction of dials, indicators, and
pointers.
Second. The individual arrangement and construction of dials, indicators, and
pointers.
Third. The scoring mechanism and attachments combined to work an apparatus,
as described under the first head.
Fourth. The scoring mechanism and attachments for each individual marker, the
pyramid marker, the pool marker, and the shell out marker.
Fifth. The game registering mechanism, either for grouped games or individual
games.
First. As descriptive of the combined arrangement and construction of dials,
indicators, and pointers under the first head, reference is given to-
Figure 1, which is a front view of such a combined arrangement; and
Figure 2, which is a back view of such a combined arrangement.
The arrangement consists of a billiard marker A, a pyramid marker B which for
the purposes of the game are in duplicate, a pool inarker C arranged for ten players,
a shell out marker D arranged for ten players. The billiard marker A is in this
combination grouped with the pyramid marker B and arranged on a board super-
posed over the pool marker C, which in its turn is superposed over the shell out
marker D. The group being the billiard marker A and pyramid marker B consists
of three dials in duplicate. The billiard marker A and the pyramid marker B are
concentric, the inner one B being the pyramid marker dial numbered from 0 to 15,
and the outer one A being the billiard marker dial, being divided and numbered from
0 to 50 or from 0 to 100, and representing billiard dial of games up to 50 score or to
100 score.
The third dial A' is superposed over the dial A, as shown, or under the dial
A, as hereinafter shown, and exhibits its indications through an aperture or window All
in the dial A. The dial A' is divided into 10 or 20 divisions, being numbered from 100
to 1000, with or without the intermediate 50. This dial A¹ serves, in conjunction with
the dial A, to indicate games up to 1000 score. A modification of this arrangement,

page_text: shown at Figures 8ª, consists in forming the outer dial A with no numbers at all upon
its face, and substituting windows or openings in lieu of numbers; for example, in 100
scoring dial there would be 10 windows in lieu of the figures 10, 20, 30, and so on.
The dial A', instead of being superposed, is placed concentrically at the back of the
outer dial, and exhibits its figures through the windows or openings round the outer
dial. The effect may be thas described:-Suppose the outer dial to be divided into
50 points the back dial would exhibit at the commencement of the game, or the
first rotation of the pointer hereafter described, the following figures, 0, 5, 10, 15,
20, 25, and so on, and on the second rotation of the pointer, and just as it completes
the first rotation, the back dial will make a movement, and change all figures round
the outer dial to 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and so on. It will thus be seen that games of
100 scores can be counted by continuous consecutive reading of the numbers spread
over the dials. The pointer a in connection with the billiard marker dial A
(reference to Figure 3) is mounted on a hollow shaft d which is carried by and runs
loosely on the shaft e of the pyramid pointer b, hereafter described. The advance
or score pointer b of the pyramid marker is mounted on the shaft e, which carries
and passes through the shaft d of the billiard marker. c is a retrogade pointer, and
is mounted on a shaft f which passes through and carries the shafts e and d. The
mechanism by which the billiard marker and pyramid marker score pointers a and b
are operated comes under the description of the third head. The pool dials C
consist of a series of dials mounted on the centres E and marked with three, two,
and one lives by black spots radially arranged, also three, two, and one stars radially
arranged and a blank (see detail hereafter). The dials C are placed side by side
and exhibit their indications through windows, as shown at Figure 1, the margin
of which C¹ are coloured to represent red, white, yellow, and so on, to correspond
with the colour of the balls. The mechanism by which these dials are operated is
hereafter described. The shell out dials D consist of a series of discs mounted on
the centres F, see Figure 1. These dials are each divided and marked with numerals
up to 15, see details hereafter. These dials exhibit their indications through
windows placed side by side and horizontally under the pool marker, and like the
pool marker they may be coloured at D' to correspond with the colour of the balls.
The operating mechanism is hereafter described.
Second. The individual arrangement and construction of dials, indicators, and
pointers under the second head consists in separating and arranging all or any of
the dials together or separately on separate boards, for example, of a combined
billiard and pyramid marker, see Figure 9.
