Patent GB-926339-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for checking competition entries
IPC: A63F3/06
Filed: 1958-05-19
Abstract: 926,339. Calculating-apparatus; counting- apparatus. C. J. HOLT. Aug. 19, 1959 [May 19, 1958], No. 15983/58. Class 106 (1). The invention relates to apparatus for checking permutated entries representing a plurality of line entries in a treble chance football pool. The apparatus can be set according to various known permutation plans, keys being operated according to the results of the matches actually selected by the competitor whose permutated entry is being checked. An indicator member is provided for each line of a permutated entry and is moved according to the results of the matches in that line. If three points are awarded for a draw, two for an away win and one for a home win, the indicator members are moved by two steps for a home win, one step for an away win, and are not moved for a draw, so that indicator members corresponding to winning lines are not moved at all, the other indicator members being moved by amounts corresponding to their remoteness from the winning points total. As described, the apparatus is set for a particular permutation plan by fitting a control member in the form of a drum 22 provided with a number of circumferential rows of holes equal to the number of lines in the permutation, certain of the holes in each row being provided with pegs 33, Fig. 3, in accordance with the matches occurring in the corresponding line of the expanded permutation. Indicator members in the form of bars 15 carrying pegs 28 are urged by springs 26 towards a bar 27, but may be shifted against the spring action by pawls 30 co-operating with teeth 29 on the underside of the rods 15. To check a competitor's entry according to the set permutation plan, keys 23, 24, 25 for a home win, an away win or a draw respectively are depressed according to the results of the matches selected by the competitor. The depression of any key closes a switch 75 to energize a relay 53 thereby stepping on the drum 22 by one step via a pawl 58. The release of the " 1 " or " 2 " key closes switches 76 or 77 respectively to energize relays 34 or 35, thereby moving via a linkage 40, 41 a bar 18 carrying actuators 19 bearing the pawls 30, by two steps or one step respectively, only those bars 15 for which the corresponding hole in the drum 22 has a pin 33 inserted being correspondingly advanced, the actuators 19 normally maintaining the pawls 30 out of engagement with the teeth 29, engagement being effected by co-operation of pins 33 with abutments 32 on the actuators 19. To avoid the necessity for further checking when all the bars 15 have moved out of prize-winning range, series-connected switches 86 mounted on a bar 89 are provided, one for each rod, each switch being closed when its bar has moved to a sufficient extent, a lamp or buzzer being energized when all the bars have moved sufficiently. The bar 89 may be adjusted to various positions transverse to the bars 15. Counters.-To provide a count of the number of winning and near-winning lines, eight counters mounted in a carriage 66 are provided. When the match results have been entered, depression of a " counter release " key (not shown) initiates spring-urged movement of the carriage 66 on rails 65 transverse to the bars 15. During this movement the pegs 28 on the bars 15 actuate appropriate counters according to their displaced position. A change-over switch 85, Fig. 10, is provided which can be moved to place a switch 78 instead of the switch 77 in series with the relay 35 thereby enabling the apparatus to be used for checking entries when an away win instead of a draw scores maximum points. The bar 27 forming a stop for the bars 15 may be adjusted to various positions transverse to the bars 15 to allow for cases when entries having fewer points than the possible maximum qualify for a first dividend.