Improvements in Race Starting Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Race Starting Machines.
I, MATTHEW JOSEPH KENNY, Ballinacurṛa House, Limerick, Ireland, Retired
Major, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in race starting machines and the object
is to provide means for ensuring the simultaneous starting of the various com-
petitors in a race. It is more particularly intended for use in horse races but
I do not confine it to that one use. In carrying my invention into effect I proceed
in or in about the following manner, making reference to the accompanying
drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front view of the complete machine. Fig. 2 is a
side view and Fig. 3 a plan of one of the sockets to be hereinafter referred to and
Fig. 4 a side view and Fig. 5 a front view of cranks also to be hereinafter men-
tioned. I provide two uprights a made of wood or other suitable material and let
into sockets b set in concrete c, the upper edges of the sockets b being level with
the surface of the ground d. A staple e is provided at the upper end of each
upright a, and the two uprights are kept in position by a cross wire-rope f extend-
ing from staple to staple, and by guy ropes g extending from the staples to
pegs driven into the ground. To each upright a are attached the outstanding
supports i and i', and between each pair of these is held a vertical rod j preferably
of circular cross section. To each support i I attach one end of a spiral spring k
which encircles j and has its free end below i. Threaded and free to run on each
rod are sockets (preferably three in number) 11, 12, 13. These sockets besides
having the hole through which j passes have also a square part m and the sockets
are arranged at equal distances apart on a square rod a passing through them
and to which they are attached by screws or other suitable means. Each socket
has also an outer projection o, each of which is bored out as at p and slotted at
the slot opening into the bore p. At the upper end of each rod n is a staple q¹
to which is attached one end of an india-rubber or other elastic band or rope
which after passing over pullies s and t has its other end attached to or looped
over the hook u, the hooks u being attached to the uprights a. Extending from
each of the sockets 11, 12, 13 on one side to the corresponding sockets on the opposite
The ends of the
sides are the tapes v, which are connected by the cross tapes w.
tapes can be attached to the sockets 11 12 13 by any suitable means as by wiring
those ends and inserting them in the bores of the socket. At a convenient
point on one of the uprights a is pivotted a lever y having holes at z and A.
Pivotted to each upright a is a crank B, the pivotting point being at C. This
crank has an outwardly turned part D, an upturned part E and an overturned
part F. These cranks are so situated and proportioned that when the sockets and
tapes are in the position shown in Fig. 1 the overturned part F of each will be
above that part of its respective socket which is between the square part and
that through which the rod j passes. Both cranks have holes at G and a wire H
connects the hole A of the lever with the hole G of its adjacent crank B. One
end of another wire J is connected with the hole z, the wire passed over
pullies K, L and M and the opposite end attached to the opposite crank B.

page_text: Assuming the apparatus to be as shown in Fig. 1 it is used by bringing the com-
petitors into line and then pressing the lever y which by wires H and J causes
the levers B to turn on their pivots and the parts F to release the sockets where-
upon the sockets and tapes will spring upwards, the springs k minimising the
shock caused by the sockets being propelled upwards by the recoil of the india-
rubber or other elastic ropes r. It will be seen therefore that the lengths of the
ropes should be such as to cause considerable tension on them when the
sockets are in the position shown in Fig. 1. To set the machine for use
the sockets are drawn down by two men one stationed at each upright a and having
a hooked rod to put over the sockets . Instead of a hooked rod a cord may be
employed.
I do not confine myself to the precise shapes, configurations relative proportions
or dispositions of parts as shown in the drawings as considerable variation is
possible without departure from the essential features of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A race starting machine comprising the following essential features;-
(a) Two properly supported uprights one on each side of the track or course, each
upright bearing on its trackward face a vertical rod on which is free to slide a
series of sockets held on a rod at a suitable distance apart, the opposing sockets
being connected by tapes extending across the track or course. (b) Rubber or
other elastic ropes or hands for normally keeping the sockets and tapes drawn
up towards the tops of the said vertical rods. (c) Cranks pivotted to the uprights
to hold down the sockets and tapes when the machine is brought into position for
(d) A lever pivotted to one of the said uprights and connected with an
arrangement of wires for turning the cranks on their pivots and releasing the
sockets and tapes, and permitting the rubber ropes or bands to re-coil and draw
upwards the sockets and tapes. (e) Spiral springs at the top of the vertical rods
mentioned under (a) to reduce the shock occasioned by the upward movement of
the sockets, the whole carried out and operating substantially as described in
the above specification and exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
use.
2. Race starting machines constructed operated and operating substantially as
described in the above specification and exemplified by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 26th day of January 1899.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, E.C., Agents.