Third. The scoring mechanism of the combined dials A, A', and B is thus:-The
billiard mechanism consists of a hollow shaft d, before spoken of, see Figure 3,
upon which is fixed the billiard indicator or pointer a. On this shaft d there is
fixed a ratchet wheel h, cut with 100 teeth, or 50 teeth, or a number corresponding
to the number of divisions on the dial; see also Figures 4, 6, 7, 10. i is a chain
wheel; j is a cam, which are also fixed on or form part of the shaft d. The chain
wheel i is used to impart motion to the shaft d and the pointer a when mechanical
action is used as the indicating agent. The apparatus however is also arranged so
that electricity may be the indicating agent. In this case the shaft d and the
pointer a are moved by the lever k, see Figure 4, the pawl k¹ of which takes into
the teeth of the ratchet wheel h before described. The lever k has an armature k¹¹
attached to it, and is worked by the agency of the electro magnet l. The apparatus
may further be arranged to be worked by a pneumatic agency, consisting of an
arrangement of bellows which work the lever k and the ratchet wheel h. The
bellows may be worked by any known pneumatic arrangement. In the chain
wheel arrangement the chain wheel i is worked by the chain i, which is led round
a second chain wheel i at the side of the board. This wheel is mounted on a
shaft, to which it is keyed in connection with the ratchet wheel 2111 The shaft
and the endless chain are worked by the spoked disc m, the spokes or handles
projecting through the side of the board, as shown in the Drawings. The wheel m
is provided with a pawl m' which takes into and works the ratchet wheel i¹¹¹, by

page_text: l
which means the chain wheels i, ¹¹, are rotated, and thereby the pointer a can be
moved forward in one direction only. The disc or wheel m runs free in the other
direction. The electro magnet can be operated by a "push" with suitable wires,
as usual in the working of electric bells, the wires being arranged to enable the
electro magnet to move the wheel h a tooth at a time, and thereby the pointer a a
unit at a time, or by the use of a switch or separate "push "the movement of the
pointer a may be continuous for the purpose of completing the score of the loser
when the game is finished.
A modification of the mechanical operating mechanism is illustrated at Figure 2.
In this case the lever k, which corresponds with the lever in Figure 4, is worked
by a rod n actuated by a "push "n¹ at the side of the board, the recovering action
being obtained by the spring n", regulated so as to give a unit of advance for each
push. The mechanism is so arranged that by pulling out the "push" the lever k
and its pawl k will move the wheel h so as to score with the pointer a any number
from 1 to 10 of units of advance at a time, which operation is useful in running
up the score of a loser in the event of a new game. This "push" scoring mechanism
is illustrated in further detail in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
The before described arrangements constitute the mechanism for working the
units of advance of the billiard marker. The centals and demi centals are recorded
by the before described superposed dial, or the secondary dial A¹, Figures 1, 5, 84,
and 9, which secondary dial A¹ exhibits its indications through the window or
windows A of the unit dial. The dial A¹ which may be either superposed or
underposed, or at the back of the dial A, for examples, see Figures 5 to 10 inclusive,
is a rotating dial mounted on a shaft on which is fixed the ratchet wheel J, having,
say, twenty teeth representing when the billiard dial is divided into 50 score, the
50 and 100 of 1000 score. When the billiard dial is divided into a 100 score, the
ratchet wheel J of the dial A¹ has ten teeth representing hundreds or tenths of
1000 score.
The ratchet wheel J, and thereby the dial A¹ is operated by a pawl
J¹ in connection with a weighted lever J, see Figure 10 (or a spring may be used)
which receives motion from a rod or link J, actuated by a second lever Jui
which receives motion from the cam j before, referred to as being fixed on the
shaft d of the billiard unit pointer. The rod or link J may be so arranged as to
be capable of being disconnected from the dial A', when it is desired to play games
of 100 score only. A disconnecting gear for adjusting the dial A¹ may consist of
the " push" J, Figure 10. In Figures 2, 6, 7, and 8, the dial A¹ is worked
from the disc j, which takes the place of and corresponds to the cam j, Figures 3, 4,
and 10. Once in every complete revolution of the unit pointer a on its dial A, and
at the end of such revolution, the cam ; or the disc j, as the case may be, operates
the mechanism in connection with the dial A¹, and thereby causes the dial A¹ to
change its exhibit through the window A" of the unit dial A. A like mechanism
may be used to actuate the secondary dial before referred to as exhibiting through
windows in an unnumbered primary or front dial, as at Figure 84.
