Patent GB-669360-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to race game apparatus
Inventor: DAY ARTHUR STANLEY
IPC: A63F9/14
Filed: 1949-05-17
Abstract: 669,360. Race games. BROWNE, E. S., (Representative of ELECTRIC RACING MACHINES, Ltd.). Aug. 16, 1950 [May 17, 1949], No. 13165/49. Class 132 (ii). In a race game in which models of humanly controlled racing objects e.g.  horses or cars each traverse a track comprising a continuous rail C<SP>2</SP> and a broken rail C<SP>1</SP>, switches S<SP>1</SP>-S<SP>6</SP> being provided to restore the supply of current to the model when it has been stopped by reaching the space between two sections c' of the rail C', the switches S<SP>1</SP>-S<SP>6</SP> are operated by a replica of the control means of the model located at a stationary position and actuated by a competing player. In the straight parts of the track alternate sections c' are connected to switches S' and S<SP>2</SP> and the intermediate sections to switches S<SP>3</SP> and S<SP>4</SP>. Switches S<SP>2</SP> and S' are associated with resistances r<SP>2</SP> and r' so that the models move slower when controlled by these switches. Switches S<SP>5</SP> and S<SP>6</SP> are included in the circuits of the portions c' on the curved parts of the track in addition to the switches S<SP>1</SP>-S<SP>4</SP>. A starting gate is provided in a starting branch of the track and when this is raised a switch S is made to set the apparatus. Each track has a resistance R of different value to compensate for the unequal lengths of concentric tracks. The switch S<SP>5</SP> also operates a set of points leading into a finishing branch. Model jumps are provided between the sections c'. In Fig. 4, the controlling replica B comprises the head and neck of a horse and part of the back which has a saddle B<SP>1</SP>, these two parts being joined by flexible material b' and having respectively a part N carrying the switches S<SP>1</SP>-S<SP>4</SP> and a part P carrying the switches S<SP>5</SP> and S' and being respectively horizontally pivoted at N<SP>1</SP> and vertically pivoted at P<SP>1</SP>. The head is normally maintained central by springs T. When a model has reached the end of a section c' i.e. has reached a jump, the head is manipulated by reins b so as to change over the switches S<SP>1</SP>-S<SP>4</SP> and cause the model to traverse another section. On the curved parts and at the point leading to the finish it is also necessary to move the head from side to side in order to operate one or other of the switches S<SP>5</SP> and S<SP>6</SP>. The model e.g. a horse is mounted on a rod E running in a slot h in the top k of a box-like track support K. The rod E slides in a tube F mounted on a carriage G running on the rails C<SP>1</SP>, C<SP>2</SP> and having a motor H supplied with current by brushes h, h'. The front wheel g<SP>2</SP> is pivoted. To give the model a galloping motion the rod E has a pin e passing through a slot f<SP>1</SP> in the tube F and fixed to a wheeled carriage L running on a rail M having undulations m to give the model an up and down motion. An additional tie E' is provided between the front of the carriage L and the front legs of the model. At the jumps, a higher part M' of the rail M is provided. If the wheels of the model are of metal one set of brushes can be dispensed with. The jockeys on the model horses may have internal lamps and may be readily unseated. When the device simulates car or motor-cycle racing, movement of the steering wheel or of the handle-bars on the replica will operate the control switches. According to the Provisional Specification two interrupted rails and one continuous rail may be provided, the former being connected to separate control switches and having their insulated parts staggered. Certain parts of the track may be traversed by gravity action. Several modified forms of the model and track are indicated. The models may be driven by compressed air or by moving belts or chains.