An Improved Mechanical Contrivance for use in Starting Races.
Year: 1897

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patente, &o. Act, 1883), as required by
the decision of the Chief Examiner of the 9th day of May. 1898.
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PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Mechanical Contrivance for use in Starting Races.
We, THOMAS ROBERTS, Horse Trainer, and DANIEL O'BRIEN, Gentleman, both
of 156, Vickery's Chambers, 82, Pitt Street, Sydney, in the Colony of New South
Wales, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a certain novel and mechanical contrivance for use in
starting races, and has been devised principally for the purpose of providing a
simple and more convenient appliance than those hitherto in vogue and one more-
over that will be especially adapted for starting horses on race courses.
In the construction of my improved contrivance I place two posts of suitable
size one on either side of the course along which the race is to be run. To the
top of each post on the inner side I secure the coiled end (coiled to form a spring)
of a metal arm of sufficient length that when the arms are lowered they will be
in the correct position for the barrier which is stretched from arm to arm, to block
the course. The barrier which is stretched across the course and secured to the
two arms may consist of either a net supported by tapes or any other suitable
material, to keep the said net in a stretched position or may be formed by two or
more tapes having light battens to keep them apart. To the top of each post on
the outer sides and at right angles to the post I place a metal bracket to carry
one end of a metal stay, the other end being secured near the extremity of the
metal arm. These stays are for the purpose of preventing the metal arms from
being drawn towards each other.
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On each post in a suitable position is pivotted a metal catch for the purpose
holding or securing the arms when drawn down so that the barrier blocks the
course. A lever is attached to one post to operate the catches (the catch on the
further post is operated by an overhead wire one end being secured to the operating
lever) and when the catches are operated by this lever the metal arms are released
and the coil springs carries the arms and barrier upwards and thus clears the
course.
On one of the stays is placed a flag in such a position that when the metal
arms are drawn down and the course blocked, the flag assumes an upright or
proper position, but when the arms and barrier are released and fly upwards the
flag assumes a downward position.
TLs and love of February 1897.

page_text: An Improved Mechanical Contrivance for use in Starting Races.
We, THOMAS ROBERTS, Horse Trainer, and DANIEL O'BRIEN, Gentleman, both
of 156, Vickery's Chambers, 82, Pitt Street, Sydney, in the Colony of New South
Wales, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
-
This invention relates to a mechanical contrivance for starting races more
especially horse races and consists in the details of construction herein described.
In order that the invention may be thoroughly understood reference will be
made to the accompanying drawing consisting of one sheet, which shows a diagram-
matic view of the race starting contrivance with the barrier raised leaving the
course clear.
Two posts A are let into the ground one on each side of the course, to the top
of each on the inner side is attached an arm B preferably made of metal.
The inner ends of these arms B are coiled to form a spring B¹, and are secured
by the pins C to the posts A the other ends of these arms are connected by tapee
or canvas bands D in any suitable manner, stretchers E preferably made of wood
are secured to these bands or tapes for the purpose of keeping them apart as
shewn in the drawing herewith. The stays F' are secured at one end to the arms B
at G, the other ends work round the bars H, which are secured to the posts A, to
one of these stays F is secured a flag I.
A clip or catch J working on a stud or pin K secured on each inner side of
the posts A is used for holding or releasing the arms B. The guides V are secured
to the inner side of the posts A.
To the operating handle L working on a stud or pin M a wire P is attached at N,
and is connected to one of the clips or catches J at O, another wire P¹ is attached
to the operating handle L as Q, and passes through pulleys R, secured to the pro-
jecting arms S, and is attached to the other clip or catch J at T.
A modification may be made in the position of the wire P1 by passing it through
a pipe or channel underground. To operate this apparatus it is necessary to lower
the arms B, so that the clips or catches J will cover and secure the ends U, this will
cause the coil spring B₁ to be tightened, the tapes or bands D. will then block
the course, and the flag I assume an upright position. By lowering the operating
handle L, the connecting wires P and P, will be drawn, causing the clips or
catches J to fall, thus allowing the coil springs to expand, raising the arms B
forwardly and upwardly so clearing the course and lowering the flag I, the
apparatus will then assume the position shown in the drawing. The flag is to
denote to the time-keeper that the race has started.
We are aware that a device of this kind has been described and claimed in the
Specification of a former Patent No. 21303 of 1896 granted to Victor Carandini
and we wish it.understood that we do not desire to claim any thing described or
claimed in the said prior patent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In mechanical contrivances for use in starting races the combination and ‹
arrangement with two posts A, arms B, coil springs B', and a barrier D, stays F,
as herein described, explained and illustrated in the drawing.
2. In mechanical contrivances for use in starting races a barrier D), composed of

page_text: tapes, webbing or a net attached to arms B, having stays F, and a flag secured to one
of the said stays, and being operated by coiled springs B', as herein described,
explained and illustrated.
Dated this 7th day of September 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.