The scoring mechanism of the inner or pyramid dial B consists of the hollow
shaft e, see Figure 3, passing through the shaft d of the billiard marker. The
pyramid marker shaft e may be worked by a chain wheel and gear e¹, or by
electricity, or by a pneumatic arrangement in inanner similar to the billiard shaft d,
or it may be worked by a milled head g on the central shaft f. There are two
indicators or pointers in connection with the pyramid marker, one, the advance
pointer b, being fixed on the hollow shaft c, and used to denote the advance of the
game, and the other being a retrogade pointer c fixed on the central shaft f, and
used to mark the retrogade and backward losses of the player. This pointer c is
arranged so that it can only be moved backwards from its normal position, and
when it is covering the advance pointer bit will move therewith. The connection
is caused by the pin f¹ which moves in a slot in a disc on the shaft e.
The shaft f
is provided with a milled head g which also serves for working the advance
pointer b.
The scoring mechanism of the pool marker C consists of a series of shafts or

page_text: spindles E, see Figures 1, 2, and details, Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21, 22, and 23. Upon each of the spindles E there is mounted a marking
dial C, see Figure 1, and detail Figure 11. These dials are arranged in
pairs, see Figure 2, namely, 1 and 2, or white and red form the first pair
3 and 4, or green and yellow the next pair, and so on consecutively in the
order of number and colours. For convenience of description I will describe
the arrangement of mechanism of one pair of dials C, which will serve for
any other pair, as all the pairs are alike. The spindles E are mounted between
two plates L and M separated by pillars similar to a clock movement, the plates
L, M, being long enough to include as many dials C as it is intended to put
in the series. Upon or over each of the spindles E, between the plates L, M,
there is placed a ratchet wheel p, and three sliding plates 9, 7, 8, and three discs
or cams q (t, t',) u. The spindles E with their dials C and other mechanism are
arranged in pairs, the reason of which will be presently explained. I will now
describe the second pair, namely, 3 and 4, or green and yellow dials. Upon the back
plate L there is placed a sliding plate q working in suitable guides, and having as
many holes q¹ in it as there are spindles in the frame, detail Figure 23. The
normal position of each spindle E is in the centre of the hole q', and this sliding
plate q I call the locking plate. Over this plate 9 fixed to the spindle E is a disc q³,
Figures 21, 22, rather larger in diameter than the hole q' in the plate q. This
disc q¹ I call the locking disc. At the back of the disc q² there is a stud or pin q³.
When the disc q2 is rotated the pin q³ travels round the edge of the hole q', but
there is fixed to the plate and projecting within the hole q¹ a stop or tooth q*. If
the disc q be rotated the pin q³ will come against the projection 9*; the rotation
of the spindle E will be arrested. The plate g must now slide so that the pin q³
can pass the projection q* and backward before the disc q2 can make another
rotation. There is a stud 9 fixed in the face of the plate q and opposite to the
projection, and there is a recess in the edge of the disc q³ corresponding with the
projection of the plate. This recess in the disc comes opposite to the stud q³ at
the same time that the pin q³ comes against the projection 9; consequently the
plate q can only slide when the disc q comes to a certain point in its path of
rotation, and that point corresponds with the end of the game or blank on the dial.
A ratchet wheel p, see Figures 18 and 19, with twelve teeth, is next mounted on
the spindle E, and the pawl p' is pivotted to the frame. Next comes the sliding
plate r, which I term the registering plate, see Figure 20. It has oblong holes
opposite each spindle E, and through which the spindles pass. These holes 71
allow the plate r to slide without interfering with the spindles E. Next there is
fixed firmly to each spindle E a cam or disc t, t¹, similar to the locking cam u³
working in connection with the registering plate ?. These cams or discs t, t', have
upon their peripheries projections or teeth of peculiar form and size. The registering 4
cam of the number 3 dial has two projections or teeth, and is illustrated at
Figure 19. The registering cam t of number 4 dial has only one projection or tooth,
and is illustrated at Figure 18. There are studs 2 fixed upon the registering plate r,
which the teeth of the cams, Figures 18 and 19, work against, causing it to slide
forward, and a spring is attached to the plater for bringing it back to its normal
position. This registering plate is connected with the register for the purpose of
recording the number of players. The two teeth on the registering cam, Figure 19,
are placed on opposite parts of its diameter, one being twice the length of the other,
which causes the registering plate r to move twice the distance of the lesser tooth,
the reason for which is herein after explained. On the cam of number 4 dial, i
shown at Figure 18, there is only one tooth, corresponding with the lesser tooth on
the cam, Figure 19. These smaller teeth are for registering the star players.
