US174958A - Improvement in game-boards - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoa.

FRIEDRICH HOMRIGHAUSEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAME-BOARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 174,958, dated March 21, 1876; application filed February 10, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH HOMRIG- HAUSEN, of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Game-Box, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved game-box, showing the same half open. Fig.

2 is a vertical longitudinal section, showing it completely open. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same, showing it open.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

This invention relates to a new box, which may be used as a receptacle for the pieces employed in various games, such as checkers, dominos, &c., and of which the inner side, when opened, will constitute a continuous game-board. The box, when closed, may be used to reverse and mix the different pieces of the game, all as is hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing, the lettter A represents one half, and the letter B the other half, of my improved game-box, both being of the same size, shape, and construction. Each of these two halves or parts is composed of a bottom board, a, and of projecting ledges d and e, which surround the boards a on three of their sides, and project from the inner faces thereof. At the contiguous edges the two parts A and B have no projecting ledges, but are joined by hinges ff, that are fastened upon the ends of the ribs or ledges d d.

When the two halves A and B are folded one upon the other to close the box, the ledges d and c of one half will fold and rest upon the ledges dand c of the other half.

To the hinged edges of the boards a is affixed, by nails, glue, or in other suitable manner, a flexible connecting-band, g, of leather or equivalent material, as shown. This band 9 extends transversely across the entire width of the box, and folds and is compressed between the contiguous hinged edges of the boards a when the box is opened for play, as in Fig. 2. In this position the inner faces of the boards a a constitute a continuous uninterrupted game-board, upon which the pieces used in the games of dominos, checkers, chess, or the like, may be properly placed.

Heretofore folding game boxes were usually arranged to constitute the continuous gameboards with their outer faces, and were, therefore, much more liable to injury. When, however, the two halves A and B are folded one upon the other, as in Fig. 1, the band 9 will be stretched to close the otherwise open'side of the box, so that such box will constitute a the pieces of dominos or other game to be used with the box.

By this construction I may use the box for mixing and reversing the pieces of the game by placing such pieces on one of the boards a, then closing the box, shaking and reversing it, so that the pieces will be thoroughly mixed and turned over without giving an opportunity to corrupt players to keep in view and pick desirable pieces.

It will be observed that in my improved box it is necessary to apply the hinges to the raised ledges d, as otherwise the inner faces of the boards a a would not constitute a continuous game-board when open, nor be separated suflicient for a perfect box when closed. The flexible band 9 is also a necessary element of my invention.

I claim as my invention- A game -box composed of the two equal halves A and B, each half having the inwardly-projecting ledges d d and e on three of its sides, the hinges f on the ledges d, and the flexible band 9 between their contiguous ends, all constructed and arranged substantially as herein shown and described.

F. HOMRIGHAUSEN.

Witnesses:

ERNEST G. WEBB, F. V. BRIESEN.

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