US1314843A - Game-table - Google Patents

Description

J. M. WEST.

GAME TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I0, m9.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I M W 71: anveuto'n novel TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. WEST, OF ROCKPOR'I, MISSOURI.

GAME-TABLE.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed June 10, 1919. Serial N 0. 303.100.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. Wnsr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockport, in the county of Atchison and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Game-Table, of which the following to be rolled or struck over the surface of the table.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table having a plurality of passageways rovided with entrance mouths of ormation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the character set forth having an individual compartment in communication with each passageway, whereby a ball entering any particular passageway is conducted to its own compartment, so that the possibility of dispute as to which passageway the ball entered is eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a table of the character set forth, of a special form of plug adapted to close the openings or passageways, in the table, whereby the table may be used for the playing of games in which openings or pockets are not used.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the descrlptlon proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a plan v1ew of my improved table;

Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof, taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing a modified form of passageway by which the balls are led to their individual compartments and Fig. 4 is a sectional view through one of the passageways in the table, showing my improved plug or stopper applied thereto.

The same characters of reference designate the same parts in the different figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the table is formed of side and end walls 2 and 3 respectively, which are supported on legs 4:- A bottom 5 is secured between the side and end walls, and a carom edge or rail 6 is supported above such side and end walls. Spaced above the bottom 5 is a top member 7 forming a playing surface, which may be covered in the usual manner with a suitable fabric. The top '7 has the two corners at one end thereof cut away and an upstanding rail 8 supported along such cut away edge, thereby forming a triangular opening between such rail and the side and end rails 6. A pair of trays 9 are adapted to be placed on the bottom 5 at the corners of the table below the cut away corners of the playing surface or top. and. each provided with a plurality of compartments or chambers, each of which is in communication with a passageway 10 passing through the top 7, whereby a ball falling into any particular passageway cannot pass into any other compartment than the one below such passageway. By this construction the chambers or compartments are all carried within the table itself, and the end of the table is not disfigured by any projecting structure. It will be understood, of course, that the trays may, if desired be adapted to be removed from the table for the purposes of cleaning, etc., by making them in the form of drawers.

In the present instance the mouth or entrance of each passageway 10 is flared so as to form a convex surface, as shown at 11, over which the ball must pass before entering the passageway, while the passageway itself is just large enough to permit the ball to pass therethrough. The formation of the passageways only large enough to permit the passage of the ball therethrough, together with the peculiar form of the surface of the mouth of such passageway over which the ball must roll in order to enter the passageway, is a very essential feature, since it inr it will run aroun dsev eral times upon the surface of the mouth. Not infrequently it 1 and the same shot.

happens that after these performances upon one mouth the ball will pass on to oneor two other mouths; and reproduce the same or equally amusing phenomena, all at one A'ball will sometimes run'around upon the surface of themouth .many times before it finally seems to deci de What to do. At othertimes, rafter rolling around in this manner, it will suddenly jump upon thetable and stopright at the wedge of the mouth, while at stillother times,

afterpassing over the edge. of the mouth it" will rock back andforth a numberof times 7 before either dropping. into the passageway or getting out upon the table.

This construction, therefore, not only adds considerably to the lively interest in the game,"but to the necessity for greatskill in order to play it successfully. A-further advantage inher- .ent in the particular formation of the surface of the mouth is the fact that the fabric with which'the playing surface is covered.

does not wear out, as quickly as when stretched over a straight-edge.

The mannerof formlng the face at the mouth ofthe passageway is im- 7 .material, and this may bedone in a variety of different ways. For instance, the material of the top 7 itself may be'so shaped as to surface. 7 sake of illustration, I have shown a counter.

provide the proper convex formation, or

straight holes may be formed through the top 7 and a lining tube placed therein having a flaring mouth provided with a curved In the present instance, for the bore formed in the top, in which is fitted a washer 12 .of wood or anyother suitable material and having a convex surfaceat its inner. circumference. V

In Fig.4 I have shown a specialform of.

' plugby means of which the mouths oft-he I Jpassageways may be closed soiasto. adapt the table for the playing of games wherein pockets are not used. The plug 13 has its periphery concaved to fit. the convex formation of the mouth. At the center of the plug.

is secured a stem 1ft that extends downward through the table top and carries at-its lower end a disk 15 adapted to engage the under 7 surface of the top around the passageway,

and; a wing nut 16 threaded on the end of thestem ou tside' of the disk, whereby the plug may be drawn into tight engagement with the mouthof the passageway.

In Fig. 3 is shown a somewhat modified form of passageway formed by meansof av .tube 17 which may lead to a chamber or compartment located at some distancefrom the point of. delivery fromvthe table top. The top may be formed, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of a base member 7 of wood or other suitable material on which is supported the usual slate top '7.

'ment which'it must occupy at the end of 'theplay, certain rules being promulgated curved sur-' he precise features of construction Shown;

as I am aware that many mechanical h In the form of the de ice herein illus-- trated, the passageways are shown in V- shaped arrangement, but it will be understood that they maybe arranged in any desired formation and of any preferred number. I 7 From the foregoing it .will be seen that have provided a table on which a number of games may be played. For instance, such games as call for the placing of .certain' balls in their own particular compartments maybe playedbyhaving the ball numbered of the passageways and compartmentslnog 9.0

mistake can possibly be made as to. the passageway through which the ballentered the compartment. The balls maybe rolled by hand or shot with a cue' or a mallet, the

preferred manner being to rack l the balls. at theend of the table opposite from the end at which the passageways are'formed; and forthe player to stand at thepassage way end of the table and cause the balls to caromagainst the rail and rebound into the i i desired passageway. i

While I have described in detail the structure herein illustrated, it-is to be understood that Ido not thereby'limit my inventionto and modifications may be made therein without departing. from the spirit and scope j of the. invention as set forth inthe claims H 7 hereto appended. 7 *Having thus described my invention, what' I claim is: i V I 1. A game apparatus,'comprising a table provided with a bottom, a top spaced from said bottom and provided with a carom' rail therearound, aplurality of passageways '115 in said .top,fa plurality of compartments locatedin said table below; sald'top, one compartment in individual communication" with one of said passageway s,gthe mouth of a each of said passagewaysgv-being larger than V the passageway and having a convex surface over which a ball. must pass beforeen- 1 teringsuch passageway. v r I 2. Agame apparatus, comprisinga tableI provided-with ,abottom,- a top spaced from saidbottom and provided withacarom rail therearound, a plurality of passageways in said top adapted to permit the passage of balls, trays adapted to be located below said top, and each having aplurality of compare" 18.0

'ments in individual communication with the passageways, the mouth of each of said passageways being larger than the passageway and having a convex surface over which a ball must pass before entering such passageway.

3. The combination with a table provided with a top having a plurality of passageways, the mouth of each of said passageways being larger than the passageway and having a convex surface over which a ball must pass before entering such passageway, of means adapted to close the mouths of the passageways whereby the table will present a plane surface.

4. The combination with a table provided with a top having a luralit of passageways, the mouth of each of sai passageways being larger than the passa eway and having a convex surface over w ich a ball must pass before entering such passageway, of means for closing the mouths of the passageways whereby the table will present a plane surface, said means comprising a plug for each of said mouths adapted to fit the convex surface thereof, a stem secured to said lug, a disk on the opposite end of the stem adapted to close the lower end of the passageway, and a wing nut threaded on said stem.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. JOSEPH M. WEST.

Witnesses:

DAVID CrmEsMAN, SYLVESTER A. WEST.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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