When at the commencement of a game I turn the cam, Figure 19 I find that it
registers two players. When I turn the cam, Figure 18, it does not register at all,
as the cam, Figure 19, bas registered for it. It is often the rule in playing pool on 5
public tables that when three persons are going to play they must pay for four, and
when five persons are going to play they must pay for six, and so on. Upon the

page_text: spindle E of number 3 dial there is fixed eccentrically another and smaller disc u,
which actuates another short sliding plate 8, which I call the checking plate, fixed
at the back of the frame plate M. The checking plate s reaches from number 3 to
number 4 spindles only. It has oblong slots s¹ so that it can slide without inter-
fering with the action of the spindles Ę it connects. This plate 8 checks or prevents
the use of number 4 dial until number 3 has been set for play. There is a small
eccentric disc u, Figure 17, which works between two cross bars u³ on the checking
plate, and every rotation it makes causes the plate to move back wards and forwards.
Upon number 4 spindle there is a small disc with a tooth, see Figure 16, which
impinges against a projection u2 upon the plates at a certain point in the path of
rotation of the spindle upon which it is fixed, namely, that point which corresponds
with the end of the game; consequently number spindle cannot turn (until
number 3 has been turned) and carry the checking plate 8 forward, and the projec-
tion u² clear of the tooth of the cam v.
v
I have elected to construct this pool marking board with ten dials for ten
players, the spindles E of which are actuated by milled heads E¹ on the front of
the board. The dials C have the conventional signs called lives, also stars or star
lives, arranged in radial lines of three, two, and one, and occupying one quadrant
of the dial and three teeth of the ratchet wheel p, Figures 18 and 19. The dial is
illustrated at Figure 11, the long black mark signifying death of the lives or the
player having been played out. The star lives occupy one quadrant opposite the
first lives, the other quadrants are blank. The registering plate r is provided with
stop brackets, which prevent the star lives being put on without registering. The
pin acts as the stop. The register may be an ordinary gas meter register, or it may
be formed like the mechanism of a paging machine. My improvement consists in
making it applicable to my purpose by the manner of actuating the unit spindle
(see Figure 2). I fix upon the unit spindle a ratchet wheel w with ten teeth;
behind the wheel w I place a sliding plate x, which slides freely in suitable guides
without impeding the rotation of the wheel w. Upon this plate I fix two clicks
or pawls attached at opposite ends of the plate. The pawls fall into the teeth of
the ratchet wheel wat opposite parts of its diameter; what is effected by it is
this, suppose the teeth of the wheel ware one fifth of an inch apart, if I slide the
plate one fifth of an inch forwards and backwards, I move the ratchet wheel w
round its axis two teeth, and consequently two points or units on the registering
dials. If I move the plate one tenth of an inch forwards and backwards one point
or unit only is recorded. I connect the plate by means of a link a¹ to the
registering plate r, and when the plate r is moved by the large tooth on the cam t'
it causes the plate x at the register to move two teeth and record two, but when
the registering plate r is moved by the small tooth on the cam t¹ it causes the
plate at the register to record one only. The link x¹ is capable of being
disconnected by the movement of the locking mechanism y, Figure 12, which is
actuated by a key on the face of the board. The object of it is this, as a rule only
one and probably never more than two players are allowed to enter the game
afresh by purchasing the star lives, consequently those that have not been used
when the game is ended must be moved round to the end of their rotation without
registering. This is effected by a lever in the lock y which is actuated by the key
in a certain position of the mechanism. When the key is inserted in the lock and
it is moved to the right it causes the plate g to slide, and all the pins q³ of the
locking cams q² can pass the projections in the holes q¹. When the key is
turned back it brings the locking plate with it, and through the shape of the
projections as they press upon the pins q³ they force the cams, spindles, and
dials, round on their axis for the distance of one tooth on the ratchet wheel p, and
consequently they automatically bring the lives on the dials opposite to their
respective windows ready for play, but if the key be turned to the opposite
direction, say, to the left as far as it will go, it carries with it both the locking
plate q and the registering plate r. In this position the small or star teeth on the
cams t, t¹, can pass round on their axis for a limited distance without affecting the

page_text: record or registering, but as this movement of the registering plater would have
actuated the register, this is prevented by the link x being disconnected during
the operation. The key of the pool board has a small pointer at Z, Figure 1, to
indicate its proper application.
