US2036148A

US2036148A - Bridge table

Info

Publication number: US2036148A
Application number: US658989A
Authority: US
Inventors: Koenigsberger Lawrence
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-02-28
Filing date: 1933-02-28
Publication date: 1936-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 1953-03-31

Description

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y IL.. KUENIGSEERGER BRIDGE TABLE Filed Feb. 28, 1955 IN1/EN TOR. wmf/VCE Kanz/@www ATTORIVEY Patented Mar. 3l, 1936 stares ATENT OFFIQE 23 Claims.

The present invention relates to a bridge table having embodied therein a system for indicating the dealer. While the present invention has particular application to bridge tables which are provided with an automatic dealing mechanism and particularly of the type disclosed in Patent No. 1,889,729, it will be understood that if desired the invention may also be applied to any ordinary bridge table.

In the playing of bridge and similar games the common practice is to employtwo decks of cards. While one deck of cards is in play the other deck occupies a specified position, generally at the left of the next dealer and its position is relied upon generally to indicate the next dealer. In actual play, however, the deck is frequently misplaced and a good deal of confusion arises in the progress of the game. Moreover, the presence of the deck on the table during the play is frequently an obstruction to the rapid progress of the game. For these reasons the present invention contemplates the vprovision of a ,tray which is disposed below the top of the table and is adapted to receive a shuffled deck of cards, the tray being operable to indicate the dealer of the last hand. Where the invention is employed with the ordinary bridge table the deck is shuliied byA the proper player and is then placed in the tray and the tray is moved inwardly bringing about the operation of the dealer indicator. By ,means` of this device the deck does not remain on the top of the table during the play of the hand an no confusion arises on the next deal.

When a bridge table having an automatic dealing mechanismis embodied in the play of the game of bridge a deck of cardsis being shuffled and dealt automatically during the `play of the hand and the present invention is vdesigned to cooperate with such a dealing mechanism whereby the dealer is automatically indicated by the operation of the dealing mechanism. Without limiting the present invention to the specic devices disclosed herein the automatic indicating system as applied to this type of bridge table utilizes some of the operations necessary in the dealing mechanism in order to automatically operate the dealer indicating system. More specifically in the type of dealing mechanism disclosed in Patent No. 1,389,729 the feeding operation of the deck of cards to the dealing mechanism is employed to operate the indicator system. In the dealing mechanism referred to above a slidable tray is employed for starting and stopping the dealer mechanism. In the present invention, therefore, the automatic indicating ,system is designed and constructed to cooperate with the slidable tray so that when the same is moved into its feeding position the indicating system is operated to indicate the next dealer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical system which includes both the automatic dealing mechanism and the present indicating system, for the purpose of permitting the ready control and manipulation of both the dealing mechanism and the indicating system.

For the purpose of illustrating the present invention it is deemed .unnecessary toembody in the present application the dealing mechanism embodied in the above patent and it is thought to be necessary only to make reference to such parts of the dealing mechanism as cooperate with the dealer indicating mechanism. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed herein or in the above patent and that many variations thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Other objects of the invention will appear from thefollowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing constituting a part of the present application and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a bridge table, embodying the present invention as applied to the type of bridge table having an automatic dealing mechanism disclosed in the above patent.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of the operating devices of the dealer indicating system and of Vsuch portions of the dealer mechanism as immediately cooperate with the operating devices of Vthe indicating system.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical system embodying both the dealer mechanism and the indicating system.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the top of an ordinary bridge table embodying the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

The card table shown in l .oomprmes the foldinglegs l5, which are hinged in aconventional manner to the sides il of the table. A sheet l2 of cardboard, plywood, sheet metal or other suitable material is secured to the sides i l and forms the floor for the compartment which holds the operating devices. The top i3 may be of any Ysuitable construction and is Aremovably mounted on the sides I I so. that it may be readily raised for inspection or repair of the operating devices disclosed in the chamber disposed below this top. In this type of table, each of the sides II is provided with an opening I4 for the purpose of providing access to card receptacles which constitute a part of the dealing mechanism and which are provided to receive the dealt hands. One of the sides II is additionally provided with an opening I5 for a deck tray I6. This deck inserting tray I6 is mounted for sliding or reciprocating movement.

