US471228A

US471228A - Puzzle

Info

Publication number: US471228A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1892-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 1909-03-22

Description

(No Model.)

W. BUSH. PUZZLE.

PatentedMar, 22, 1892-.

UNITED STATES Fnrnivr @FFICE.

WILLIAM ROSE, OF OHESTERTOWVN, MARYLAND.

PUZZLE.

SJPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 471,228, dated March 22, 1892. Application filed October 3, 1891. fierial No. 407,649. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM Ross, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Chestertown, in the county of Kentand State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of puzzles or games embodying a table and a series of balls or marbles designed to be placed at determinate points by manipulating the table.

The object of the invention is to provide a simply-constructed puzzle or game of this class of a highly-interesting character and which can be manufactured and supplied at slight cost.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the-table. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, illustrating the marbles or balls in their initial position. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the balls or marbles in the position they occupy at one solution of the puzzle or game. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the table, taken on the liner/c at, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating a modification in the construction of the table.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.

Referring'to the drawings, A designates the table, which consists of a flat board or plate of rectangular or other shape. At the upper face of the board is provided an annular channel B, intersected by the ends of two diametrical channels 0 D, the latter being arranged at right angles to each other and intersecting at the center of the field inclosed within the channel I).

In the space formed at the point of intersection of the diametrical channels 0 and D is provided a depression or shallow recess or receptacle E, and centrally within the channel B, opposite each point of intersection of the channels 0 and D therewith, is provided a similar depression or recess F. A sixth depression or recess G is provided in the channel D centrally between the depression E and the nearest depression F, the purpose of which arrangement will appear farther on.

To complete the device, a series of spherical bodies-such as balls or marbles-is provided, corresponding in number to the depressions upon the table, said balls or marbles being distinguished as pairs and individually by coloring or any other desired planof marking.

The object to be attained is to seat by manipulating the table any two predetermined balls or marbles, respectively, within the depressions E and G and the remaining ones within the depressions F. To lend additional interest tothe puzzle or game, I prefer that it shall represent a presidential contest. To this end I mark the depression E with the letter P, denoting the presidential office, and the depressionG with the compound 1etters VT, denoting the vice-presidential office, the depressions F being used for seating the defeated candidates. The balls or marbles are marked with the names of prominent politicians or with any other individual distinction by which they may be identified. In the present instance three political parties are represented by the following names and candidates: Democratic, by Cleveland and Hill; Republican, by Elaine and Harrison, and Alliance, by Peffer and Simpson.

At the beginning of the game the balls or marbles representing the candidates are placed in the annular channel B in such relation that no two candidates of the same political faith are together. The operator then selects thecandidates of the preferred political party and then determines the respective offices which it is desired they shall occupy. The table is then manipulated by tilting in the desired manner to seat the designated balls or marbles in the depressions marked P and V-P, and when this has been accomplished the remaining balls or marbles representing the defeated candidates are to be disposed of in the same manner in the depressions F and without dislodging those previously disposed of. k

I do not wish to be understood as limitin myself to the precise arrangement of thechan nels and depressions or the number thereof as herein shown. For instance, the number of diametrical grooves and depressions may be increased or diminished at will without departing from the spirit and scope of my in vention, the essential features being the provision of two depressions at intricate points with relation to the channels, two or more supplementary depressions, and balls or marbles corresponding in number to the depressions and individually distinguished. It will be further obvious that the construction of the table may be varied and the channels provided in any suitable manner.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of table, in which the latter is made of sheet metal or card-board, the channels or depressions being formed by stamping the same therein. I therefore reserve the right to all such modifications as properly fall within the province of my invention.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a puzzle of the class described, the combination, with a table provided with an annular channel, one or more diametricallyarranged channels intersecting the latter, and a series of depressions located one centrally within the space bounded by said annular channel, another midway between the centrally-arranged depression and the annular channel, and the remainder within the latter channel, of a series of spheres or marbles corresponding in number to said depressions and individually distinguished, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2; In a puzzle of the class described, the combination, with a table provided with an annular channel, one or more diametricallyarranged channels intersecting the latter, and a series of depressions located one centrally within the space bounded by the annular channel, another midway between said centrally-arranged depression and the annular channel, and the remainder within the latter channel and opposite the diametrical channel or channels, of a series of spheres or marbles corresponding in number to the depressions and individually distinguished, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a puzzle of the class described, the combination, with a table provided with an annular channel, two diametrically-arranged channels intersecting the latter and arranged at right angles to each other, and a series of six depressions located one at the point of intersection of the diametrical channels, another in one of the latter midway between said central depression and the annular channel, and the remaining depressions within the latter channel and at points opposite the ends of the diametrical channels, of a series of six spheres or marbles distinguished both as pairs and individually, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses. V

\VILLIAM ROSE. VVituesses:

WM. J. LITTELL, J. R. LITTELL.