The shell out scoring mechanism and dial is illustrated at Figures 1, 2, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, and consists of a series of dials D mounted on spindles F
turned by milled heads. A locking plate (1) Figure 31, a registering plate (2)
Figure 28, a locking cam (3) Figures 29 and 30, a registering cam and ratchet
wheel (4) Figures 26 and 27 arranged in manner similar to the pool mechanism,
and as shown at Figures 2 and 25 and provided with a key. The dials are divided,
as shown at Figure 24, and rotated by the milled heads on the spindles F.
Fourth. The scoring mechanism for each individual marker consists in applying
the hereinbefore described mechanisms separate from the combination shown at
Figures 1 and 2 to each individual marker.
Fifth. The registering mechanism for the billiard and pyramid marker consists of
a train of units, tens, and hundreds wheels, as illustrated at Figures 1, 2, 9, and 10,
and indicated by the letter P. The train is worked by the spindle of the unit
wheel which is operated by a shaft, which carries two plates in the case of Figure 2,
and three plates in the case of Figure 10 indicated by the letter R. The plates R
have pawls which take onto a ratchet wheel fixed on the unit shaft. In Figure 10
motion is given to one plate by the endless chain S from the pyramid marker, and
to the other plates by the links T, T¹, respectively from the spot and plain dials of
the billiard marker.
A modification of the registering mechanism is shown at Figures 2, 6, 7, and 8,
and consists of a rod or lever U attached to one of the plates in connection with
the ratchet wheel, which works the unit spindle of the register. The rod or
lever U has a jaw or gab U¹ which takes over an eccentric U2 placed between the
ratchet wheel h of the billiard marker, and the ratchet wheel of the pyramid
marker. The eccentric U2 has a tooth W arranged so that once in every revolution
of the billiard pointer ratchet wheel a tooth or pin W₁ on such ratchet wheel
engages with and rotates the eccentric U2, and thereby scores a unit of advance on
the register P. A similar tooth or pin W2 on the ratchet wheel of the pyramid
pointer performs the like operation and registers for the pyramid games.
Figure 32 illustrates my Invention as a marker suitable for billiards or pyramids.
The marking pointers are actuated by the before described mechanisms or simply
turned by hand by a milled head on the pointer's spindles. The registering
mechanism P is subject to and worked by the lock and locking plate X, which is
operated by the key X' (Figure 33, which is a sectional plan of Figure 32). X2 is
a locking spring, which must be unlocked or thrown out of gear with the plate X³
by the key X before the plate ✗³ can be moved. The movement of the plate X³ 4
by the key X¹ actuates the register P and also releases the spindles of the dial
pointers from the locking gear Y, so that such pointers can be turned once round
the dial, which action is notified by the striking of the bell Z. The locking
mechanism Y consists of the ratchet wheel Y keyed on the pointer spindle with a
pin Y over which takes the catch lever Y³. The lever Ys is lifted out of gear with
the pin Y by the pin Y', which is on the lever Y³ which is pivotted to and moves
with the plate X³. Yo is a spring for bringing the plate X³ to its normal position.
The action of a billiard marker thus constructed is as follows:-Upon forcing in
and turning the key X¹ the plate X³ is moved, so that the spindle of the pointer
which is set for the beginning of the game is unlocked upon the plate regaining its
normal position by the spring Y, and the register P is advanced a unit. The gear
is shown unlocked for play in Figure 32. Upon the ratchet wheel Y' making a
revolution the pin Y7 comes under the lever Yo and raises it, and the pin Y* lifts
the catch lever Y³ from the pin Y%. At the completion of the score the pin Y8,
Figure 34, actuates the lever Z2 and strikes the bell Z. At the completion of the
game the pointers are locked and cannot be moved without unlocking the apparatus
and moving the register by the key X¹.

page_text: In Figures 1, 2, the "pusbes" which work the pointers are indicated by the
figures (12) for the billiard marker and (13) for the pyramid marker; (14) is the
locking key.
