US2560583A - Cribbage scoreboard - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1951 A. G. LUPTON CRIBBAGE SCOREBOARD 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 1, 1949 INVENTOR. AUST/N G. LUPTO/V,

ATTORNEYS.

mmmmmmmmmmm m m m n m n .DOODOOODDOODODDODODD bUOCUOOODODDOODDDDDDD July 17, 1951 A. G. LUTON CRIBBAGE SCOREBOARD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l, 1949 Patented July 17, 1951 UNITED STATI-EISV PATENT OFFICE 'CRIBBAGE SCOREBOARD Austin G. Lupton, Windsor, Ontario, Canada vApplication March 1, 1949, Serial No. 79,091

2 Claims.

1 This invention relates to game Scoreboards, and more particularly to a scoreboard for scoring game points and games in the game of Cribbage.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved cribbage scoreboard which provides a single continuous series of numbers for each player progressing in a denite order and with a directional arrow for each series, so that there can be no confusion as to the direction of movement or proper position of the scoring indicator, which provides indicators which are easily movable along the number series, but are releasably locked at selective scoring positions against accidental displacement, and are permanently attached to the board against loss, which includes separable portions which may be removed for replacement of broken indicators, which may include receptacles for decks of playing cards, and which is of convenient size and light weight, simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and of extremely attractive appearance.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a Cribbage scoreboard illustrative of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the scoreboard illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-section of the scoreboard on an enlarged scale showing, in elevation, one of the movable score indicators;

Figure 5 is a cross-section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the scoreboard illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, but modied to provide receptacles for card decks;

Figure '7 is an end `elevation of the scoreboard illustrated in Figure 6 Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a transverse cross-section on the line 9 9 of Figure 6.

With continued reference to the drawings, the scoreboard comprises an elongated, at, rectangular body, generally indicated at IU, formed of any suitable material, such as wood, synthetic resin plastic, or metal. The body or board IQ is formed of three separable pieces, including an intermediate piece l I having transversely-extending, under-cut or dovetail grooves I2 respectively in the opposite ends thereof, and two end pieces I3 and I 4 each having on one end a respective dovetail key I5 slidably received in a respective groove I2, the top, bottom and side surfaces of the end pieces being ush with the corresponding top, bottom and side surfaces of the intermediate piece II when the end pieces are operatively assembled with the intermediate piece.

The body It is provided, in its upper surface or face, with two groups I6 and II of longitudinally-extending, under-cut grooves. Each group of under-cut grooves in the face of the body comprises two spaced-apart, substantially parallel inner grooves i8, and two outside grooves I9 disposed at respectively opposite sides of the two inner grooves I8 and spaced from, and substantially parallel to the adjacent inner grooves. The inner and outer grooves I8 and BS extend from one end to the other of the intermediate piece i I of the body I B, and are contained entirely within the length of this intermediate piece, and these grooves are spaced apart so that the two groups I6 and Il occupy substantially the entirewidth of the upper face of the body.

The two inside grooves I8 of the group I 6 are inter-connected at corresponding ends by a subu stantially semi-circular, transverse portion 29 which is disposed entirely within the length of the intermediate piece Il, and are inter-connected at their opposite ends by a curved or semicircular, transverse portion 2l which overlaps the removable end piece E4 for the entire width of such transverse groove portion. The two outer grooves I9 of the group i5 are connected at their ends adjacent the transverse groove portion 2U by a transverse portion 22 which includes a straight portion spaced outwardly from the groove portion 2l), and substantially perpendicular to the two grooves I9, and S-degree curved portions between the respective outside grooves and the ad'- jacent ends of the straight, transverse portion, and these outside grooves are inter-connected at their opposite ends by a transverse portion 23 of substantially the same shape as the portion 22, but disposed in the removable end portion I4.

The inner grooves I8 of the group I'I are interconnected at their opposite ends by curved or semi-circular, transverse portions 24 and 25 respectively, of which the portion 2d, at the same end of the board as the portion 2Q, overlaps for its entire width the removable end portion I3, and the outside grooves I3 of the group Il are interconnectedV at their opposite ends by respective transverse portions 2@ and 2l of the same shape as the portions 22 and 23 of which the portion 26 is disposed in the removable end portion I3.

rlhe arrangement of the two groups I6 and I'I of four grooves each provides, on the upper face of the board I0, two marginal strips 28 disposed one along each opposite edge of the board, two strips 29 between each two adjacent inner grooves I8, of substantially the same width as the marginal strip 28, a center strip 30 somewhat wider than the strips 28 and 29, and respective strips 3| disposed one between each outside groove and the adjacent inner groove of the same group. This provides four strips 3|, two in each group, disposed in spaced-apart, substantially parallel relationship and which are substantially coterminous with each other.

