A NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINATION GAME-BOARD APPLICABLE TO THE GAMES OF BACKGAMMON, DRAUGHTS, CHESS, CRIBBAGE, BÉZIQUE, AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND IN MODES OR MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING THE GAMES, SUCH MODES, MEANS, AND APPARATUS BEING CAPABLE OF EMPLOYMENT WITH SUCH GAME-BOARD OR SEPARATELY."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Phineas Lawrence, of Viaduct Works, Farringdon Road, in
the County of Middlesex, Merchant, for the Invention of " A NEW OR IMPROVED
COMBINATION GAME-BOARD APPLICABLE TO THE GAMES OF BACKGAMMON,
DRAUGHTS, CHESS, CRIBBAGE, BÉZIQUE, AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND IN
MODES OR MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING THE GAMES,
SUCH MODES, MEANS, AND APPARATUS BEING CAPABLE OF EMPLOYMENT WITH
SUCH GAME-BOARD OR SEPARATELY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Phineas Lawrence at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th January 1878.
PHINEAS LAWRENCE, of Viaduct Works, Farringdon Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Merchant. "A NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINATION GAME-BOARD, APPLI-
CABLE TO THE GAMES OF BACKGAMMON, DRAUGHTS, CHESS, CRIBBAGE, BÉZIQUE, AND
OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND IN MODES OR MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING
OR SCORING THE GAMES, SUCH MODES, MEANS, AND APPARATUS BEING CAPABLE OF
EMPLOYMENT WITH SUCH GAME-BOARD OR SEPARATELY."
This Invention relates to an improved combination game-board, on which back-
gammon, draughts, cribbage, chess, bézique, and other similar games, may be played,
and in means for scoring or marking such games, the main objects being to econo-
mize space, and to bring together with compactness a number of games on the same
surface or surfaces. It consists of a box, tablet, or flat piece of wood, metal, card-
board, papier mâché, leather, or other suitable rigid material, which is of such size
as to be readily portable, and on the upper and lower surfaces of which the various
game appurtenances are arranged.
I proceed to describe my improved backgammon board arrangement:-On one
surface of the box, tablet, or board, and on the end portions thereof, I arrange the
twelve "points" in any ordinary manner, and I dispense with the round pieces or
"men" usually employed, and I substitute therefore pegs, pins, or the like; and I

page_text: form orifices in these "points" from their base to their apex, in order to receive the
pegs, which of course during the game will occupy the same positions or places
on the points as would the round pieces or meu. By this mode of marking I
economize great space.
"
In order to further economize space I dispense with the dice boxes and dice, and
I employ in lieu thereof one or two dials, each provided with two indices or
pointers, and on the surfaces of which are the numbers, figures, or pips corresponding
with those of the dice. Through the centre of each of these dials passes an axis, on
which I mount two pointers capable of revolving or being spun round, and which
on finishing their revolutions point to or mark one or two figures, numbers, or pips,
on the dial or dials. The figure or figures, or number or numbers, must be read
together in the same manner as the pips on the dice, and the play or moves of the
pegs or pins is proceeded with in the well known manner.
Circles or dials having figures or numbers impressed or marked thereon, or fixed
thereto, and furnished with an index or pointer, are formed on or fitted to the
board, and serve to mark or score the number of games, and also the points of
various other games played or won. On the board I place bézique or cribbage
markers, which consist of a pin, pointer, or index, travelling in a groove or slot in
such board, and projecting above the surface thereof, on which the various points
ranging from 1 to 500, or 1000 and upwards, are marked.
The other or under surface of the box, tablet, or board is arranged for chess or
draughts.
Boxes or receptacles may be attached to or combined with the board for the
reception of cards, pegs, chessmen, and other like articles.
For marking or scoring at cribbage I use a dial, on which may be one or two
concentric circles, each containing 61 divisions; and through the centre of this dial
passes an axis which carries two indices or pointers, each furnished with a knob,
button, or stud for working it, one for each circle, when the marker is used by two
players, or for marking the number of games played when the marker is used by
one player. The knob, button, or stud on the upper pointer is placed at its outer
end, so that this pointer may travel over the lower pointer, whose knob, button, or
stud is placed at its inner end. This marker or scorer is formed on or fitted to the
game-board, and by its employment I dispense with the old mode of marking
with pegs.
