US931977A - Playing-cards. - Google Patents

Description

A. E. WHEELER.

PLAYING CARDS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.14, 1909.

VPatented Aug. 24, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ge/@AVM A. H. WHEELER.

PLAYING CARDS. APIfLIoATIoN FILED JAN.14.'1909.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

Eon GIG. IOWJQULLP GN inlv auf;

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

ALBERT HARRY WHEELER, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

PLAYNG-C ARD S.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ALBERT HARRY WHEELER, a citizen of the' United States, re siding at liforcester, in the county of Noroester and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Playing-Cards, of which the following is a speciiication.

The objects of this invention are to provide means whereby novel and interesting games can be played; to provide a deck of cards made up of a plurality of groups, par" ticularly a group of score cards and a group of count cards so divided up into suits and so numbered and designated that any player having a score card designating a certain score can by drawing or exchanging cards collect in his hand a number of count cards the sum ofthe numbers on which is not less than the numerical designation on the score card and can then indicate the attainment of such a score by placing the cards on the table with the score card face up on top so that each players score will always be apparent to all 'the players; also to provide a division of the count cards in such a way that each player is obliged to get a certain number of count cards of a certain suit or group either with or without the addition of other cards to any such suit in order that he may make any score; also to provide such a form or construction of the cards that a player may build up from one score to another by obn taining a higher score card in his hand and count cards the sum of the numbers on which is at least equal to the dierenoe between the lower score and the higher score.

The invention also in one form involves the provision of means whereby in addition to the building up of the individual scores certain players may obtain advantage to permit them to cancel the score of an opposing player.

The inventionvalso involves constructions whereby instead of adding up a players own score he may make up a score to be conferred upon another player to operate as a negative count for the other player.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 represents an entire deck of cards constructed infaccordance with this invention and adapted for playing a certain game. Fig. 2 represents a portion of a deck of cards also embodying certain features of this in Specication of Letters Patent.

Application led January 14, 1909.

Patented Aug. 24E, 1909.

serial No. 472,246.

vention and adapted to play another game; and Fig. 3 shows a part of a deck constituting a further modification.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. l, although an entire deck is shown, it is a comparatively small deck and it is to be understood that it may be added to by providing additional suits and cards ofthesame character, as this articular deck is shown for purposes of illiiistration only. In this deck it will be seen that there is a group of cards called count cards divided into two kinds qualifications b and credits a respectively. It will be seen further that the iirst kind hereafter called qualiiication cards is divided into three suits in the forni illustrated designated respectively hardwork, pull, anc ability. The cards of each of these suits bear on their faces a name or designation b common to all the cards of that suit and different from the names or designations of the cards of all the other suits, so as to be designative of that suit. rlhey also bear on their faces a number c indicating and designating the value of the card, and adjacent to the number is shown a designation d preferably in the form of a word or sign indicating the units of which those numbers are made up, as for eX- ample, in this oase, dollars. The other kind of cards in this group, namely credits a are shown in this instance as divided into two groups. Although these cards may bear illustrations on their faces like each other or different, they are not provided with any designations which distinguish each card from the other or each suit from the other, except a number c on each card indicating or designating the value of that card. Although these cards have been described in this way they can be considered as forming a part of each suit of the other kind as each one is designed solely to constitute an ad ditional card for any or all of said suits as the further descri tion of the game will show. Adjacent to tiiis number is a designation d the same as that on the qualification cards for showing the units of which the numbers are made up. These cards will be called hereafter Hcredit cards.