Each group oi grooves I6 and I'I is provided with a series of score numbers running consecu-n tively from 1 to 120. The strips 3l are each divided between the opposite ends of the corresponding inner grooves into a series of sixty spaces of substantially equal length, and numbers running in order from 1 to 60 are applied consecutively on the spaces of the two strips 3l between each outside groove nearest the adjacent edge of the board and the adjacent inner groove I8, the numbers running in opposite directions on such two strips, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 1. Respective series of numbers running from 61 to 120 are consecutively placed on the spaces 3I, disposed respectively between the outside grooves adjacent the center strip 39, and the adjacent inner grooves I8 of the corresponding groups IB and I'I. The numbers in the series from 61 to 120 run in the opposite direction from the numbers in the series from 1 to 60 of the same groups, and the two series of numbers from 61 to 120 also run in opposite direc tions.

Each groove I8 and I9 is provided in the bottom thereof with a series of spaced-apart, rounded depressions 32 disposed one depression opposite the corresponding end of each space in the strips 3l.

The two outside grooves I9, and the inter-connecting, transverse groove portions 22 and 23 of the group I6 constitute a complete or continuous circuit, and the two inside grooves I3 together with the transverse groove portions 20 and 2I constitute a separate continuous or complete circuit within the circuit provided by the corresponding outside grooves I9 and the inter-connecting transverse groove portions. The outside grooves I9 of the group l1, together with the inter-connecting transverse portions 26 and 2l also constitute a complete circuit which surrounds a separate, complete circuit constituted by the inside grooves I8 of this same group and the inter-connecting group portions 24 and 25. Respective slidable indicators, generally indicated at 33, and respectively designated at 34, 35, 33 and 3l, as shown in Figure 1, are disposed in the above-described groove circuits.

The indicators or pins 33 are illustrated, in detail, in Figures 4 and 5, andy each comprises a cylindrical tube 38 to one end of which is attached a foot 39 of dovetail cross-sectional shape which is slidably received in a corresponding groove IB or I9, but is of a sufficient length that it cannot rotate in the groove. A ball or knob 4D is secured in the end of the tube 38 opposite the foot 39, and a compression spring II is enclosed in the tube and bears at its upper end against the surface of the corresponding knob 4I) disposed within the tube. A ball 42 is disposed in an aperture 43 provided in the foot 39 and into which the lower end of the tube 38 extends, and the spring 4I bears on the ball 42 to resiliently seat the ball in the rounded depressions 32 provided in the bottoms of the grooves. The

, pins or indicators 33 can be slid along the outside and inside groove circuits to positions opposite selected numbers of the number series of the two groups I9 and I1, and will be releasably locked in position by seating of the corresponding balls 42 in the depressions 32 at the selected positions. As the blocks or footings 39 cannot be moved directly outwardly of the grooves because of the under-cut sides of the grooves and the T or dovetail-shape of the footings, the pins or indicators 33 cannot be lost from the board and, as explained above, such pins will be releasably locked in adjusted position along the corresponding number series against accidental displacement.

If a pin or indicator should be broken, and it should become necessary to remove a broken pin and replace it with a new one, this can be done by removing the corresponding end piece I3 or I4 of the board to thereby open the adjacent ends of the inner and outer grooves of a respective group. That is, if the end piece I3 is removed, the grooves I8 and I9 of the group I'I will be opened, and if the end piece I4 is removed, the ends of the grooves I8 and I9 of the group I6 will be opened, so that a broken pin can be removed from either the inner or outer circuit of such group, and a new pin substituted therefor. After a pin has been replaced, the corresponding end piece is returned to its operative position, as illustrated in Figure 1.

This arrangement makes it possible to pack the pins separately for shipment to avoid breakage of the pins and to locate the pins in operative position in the corresponding groove circuits when the board is iirst placed in use.

The two groups of grooves I and Il, with their respective number series, are to be used respectively by the two players of the game, which explains why the number series in one of these groups starts from one end of the board, while the number series in the other group starts from the opposite end of the board.

An arrow 45 is placed on the end piece I3 opposite the adjacent end of the group I6 to indicate the direction of starting movement of the indicators in this group, and a similar directional arrow 45 is placed on the end piece I4 at the adjacent end of the group I1 for the same purpose.