Although my cribbage marker or scorer is formed on or fitted to the game-board,
and forms part thereof, it is obvious that such marker or scorer may be made and
used separately therefrom.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Phineas Lawrence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th July
1878.
"
PHINEAS LAWRENCE, of Viaduct Works, Farringdon Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Merchant. A NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINATION GAME-BOARD APPLI-
CABLE TO THE GAMES OF BACKGAMMON, DRAUGHTS, CHESS, CRIBBAGE, BÉZIQUE, AND
OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND IN MODES OR MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING
OR SCORING THE GAMES, SUCH MODES, MEANS AND APPARATUS BEING CApable of
EMPLOYMENT WITH SUCH GAME-BOARD OR SEPARATELY."
This Invention relates to an improved combination game-board, on which back-
gammon, draughts, cribbage, chess, bézique, and other similar games may be played,
and in means for scoring or marking such games, the main objects being to
economize space and to bring together with compactness a number of games on the
same surface or surfaces.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate a combination game-board, together with
its modes of and appliances for scoring or marking, constructed according to my
Invention.
My improved combination game-board is composed of a box, tablet, or flat piece of
wood, metal, cardboard, leather, or other suitable rigid material, with or without a
raised border or rim, and of such a size as to be readily portable, the upper and
lower surfaces being provided with the various games and appliances for marking
or scoring the points made during the games, or the number of games won or
lost.
Either the upper or the lower surface of the board may answer the purpose of a
table.
I now proceed to describe my backgammon board arrangement, together with the
means employed by me for playing at such game, and for scoring or marking
thereat.
Figure 1 is a view or plan of the upper surface of the board; and Figure 2 a
plan of the under side or under surface thereof.
A is the board proper, which has at its upper and lower portions the usual twelve
black and twelve white backgammon "points" (or any other two strongly contrasted
colours) B, B*, respectively. A division line b is made between each of the six twelve
points, in order to constitute the double "board" for the purposes of the game as is
usual.
"
In order to economize space dispense with the round flat "men or pieces
usually employed, and in lieu thereof I employ pegs or pins of any suitable colours.
On the points, and in a vertical line thereon, I form 10 orifices a, ax, or more or
less, to receive the pegs or pins serving as men, and which will during the game
occupy in respect to each other the same places or positions as would the ordinary
flat round men.
For further economizing space and rendering the board readily portable, I
dispense with dice and dice cups or boxes, and as a substitute therefor I employ one
or more dials or discs C, Cx, one for each player, and which may be either fitted.
into the board so as to have their upper surfaces flush with the surface of the board,
or they may be contrived on the board by stamping or indenting the surface
thereof. The faces of these dials bear numerals or "pips" corresponding with
those of the dice, and they are each provided with two pointers or hands c, cx; c¹, c²,
capable of revolving on being spun round. These pointers or hands on finishing
their revolution point or indicate one or two. of the humerals or pips on its dial,
but should either of the pointers stop or point to a line dividing the numerals or
pips from one another they must be respun.
+
The numerals or pips must be read together in the same manner as would be the
pips on the dice. For instance, let us suppose that both the two hands on one of the.
dials should point to. No. 6, then "double sixes" must be read, and the moves of

page_text: the pegs from one point to the other made accordingly; but should one pointer or
hand point to No. 5, and the other to No. 2, then "five two" must be read and
played, and so forth.
D, Dx, are two other dials or discs, each furnished with a single hand or pointer,
and used for marking the number of games played or won, or they may be used for
marking the points at whist, écarté, or other game where the scoring does not
exceed 10 points. These dials are applied to the board in manner similar to those
described with reference to the dials C, Cx, or they may be applied thereto in any
other suitable manner.
H is a shallow receptacle or recess (fitted with a cover) cut in the thickness of
material of which the game-board is composed, and serving to hold the pins or pegs
when not in use, but in its stead I sometimes place or fit one of my improved
circular cribbage boards, or apparatus for marking or scoring at cribbage, and
herein-after described.
The other or under surface of the box, tablet, or board is arranged for chess,
draughts, or other suitable game.
If desired boxes may be attached to or combined with the board for the reception
of cards, chess or draught men, pegs, counters, and other like articles.
I now proceed to describe my various improved cribbage boards, or apparatus for
marking or scoring at cribbage, although it is obvious that they may be employed
by increasing the numerals for marking at bézique or other games.
