Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 2.djvu/217

 210 rXDEBA.Ii BKPOBTEB. �according' to my invention, the body will be equally as strong as, if not stronger, (with the same amount of material,) than a table made the old way, by the convergence of the aides, /, as they descend, the legs, d, are brought further under the table, and more eut of the way of the player's feet. The con- struction of sùch a table as herein shown and described is no more expensive than one with the vertical aides, and may be Drnamented and elaborated to the same extent that other tables can be, while at the same time the inclination or obliq- uity given to the aides, and the consequent location of the legs further under the table, give to the whole machine or contrivance a lighter and more beautiful appearance. �"It will be understood that the angle of inclination of the sides, /, may be varied somewhat from the position or incli- nation shown, without departing from the spirit of my inven- tion, the gist of which rests in the idea of having the planes of the broad rails, /, so inclined or bevelled under as to per- mit the placement of the player's leg and foot as I have explained, and so combined and arranged with the bed and cushion raUs of the table as to afford the most effectuai and permanent support of the bed by the said broad rails. I am aware, as I have already remarked, that previoua to my in- vention what are commonly known as French tables have been made and ùsed ; but my invention should not be con- founded with any such construction of table, which differs materially from my improved billiard table in these esaential and material particulars, among others, viz.: �"First. In the French (or ogee) tables the sides of the body, or thoae parts corresponding to what are called in American tables the broad rails, were so combined and arranged with the cushion rail and bed that the lower portions of the body (that part on about a level with the bended knee of the player) were not located any further under the table, and out of the way of the player, than were the lower portions of the bodies of the old-fa8hioned,vertical-aided American tables. �"Second. On the French tablea the curved form, or the ogee ahape of the body, rendered the cost of the construction so great that the manufacturer of such tables oould not compete ����