Patent GB-572519-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electrically operated amusement devices
IPC: A63F9/14
Filed: 1943-08-20
Abstract: 572,519. Race game apparatus. TONNER, G. V. Aug. 20, 1943, No. 13605. [Class 132 (ii)] An electrically-operated amusement device comprises electrically driven model horses or the like arranged to be advanced, each in a series of stages, along a race track as a result of the operation, by players in a competitive spirit of switches controlling the supply of electrical energy to the tracks of the several models. The apparatus comprises a plurality of playing tables a each with an inclined playing surface f on which is a deflector g with apertures h leading to a lower, inclined surface j divided by ribs k into channels in the floors of which are switches m, n. The switches are connected in an electric circuit so that when a switch is closed By the passage of a ball down the channel the score is indicated on the screen b and the conductor rail o which is made up of insulated sections is energised momentarily to excite the motor of the model e and make it advance along the track d from one section'of the conductor rail to the succeeding adjacent section. Some apertures lead to channels having a number of switches the closing of which causes the model to traverse a corresponding number of rail sections. Fig. 2 shows a ratchet device whereby the current in any particular track is cut off when the model has reached the winning post. Each time a switch m, n is closed the solenoid s is energised and by means of a pawl w advances the ratchet wheel w, against the action of the spring x, a distance of one tooth, return of the wheel w being prevented by the spring-urged detent y. When the ratchet wheel has been rotated an amount determined by the length of the race track a projecting pin 13 on the wheel w opens the normally closed switch 11, 12 and cuts off current to the rails o, p and the model e having arrived at the winning post closes the normally open switch to give either or both visual and aural signals at b, c of the completion of the race. Electric current may now be switched into the circuit rails p, q to return all of the models to the starting point, buffers 18 being provided. In a modification the ratchet device is arranged to cause the energisation of a number of sections of the rail o corresponding to the number of contacts m, w actuated by a particular ball. Fig. 5 shows the motors carried by each of the models and the braking device employed to prevent the momentum carrying the model beyond the correct distance. The leads o<1>, p<1>, q<1> are connected to the rails o, p, q and the motor 26 with its rotor 24 for forward running of the models and the motor 27 with its rotor 25 for reversal are of the shaded pole type and are mounted on a shaft 28 rotatable in bearings 29, 30 and slidable axially under the influence of the spring 31. Friction discs 33, 34 are mounted on the bearing 30 and the adjacent end of the rotor 25 respectively the arrangement being such that when either motor is energized the rotors 24, 25 are centralised and the brake discs 33, 34 separated, but as soon as the motor circuit is opened and neither motor is energized, the spring 31 draws the rotors 24, 25 into an out-of-centre position and the brake discs 33, 34 engage each other to arrest rotation of the shaft 28.