Improvements in Travelling Chess Boards.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 15th Feb. 1896
Improvements in Travelling Chess Boards.
I, CHARLES EDGAR GYNGELL, of 54 Shirlock Road, Gospel Oak, London N.W.
Manager of an Athletic Goods Depôt do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
or
My invention relates to the manner in which the chessinen are held in their
places on the chessboard while the latter is closed and when being closed. I carry
out my invention in the following manner.
The chessboard consists of a shallow
box or tray upon the inside face of which is the usual design of 64 squares
"checks." The box is divided in the centre into two equal parts which are
hinged together so that when folded they form one box with the two halves of the
chessboard facing each other inside. A. hole is made in the centre of each square,
and each chessman is provided with a peg at its base which fits loosely into the
holes. The "checks "
or squares of the chessboard are so arranged on the face of
the box that when closed the centre of each square on one side of the board falls
opposite the edge of a square on the other side of the board, so that when the
chessmen are placed in position on the board and the two halves are closed together
the head of every chessman on one side of the board falls between the bases of the
chessmen on the other side of the board, touching the margins of the squares on
which the opposite chessmen stand, so that when closed every chessman is held
firmly in place, its peg inserted in the bole in the square on which it stands, and its
head pressing against the opposite side of the board. All the chessmen are of equal
height and the space between the two halves of the board when closed equals the
height of a chessman. To prevent the chessmen from falling out while the board
is being closed I insert a layer of of india-rubber between the veneer forming the
checks or squares and the bottom of the box, the india-rubber is provided with
holes to correspond with those in the squares, but of less diameter than the pegs of
the chessmen, so that when the pegs are inserted in the holes in the squares the
resiliancy of the rubber allows them to pass through it into the bottom of the box,
while at the same time it exercises sufficient pressure on the sides of the pegs to
prevent them from falling out, whatever position the board may be held in.
Dated this 25th day of March 1895.
I CHARLES EDGAR GYNGELL of 190 Northcote Road Walthamstow Essex,
formerly of 54 Shirlock Road Gospel Oak, London N.W., Manufacturers
Manager 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 :-
My invention relates to chessboards used by travellers and consists in improve-
ments in the mode of fixing the chessmen in position when the chessboard is closed,
and while being closed. carry out my invention in the following manner.
D

page_text: The chessboard consists of a shallow box or tray upon the inside face of which is
the usual design of 64 squares or "checks." The box or tray is divided in the
centre into two equal parts hinged together so that when folded they form one box
with the two halves of the chessboard facing each other inside.
The "checks " or squares forming the chessboard are so arranged on the inside
face of the box that when the two halves are opposed to each other and the box
closed the centre of each square or "check" on one side of the chessboard falls
opposite the edge of a square or check on the other side of the chessboard. This
is effected by placing the design forming the chessboard slightly on one side of
the centre of the tray or box instead of in the centre as is usually done, so that the
centre of the chessboard is the distance of one quarter of one of its squares or checks
on one side of the cut dividing the box or tray into two equal parts. A hole is
made in the centre of each square or check and the chessmen are provided with pegs
at their base which fit loosely into the holes. When the chessmen are placed
in position on the board and the two halves of the box are closed together, the head
of every chessman on one side of the board falls between the bases of the chessmen
on the other side of the board, touching the margin of the squares on which the
opposite chessmen stand. All the chessmen are of equal height and the space
between the two halves of the board when closed is equal to the height of a
chessman, so that when the box is closed every chessman is held firmly in place, its
peg inserted in the hole in the square on which it stands and its head touching the
opposite face of the board.
To prevent the chessmen from falling out while the board is being closed I insert
a layer of india rubber or other resilient material between the veneer forming
the "checks" or squares and the bottom of the box. The india-rubber or other
suitable material is perforated to correspond with the holes in the chessboard but
the perforations are of less diameter than the pegs on the chessmen so that when
the pegs are inserted in the board & pass through the india-rubber they are gently
gripped by the latter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
(1.) The arrangement of the chessboard in the box in such a manner that when
folded the chessmen on one side fall between those on the other side and touch the
squares on which the opposite chessmen stand, thus saving half the internal space
when closed and at the same time holding all the chessmen firmly in position & so
dispensing with the locking or flap arrangement usual in travelling and "in statu quo
chessboards.
"
(2.) The use of india rubber or other suitably elastic material between the checks
and the bottom of the box for the purpose of retaining the chessmen in position
while the box is being closed.
Dated this 24th day of December 1895.
CHARLES EDGAR GYNGELL.