New or Improved Game.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 13th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Game.
I, FREDERICK COOPER of 129 Heathfield Road, Handsworth, in the County
of Stafford, Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of my said inven-
tion to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object the adaptation of the game of Association football
on an ordinary billiard table.
In carrying out my invention I erect a pair of goal posts on the billiard table one
pair at each end (constructed as hereinafter described) and I lay out on the
billiard table two sets of billiard balls to represent the players that is starting from
one end of the "field" I place a ball to represent the goal keeper between the goal
posts, and next in line two balls to represent the backs, then three balls to represent
the half backs followed by five balls to represent the forwards as in Association
football. I constitute the "field" in a similar manner from the opposite end using
balls of a different color between the two and in the centre of the table I place a
special white ball which is to represent the football. The game can be played with
two or four players-with-ordinary-billiard cues. First a player strikes one of the
balls representing a forward to hit the white or football placed in the centre the
object being to get it as near the goal as possible. Then after the first stroke an
opponent strikes one of the balls representing the other eleven to hit the white or
foot ball back again towards his opponent's goal and so the game proceeds, each
player having alternate strokes. If a player's ball strikes an opponent's he shall
have two strokes at the football for position as a foul. Only goals to consist in
the game.
The two pairs of goal posts may be made of metal or other suitable material to
stand on or be affixed to an ordinary billiard table and for this purpose may be made
with a broad sheet metal foot to enable them to stand secure or they may be secured
to the table by a crank overlapping the edges of the table.
Dated this 11th day of January 1893.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Game.
I, FREDERICK COOPER of 129 Heathfield Road, Handsworth, in the County
of Stafford, Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention has for its object the adaptation of the game of Association foot-ball
on an ordinary billiard table.
For the better understanding of my invention I have hereunto annexed a
drawing of a billiard table and will now proceed to describe my invention as
applied thereto.
At each end of the billiard table I erect a pair of goal posts and cross bar A. A,
(hereinafter more particularly described) and I lay out on the billiard table two
sets of billiard balls to represent the players, that is, starting from one end of the
"field
or table I place a ball (1) to represent the goal keeper between the goal
posts and next in line two balls (2), (2) to represent the backs, then three
balls (3), (3), (3) to represent the half-backs, and finally five balls (4), (4), (4), (4), (4)
"

page_text: to represent the forwards as in Association foot-ball. I constitute the field in a
similar manner from the opposite end using balls of a different color and between
the two sets of balls I place a special white ball (5) representing the foot-ball.
The arrangement of the "field" is shewn more clearly in plan view Fig. 1.
The game, which can be played with two or four players with the ordinary
billiard cues, may be described as follows:-
First a player strikes one of the balls representing a forward to hit the white or
foot-ball placed in the centre the object being to get as near the goal as possible.
Then after the first stroke an opponent strikes one of the balls representing the
.other eleven to hit the white or foot-ball back again towards his opponents goal and
so on the game proceeds, each player having alternate strokes and the scoring
consisting of the number of goals. If a player's ball strikes an opponents he shall
have two strokes at the foot-ball for position as a "foul." If the player drives the
foot-ball into any of the pockets it shall be deemed to have been over the. line and
"out of play" and the penalty for this is that the opponent player shall be entitled
to place the foot-ball within four inches of the pocket into which it was played and
continue the game as before.
If the foot-ball is driven past the line of either goal posts it shall be deemed
"out of play" and in continuing the game the foot-ball shall be placed in front
of the colored ball representing the goal keeper at the end where it was driven
over the line.
The goal posts (see enlarged front view Fig. 2 and side view Fig. 3) are by
preference made of two uprights of metal tubing (B) fixed to a flat foot or base (C)
to enable them to stand secure, the front edge of the foot however at X being flush
with the tube so as not to form an obstruction to the balls. The two uprights are
connected together by a cross rod or tube (D) and to enable them to withstand the
knocks of the balls I provide the scroll (E) and strip (F).
To protect the balls from injury the goal posts may be covered with rubber or
textile material and to avoid marking the billiard table the undersides of the
feet (C) may be provided with strips of felt or baize. To make the foot-ball more
distinguishable at the commencement of a game it may be enclosed within a dotted
chalk line as illustrated.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The adaptation of the game of Association foot-ball to a billiard table in
the manner set forth.
2nd. The herein before described goal posts, cross bars and foot rests, supporting
scrolls and strips, with or without a protecting covering substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Dated this 12th day of October 1893.
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.