The other group of cards e are called score cards, they are shown in the present instance as being divided into three suits. Each of these cards bears on its facea designation f common to all the cards of that suit and distinctive of that suit, as for example, in

the present instance, these designations on the three suits are respectively Rollingmill, Oiiice, and Management. Each card also bears on its face another designation g individual to itself, although two or more cards of the same suit may, if desired, bear the same designation g. riChese designations represent relative rank in their own suits, as for example, positions. In the present case under the head of management we have two directors, vice-president, and president. In addition to this, each of these score cards bears on its face a number, h indicative ofthe score represented by that card, and a designation d of the units of which said number and also the numbers on all the count cards are made up, as for example, if this designation on the count card is dollars, the same one will be used on the score cards. Each of the numbers on the score card is adapted to be made up of a plurality of numbers on the two kinds of count cards, and consequently they are expressed in the same units. In this case if two of the score cards of one suit bear on them the same designation as director, they will also bear the same number as 125.

One set of rules by which a game may be layed can be stated in a general way as folows2ln beginning the game all cards are shuffled and dealt successively one at a time as far as they go to all of the players. The players then hold in hand score cards e denoting positions to be secured together with certain count cards a representing qualifications necessary to be possessed in order to obtain diierent positions. By the rules of the game it is assumed that the sum total of the numbers c appearing upon the faces of all the count cards belonging to any specified single suit of qualification cards possessed by the player represents the total credit due the player with reference to that particular specified designation. Furthermore, to this sum total may be added the sum total of the arbitrary number c appearing u on the faces of any or all of the cards classi ied as credit cards without reference to the qualification cards which may be held by the same player. The sum of these two sum totals may be assumed by the player as representing some number of points to be credited to the player in the game, provided that the player already has or can obtain by the rules of the game some position or score card c the numerical value h assigned to which is not greater than the sum total of qualifications and credits previously referred to. Having possession of some such position or score card the player immediately announces that he has secured the position, naming the same, and places at the same time the cards by which it has been obtained face down upon the table with the position or score card uppermost and face up. The various cards may be put in circulation among the players during the game by mutual exchange of cards without reference to turn, any player at any time naming the number of cards which he is willing to exchange stating also the number of cards which he wishes to secure in exchange for them, or the cards can be drawn or received in turn from the player at one side. Whenever a person secures by the rules of the game promotion to some more desirable position, as indicated by securing a position or score card e to which is assigned some higher' number as representing the score and a number of' qualification cards or one or more qualification cards with one or more credit cards a, representing not less than the difference between the score of the old and that of the new position, the player places the new position card or score card upon the table together with such additional. credit and qualification cards as have been used to secure the promotion, at the same time returning to his hand the position card or score card representing the abandoned position, after which the card which has been restored to the hand enters the play and is circulated among the various players by exchange of cards. It will be understood that any position or score card e while it is in position face up upon the tabie represents by the arbitrary number 7L assigned to it the score of the player at that time in the game, and promotion to higher score is made with reference to this score. A distinguishing feature of the game when played in this way is that with certain position or score cards e is associated the power of removal or discharge of other scores (positions) not greater than these named, provided that such other scores are classified as belonging to the saine group or suit. This is indicated by a designation 7c on the face of such card, for example, it may be assumed that a person occupying the position of superintendent is allowed the rivilege 'of arbitrarily discharging from tiie employ of the concern a definite number of other persons who are by the positions assumed to be possessedA by them in the employ of the concern in positions inferior to that of superintendent, and in the same department, as indicated by the numerical value of their score with reference to that of the superintendent. rl`he power of discharge in. other suits may also be assumed to be associated with one of the suits if desired, as for example, mana-gement.

