AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING AND REGISTERING BILLIARDS AND OTHER GAMES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Phillips at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
June 1873.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS, of Middleton Square, in the County of Mid-
5 dlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING AND REGISTERING BILLIARDS AND
OTHER GAMES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to a simple apparatus chiefly designed for
marking or scoring billiards and other games in a more convenient
and efficient manner than has heretofore been practicable, and also for
registering the number of games played during any day or other given
period of time, thereby preventing fraud on the part of billiard markers
or other attendants.
The said apparatus will also be found very convenient for marking or
scoring other games, and for marking and registering various operations
in which it is necessary or desirable to keep a record of consecutive
numbers or quantities.

page_text: The said apparatus is constructed as follows:-Inside a box or case of
wood or other suitable material I mount two drums or pulleys, whose
journals are fitted to turn freely in suitable bearings. Over these drums
I wind or coil a strip or band of cloth, paper, or other thin substance
which is marked with two sets of figures, one set indicating the points,
and the other the games. The numbers may be adapted to games of 50,
100, 500, 1000, or any other number of points.
The aforesaid drums are arranged opposite glass covered holes in the
door or side of the box, through which holes the number opposite the
same may be clearly seen.
Each of the journals of the said drums carries a ratchet wheel, which
is governed by a spring whereby it is permitted to turn in one direction
only, except when the said springs are adjusted to raise them from the
ratchet wheels. This adjustment is effected by a sliding rod supported
upon studs or otherwise under the said springs, and which is formed with
inclined surfaces to act upon them.
The aforesaid drums or pulleys are flanged on their periphery to keep
the figured band in place. Each of the said drums has formed on or
attached to it a grooved pulley, and these grooved pulleys are connected
by a crossed belt or cord which serves to keep the two drums in the
proper relative position. The said drums are manipulated by handles or
buttons outside of the case, and the door or lid of the said case is pro-
vided with a lock, whereby it may be made fast to prevent access to the
mechanism by unauthorized persons.
When this apparatus is used for playing billiards, it is obviously
necessary that it should have two sets of the aforesaid mechanism, one
for each player.
It is intended that the said apparatus should be placed in the billiard
room upon the wall or in any other convenient position, and that the
games played should be marked or scored by the attendants turning the
knob or handle. The spring and ratchet wheel will prevent the turning
back of the drum, so that the last figure shown of the set which
indicates the games will tell correctly the number of games that has
been played.
As will appear from the above description there are two drums and a
indicating apertures. At the end of each day the proprietor or other

page_text: authorized person examines the figures and thereby ascertains the exact
number of games to be accounted for, and then adjusts the apparatus for
further use, and when the registering band or belt is fully wound or
coiled upon one drum, the said apparatus is adjusted to turn in the
direction to wind the said band upon the other drum. The aforesaid
glass covered apertures are provided with covers, and the cover of the
one not being used at any time should be closed.