Patent GB-409706-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to game apparatus
IPC: A63F9/14
Filed: 1932-11-02
Abstract: 409,706. Race game apparatus. KLAUCK, M. A., 1A, Adelaide Road, Hampstead, and COLE, B., 15, Cropthorne Court, Maida Vale, both in London. Nov. 2, 1932, No. 30923. [Class 132 (ii).] In a race game wherein a plurality of carriages are propelled along endless tracks under the control of the players, each carriage co-operates with conductor rails, included in the circuit of the mechanism driving the carriage, and comprising a number of sections which may be energized successively through an electric switch manipulated by a player. The carriages may carry model dogs, horses, &c. and be provided with means causing the dogs or horses to jump over hurdles on the track. Each carriage comprises a frame 9, 44, 46, supported on wheels 10 running on tracks 11, Figs. 2, 3, between which run guide wheels 12. A further guide wheel 15 carried by an arm 16 on the frame runs in an endless slot 6 provided in the upper track and through which projects an arm 8 carrying the model dog 7. Each carriage is connected by a link 18 to an endless sprocket chain 17 driven by an electric motor 23, Fig. 5, included in the circuit of which are conductor rails 21, 22 connected through insulated conductor brushes 19, 20 on the carriage. The conductor rail 21 is continuous except for an insulated portion A, but the rail 22 is divided into sections B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and a section corresponding to A. Six pairs of conductor rails 21, 22 corresponding to six players are shown in Fig. 5 and the various connections shown for one pair are duplicated for the others. Assuming the carriages are all at the home section A, the mains switch 29 is opened and 31 closed. The motors 23 are energized and the carriages move to the starting positions at the beginning of section B. Switch 31 is now opened and to start a race switch 29 is closed. Each player controls a twoway switch 32 which must be thrown to the " down " position to energize section B, and when his carriage reaches section C (switch 34 being "up") the switch 32 must be thrown to the " up " position to energize it. Similarly, sections E, H, K are also energized in the "down" position and sections I, F in the "up" position of switch 32, while sections D, G, J are energized irrespectively of the position of switch 32. Manipulation of switch 32 is therefore necessary for a carriage to move continuously. By throwing a switch 34 to the " down " position the sections C, F may also be energized independently of switch 32. The winning carriage is the first to reach section A when a contact strip 40 on the carriage bridges a pair of contacts 40<a>, Fig. 2, disposed adjacent section A to operate a luminous indicator. Switches 35 are provided to short-circuit switches 32 to move all the carriages to the sections A at the end of a race. Disposed around the upper race track are hurdles 42 and below these on the tracks 11 are cams 43, Fig. 2. The dogs 7 are mounted on auxiliary carriages 44 pivotally mounted on arms 46 pivotally sprung to the frames 9, so that when a hurdle is approached wheels 45 on an auxiliary carriage ride on the cam 43 causing the dog to "jump" over the hurdle. Wheels 14 engaging the underside of the tracks 11 are provided to prevent vertical displacement of the frame 9 when a hurdle is negotiated. Modifications. The regulators 26 of the motors 23 may be adjusted to compensate for the different lengths of the tracks 6 which may also be circular or any other shape. An additional track, may be provided around which a " hare " is continuously driven. The sprocket chains 17, ropes, or cords, may be driven continuously, the track sections A, B-K, and switches 32, in this case, controlling clutches serving to engage the carriages with their respective chains. The "hare" may also travel once round the track before the carriages move. Also, the driving motors 23 may be fitted to the carriages which will be provided with brakes in the form of buffers resiliently engaging the tracks. According to the Provisional Specification, the dogs may be resiliently mounted on the carriages to impart vibrating movements thereto.