In order to prepare the dealer mechanism embodied in the above patent for operation the tray I6 is partly withdrawn through the opening I5 by manually grasping the handle I1. cards is then inserted into the tray and the tray is moved inwardly to the fully operative position. The mechanism is provided with a suitable latch to engage the tray and lock the same in operative position. When this feeding operation is completed a lug I 8, which is struck upwardly from a forward portion of the tray, engages the toggle lever I9 of a motor control switch 20 which is secured in a fixed position. 'Ihis switch is of the type in which a spring is incorporated to hold the switch in its off position. This switch spring is further utilized to moive the tray I6 to its inoperative position after the completion of the dealing operation when the tray is automatically unlatched.

The closing of the switch 2D by the feeding operation of the tray energizes the motor 54 which serves to operate the automatic dealer mechanism.

The dealer indicating system comprises four electric lamps S, W, N and E. These lamps are preferably disposed within a chamber formed by the top I3 and the base plate I2, the top I3 being provided with corresponding openings 2I immediately over these lamps. The lamps and openings are preferably disposed immediately to the left of the four playing positions. One terminal of each of the indicator lamps are electrically connected together by means of the conductor 22 and to one side of the secondary 23 of a step down transformer 24. The other terminal of each of the lamps is connected by

conductors

25, 26, 2I and 28 respectively to the

resilient contact elements

29, 30, 3I and 32 respectively. These contact elements are so designed and constructed that they are adapted to make contact successively with the cam shaped commutator plate 33, this plate preferably having a notch 34 in the cam portion thereof. The other terminal of the secondary 23 is connected by means of the conductor 35 tothe resilient metallic brush 36 which is always in contact with the commutator plate 33.

The commutator 33 carries a four tooth ratchet 3'I which may be attached thereto in any manner desired, as by rivets 38. The pintle 39 is also fixed to the commutator plate and passes through the journal bearing 40 which is carried by the plate I2. The lower end of the pintle 39 is provided with a manually operable handle 4I which permits of the manual rotation of the commutator. A plate 42 is preferably attached to the base plate I 2 and carries the commutator and the contacts, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. In addition to the above elements the plate also carries the lever 43 which is pivotally mounted on the base plate 42 by means of the pin 44. The lever 43 is provided at one end thereof with a roller 45 which engages the free ends of the tray I6.

The deck of A spring 46 is anchored at one end to the plate 42 as shown at 4'I and is also attached toy one end of the lever 43 as is shown in Fig. 2. This spring serves to hold the roller 45 in engagement with the inner end of the tray I6.

The pawl 48 is pivoted at 49 on the lever 43 and is designed to be constantly in engagement with the ratchet 31. For this purpose a tensioning spring 50 is attached to the lever 43 at one end and to the pawl 48 at the other end.

Referring now to the electrical system disclosed in Fig. 4, the present system comprises a two conductor cord 5I having the conventional two terminal plug 52 at the free end thereof. The cord 5I leads to a point immediately below the table adjacent to the motor 54. A manually operable switch 53 is preferably placed in this cord at this point and by means of this switch the entire electrical circuit including the motor 54 and the dealer indicating system may be opened.

The switch 20 is disposed as shown in Fig. 4 and one of the terminals of the primary winding of the transformer 24 is connected to that portion of the conductor which is disposed between the switches 20 and 53, the other terminal of the primary winding being connected to the other conductor of the two conductor cord 5 I, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

In operation the tray I 6 is withdrawn, the card deck is placed in the tray and the tray IB is then moved inwardly to its latched position. During this movement the lever 43 is operated upon, thus causing the pawl 48 to move the ratchet 3! through an angle of thereby moving the commutator plate from the position shown in Fig.

the wrong indicator has gone into operation. In i that case the handle 4I is manually operated to move the commutator plate and ratchet into the proper position so that the proper indicator is in operation. Thereafter throughout the evening of play the system will operate automatically and will give the correct indication at every deal.

