US1588618A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 15 1926.

' C. G. A. ROSEN GAME APPARA TUS Fi'led April '7, 1924 Jr w mm I .T A 6 O Patented June 15, 1926.

CARL G. A'. ROSEN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI.

Gama APrARA'rUs.

. v Application filed April 7, 192.74. Serial No. 704,616.,

My invention relates to game apparatus such as maj,7 be used in playing ,the Chinese game'variously. knownas `mah jong, lung chan, etc., and .relates more particularly to that portion of the apparatus generally referred to as racks or tile holders. These racks or holders are usually in the form of long longitudinally grooved plates and are utilized for supporting the tiles in a position wherein the symbols thereon will be clearly displayed to one player and concealed from the others.

An object of the invention is to provide a set of racks in which each rack comprises sections that may be' separated and nested with each other and the other rack sections of the set, to occupy a minimum of space When the set is not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide' a set of racks in accordance with the above having means which will firmly hold the sections together and insure a stiff structure when the sections are assembled for use.

A further object of the invention is to prow the foregoing, will be set forth in the fol-v lowing description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt Variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rack of my invention assembled for use.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the rack taken on the line 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a section connecting member.

Figure tis a perspective view showing the sections of a rack in nested relation.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view showing the sections of several racks nested.

As illustrated in the drawings, a rack formed in accordance with my invention comprises a pair of sections 3 and 4 preferably formed of a single piece of Sheet metal, celluloid or other suitable material. Each of the sections is formed with front and rear sides 5 and 6 which converge upwardly to meet at their upper extremities whereby an inverted V is ldefined, iirtfransverse cross-section. The lower edges of .the sides 5 and 6 are curved outwardly and upwardly .to w form longitudinally extending recesses 7 'and f8, the foriner of which isvasso'ciated with the front wall and is adapted z tile will be properly disposed to thev Vision.

of the player. The height of the sidesois preferably such that the tile may extend above the upper edge thereof, thus facilitatv ing the handling'of the tiles.

Means are provided for relea-sably securing the sections together in longtudinal alignment. As here shown, the abutting ends of the sides of each pair of sections are formed with longitudinally extending slots 9 having enlarged portions 10 at their inner extremities. Arranged to lie within the abutting end portions of said sections 'is a spring clip 12, preferably of a V-shape corresponding to that of the interior of the sections and provided with outwardly pressed beads 18 having straight portions 111 and enlarged portion 15 which are respeotively arranged to engage in the slot portions 9 and 10 of the sections. The spring Ais arranged to press outwardly against the sides of the sections, thereby causing the enlarged coo-perating portions 10 and 15 to releasably hold the sections together and the cooperating straight portions 9 and 14 to stiffen the joint.

Vhen the device is not in use47 and it is desired to store the apparatus, it is merely necessary to draw the inwardly Curved extremities of the spring together and thus release the sections. The' sections may be then readily nested one within the other, and the clips inserted within the innermost of the nested-sections. It 'will thus be clear that the rack may be stored in a minimum space and thereby materially reduce the size of the container to be used for storing the apparatus.

I claim:

1. In a game apparatus of the character described, a tile holder or rack comprising within another and arrang'ed to be as'semble'd in longit'u'dinal alignment to form a rack of desired length, and means for releasa'bly securing said Sections' in said assembled relation.

2. In a game apparatus lof the .Character described, a tile holder or rack comprising a plurality of Sections formed t'o nest'one Within another and arranged to be assembled in l'ongit-udinal alignment and having front land rear sides converging u'pwardl'y, the b'ottom po'rtion of said forward side being associated With a longitdinal groove for the recepti'on of the bottom of the tiles, and means adapted tov lie between and engage said "sides'o for releasably holding the' sec- 'tions together. 7

3. In' a game` app'aratus of the Character described, a vtile holder or rack c'omprising a plurality of Sections each formed of relatively thin material and of one piece and having front and rear sides defining an inverted V in transverse section, the bottom portion of said front side being Curved up- Wardly and outwardly to form a longitudinal groove for the Vreceptions of the bottom of the tiles, a spring clip of corresponding Veshap'e 'arranged to lie within the adjoining en'd portionsj of said Sections to releasably engage and securel said 'Sections toW gether in l'ongitudinal alignment. o

In testim'ony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Oakl'and7 California, this 29 da of March, 1924.

CARL G.-A. Rosn'N.

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