Improvements in Counting and Scoring or Indicating Apparatus especially applicable to Games.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Counting and Scoring or Indicating Apparatus
especially applicable to Games.
I, EMIL BÖHME, of Stadthaus, Neisse, in the German Empire, Innkeeper, 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:
The object of the present invention is to facilitate the counting or scoring of
the points and to prevent mistakes when playing, and further, to enable the present
condition or progress of the game to be seen at a glance.
The apparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 shews an external elevation of the scoring apparatus.
Figure 2 shews a view of the apparatus with the front removed.
Figure 3 is a cross section on the line a of Figure 1, consequently through
the double indicating dial.
Figure 4 is a cross section on the line y-y of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the spindle and surrounding parts drawn to an
enlarged scale.
Figure 6 shows a view of the dial C, detached.
!
The apparatus consists mainly of the ground plate A which carries the
dials C, B, D, and the cover E with the dials F G, hands and other accessories.
Upon the ground plate A, are the spindles a arranged to carry the dials' B, C, D.
In Figure 3 are to be seen the dials B, C, concentrically placed one inside the
other. The dial B is so constructed that the thickened edge b completely encloses
the flat dial C, and the upper surface of the edge 6 lies in the same plane with the
upper surface of the dial Č. The dial B with its spindle a rotates on the ground
plate A turning forwards or backwards but the dial C does not partake in this
rotation. On the dial C a sleeve c with friction discs c¹ is fastened, which passes
through the cover E and carries a hand the movement of which is transferred by
the sleeve to the dial C. Between the dials B and C is a spiral spring, which is
to prevent locking of the dials against the cover, and to prevent them moving too
easily. The dial D is fastened on the spindle a which rotates in the ground
plate A, and this dial therefore partakes of the movement of the spindle."
The spindles a and a¹ are provided at their smaller end 1 with a needle 2, which
rotates in a corresponding hole in the ground plate. The thickened part 3 is
squared at 4 in both spindles and corresponds with similar square holes formed in
the dials. Both spindles are squared at the top end'5 and screw threaded in order
to take the hands. The cover E which corresponds in its measurement to the
ground plate, carries the two dials F, G, through holes in the centres of which

page_text: spindles a, a¹ project. Between the two dials a rectangular opening e is provided
the cover for the purpose hereinafter explained. The dial F carries two
hands ff, of which the bottom one f is fastened to the sleeve c, while the hand fl
is fastened to the end of the spindle a. The dial G carries only one hand g. The
circumferences of the dials C, B and D are respectively visible through the
opening .e.
+
The dials are provided with different numerals, and to be more precise the dial B
carries on its circumference the Figures 0, to 9. The dial D carries the same order
of figures in the same colour, while the dial C carries 'different coloured numerals
in another order as is to be seen in Figure 6, where the circumference of the dial B
is provided with the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in the same colour as those on the
dials C, D, and a blank space, whereas a plus sign and the numerals 1 and 2 are
in another colour. The outer dials F, G are provided with numerals 0 to 9. It
may be observed here, that if circumstances require it, the number of numerals
may be increased and it is also reserved that other signs can be used in their stead.
The manipulation of the apparatus is effected in the following manner: -At the
beginning of the game the numerals or other signs are so arranged that the aper-
ture e shows that number or other sign which it is intended to start from. Let us
suppose a game of billiards and that it is intended to play from 500 downwards,
the big hand would have to be placed on 5 and the small hands f¹ and g on 0 so
that the black number 500 would appear in the aperture. If a player make 25
points this number would have to be deducted from the above mentioned 500. It
"will be necessary for that purpose to turn the hand 7 to the right until it points to
the Figure 5, the hand f¹ will have to be turned to the left until it points to 7 and
the hand to the right until it reaches 4, so, that the number 475 appears in the
aperture e. The hands are turned, and fixed, in the directions indicated as long
as there are any points to be played down and until the player or players that is
or are in advance, start playing "up," that is say beginning from 1. For instance,
if a player has to "play down" 38 points and in the next break he makes 45 points
he will have played up" 7 points. The small hand g is turned in the same
direction as hitherto, the small hand f' is turned so as to point to 0, and the big
hand f is turned away again from 0 to the left till the red plus sign appears. If
the respective player has " played up 110 points, the hand f indicating the
hundreds would have to be turned one degree or point, to the left so that it then
points to 9, whereby a 1 in red colour is caused to appear in the aperture e.
small hand f¹ is again turned so as to point to 1, and the hand g showing the units
is pointing to 0. It is obvious that arrows in different colours may be provided on
the dials in order to facilitate indicating and that a special number circle may be
provided on the dial F for the big hand f if circumstances require it.
"
33
The
To prevent a too quick turning of the hands and thereby mistakes in indicating,
toothed wheels or their equivalent may be provided at the upper end of the
spindles a a just below the cover plate, which wheels can engage with suitable
levers, pawls, or springs and so produce a short stop at each time the wheels are
turned one tooth. It is obvious that suitable slight alterations in the construction
of the apparatus may be made, if required, without exceeding the ambit of this
invention.
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: :―
An indicating and counting apparatus, especially applicable for scoring the
condition of games, consisting of two or more dials, bearing numerals or other
signs rotatably. mounted on spindles within a case or behind a cover in which is
an aperture so arranged that one or more of the signs on the said dials will be
visible through said aperture index nointers or clock hands extending through
2

page_text: dials with numerals or other signs thereon, all constructed and operating substan-
tially as herein described and shown.
Dated this 6th day of July 1807
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.