Patent GB-340987-A (GB)
Abstract: 340,987. Totalizators. RICKETS, W. J., St. Andrew's Works, Slough. Sept. 27, 1929, No. 29300. [Class 106 (i).] In a totalizator an odds calculating arrangement is provided comprising in combination two variable electrical resistances adapted to be set in accordance with the total bets on any particular horse and the pool total respectively and means for determining the relative magnitude of the resistances. In the form shown, Figs. 1 and 3, the means for determining the relative values comprises a Wheatstone bridge arrangement with a potentiometer balancing resistance automatically adjusted and operated in conjunction with a set of odds signalling contacts and indicating device. Preferably the resistances are adjusted in proportion to the readings of the principal significant figures of the two totals, means being provided for determining the power of ten by which the relative value must be multiplied to give the absolute odds. The odds are indicated by a sequence of actions initiated by a pre-selector control switch 11, Fig. 1, of known form comprising an operation bank 12 with ten contacts 120 .. 129, a reply bank 13 with ten contacts 130 .. 139, a drive magnet 15, and interrupter contacts 16. In the initial position with the contacts 120, 130 closed a motor 17 is started so as to drive a shaft 72 which through a Geneva stop mechanism intermittently rotates a horse selector shaft 75. Rotation of the shaft 75 is controlled by a brake drum 76 and a cam 80 co-operating with a switch lever 81 and contacts 82 .. 84. The closing of contacts 83, 84 renders the line 86 alive and through switch contact 130 energizes the drive magnet 15 to step on the switch arms. Mounted on the shaft 75 are a number of insulated arms, such as 27, 87, provided with slip rings and co-operating with sets of contacts such as 88 .. 93 adapted. to be connected successively to the different horse total counters and odds indicating mechanism. The stepping on of the control switch to contacts 121, 131 energizes a relay N to hold up alteration of the pool total meter and then moves to close contacts 122, 132. Lines 26, 28 are energized to operate a relay B and to energize one of the lines of each of the sets 33 .. 37, 43 .. 46, associated with pool and horse total counting elements 271 .. 275, and 281 .. 284 as described in Specification 340,988. The particular lines energized are those associated with the highest significant figure in the pool and horse counters. The operation of relay B closes contacts B<1>, B2, and steps on the wipers of selector switches 29, 39 which operation is continued until the wipers reach the energized lines whereupon the wipers are stopped and contacts D<1> closed to energize line 49 to operate the control switch. By closure of contacts 123, 133 line 50 is energized and impulses are sent from the pool and horse counting elements, in the manner described in the above-mentioned Specification, through follower elements, lines 506 .. 510, and 515 .. 518, and wipers 52 .. 54, and 62 .. 64 to corresponding drive magnets 58 .. 60 and 68 .. 70 of variable electrical resistances 158 .. 160 and 168 .. 170. When the resistances have been set a reply relay through the sets of contacts E<11> .. E<15>, and F<11> .. F<14> of the counting elements energizes line 25 to step on the control switch to contacts 124, 134. Contact 124 energizes line 224 connected to the movable element 102 of a potentiometer resistance 324 forming with the variable resistances a Wheatstone bridge arrangement across which is placed two balancing relays 94, 95 with biassed arms 96, 97 normally engaging contacts 98, 99. Flow of current across the bridge causes one or other of the arms to operate one or other relays G or H to impart a movement to the element 102 until balance is attained whereupon the relay K is energized to send a reply signal to the control switch to close contacts 125, 135. These contacts are connected by lines 225, 235 to an odds signalling switch 104, 108, its drive magnet 110 being operated and the wipers advanced until the line contact corresponding to the position of balance is reached. During this movement impulses are sent through wiper 106 to line 113 and through contact arm on shaft 75 to the odds indicator for the appropriate horse. When the wiper comes to rest a relay P sends a reply signal to the control switch to close contacts 126, 136. The contact 126 operates a locking device (not shown) to hold the odds indicator in set position and the locking apparatus completes a reply circuit to step on the control switch to effect restoration of the parts. Contact 127 renders live the line 227 and relay X for resetting the bridge resistances and selector switches 29, 39, through homing contact banks X<1> .. X<6>, Fig. 3. A relay Y is thereupon operated to send reply signal to the control switch. The contact 128 energizes a line 228 and relays L, M to restore the follower elements of the pool and horse meters as described in the above-mentioned Specification, the restoration of which sends a reply signal through contact 138 to the control switch. The contact 129 energizes line 229 and relay R to restore the odds signalling switch through contact bank 107 whereupon a reply signal through contacts R<1> and line 239 advances the control switch to complete the cycle of movement. The contact banks X<1> .. X<6>, Fig. 3, are mounted on spindles carrying the wipers of the bridge resistances and have their arms connected through interrupter contacts to the drive magnets 58 .. 60, 68 .. 70. The current supply to contacts X<1> .. X<6> passes through the reply relay Y, Fig. 1, having contacts Y<1> which are normally maintained open by contacts X<9> associated with the relay X. The relay X co-operates with contacts X<7>, X<8> of the restoring banks 32, 42, of the selector switches 29, 39. The movable element of the potentiometer as shown in Fig. 3 is mounted on a lead screw 116 driven by gearing from a motor 115 provided with two field windings 119, 219 controlled bv the contacts G<1>, H<1> of relays G, H. The odds indicator may be of any convenient form as shown it comprises two indicator drums 601, 602 with numbers corresponding to various odds ratios and mounted on a rotatable shaft. To indicate the ratio of the odds by adjusting the decimal point the spindles of the selector switches 29, 39 are connected through a differential gear 340 to a shaft 341 carrying a contact arm 342 co-operating with contacts 343 .. 347 in circuit with arms on the shaft 75 and lines 348 .. 352 connected to electromagnetic means for operating shutters 603 .. 606 to expose zero indications whereby the absolute odds is indicated. The primary elements of the pool and horse meters are preferably elements adapted to be coupled periodically to meters so as to prevent movement thereof during the odds determining operation, such ele. ments are described in Specification 333,258, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.]. Specification 340,988 also is referred to.