IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND FOR REGISTERING THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Harrison Tetley, Agent, and Samuel Clayton,
Engineer, both of Bradford, in the County of York, for the Invention of.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS,
BAGATELLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND FOR REGISTERING THE NUMBER OF
GAMES PLAYED”
Sealed the 22nd October 1878, and dated the 23rd April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Harrison Tetley
and Samuel Clayton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd
April 1878.
WILLIAM HARRISON TETLEY, Agent, and SAMUEL CLAYTON, Engineer, both of
Bradford, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING
OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND FOR REGIS->
TERING THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED."
Our Invention relates to improved means of marking or scoring at billiards and
other games, and in locking the figured rollers when a game has been completed;
and the unlocking of such rollers to score a new game can only be done by inserting
a coin or check in an opening formed in front of the marking board, which falls on
a trap placed inside the frame of the marking board. The trap is actuated by hand,
which releases the cam or check, unlocking the rollers for scoring a new game, also
in recording the number of games played. For this purpose we construct the
marking board with a wooden frame, in which is fitted at one end a metal box.
Through the side plates of this box and in the frame are fitted shafts, on which
are fixed square rollers, and on which are marked numbers from 1 to 50 or 100, or
other numbers to be played for; the shafts and rollers are turned by hand by knobs
fitted on the ends of the shafts; the rollers are only turned when the numbers
marked on the face of the squares are scored; the scoring is marked by a pointer
in the usual way.
When the numbers marked on the top or bottom rollers are turned to the last
square the rollers are locked by a catch fitted on the end of a lever which works

page_text: J
on a short shaft fitted in the side plates of the box or on a stud. The catch falls in
a recess made in a disk, which is fitted and fixed on the roller shaft, and prevents
the disk, shaft, and roller from turning.
The lever on which the catch is formed hangs down in the box, the bottom end
having a ring which fits over the end of a trap, and prevents the coin or check
falling until pushed forward by a plunger fitted in a barrel, in which is fitted a
spiral spring to bring back the plunger after striking the coin or check; the end of
the plunger is made with a knob for the hand to press on and push in the plunger.
The barrel is made with a flange to screw it to the marking board face; over the
barrel is fitted a shoot, which enters the metal box; this shoot is made with a face
plate to screw it to the marking board face; the face plate is cut with an opening,
in which is passed the coin or check, and if checks are only to be used the centre
of the opening is made with a bar, and part of the checks to the centre are cut
away to pass the bar. The shoot fits over the trap and guides the coin or check on
to a cut-away part formed on the end of the barrel of the plunger; the coin or
check falls on the cut-away part or trap, and is kept from falling by the ring of the
catch lever.
When the coin is passed in the shoot and on the trap the plunger is pushed in,
which presses on the coin or check, forcing it forward and pushing out the ring and
lever, releasing the coin or check, which falls in a box placed or formed in the
metal box; a door with lock and key is fitted ou the front of the marking board to
remove the cams or checks.
The lever when pushed forward by means of the plunger lifts up the catch from
the recess of the disk, which at the same time actuates a short lever fitted on the
catch lever, which comes in contact with a pin fitted on the disk, giving a slight
turn to the disk, preventing the catch falling in gear in the recess until the last
numbered square is turned for scoring, locking the roller. On the shaft is also fitted
a loose disk, but smaller in diameter than the fixed disk; the catch acts on this
disk, and enters an opening in the disk, which stops the top roller by means of a
wheel fixed on the bottom shaft, working in an intermediate wheel which actuates a
wheel fitted on the top roller shaft, bringing the top roller to a stop when the bottom
roller is locked.
A similarly constructed apparatus is fitted on the top roller shaft to stop the
bottom roller when the top roller is locked; this apparatus is fitted the reverse way;
on the shafts are fitted catch wheels, in which act pawls to prevent the shafts and
rollers being turned back.
On the bottom roller end is fitted an index to register the number of games
played. Instead of the rollers we may employ a dial for each player, each dial
being marked with divisions and numbered, and each dial is provided with an index
or pointer.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Harrison Tetley and Samuel Clayton in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 23rd October 1878.
"
WILLIAM HARRISON TETLEY, Agent, and SAMUEL CLAYTON, Engineer, both of
Bradford, in the County of York. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING
OR SCORING AT BILLIARDS, BAGATELLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR GAMES, AND FOR REGIS-
TERING THE NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED."
