US681528A - Game-counter. - Google Patents

Description

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS \VILLIAMS COCHRANE, OF ROCHESTER, NELV YORK.

GAME-COUNTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681 ,528, dated August 27, 1901.

Application filed December 17, 1900. Serial No. 40,192. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS WrLLIAMs COOHRANE, a resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game-Counters; and I do hereby 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 pertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to game-counters,and has for its object to provide a device for indicating various facts pertaining tothe beginning and progress of different games.

The invention consists in the construct-ion herein described and pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section show ing the arrangement of an index-finger. Fig. 4 is a vertical central longitudinal section passing through an indicator of trumps.

Numeral 1 denotes a base, and 2 a standard, the front of which may be inclosed by glass, if desired. On the front face of the standard and on each side of said face are arranged two columns of numbers, shown in the present instance as including numbers 1 to 26 in one column of each pair and 27 to 52 in the others, the arrangement or order of the separate columns in each pair being opposite, as shown, to provide that the same pointer 3 may be used with both adjacent columns, first, by moving it down in connection with one column and then reversing it and moving it up to indicate on the other column. This pointer 3 is adj ustably and reversibly held in a slot 4:, situated between two columns of numbers, bya spring 5, movable in away 6, adjacent the slot. The spring is connected to the axis 6 of the pointer, and said axis, which supports and carries the pointer fixed thereto, is free to be turned in its bearing in the spring, the latter being held from rotation by the side wall or walls of the Way in which it moves up and down the standard. With this construction the pointer can be used with the inner column of numbers, as arranged in the present instance, and moved down to its foot to indicate 26 and then turned and moved upward to indicate higher numbers up to and including 52. If the number credited to either player is to bereduced, the pointercan be suitably moved back to indicate the subtraction in case such player has sufficient numbers to his credit.

The counter is designed for two players or two sets of players and has a pair of columns of numbers for each. It also has dials 7 and 8, one for each player, and dials 9 and 10, one for each player. The dials 7 and 8 may be used to indicate the number of games won by each player and 9 and 10 to indicate losses in any particular game. 11 denotes a dial for indicating any other fact, such as a bid in the game known as pedro. These several dials have suitable pointers, as shown.

12 denotes a device for indicating the trumps in card-playin g. It comprises a rotatable disk 18, covering representations of a club, heart, diamond, or spade placed on the standard. In practice the said representations will be appropriately colored. The rotatable disk has a window 14 of such size and arrangement that the disk can be turned to expose any one of the cireumferentially-arranged trump-indicators. The disk 13 and each pointer has a handle 15 suitable for its manipulation, and each has a spring 16 to produce the necessary friction, except that the pointer 3 has the spring 5, as before described.

The counter is used as follows in the game of pedro, for example: The player keeping the score has the counter at his right, for convenience, and in full view of all.- The amount bid is indicated on the dial 11. When the trump is named, the characteristic of the suit is exposed by suitably turning the disk 13. After a hand has been played the amount made is indicated in one of the vertical columns appropriate to the winner. WVhen the pointer 3 has been moved down to 26, it is turned half around and moved upward to indicate higher numbers. The pointer can be turned off by moving it into a vertical position. The amount to be charged to a player put in a hole can be indicated on the proper dial 9 or 10, each being appropriated to a player or to playing partners. In games involving the use of higheounting numbers the dials 9 and 10 can, if desired, be used to denote hundreds. All the facts necessary to be known to the players in ordinary games can be plainly indicated, and

thus the annoyance of inquiries by inattentive persons can be avoided. I

It may be noted that each dial for indicating the number of games is situated immediately above the columns for indicating the count in each particular game and that the columns and dial appropriate to each player are separated by the other dials and the trump-indicator, the dial for the bid and the trump-indicator being situated at the top. This arrangement is especially convenient and well adapted for instant and accurate inspection, even by those not well versed in the game to be played.

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

1. In a game-counter, a standard having columns of numbers separated by a slot, a pointer movable up and down in the slot, said pointer being reversible and held by a spring, and a Way formed in the standard to guide and hold the spring.

2. The game-counter having a series of ber of games Won, and a dial for indicating the amount bid in the game of pedro or for like purpose, said latter dials being situated above the columns for counting in a particular game.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

THOMAS WILLIAMS COGHRANE.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH GIBSON, JAMES A. COOHRANE.

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