A GAME OF SKILL, KNOWN AS 'TABLE TENNIS' AND APPLIANCES FOR THE SAME
Year: 1888

page_text: I, CHARLES EMANUEL NEVILLE of 57, Aireville Terrace, Frizinghall, Shipley,
Yorkshire, Inspector of Schools, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for A
GAME OF SKILL, KNOWN AS 'TABLE TENNIS' AND APPLIANCES FOR THE SAME, to be as
follows:-
The game of Table Tennis is played by two, three or four players. The appliances
required are a level surface containing geometric designs; slides; and cues by means
of which the slides are propelled.
The geometric design is placed at each end of the field or level surface, and forms
four courts, each sub-divided into sections, corresponding with the points of the game
to be played for in succession. These sections are each marked with an inner line,
which reduces the area thereof, and when the players are sufficiently skilful, these
smaller sections may be used instead of the full-sized sections.
The Nomenclature of Lawn Tennis is used throughout, both in the method of playing,
and in calculating, the points made in the progress of the game so as to provide an
indoor game for Lawn Tennis players and others, suitable for inclement weather, or
the winter time.
Instead of Racquets as in Lawn Tennis, cues are used; and the slides or pieces
corresponding with balls in Lawn Tennis, are made to slide across the field into
one or other of the sections above referred to.
The geometric design may be of any form which will give the required number of
courts and sections, and may be constructed either by lines marking out the boundaries
of the Courts and sections, or by a distinct ground colour for each section.
The design given in 'figure (1)' is that at present preferred.
The field or level space containing the design may be made of wood, or any suitable
material, and may be of one piece, or two or more pieces, hinged or jointed for folding
as may be most convenient. It may also be made of oil-cloth, linen, paper or any
similar material which can be rolled up when not in use.

page_text: When in use the field
placed on an ordinary dining or other table.
The pieces or slides may be of any convenient form, but that of a semi-sphere is
preferred Figure (2).
The cues with which the pieces are propelled may be similar to "Ladies Bagatelle
Cues." Figure (3).
I, CHARLES EMANUEL NEVILLE, of 57, Aireville Terrace Frizinghall, Shipley,
Yorkshire, Inspector of Schools, 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 consists of a new game, which I intend to call Table Tennis'
adapting the nomenclature and characteristics of Lawn Tennis, for an indoor game.
The Game of Table Tennis' is played by two, three, four, or more players.
The appliances required are a level surface, containing geometric designs, slides and
cues for propelling the slides.
A geometric design is placed at each end of the field or level surface, and forms
four or other number of courts, each subdivided into sections, corresponding with the
points of the game to be played for in succession. These sections are cach marked
with an inner line which reduces the area thereof, and when the players are sufficiently
skilful, these smaller sections may be used instead of the full-sized sections.
Preferably the nomenclature and characteristics of Lawn Tennis are used through-
outin naming the courts, and sections of the courts, in the method of playing, and
in the scoring or calculating the points made in the progress of the game, so as to
provide an indoor game for Lawn Tennis players and others, suitable for inclement
weather, and the winter time.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the drawings accompanying the 'Provisional Specification
in which Fig. (1) represents the 'field' or level surface containing the geometric
design at present preferred, but the design may be of any form which will give the
required number of courts and sections. The Courts and sections may be formed on
the level surface of the 'field' by lines, marking out the boundaries of the Courts and
sections, by a distinct ground colour for each section, by a distinctive shading, pattern
or design for each section or by a combination of any of these, or in any other manner
which will conveniently distinguish the several Courts and sections. The field' or
level surface containing the design may be made of wood or any other suitable material,
and may.be of one piece, or two or more pieces hinged or jointed for folding as may be
most convenient. It may also be made of oil-cloth, leather-cloth, linen, paper; or any

page_text: similar material which can be rolled up when not in use. The size of the field and the
proportions of the courts and sections may be varied as found convenient. When in
use the field is placed on an ordinary dining or other table, or on any other form of
stand or support of convenient height for the players.
Fig. 2. shows the slide which may be of any convenient form, but that of a
hemisphere as shewn in the figure is preferred. It may be made of ebony, boxwood,
ivory or other suitable material.
Fig. 3. shews the cue with which the pieces are propelled. It is constructed so that
on one side the handle may be held parallel to the field, which is the method of striking
usually preferred by gentlemen; and when turned over the handle may be raised and
held at an angle with the field, which is the method usually preferred by ladies.
The naming of the courts and sections, the method of playing, and the manner of
scoring is regulated by rules, which may be varied according to circumstances.
The following is the plan which most closely follows that of Lawn Tennis, and is the
method which will usually be preferred.
The field contains four similar courts each
divided into five sections as in Fig. 1. The inner front section of each court is named
'Fifteen.' The outer front section of each court is named 'Thirty.' The inner back
section of each court is named 'Forty.' The outer back section of each court is named
Vantage.' The circular centre of each court is named 'game.'
The players at the same end of the field play in conjunction, and are each opposed by
the player diagonally opposite.
The object of each player is to strike the slide with the cue, so that it shall be driven
across the field into the required section of the court diagonally opposite to him.
If it is lodged in the proper section, his opponent 'returns' or drives it back again
into the section he wishes to obtain, and the slide is returned backwards and forwards,
until one or other player fails to place it within the required section, when the 'point'
counts to the opponent of the unsuccessful player.
Each set of players must obtain the points 'fifteen,' 'thirty' 'forty' and 'game'
in succession, but if both parties reach the point forty,' the situation is termed 'deuce'
and the Vantage' point must be played for before game.' The party which first
obtains the game' point wins the game. An agreed number of games makes a 'set,'
f
and two or more 'sets' make a 'rubber.'
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
(1). The method of, and means and appliances for, playing a new game, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the drawings.
(2). The application and use of field, cues, and slides, in playing the said game,
substantially as herein before described and shewn in the drawings.
(3). The general arrangement and combination of the several and respective parts
together forming my invention of a new game substantially as hereinbefore described
and shewn in the drawings.
Dated this 12th day of February 1889