By the rules of the game any person whose position is lost by such action on the part oi' some other player takes up his score card but leaves his qualification and credit cards on the table and he is privileged to immediately or subsequently during the game place upon the table before him any position or score card which he may at that sentiva" time possess or subsequently obtain by exchange representing some position or score the arbitrary value assigned to which is not in excess of the arbitrary value assigned to the score card Which Was thus lost in play, Without at that time depositing upon the table face down any qualification and credit cards, he thus loses any difference between the value of the latter and the new score card. Furthermore, the player may secure any position, for which he has the score card e, even though that be not represented as being inferior to that Which Was thus lost in play, provided that such a position be obtained by the rules of the game by means of obtaining a suitable additional number of qualification and credit cards to obtain such a position. The game continues until some player attains the highest score for which a position or score card is provided in the pack or it may be terminated at some other point if previously agreed upon by the majority of the players, or by the particular rules adapted.' it Will be understood of course that these rules are stated by Way of illustration only and that the invention can be used with wide variations in the rules. Certain other Ways in Which the invention can be carried out will now be described.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 embodies most of the features above mentioned and can be played in substantially the same Way but is designed for a little different way of playing, and it has certain differences. in construction which, however, come Linder the broad idea expressed above. In this form of the game, the cards of the pack are divided as above into tivo main groups. One of said groups A while being divided into tWo kinds of cards, is more properly considered as being divided into a number of suits each of which bears on its face some arbitrarily assigned number C and a part only of which also bears on their faces a name or designation B distinguishing the cards of each suit from the other cards belonging to the pack, said name or designation of course being common for all the cards of that suit except for a certain number of cards which are not provided with any designation. 1n

the present case the designations B are represented as the names of political parties and the cards not having such designation are intended to be common to each of the suits so that they can be added to one or more cards of any suit to make up any desired score or vote. It is preferred, also, to place upon each of the cards of this group a common Word or designation D corresponding to the Word or sign,d in Fig. 1. 1n the present instance this Would be Athe Word Votes. The other group of cards in this case is not strictly speaking made up of suits, although the cards cafi be considered as forming a single suit. These cards E are score cards as above and are used substantially in the same Way except that as the different suits are lacking, this feature is omitted in this game and also the power of discharge is preferably omitted. Each of the cards of this group is provided With a number H expressed in terms of the same units as the number C of the cards A of the other group and having near each a designation D, as for example, the Word Votes. 1n addition to this each of the cards has a designation G of a position as for example, President Vice-president, "U. S. senatorU etc. Where there are two or more ol' these cards having the same designation G they also have the same number H. 1n View of the description given of the cards shown in Fig. i this brief description of this form of the invention will be suflicient.

The game is played in substantially the same Way as'before but it takes the form of nomination and election to oflice. The group of score cards E are called nomination cards when the game is played in this manner and in order to secure an election to anyoflice a player has to have in his hand that nomination card E in addition thereto a number of count or vote cards A of a suit the sum of' the numbers C on which is at least equal to the number H on the nomination card. 1n stating that these vote cards must be of the same suit, it is to be understood of course that at least one of them must be a suit card having a designation B and the rest of them must be made up of those having the same designation or of those Which have no designation, or both. 1f a player does not hold in his hand enough vote or count cards to obtain the election to oilice he begins electioneering, as it Will be called in this game, by attempting to secure the number of votes required by exchanging with some other player any cards which he does not Want and receiving from the other such cards as that player is Willing to give. When a player has received the necessary number of votes to elect him to the oflice desired, he indicates it in the same Way as before by placing the vote cards face down and the score or nomination card face up on the table. 1t will be understood of course that the vote cards are count cards and the nomination cards are score cards, using the language employed above. Promotion to higher office may be obtained in the same Way as has been described in connection with Fig. 1.

An election is made up of all the operations performed after one deal of the cards and before the next one and during the same election promotion to higher oliice has to be obtained according to the rules of the game from the same political party as that by which the election of the lower oflic'e Was secured, but in the next election the promotion to higher office may be secured by the votes of a different party. At any time any player may move that the polls be closed and if any other player seconds the motion, the polls may be declared closed if a majority 5 of those playing so vote. Election returns are made by all the players acting as a committee to count the -votes and any office which is found by the players acting as such committee to have been gained by votes not properly combined according to the rules of the game is declared to have been secured by fraud and the oiiice, together with the number of oints credited to the player7 is declared forfeited. When the polls are closed ]5 and the election returns received all the count or vote cards are taken up and shuffled but the score or nomination cards for each players highest office remain on the table in front of the players and represent the scores of the several players. The game continues either until some one is elected president or may be terminated at such other office as the majority of players or the particular rules adapted may determine. Whenever a person holds one of certain specified ofiices for each of which there are two nomination cards no other person can be elected to the same office until it is made vacant by reason of the person holding it securing election to some higher oHice.