The said Invention relates to improved means of marking or scoring at billiards
and other games, and to locking the figured rollers when a game has been com-
pleted; and the unlocking of such rollers to score a new game can only be done by
inserting a coin or check in an opening formed in front of the marking board, which
falls on a trap placed inside the frame of the marking board. The trap is actuated
by hand, which releases the coin or check, unlocking the rollers for scoring a new
game; also to recording the number of games played. For this purpose we con-
struct the marking board with a wooden frame, in which is fitted at one end a
metal box. Through the sides of the plates of this box and in the frame are fitted
shafts, on which are fixed square rollers, and on which are marked numbers from 1
to 50 or 100, or other numbers to be played for; the shafts and rollers are turned by
hand by knobs fitted on the ends of the shafts; the rollers are only turned when
numbers marked on the face of the squares are scored; the scoring is marked by a
pointer in the usual way.
When the numbers marked on the top or bottom rollers are turned to the last
square the rollers are locked by a catch fitted on the end of a lever, which works
on a short shaft fitted in the side plates of the box, or on a stud. The catch falls in
a recess made in a disk which is fitted and fixed on the roller shaft, and prevents
the disk shaft and roller from turning.
The lever on which the catch is formed hangs down in the box, the bottom end
having a ring which fits over the end of a trap and prevents the coin or check
falling until pushed forward by a plunger fitted in a barrel, in which is fitted a
spiral spring to bring back the plunger after striking the coin or check; the end of
the plunger is made with a knob for the hand to press on and push in the plunger.
The barrel is made with a flange to screw it to the marking board face; over the
barrel is fitted a shoot which enters the metal box; this shoot is made with a face
plate to screw it to the marking board face; the face plate is cut with an opening,
in which is passed the coin or check, and if checks only are to be used the centre
of the opening is made with a bar, or part of the checks to the centre are cut away
to pass the bar. The shoot fits over the trap and guides the coin or check on to a
cut-away part formed on the end of the barrel of the plunger; the coin or check
falls on the cut-away part or trap, and is kept from falling by the ring of the catch
lever.
When the coin is passed in the shoot and on the trap the plunger is pushed in
which presses on the coin or check, forcing it forward and pushing out the ring and
lever, releasing the coin or check which falls in a box placed or formed in the metal
box; a door with a lock and key is fitted on the front of the marking board to re-
move the coins or checks.
The lever when pushed forward by means of the plunger lifts up the catch from
the recess of the disk, which at the same time actuates a short lever fitted on the
catch lever, and which coming in contact with a pin fitted to the disk gives a slight
turn to the disk, preventing the catch falling in gear in the recess until the last
numbered square is turned for scoring, which locks the roller. On the shaft is also
fitted a loose disk, but smaller in diameter than the fixed disk; the catch acts on
this disk, and enters an opening in the disk, which stops the top roller by means
of a wheel fixed on the bottom shaft working in an intermediate wheel which

page_text: actuates the wheel fitted on the top roller shaft, bringing the top roller to a stop
when the bottom roller is locked.
On the shafts are fitted catch wheels, in which act pawls to prevent the shafts
and rollers being turned back. The catch wheel on the bottom roller is made with
two catches or notches at the part where the roller is locked to allow the pawl to
fall in when the disk has received a slight turn, and prevent the turning back of
the bottom roller.
On the bottom roller shaft is fitted a worm working in a small wheel, which
actuates a larger wheel, on the face of which is cast or fitted a dial marked with
numbers to register the number of games played. Instead of the rollers marked
with numbers we may employ a dial for each player, each dial being marked with
divisions and numbered, and each dial is provided with an index or pointer.
But in order to enable our improvements to be better understood we will pro-
ceed to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 represents a sectional side view of our apparatus, and Figure 2 a front
view, the face board being removed.
Similar letters of reference are used to represent similar parts.
At one of the ends of a marking board A, in which are made openings B, and in
which slides the usual pointer for scoring, is made a chamber, in which is fitted a
metal box C, which is formed with a face plate D, having openings; one of the
openings E is for the free play of the arm of the closing plate of the opening in
which is passed the coin or check; one opening is for fitting in the trap, and
another opening is for the drawer or box F, in which falls the coin or check.
Through the side plates G of the metal box are fitted shafts H and I, which pass
in the interior of the marking board, and work in bearings J and K fitted to the
board. On these shafts are fitted square rollers L and M; these rollers are marked
with numbers 1 to 50 or 100 or other numbers to be played for; the rollers are
turned by knobs N.