The electrical system shown in Fig. 4 permits of the full and accurate control of the system and more particularly the switch 53 may be opened in order to prevent the operation of the system during a temporary interruption of the game. Moreover, by means of the electrical system disclosed herein the dealer indication remains in operation even after the completion of the deal at which time the switch 20 is in its normally open position.

It will be seen that when the present invention is applied to a table having an automatic dealing mechanism, the dealing mechanism is not interfered with in any manner whatsoever, and the operation of the indicating system is brought about Without altering the table and mechanism shown in the Patent No. 1,889,729. The indicating system is merely added to the table in the manner shown, and the system and devices embodied therein are so disposed with relation to the dealing mechanism that the feeding operation involved in the normal operation of the dealing mechanism also serves to operate the indicator system. AAnd in addition the camplate may be operated manually at the beginning of the evenings play when necessary.

When the present invention is applied to the ordinary `bridge table the plate 42 carrying the operating elements may be mounted on the under face of the -top and the tray G0 is mounted in such a manner as to cooperate with the lever 43 in the manner shown. The tray preferably passes through an opening 6l in one of the side walls of the table and is additionally supported by the bracket 62. The tray preferably has a partition 63 which forms a deck receiving compartment.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a bridge table having a top provided with an opening at each playing position, an indicator disposed below each of said openings and visible therethrough to indicate the iirst bidder, a reciprocable tray shaped and formed to receive a deck of playing cards carried by said table, and means operable by the movement of said tray incident to each dealing of a complete hand to operate a preselected indicator to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand.

2. In combination, a bridge table having a top provided with an opening at each playing position, an indicator disposed below each of said openings and visible therethrough to indicate the first bidder, a reciprocable tray shaped and formed to receive a deck of playing cards carried by said table, and means operable by the movement of said tray in one direction incident to each dealing of a complete hand to operate a preselected-indicator to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand, said means being operable by the movement of the tray in the opposite direction to prepare said means for the next operation to extinguish the indicator and to operate the next succeeding indicator, by the successive movement of said tray in the rst direction.

3. In combination, a bridge table having a top provided with an opening at each playing position, an indicator disposed below each of said openings and Visible therethrough to indicate the dealer, said table having shallow side walls, a tray shaped and formed to receive a deck of playing cards and slidable through an opening in one of said side walls, and means operable by successive inward movements of the tray to operate said indicators successively.

4. In combination a bridge table having a top provided with an opening at each playing position, an indicator disposed below each opening and visible therethrough to indicate the rst bidder, a card distributing mechanism mounted beneath said top, and means operable by said card distributing mechanism incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand.

5. In a bridge table, the combination of a dealing mechanism, means for inserting a stack of cards in position for operative engagement by said dealing mechanism, and means operable by said rst mentioned means upon each insertion oi the cards to indicate successively the v.first bidder of each new hand.

6. In a bridge table, the combination of a dealing mechanism, means for inserting a stackof cards in position for operative engagement by said dealing mechanism, means operable by said first means upon each insertion of the cards to indicate successively the rst bidder of each new hand, a latch for locking said iirst mentioned means in said position, and means actuated upon the `completion of the operation of Vsaid dealing mechanism to release said latch.

'7. In a bridge table the combination of a card dealing mechanism vand means operative upon feeding a stack of playing cards to said mechanism to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand.

8. In a bridge table of the type having a card dealing mechanism incorporated therein, means operative upon feeding a stock of playing cards to said mechanism to indicate successively the first bidder of each 'new hand, said means comprising an indicator for each playing position and devices for extinguishing one indicator and operating another indicator at each feeding operation,

9. In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from said tray and distribute them intoseparate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of `a complete hand to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand.

10. In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from` said tray and distribute them into separate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand, said means comprising an indicator for each player position and devices operable by the movement of said tray into operative position to extinguish one indicator and to operate another indicator.

1l. In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from said tray and distribute them into separate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand, said last named means comprising an electric circuit, four electrically operable indicators in parallel portions of said circuit, and a commutator operable by the movement of said tray to open the circuit of one of said indicators and to close the circuit of another indicator.

l2. In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from said tray and distribute them into separate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand, said means comprising four parallel electric circuits each including an electric indicator, a commutator for said circuits, a pivcted arm having its free end in engagement with said tray, and means carried by said arm to operate said commutator.