It will be understood, of course, that while only a certain number of cards are shown in the drawing, the game can be played with a much larger number of cards and a greater variety of suits and that when a large number of persons are to play two or more packs can be employed.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3 the method of play is quite different in certain respects, but the same principles and features of construction are involved. The pack of cards in this instance is divided into several major groups. First there are two groups of count cards designated a and a2 respectively and caller prosecution and defense. The cards of each of these groups are divided into suits, those of each suit bearing a designation b in the iirst group and b2 in the second group common to the designated cards of that suit and distinguishing them from those of the other suits. They are also provided with numb ers c indicating the value of the cards and preferably are provided with a designation d as for example, the word points to indicate the units of which these numbers are made up. Common to these two groups and to the several suits thereof are one or more series of count cards a3 which are provided with the number c and the designationsd previously mentioned, but are not otherwise distinguished from the several suits of the two groups. It will be understood that in playing the game the suit cards of the group a represent points made for the prosecution,

while the suit cards of the group a2 represent points made by the defense, and the cards a3 may be added to either. Another major division of the pack is shown by the cards e. Each of these cards is provided with a designation g to distinguish it from other cards of this major group. In the present case it is preferred to make this a negative score and under the preferred form of the rules of the game to have these designations represent charges forming the subjects of prosecution of the several players. Each one of these cards is provided with a number h and preferably with a designation d like those on the cards a and a2 showing the score and the 80 units in which it is calculated. It will be understood, of course, that where two or more of the cards c bear the same designation g they will also bear the same number h', and these numbers which are assigned 85 arbitrarily represent the number of points necessary in the game to be obtained in play by a player in order to legally make the charge specified, these points being made up of cards of the group a either with or without 9.0 additional cards a3. The parts and features of the pack of cards so far described are comparable to the other two forms shown, each letter having an exponent corresponding in a general way with the capital and small letters before used. In this form another feature is added however, comprising a group of cards designated fm', each card bearing a designation o representing the subject thereof and indicating some disposition of the case. These cards do not bear any number or score, but they simply control the play in accordance with the rules of the game.

The game can be played as follows The cards are dealt out and held in the same manner as described with relation to the other two figures. Each player has for his first object the securing of a number of prosecution cards a/ of any single suit either with or without an additional number of evidence cards a3, the sum total of the numbers c on which is equal to or greater than, the number h appearing on the face of some score or charge card c which he holds. `When a player receives this combination he makes that charge against some other player and places before that other player on the table his score card or charge card e and the count cards a and a3 to go with it. The player against whom the charge is made can plead guilty or not guilty. If he pleads guilty it means that he has no defense, and he must accept the negative score represented by the card e which has been placed before him. lf he pleads not guilty he must defend himself by securing a number of defense cards a2 either with or without additional cards a3, the sum total of the numbers c on which is equal to or exceeds the number h on the charge or score card whichv has been given him, it being understood that he can use cards a2 of one suit only. If he succeeds in doing this his innocence is established and his defense cards a2 and a3 are placed face down on the table opposite the card e specifying the charge, and they remain there until the cards are collected for a new shuffle. The rules preferably are so made that a player against whom one or more charges have been made may defend himself against any or all of them either during that hand or the next succeeding hand. Any player who fails to successfully defend himself before the cards have been shuffled the second time is declared to have lost the case and is adjudged guilty and the number of points appearing on the charge card is accepted as representing` the score against that player by reason of that particular charge.

A card representing a charge made against a player which has not been successfully defended before the cards have been shuffled the second time remains face up on the table during the remainder of the play, and the sum total of the numbers appearing upon all such cards representing charges which have not been successfully defended constitutes the number of points of the score against that player. The player against whom the least number of points is scored is the winner.

