Patent GB-467421-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electrically operated race game apparatus
IPC: A63F9/14
Filed: 1935-12-16
Abstract: 467,421. Race-game apparatus. JACKSON, T. G. Dec. 16, 1935, Nos. 34814/35 and '2796/36. [Class 132 (ii)] Race-game apparatus comprises a plurality of tracks over which trains &c. are electrically driven, the circuit of the individual driving motor of each train being subject to (a) a control manually operated by the corresponding player, (b) an arbitrarily operated control inaccessable to the players and (c) a control operated by train as it passes a certain part or parts of the track. Fig. 1 shows six endless railed tracks 14 passing over a bridge 18, each having a live central rail 15, a switch 17 momentarily closed by a train passing thereover and signal lamps 16 adjacent the switch 17, although several switches 17 and corresponding lamps 16 may be disposed around each track. The circuit arrangements for each track comprise main switch contacts 23, 24, Fig. 2, in series with a switch 19 manually operated by the corresponding player, and the track rails 14, 15, red and green signal lamps 161, 16<11>, switch 17 and four rotary time-switches 27, 28, 37, 40 operated synchronously, each timeswitch comprising brushes 63, 65 coacting respectively with a conducting bush 62 and a disc 60 provided with conducting segments 64 connected to the bush 62. The time-switches are driven by clockwork or an electric motor and the time-switches for the different tracks are preferably out of phase. The main switch 23, 24 is normally closed but is opened when a magnet 26 is energized to rock the pivotal switch lever 25 against the action of a spring 71. The magnet 26 is energized when the three switches 17, 27, 28 are closed at the same time, the magnet remaining locked over contacts 30, 31, until the time-switch 28 opens. The red lamp 161 is lit over switch 37 while the switch 27 is closed and is also lit over contacts 38, 39, while the magnet 26 is energized. The green lamp 16<11> is lit over contacts 41, 42, only when the main switch contacts 23, 24 are closed and when the switch 40 is closed, that is when switch 37 is open. In a race, therefore, the object of each player is to get his train past a track switch 17 while the corresponding green signal lamp is lit, or to stop his train by opening switch 19 and without actuating switch 17 just before the red lamp is lit and proceeding immediately it is extinguished. Otherwise, if the track switch 17 is closed when the red lamp is lit the train has to wait a far longer period, i.e. until the switch 28 opens, before it can proceed. Master switches 70 in parallel with all of the switches 19 and 23, 24, are provided to advance all the trains to a common starting point 81 and rheostats 22 preferably common to all trains serve to adjust their speeds. The time-switches alternatively comprise spring blades closed by cams mounted on a shaft rotated by clockwork or an electric motor. According to the first Provisional Specification obstructions are selectively placed in the path of one or more of the trains, the controls instead of stopping the trains may otherwise vary the speed thereof, and automatically operated means may be provided for periodically varying the current supply or the sequence of operation of the non-player operated controls. According to the second Provisional Specification manually operated rheostats may be used instead of the switches 19, and the lever 25 may be gravity loaded.