In front of the marking board is fitted a face board O which encloses the shoot P.
On this face board is screwed a plate Q, in which is cut or cast an opening R, 3
through which is passed the coin or check, which falls in the shoot P, passing into
a shoot S formed in the trap T, and falls on a cut-away part U, and is kept from
falling in the drawer or box F by a ring V formed on the end of a lever W; this
lever is made with a boss X, and works on a short shaft Y, which is fitted in the
side plates G; on the boss is cast an arm Z, having a catch A' and face plate B'.
The coin or check C is kept in the trap until pushed out by a bolt D¹ fitted or
cast on a plunger E', which works in a barrel F¹. This plunger is actuated by
pushing a knob G¹, and a flange H¹ is cast on the barrel to screw it to the face
board Ŏ. Inside the barrel and over the bolt is fitted a spiral spring I to bring
back the plunger and bolt after striking the coin or check. When the plunger and 4
bolt are pushed in the bolt strikes the coin or check, forcing out the ring V and
lever W, lifting up the arm Z, and removing the catch A' out of gear from the
notch of the disk J¹; at the same time a bent finger K' cast on the lever W acts on
a rib L¹ cast on the side of the disc J¹, which gives a slight turn to the disk, turning
the notch from contact with the catch A² until the last square for scoring is 4
turned up.
On the face plate B' of the arm Z is secured a lever M¹ having a slot hole N¹, in
which passes a pin O¹ fitted in the face plate P¹ cast on the end of an arm O¹ of a
lever R. This lever is made with a boss S¹, and is fitted on the shaft of the top
roller. The end of the lever R¹ is formed with a closing plate T¹ to close the coin
or check opening after passing a coin through, and during the scoring of the game.
The lifting up of the arm Z lifts up the lever M³, which slides by means of the slot
hole over the pin, releasing the lever R¹ and plate T¹, which fall by their own
weight, closing the coin or check opening until the catch A¹ falls in gear with the
notch of the disc J', locking the bottom roller, and which causes the lever W and
ring V to fall back, bringing down the arm Ź and arm Q', lifting up the lever R',

page_text: and opening the coin or check opening ready to receive a coin or check to score a
new game.
Next to the disc J¹ is fitted another disc U', but rather smaller in diameter; the
disc U is cast on the end of a boss V₁ of a wheel W¹. The wheel and disc run
loose on the bottom roller shaft, and the disc is made with a notch, in which falls
when the bottom roller is locked the catch A¹, and by means of the intermediate
wheel X and top roller wheel Y¹ locks the top roller; catch wheels Z' and A³ are
fitted on the bottom and top roller shafts, and are fitted with pawls B2, to which
are fitted springs C to keep the pawls in working position. The pawls fall in
notches D, and prevent the rollers turning back, and to prevent the bottom roller
turning back when the slight turn is given to the disc Ji a notch is made in the
bottom catch wheel near the notch formed or cut in the lower catch wheel when it
comes in gear with the pawl when the plunger and bolt are struck, the pawl falling
in gear with this extra notch prevents the turning back of the bottom roller.
On the shaft of the bottom roller is fitted a worm E³, which actuates a wheel F2,
which turns a wheel G, to which is fixed or cast a dial, having divisional lines and
numbers marked thereon to register the number of games scored and played. The
marking board is cut to allow the dial to pass, and a pointer is fitted in the board at
the opening to indicate the games played.
We also employ a poole marking board, which is fitted at one end of the marking
board; the markers or lives are fixed on rollers, and are turned by knobs fitted on
the roller spindles. At one end of the poole board is fitted a slide for the star.
Having thus described our improvements and the best means we are acquainted
with for carrying the same into effect, we would have it understood that we do not
confine ourselves to the precise details shewn and described, as the same may be
varied without departing from the peculiar character of the Invention, but what we
do claim is,
Firstly. The general arrangement, construction, and employment of improved
apparatus for marking or scoring at billiards, bagatelle, and other similar games, and
for registering the number of games played, substantially as herein-before described
and represented by the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The method of and arrangement for locking the figured rollers when a
game has been completed, and the unlocking the said rollers by means of a coin or
check, which falls into and is released by a trap, substantially as herein-before
described, and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Thirdly. The method of recording the number of games played, substantially as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Harrison Tetley and Samuel
Clayton, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Nineteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
night
Witness,
WALTER JAS. TURNER, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
Bradford.
WILLIAM HARRISON TETLEY. (L.S.)
SAMUEL CLAYTON.
(L.S.)