Any player who holds one of the carols m bearing a designation as o for example, Appeal to higher court, is privileged after being found guilty to have another trial and to defend himself during the next hand after the one in which he was found guilty. The other cards pf this character are for similar purposes. The one designated Postpon ment to futuro session" entitles the player to defend himself during the hand immediately succeeding the one in which it would otherwise have been necessary to defend himself. The card or cards designated Case placed on file give the player holding them the privilege to consider that any charge made against him during that hand has been placed on file and the score against him is canceled unless he is proved guilty of the same offense at some later period during the game. It will be understood, of course, that these cards m may be of any number and character, and that they simply add different methods of connecting one hand with another'.

The game may beterminated in any way provided by the rules, as for example, when all the charges provided for by the cards e have been proved against some one or more of the players, or if desired, some of these cards may bear a designation p indicating a capitalA sentence, and the game will then terminate upon the conviction of any player on that charge.

Of course it will be understood that any of the games to be played by means of this invention can be played under any rules which may be found suitable or convenient. l am also aware that many modifications can be made in the construction, form, and relative arrangement of the cards without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore l do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction shown and described, or to the particular Way of playing specified, but

What I do claim is 1- 1. A pack of cards consisting of two kinds of count card suits, and a score card suit, comprising cards having numerals thereon there being a plurality of suits of each of said kinds, the cards of one kind of count card suit bearing numerals expressed in terms of certain units and those of the other kind bearing the same numerals and also designating names, the names of each name suit being unlike those of every other name suit.

2. A deck of cards comprising two kinds of count card suits, and a score card suit consisting of cards bearing numerals thereon there being a plurality of suits of each of said kinds, the cards of one kind of count card suit bearing numerals expressed in terms of certain units and those of the other kind bearing numerals expressed in terms of the same units, and also designating names, the names on all the cards of each suit of the last named kind being unlike those on the cards of every other suit of that kind.

3. A deck of cards comprising two kinds of suits, there being a plurality of suits of each kind, the cards of one kind of suit bearing numerals expressed in terms of certainunits and those of the other kind bearing numerals expressed in terms of the same units and also designating names, the names on all the cards of each suit of the last named kind being unlike those on the cards of every other suit of that kind, and another kind of suits, the cards of which bear numerals expressed in terms of said units of a greater denomination than the least thereof, and designating names and constituting score cards. n

4. A deck of cards having uniform size and shape comprising two groups of cards, one group comprising two kinds of suits, each suit of one kind consisting of a series of cards each bearing on its face a number and also a name or designation common to all the cards of that suit and different from the names or designations of the cards of all the other suits of that kind, and each of the cards of said other kind bearing on its face a number indicating and designating the value of that card, the numbers on all the cards of said group being made up of the same units and each card of the other group bearing on its face a number greater than the numbers on the cards of the first group indicative of the score represented thereby, and a designation of the units of which said number and the numbers on the cards of the first group are made up` 5. A deck of cards having uniform size, and shape and comprising two groups of cards one of said groups comprising two kinds of suits, each suit of one kind consisting of a series of cards, each bearing on its face a name or designation common to all the cards of that suit and designative of that suit, a number indicating and designating the value of that card and a designation adjacent to the number specifying the units of which the number is made up, each suit of the other kind consisting of a series of cards, each bearing on its face a number designating the value of that card, and a designation indicating the units of which that number is made up, all the cards of all of said suits of the last named kind being free from other designating marks or characters to distinguish one suit from the other, each card of the other group bearing on its face a number greater than the numbers on the cards of the first group, and a designation indicating the units of which that number is made up.

6. A deck of cards having uniform size and shape and comprising two groups of cards, one of said groups comprising two kinds of suits, each suit of one kind consisting of a series of cards each bearing on its face a name or designation common to all the cards of that suit and distinctive of that suit, a number indicating and designating the value of that card and a designation adjacent to the number specifying the units of which that number is made up, each suit of the other kind consisting of a series of cards each bearing on its face a number designating the value of that card and a designation indicating the units of which that number is made up, the other group of cards being made up of a plurality of suits, each card bearing on its face a designation common to all the cards of that suit and distinctive of that suit, another designation individual to that card, a number greater than the least numbers on the cards of the first group, and a designation indicating the units of which that number is made up.