In Figures 9 and 10, (12) are the pushes which work the billiard marker. The
pyramid markers are worked from the milled heads in the centre of the dials;
(15) is a locking plate which is operated by the key (14). This plate_locks or
unlocks "pushes" (12), and also locks or unlocks the pyramid markers. The latter
is accomplished through the rods (16) and the lever (17), which latter, when locked,
takes into the notch (18), as will be understood upon reference to the Drawings.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my Invention, and shown
and illustrated how the same may be carried out into practical operation, I would
have it understood that I disclaim all matter contained in the Specifications of
prior Patents for registering billiard markers. I would also have it understood
that I do not limit myself to the precise positioning of the various parts and
mechanism shown in the Drawings, as the same can be considerably varied without
departing from my Invention, and also the combination of the various marking
boards may also be varied without departing from my Invention, and the actuating
mechanisms may be applied to the different forms or arrangements of markers
constructed according to my Invention.
What I claim as my Invention is :-
Under the first part,―
First. An apparatus being a combined billiard, pyramid, pool, and shell out
marker, constructed and operating substantially in the manner and for the
purposes set forth, and such as illustrated at Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. Constructing and arranging dials for scoring, recording, marking, and
registering the games of billiards, pyramids, pool, and shell out, precisely in manner
as herein described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 5, 8ª, 9, 10, 11, and 24 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Under the second part I claim,―
The combination and arrangement of parts or mechanism for recording, marking,
and registering the score and games of billiards, pyramids, pool, and shell out, such
combination being that shown at Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings,
or the pool and shell out marking mechanism shown at Figure 2 combined with the
billiard and pyramid marking mechanism shown at Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10,
and 32, 33, 34, any of which may be used in combination with the pool and shell
out mechanism at Figure 2 for the purposes set forth.
Under the third part I claim,-
First. The arrangement of billiard marking and pyramid marking mechanism
and game register, substantially as described and illustrated.
Second. The arrangement of billiard marking and pyramid marking dials and
game register dials, substantially as described and illustrated.
Under the fourth part I claim,-
First. In a billiard marking dial a superposed or secondary dial, whether placed
eccentrically or concentrically, for exhibiting and counting the centals, or half
centals, or other required divisions used in playing games of billiards, as at Figures 1,
5, 84, and 9.
Second. Operating the scoring and registering mechanism by a device being an
endless chain and wheels, such as shown at Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying
Drawings, as herein described.
Third. In a "push" mechanism the drawing out of the actuating knob and parts
whereby any number between one and twenty points may be marked with one
movement in scoring the game of billiards.
Fourth. The mechanism, consisting of a cam such as j, for actuating the superposed
or secondary dial at the exact instant the scoring pointer completes a rotation, and
locking the same, substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
Fifth. Constructing, arranging, and operating a billiard marking and registering

page_text: mechanism, as herein set forth and illustrated at Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
Drawings, or 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, or 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the
accompanying Drawings, or 9, 10, of the accompanying Drawings, or 32, 33, and 34
of the accompanying Drawings.
Under the fifth part I claim,-
In a dial and mechanism for marking the game of pyramids, the use and applica-
tion of a retrogade pointer (for marking and scoring the backward game or owings
of the player), such as c, as illustrated at Figures 1, 3, and 9 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. The use and application of an endless chain and wheel for scoring the
game of pyramids, such as the chain and wheel shown at Figure 4 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Third. The mechanism for scoring and registering the game of pyramids, as
herein set forth and illustrated at Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings,
or 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, or 6, 7, 8 of the accompanying Drawings,
or 9 and 10 of the accompanying Drawings, or 32, 33, and 34 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Under the sixth part I claim,-
First. The dials and the arrangement of same for marking and scoring the game
of pool, and the method of positioning the lives and stars thereon and colouring the
margin c¹ of the windows, as illustrated at Figures 1 and 11 of the accompanying
Drawings, and herein described.
Second. The devices or mechanism (for actuating the pool dials) herein described
and illustrated at Figure 2 and in detail at Figures 12 to 23 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Under the seventh part I claim,-
First. The dials and arrangement of same for marking and scoring the game of
shell out and colouring the margin D¹ of the windows, as illustrated at Figures 1
and 24 of the accompanying Drawings, and herein described.
Second. The devices or mechanism (for actuating the shell out dials) herein
described and illustrated at Figure 2, and in detail at Figures 25 to 31 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hope, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty first day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
TATTIT
TARK