A short, straight groove 46 is provided at the end of the center strip 39 adjacent the end piece I3 and overlaps the center-piece portion of the intermediate piece I I, and the end piece I3 of the board, and a series of numbers running from zero to 5 is placed in spaces of substantially equal length along one side of this groove. An indicator 4l is slidably mounted in the groove 46 and is movable therealong to positions opposite selected numbers of the series to indicate the number of games won by the player using the circuits in the group I9 of inner and outer grooves I8 and I9. A short, straight groove 48 is disposed at the end of the center strip 39 adjacent the end piece I4 and overlaps the center strip, and this end piece and a series of numbers from zero to 5 is placed along one side of this groove. A pin or indicator 49 is slidably mounted in the groove 48 and is movable to positions opposite selected numbers of the series alongside this groove to indicate the number of games won by the player using the circuits of the groove group Il. The indicators or pins 4l and 49 are the same as the indicators, generally indicated at 33, and described above.

The face of the board is preferably colored in different colors succeeding in a particular pattern to set off blocks of numbers in the two main series, and the indicators used in the circuits of the two groups I6 and l1 are preferably given different coloring to assist the scoring and prevent mistakes in indicating the scores of the two opposed players.

On its face opposite the upper face provided with the grooves and number series, the board I is preferably provided near its corners with respective pads or buttons 59 of a soft or resilient material to prevent the board from marking or scratching furniture surfaces upon which it is used.

The board I9 may also be used as a receptacle or container for playing cards used in the game by providing, on the under surface of the board,

tially equal to the width of the board I0, and side walls 53 disposed perpendicular to the under surface of the board and substantially flush with the side edges of the latter. The two receptacles and 52 terminate at the respective ends of the intermediate piece Il of the board l0, and have open ends at the corresponding ends of such intermediate piece of the board. The receptacles have a length somewhat less than one-half of the length of the intermediate piece of the board, and have respective rear or inner-end walls 54 spaced apart, as is particularly indicated in Figures 6 and 8. Each receptacle also has its respective bottom wall 55 spaced from and substantially parallel to the under surface of the intermediate piece ll of the board l0, and each has, at its open end, a respective movable door 55. Each door 56 is pivotally connected at its lower edge to the corresponding side walls 53 at the outer, lower corners of the latter, by suitable means, such as a hinge pin 51 extending longitudinally through the door adjacent its lower edge and through the corresponding side walls. One or more pull knobs 58 are secured t0 each door 56 near its upper edge, and extend outwardly therefrom, and suitable spring detents 59 are carried by the doors on their upper edges and engage with the under surface of the intermediate piece I l of the scoreboard to releasably latch the doors in closed position to retain respective decks of playing cards in the receptacles 5I and 52. Where the card receptacles are provided on the under surface of the board, the pads 50 are applied to the bottom surfaces of the receptacles near the outer corners of the latter for supporting the board on a finished furniture surface.

The invention may be embodied in other specic forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which may come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims, are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A Cribbage scoreboard comprising a flat, elongated, rectangular body having in one face thereof under-cut grooves extending londitudinally of said board and arranged in two groups of four spaced-apart, substantially parallel grooves with curved groove portions interconnecting the two inner grooves and the two outer grooves of each group at respectively opposite ends of such inner and outer grooves to join the inner grooves of each group into a complete circuit and the corresponding outer grooves into a separate, complete circuit surrounding the circuit provided by the inner grooves, a series of score numbers arranged in consecutive order in each group of grooves disposed between each outer groove and the adjacent inner grooves and running between one outer groove and the adjacent inner groove from one end of such group to the other and then between the other of said outer grooves and the adjacent inner groove from said other end to said one end of said group, and respective score indicators slidable in the outergroove circuit and in the inner-groove circuit of each group of outer and inner grooves.

2. A portable game scoreboard comprising an elongated, rectangular body having in one face thereof under-cut grooves extendinglongitudinally of said body and arranged in two groups with two spaced-apart, substantially parallel inner grooves and two outer grooves respectively spaced and substantially parallel to the adjacent inner grooves in each group, said body also including transverse groove portions inter-connecting the opposite ends of the inner and of the outer grooves in each group to provide in each group a continuous inner groove circuit and a separate, continuous outer groove circuit surrounding the respective inner groove circuit, a respective number series extending around the space between each inner-groove circuit and the surrounding outer-groove circuit, and respective indicators slidable along said groove circuits to score-indieating positions opposite selected numbers in said number series.

AUSTIN G. LUPTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 123,488 Boland Dec. 3, 1917 332,135 Bogan Dec. 8, 1885 336,266 Smith Feb. 16, 1886 563,086 Solatinow June 30, 1896 603,514 Schneider May 3, 1898 651,892 Schneider June 19, 1900 691,142 Huey Jan. 14, 1902 705,776 Morrill July 29, 1902 847,570 Granger Mar. 19, 1907 1,218,993 Fox Mar. 13, 1917 2,366,488 Calkins Jan. 2, 1945 2,415,073 Buffmire Feb. 4, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 823,902 France Jan. 28, 1938

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