7. A deck of cards having uniform size and shape and comprising two groups of cards, one of said groups comprising two kinds of suits, each suit of one kind consisting 0f a series of cards each bearing on its face a name or designation common to all the cards of that suit and distinctive of that suit, a number indicating and designating the value of that card and a designation adjacent to the number specifying the units of which that number is made up, each suit of the other kind consisting of a series of cards each bearing on its face a number designateene?? ing the value of that card and a designation like the last named designation, all the cards of all the said units of the last named kind being free from other designating marks or characters to distinguish one suit from the other, each card of the other group bearing on its face a number, and a designation like the last named designation indicating the units of which that number is made up, said other group of cards being made up of a plurality of suits, each card bearing on its face a name or designation common to all the cards of that suit and distinctive of that suit, and a number greater than the least numbers on the cards of the first group, all of the same having the same name or designation also having the same number thereon.

8. A deck of cards comprisinga plurality of suits, each card of which bears on its face an arbitrarily assigned number and the cards of a part only of the suits also bearing on their faces designations common to the cards of the suit and distinguishing the cards of each suit from those of the others, the cards of the remaining suits being free from such designations, whereby they are common to all the other suits, and other cards having numbers thereon greater than the least numbers on the suit cards, each expressed in the same units as the numbers on said suit cards.

9. A deck of cards comprising a plurality of major groups, one of said groups being made up of two sets of suits, the cards of the suits of one of said sets having on the faces thereof a designation common to the cards of that suit and distinguishing the same from the cards of the other suits and also having on their faces numbers designating the count or value of the cards, the cards of the suits of the other set being provided with numbers thereon expressed in terms of the same units as the numbers on said designated suit cards, and another of said major groups comprising a series of cards, each having a designation on the face thereof and a number expressed in terms of the same units as the numbers on the cards of the first major group and of larger denomination.

l0. A deck of cards comprising three major groups, one of said groups being made up of three sets of suits, the cards of the suits of two of said sets having on the faces thereof a designation distinguishing the same from the cards of the other suits and also having on their faces numbers designating the count or value of the cards, the remaining set provided with numbers thereon expressed Y in terms of the same units as the numbers on said designated suit cards, the said designated cards of all the suits of one set bearing an additional designation showing that they are to be used in o position to the cards` of another set, one o' said other groups comprising a series of cards each having a number expressed in terms of the same units as the numbers on the cards of the first major group and of greater denomination, and the third group consisting of a plurality of cards bearing designations on their faces representing some step to be taken in playing the game.

11. A deck of cards comprising a plurality of major groups, one of said groups being made up of a plurality of sets of suits, cards of the suits of two of said sets having on the faces thereof a designation distinguishing the saine from the cards of the other suits, and also having on their faces numbers designating the count or value of the cards, the cards of all the suits of one set bearing an additional designation showing that they are to be used in opposition to the cards of another set of that group, another of said groups comprising cards, each having a number eX- pressed in terms of the same units as the numbers on the cards of the first major group and of larger denomination.

l2. A deck of cards comprising a plurality of major grou s, one of said groups being made up of a p urality of sets of suits, cards of the suits of two of said sets having on the faces thereof a designation distinguishing the same from the cards of the other suits, and also having on their faces numbers designating the count or value of the cards, the cards of all the suits of one set bearing an additional designation showing that they are to be used in opposition to the cards of anotherV set of that group, another of said groups comprising cards, each having a number eX- pressed in terms of the same units as the numbers on the cards of the first major group and of larger denomination, and a third group consisting of a plurality of cards bearing designations on their faces each representing some step to be taken in playing the game.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT HARRY WHEELER.

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