IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BEDS OF TABLES FOR PLAYING BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOHN MARSDEN of Chandos Works, Beacon Street, Liverpool in the County
of Lancaster Billiard Table Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BEDS OF TABLES FOR PLAYING BILLIARDS,
BAGATELLE AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES to be as follows:-
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The beds of tables on which the game of billiards is played are now generally
made of slate, though some are made of cement or composition. It is to these
latter that the improvements constituting the present invention more particularly
apply.
The bed of the table is formed of a number of slabs of composition composed
principally of a plastic material such as Portland cement and fine gravel, though
other similar suitable composition might be employed. The longer edges of these
slabs are alternately formed with tongues and grooves, which fit into each other,
forming a secure joint. Each slab may be made with a tongue on one edge and a
groove on the other, or a certain number may be made with tongues on each edge,
and a similar number with grooves, and these placed side by side alternately thus
forming the bed, so that a tongued edge fits into a grooved edge. Transversely
through each of these slabs, or in the course of their manufacture, is formed one or
more holes, preferably near their ends, through which when laid in position on the
table frame is passed a tie rod which may pass the entire length of the bed if
desired, but for convenience in packing etcetera, it is preferred to make the tie rod
in two lengths, and imbed in the centre slab a nut into which the ends of the
rod are screwed and firmly held, the other ends being provided with a square
hexagonal or other head to which a tool can be conveniently applied for the
purpose of screwing it up.
Taken longitudinally each slab is moulded or cast slightly bellied towards the
When these
centre on upper surface, and in its under surface is imbedded a nut.
slabs are placed in position on the table frame, a set screw is passed through an
oblong slot in the girder or beam of the table frame and is screwed into each nut
in the under surface of the slabs, which are drawn thereby until a perfectly level
surface is obtained. The bed of the table is thus securely held together without

page_text: being held by the cushion rails or any pressure coming thereon, or without any
other attachment to the table frame than the set screw above described passing
through a slot, which allows for any variation in the frame owing to contraction
or expansion. This invention is also applicable to other tables on which games are
played, or where a perfectly level or solid bed is required.
WP. THOMPSON & Co.,
Per J. O. O'Brien,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I JOHN MARSDEN, Chandos Works, Beacon Street, Liverpool, Lancashire,
Billiard Table Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BEDS OF TABLES FOR PLAYING BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE,
AND OTHER SIMILAR GAMES" and in what manner the same is be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The beds of tables on which the game of billiards is played are now generally
made of slate, though some are made of cement or composition. It is to these
latter that the improvements constituting the present invention more particularly
apply.
Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of billiard table,
and Figure 2 plan of the bed of same, showing my improvements.
The bed of the table is formed of a number of slabe A of composition, composed
principally of a plastic material such as Portland cement and fine gravel, though
other similar suitable composition might be employed. The longer edges of these
slabs are alternately formed with tongues a and grooves a¹ which fit into each
other forming a secure joint. Each slab A may be made with a tongue on one
edge and a groove on the other, as shown, or a certain number may be made with
tongues on each edge, and a similar number with grooves, and these placed side by
side alternately, thus forming the bed, so that a tongued edge fits into a grooved edge.
Transversely through each of the slabs A or in the course of their manufacture is
formed one or more holes B, through which when laid in position on the table
frame C, is passed a tie rod D, which may pass the entire length of the bed if.
desired, but for convenience in packing etcetera, it is preferred to make the tie
rod in two lengths, and securely imbed in the centre slab a nut d, into which the
ends of the rod are screwed and firmly held, the other ends being provided with a
square hexagonal or other bead E to which a tool can be conveniently applied for
the purpose of screwing it up.
Taken longitudinally each slab is moulded or cast slightly bellied towards the
centre on its upper surface, and in the under surface is imbedded a nut F (or a
projecting bolt or stud or eye). When these slabs are placed in position on the
table frame, a set screw f is passed through an oblong slot or hole G in the girder
or beam of the table frame, and is screwed into each nut in the under surface of the
slabs, which are drawn thereby until a perfectly level surface is obtained, if studs
or eye bolts have been imbedded in the slab instead of nuts, they are screwed,
wedged, or otherwise drawn down in a similar manner. The bed of the table is
thus securely held together without being held by the cushion rails, or any pressure
coming thereon, or without any other attachment to the table frame than the set
screw above described, passing through the alot G, which allows for any variation
in the frame owing to contraction or expansion. This invention is also applicable
to other tables on which games are played, or where a perfectly level or solid bed
is required.

page_text: 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
1st. The improvement in the beds of tables for playing billiards and other
games, which consists in forming the slabs with tongues and grooves fitting the
one into the other and fastening or clamping them together by means of the rods,
substantially as described and shown.
2nd. The improvement in the beds of tables, for playing billiards, and other
games, which consists in forming the slabs bellied and provided with a nut in their
under surface, whereby the upper surface of the slab by means of a set screw
passing through a girder or beam may be drawn to a true horizontal plane,
substantially as described and shown.
3rd. A table for billiards and other games in which the
together without being held by the cusbion rails, and secured in
frame by set screws or their equivalent, which pass through a
are screwed or wedged down, drawing the slab with them, till
latter is level, substantially as described.
bed is firmly held
position on the table
beam or girder and
the surface of the
Dated this 2nd day of April 1885.
WP. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
and 323, High Holborn, London,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.