An Improved Game and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1890--Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Game and Apparatus therefor.
1, THOMAS JAMES KERNAGHAN, of 5 Castle Terrace, Pembroke, Major, H.M.
Ordnance Store Department, 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:-
This invention consists in a game of skill and chance combined, and is played as
and with the apparatus hereinafter described.
The apparatus for playing at the game consists of a row or series of sets of targets,
with or without pictorial representations of human or other figures painted or otherwise
produced thereon, which sets of targets are loosely centred on a horizontal bar
adjustably elevated on uprights and about which bar the sets of targets are free to
rotate when struck by a ball thrown thereat by hand, or by a bullet shot from a gun,
or by other missile or missiles projected manually or mechanically. The targets are
arranged, after the manner of the spokes of a wheel, about a hollow boss or sleeve on
which they converge, and through which the horizontal bar is passed.
Each target,
which may either be made in one piece with the boss or secured to an arm springing
from the boss, bears at front and back a numeral.
The numerals are so distributed as to afford the same chances, in any one set of
targets, to each player.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings,
Fig. 1 thereon represents a front view of an apparatus in which there are three sets
of targets A. The sets are loosely centred on a horizontal bar a adjustable vertically
in the uprights or posts beach furnished at bottom with a base block c.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a set of targets. The targets are represented in the
drawing as secured to arms d converging on the sleeves or bosses through which the
horizontal bar b is passed. But the targets in each set may, instead of being made
separately from the boss, be made in one piece therewith, and instead of having plain
faces, as shown in the drawing, they may bear pictorial representations of human or
other figures or objects, or be otherwise decorated or ornamented. The number of
sets of targets need not be confined to three. In the example illustrated in the drawing
each target bears a different numeral, but the numeral appearing on any one face is
repeated on the other side thereof, so that the chances offered in any one set of targets
are equalized to opposing players.
The players range themselves in opposing parties and each party faces the targets
from directly opposite points, the targets being at or about midway between the said
opposing parties.
By one of the players a ball, or other missile, as aforesaid, is projected at a set of
targets agreed upon. Assuming this set of targets to be struck, it rotates under the
influence of the blow, and the score in favour of or against the player is indicated by
the numeral, according as it is plus or minus, on that target which is uppermost when
the set ceases to rotate. If the target aimed at is not struck the player does not score,
and in the case of a minus quantity being brought uppermost after striking, it is
convenient rather to reckon it as a plus quantity and to add it to the score of the
other side. If there be but two players, the game is, according to one method of
playing, continued by a second essay of the original player at the next set of targets
to that first aimed at, and so on until the player has thrown or shot at all the sets of
targets. Then the opponent plays similarly from the opposite side. The player who
first arrives at a total score fixed upon wins. But the order of throwing or shooting at
the targets may be settled in various ways and the method of determining the gain or
loss of a game may also be varied.
Where there are more than two players they are divided into opposing parties, as

page_text: aforesaid, each member of which throws or shoots at the sots of targets in any
previously arranged order, or according to any suitable system agreed upon.
In the apparatus illustrated in the drawings the targets in each set are shown of a
different size to those in the other sets, but the size may be varied in each set or in
each target.
Again, there are shown three targets in each set, but more may be adopted.
Having now 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 :-
The employment in a game of skill and chance combined, played substantially as
herein before set forth (or in shooting practice) of, means, appliances or apparatus
consisting of targets or vanes bearing numerals, or symbols and numerals, and
arranged in a set or sets, the targets in such set, or in each such set, radiating, after
the manner of the spokes of a wheel, from a central boss or sleeve loosely centred on
a horizontal bar (adjustably elevated at each end on uprights or posts) so that when a
target is struck by a ball, bullet or other missile projected at a right angle to the bar,
the set of which it forms a member rotates or partially rotates about the bar,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying sheet of illustrative
drawings.
Dated this 26th day of November 1800.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol Bank Buildings, Bristol, Agent.