13. .In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from said tray and distribute them into separate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the rst bidder of each new hand, said means comprising an indicator for each player position and devices operable by the movement of said tray into operative position to extinguish one indicator and to operate another indicator, and means for manually setting said devices.

14. In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from said tray and distribute them into separate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand, said last named means comprising an electric circuit, four electrically operable indicators in parallel portions of said circuit, and a commutator operable by the movement of said tray to open the circuit of one of said indicators and to close the circuit of another indicator, and means for manually setting said cornmutator.

15. In a bridge table of the type having an electrically operable automatic card dealing mechanism, an electrical system indicating successively the first bidder of each new hand, a two conductor cord having means at one end for connecting the same to a source of power and connected to said dealing mechanism at the other end, a manually operable switch disposed in said cord circuit immediately adjacent said dealing mechanism and readily accessible for the control ofthe operation of the dealing mechanism and of the indicator system, an automatic switch in said cord circuit disposed interiorly of the table and operative upon feeding a stack of playing cards to said mechanism, said electrical indicating system also operative upon feeding a stack of playing cards to said mechanism, said system comprising a transformer having its primary connected to said cord at a point between said switches.

16. In combination a bridge table having an opening at each playing position, an indicator disposed adjacent each of said openings and visible therethrough to indicate the first bidder, a reciprocable tray shaped and formed to receive a deck of playing cards carried by said table, and means operable by the movement of said tray incident to each dealing of a complete hand to operate a preselected indicator to indicate successively the first bidder of each new hand.

17. In a bridge table, the combination of mechanically actuated card dealing means including a movable member and adapted for dealing the playing cards in proper position to be taken up by the respective players, an electrical signalling device identifying each player seated at the table, a source of electrical energy and circuit wiring connecting said signalling devices and including a selector switch actuated by said movable member once during each complete card deal to render said signal devices effective to indicate the first bidder of each new deal.

18. In combination with a card table, and a card dealing mechanism in the table, a signal mechanism mounted in the table for indicating successively the first bidder of each new hand and actuating means for the signal mechanism operable incidental to actuation of the card dealing mechanism.

19. In a four sided bridge table, the combination of mechanically actuated card dealing means for dealing the playing cards in proper number and at the respective sides of the table to be taken up by the respective players, an electrical signaling device located at each side of the table, a source of electrical energy and circuit wiring connecting said signaling devices and including a selector switch having a plurality of spaced contacts connected in said wiring and each complementary to a signaling device and a movable contact maker connected in said wiring and automatically actuated step-by-step once for each complete deal to successively engage said contacts and effect actuation of the signaling devices individually associated therewith for the purpose described.

20. In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from said tray and distribute them into separate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the rst bidder of each new hand, said means comprising an indicator for each player position and devices operable by the movement of said tray into operative position to render one indicator inoperative and to operate another indicator, and means for manually setting said devices independent of the operation of said devices.

21. In a bridge table of the type having a card deck tray movable into and out of operative position and having a dealing mechanism operable to move cards successively from said tray and distribute them into separate hands; means operable by the movement of said tray into operative position incident to each dealing of a complete hand to indicate successively the rst bidder of each new hand, said last named means comprising an electric circuit, four electrically operable indicators in parallel portions of said circuit, and a commutator operable by the movement of said tray to open the circuit of one of said indicators and to close the circuit of another indicator, and means for manually setting said commutator to indicate the initial bidder of a series of hands.

22. In a bridge table, the combination of mechanically actuated card dealing means, signalling devices automatically actuated by said dealing means to indicate the first bidder of each new hand, and means for manually actuating said signalling devices independently of the automatic actuation thereof.

23. In a four sided bridge table, the combination of mechanically actuated card dealing means for dealing the playing cards in proper number and at the respective sides of the table to be taken up by the respective players, a signal device located at each side of the table, means actuated automatically by said card dealing means, once for each complete deal for rendering the signal devices individually and successively effective to indicate in sequence the first bidder of each new hand, and means for manually actuating said means for rendering the signal devices effective to enable determination of the side at which said individual successive sequence indication shall start.

LAWRENCE KOENIGSBERGER.