On the board proper A, I place or fit markers E, E*, and in one arrangement I
utilize for such purpose two of the rims or borders of such board in the following
manner I make a groove or grooves e, e, in each of them, and I furnish each
groove with a pointer or hand, or pointers or hands f, capable of sliding or
travelling therein. On the surfaces of these grooves are marked the various
numerals, those shown in the Drawings commencing at 0, and terminating at 61, so
as to serve for marking or scoring at cribbage; but of course any other suitable set
of numerals, from 0 to 500 or 1000 and upwards, may be marked thereon. For
instance, on one rim or border 1000 may be marked by commencing at 0 and going
up to 500 on one side of the groove, and returning on the other side of the groove
of the same rim or border up to 1000. A pointer or pointers is or are employed
for the purpose of indicating the various points or numerals arranged on one or
both sides of the groove or grooves.
Figure 3 shews in perspective view another arrangement or modification of a
cribbage marker or cribbage board. This is composed of a flat piece of wood or
other suitable material, in which are contrived four grooves e, e, ex, ex; those
marked e, e, being on its upper surface, and those marked ex, ex, being on two of
its edges, preferably the front and back edges. In each of the grooves a pointer f
travels, which indicates, by means of the numerals marked on the board, the score
made during the game. This marker may be solidly attached to either surface of
the game-board A, or it may be constructed so as to fit thereon.
Figure 4 is a plan showing one arrangement of my improved circular apparatus
or boards for marking or scoring at cribbage, and herein-before alluded to. This
marker or scorer is formed on or fitted to my improved combination game-board at
H, and although it is destined to form a part thereof it is obvious that it may be
made and used separately therefrom. It is composed of a dial or disc of wood,
metal, ivory, or other suitable material, the circumference or border of which is
furnished with 61 numerals or divisions, the former being the one preferred and
shown in the Drawings. Through the centre of this dial or disc passes an axis
which carries two pointers or hands m, mx, each of which is provided with a knob,
button, or stud p, p*, for working them. The knob p is placed at the outer end of
the upper pointer m and the knob p* on the inner end or heel of the pointer m*.
By this arrangement of the knobs the upper pointer may travel over the lower one
without displacing it from the numeral or point at which it has been placed.
In another arrangement or modification seen in plan, Figure 5, and horizontal
section, Figure 6, I employ two sets of numerals, as set at Figure 5, the central

page_text: portion of the marker or apparatus being lower than its surrounding border or rin
in order that the said marker may be used at the same time by two players. The
pointers are of different lengths in order that the longer one of the two shall point
to the outer set of numerals, while the shorter one points to the inner set. The
knobs are here arranged as in the arrangement previously described; the pointers
may be of different colours.
By the above-described arrangements of cribbage boards or markers I dispense
with the pegs usually employed.
Any of the means or devices herein-before described for marking or scoring at
cribbage, bézique, or other like games may, if desired, be fixed to the under surface
of the game-board.
'
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim,
First. The improved combination game-board arranged substantially as herein
described and shewn, by which a number of games and the means for marking and
scoring the saine are brought together with compactness in a limited space.
Second. The mode or method of marking the various moves of the men or pieces
during the game of backgammon, such mode or method consisting in the employ-
ment of pegs or pins fitting into orifices contrived in each of the twelve "points,"
as herein described.
Third. The improved mode or method of obtaining the same results as with
dice when playing at backgammon, and the means or apparatus employed therefor,
the same consisting in the employment of a dial or disc furnished with numerals or
pips, and provided with two revolving pointers or hands, whereby the use of dice
and dice cups are dispensed with, as herein described..
Fourth. The improved cribbage board, marker, or scorer, substantially as herein
described and shewn at Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings, by which the
progress of the game is more readily ascertained by employing pointers and
numerals than by the use of pegs with the present method.
Fifth. The improved circular cribbage boards, markers, or scorers composed of a
dial or disc of wood, metal, ivory, or the like bearing one or more circles, each
containing 61 numerals, and provided with pointers (furnished with knobs), sub-
stantially as herein described and shewn in Figures 4, 5, and 6 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth. The employment of any of my improved cribbage boards, markers, or
scorers, either in combination with my improved combination game-board or
separately therefrom.
In witness whereof, I, the said Phineas Lawrence, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of July, in the year One thousand eight
hundred and savent eight
P. LAWRENCE. (L.S.)