US547799A - Arthur munch - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

A.'MUNOH. v

' GAME APPARATUS.

No. 547,799. Patented Oct. .15, 1895.

ARTHUR MUNCH, on s PATENT OFFICE,-

T. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

GAM E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,799, dated October 15, 1895. Application filed February 1, 1895. Serial Ila. 537,031. (No model) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR MUNCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and-State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a game apparatus, and more particularly to one whereby the game of billiards may be played on a small scale.

My object is to provide suitable apparatus for playing miniature billiards, which will be of tasteful design, yet compact, durable, and portable.

A further object is to provide the base or table on which the game is played with an improved adjustable guard-rail which will serve to cushion the impact of the balls therewith.

A still further object is to provide a billiard-cue of such construction as to be especially adapted to be used in connection with my improved game apparatus and to permit the game being readily played when the players are seated about the table upon which the appliance is resting.

With these objects in view my invention consists in certain improvements in the cushion guard-rail and the means for adjusting the same.

It further consists in an improved form of billiard-cue of such peculiar construction as to admit of the billiard-balls being properly impelled in any desired direction, no matter what their position on the board may be, while the player is seated, which renders the game particularly desirable for social gather- 1n s.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my complete apparatus, 7

nection with my improved game apparatus,

dotted lines showing different positions of the impelling-spring.

A represents a rectangular base or table upon which the game is played and the balls adapted to roll. The top of this table should be perfectly smooth and level; but otherwise its construction may be varied, although it is generally desirable to have it covered with billiard-cloth to give it a more attractive appearance. It is sometimes found preferable to mount this table upon legs, but I generally construct it as shown, so that it may be placed upon a larger table when needed. Within this table are formed the usual billiard-ball pockets, (not shown,) and as these may be of any desired shape and arrangement a mention of them will suffice, as they do not enter into the novel features of my device. At intervals along the side of the table A are situated a series of eyebolts 1, through which one or more strands of any suitable material having more 'or less elasticity-such, for instance, as the wire shown at 2is adapted to pass. The free ends of this guard-wire are brought through one of the eyebolts 1 and connected, thus forming a loop 3, which is adapted to be engaged by the adjusting devices which will now be described. A short upright or standard 4 is formed with an an gular portion which embraces one of the corners of the table A, being held thereto by screws 5. Through the upper portion of this upright is an aperture 6, which is preferably in line with the eye in the eyebolt, through which the loop 3 passes. A threaded bolt 7, provided with a hooked end 8, is adapted to pass through the aperture 6. This hook 8 en-, gages with the loop 3, and a threaded adj usting-nut 9, working on the bolt 7, provides means whereby the hook may be drawn away from the eyebolt and the guard-wire 2 tightened. A guard-wire is thus provided'which may be adjusted to the desired tension and which, owing to its springiness -0r elasticity,

permits of rebounding shots being made against it by the balls.

I will now proceed to a description of the improved form of one which I find it preferable to employ in the use of my game apparatus. The construction of this cue may be readily. seen by inspecting Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the method of using it is shown in Fig. 1, where it is shown in position for a shot.

The stock of the one B may be of any suitable material and length; but I prefer to form it of wood for the sake of lightness and of a length of about six or seven inches, as it may then be easily manipulated in the operation of making a shot with one hand. It is also found desirable to form the one with a tapering end, as shown at 10, and to make the front side flat, as at 11, in order that a flat impelling-spring 12 may be the more easily attached thereto by means of screws 13. The spring 12 is provided at its free extremity with a button 14, which, for the sake of cushioning its impact with the ball to be impelled, is covered with leather, felt, or like material. This spring is also provided with an aperture, as shown at 15, which serves a purpose hereinafter described. The reverse side of the one is grooved, as shown at 16, and this groove is deepened at 17, so as to terminate at the end of the cue and at the center thereof. The groove 16 also connects with an aperture 18, leading through the one and terminatingjust beneath the free end of the spring 12. The mechanism which operates the impellingspring 12 consists of a spring-actuated rod 19, which lies within the groove 16 and one of the ends of which is bent at substantially right angles to its length, as at 20, passing through the aperture 18 and projecting from the cue in line with and just beneath the aperture 15 to form a trigger 2], which is provided with a series of notches 22, adapted to engage the spring 12 when the said spring is depressed. The opposite extremity of the rod 19 passes loosely through a metallic strap 28, affixed to the cue, and on the outer end of the rod is a thumb-button 24. A coil-spring 25, interposed between the strap 23 and the button 21, acts to hold the trigger in position for engagement with the impeding-spring 12. A metallic retaining-strap 26 serves to hold the rod 19 within the groove 16, and a reinforcing-plate 27 protects the cue from being injured by the trigger at that point.

C C C 0 represent the billiard-balls, which may be of any desired size.

D D D D represent sets of beads or counters strung on wire aflixed to eyes projecting from the sides of the table A. These counters are used to record the plays made when a game is in progress.

The one may be operated in the following manner: The impelling-spring is depressed,

the trigger 21 passing through the aperture 15 and allowing the said spring to engage one of the notches 22. A series of notches are provided in order that a light or heavy shot may be made, as the farther the impelling-spring is depressed the heavier will be its blowon the ball when released. The one is then held in the hand, as shown with the tapered end 10 resting on the table A, and the button 14L in proper relation to a ball 0. When the thumbbutton 24 is depressed against the action of the coil-spring 25, the trigger 21 is pressed forward and out of engagement with the impellin g-sprin g 12, which spring is released, allowing the button 14 to strike the ball and impel itin the required direction. To make another shot, the operation is repeated. Owing to the tapered end 10, the one may be held in any position to strike the ball, even allowing of its being placed beneath the guard-wire from the outside, as when a ball lies against the said guard-wire, and it would be difficult to use any other form of one to make a shot.

The game may be played the same as billiards, a one being provided for each player and the counters being brought into use to record the plays.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a game apparatus, a billiard cue con prising the combination of an im-pelling spring afiixed to the side of the one, and a springactuated rod having a bent portion provided with a series of notches, the said bent portion being adapted to enter an aperture in the free end of the impelling spring and to act as a trigger in combination therewith, substantially as described.

2. In a game apparatus, a tapered billiard cue comprising the combination of a fiat impelling spring, and a rod having its free extremity provided with a thumb-button, the other end being bent to form a trigger which is provided with a series of notches, the said bent portion being adapted to enter an aperture in the free end of the impelling spring and the notches to engage therewith when the spring is depressed,substantially as described.

In witness whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR MUNCIT. Witnesses:

CHRISTIAN MEYER, O. F. MEYER.

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