Improvements in Apparatus for Starting Races and Recording the Results of the same.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Starting Races and Recording the
Results of the same.
1, ALFRED BARTLETT, of the City of Auckland, in the Colony of New
Zealand, Watch and Chronometer Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for starting races; for
automatically handicapping the same when time allowances are made; and which
apparatus also correctly and automatically records the time of the race; and has
for its objects performing these operations in a simple and effective manner by
suitable mechanism.
My apparatus consists of two principal parts; first a case or stand containing a
stop clock, mechanism for making electrical contact, and an electric battery of
suitable construction placed at the winning post; and second, an electrical
apparatus and bell or gong suitably encased and situated at any convenient starting
point.
These two parts are connected together by insulated wires.
The stop clock contained in the part of my apparatus at the winning post has an
escapement similar in construction to ordinary right angled lever clock escapements,
and a train of wheels and a dial with hands constructed to indicate any desired
number of hours, minutes, seconds, and fractions of seconds. Suitably shaped cams
are provided for returning the hour and minute hands to the division 60 on their
respective circles which are marked on the said dial. Projecting from the said
case is a lever by which the clock can be stopped when desired. The contact
making apparatus consists of mechanism which in conjunction with the battery and
stop clock sounds a bell or other alarm at desired times or intervals for starting
and handicapping races by time allowances, by means of springs corresponding in
number with the 60 seconds on the clock dial. These springs exert their energy
in an opposite or contrary direction to the revolution of the centre wheel
of the clock mechanism, they also press outwardly and radially, and are provided
with points which work in slots in an insulated ring and to which they converge.
These said springs have grooves or notches and are operated by levers provided
with knobs or keys corresponding with the 60 seconds marked on the second circle.
When one of these knobs or keys is depressed one of the said springs is advanced
until its groove, provided for that purpose, engages with the said ring where it is
held by the pressure exerted by itself. Fitting tightly on and travelling with the
centre wheel of the clock is an arm (made by preference of silver) for releasing
the said points. The battery in this part of my apparatus is an ordinary 3 cell
Leclanché or other suitable electric battery.
The part of my apparatus situated at the starting point consists of an electric relay,
a suitable electric battery, and an ordinary electric gong and clapper enclosed in a
suitable case for convenience of handling and transport, being apparatus similar
o that ordinarily used for operating bells by electricity when one blow at a time on
the bell by the clapper is desired.
In operating my apparatus the person in charge of the race pulls the stop lever
and stops the clock as before described, at say a second before the second hand
reaches division marked 60 on the second circle and then depresses the key or knob
corresponding to the said division 60. The object of thus stopping the clock at a
second before the hand reaches the division 60 is, that when the competitors are
eady, as little time as possible shall be lost in starting the race; for when the

page_text: hand reaches division 60 corresponding to the key which has been depressed as
stated, the bell is sounded at the starting point by electrical contact being made
with the same in the following manner :-
The before mentioned arni on the centre wheel of the stop clock is so situated in
relation to the second hand that when the latter is over the division corresponding
to the key which has been depressed electrical contact is made between the said
arm and the point of the spring which has been previously advanced by the
depressed key, thus completing the circuit by connecting the insulated wires.
The said arm continuing to advance carries with it the said point until its groove
or notch is disengaged from the slot in the insulated ring and the said point released
by the spring. The electric circuit is thus broken when the mechanism is ready to
'be re-operated.
When it is desired to automatically and correctly time a race, a cord or tape is
stretched across the track at the winning post in the usual manner but fastened at
one end to the stop work lever. Immediately the foremost competitor comes into
- contact with the said tape the lever will be pulled and the clock stopped simul-
taneously, and thus a correct record of the time will be indicated.
The said cord is preferably made of such thickness as to break after operating
the stop work lever."
When it is desired to automatically handicap a race by time allowances the
imanner of operating my apparatus is as follows:-When there are say three com-
petitors in which No. 1 competitor allows No. 2 eight seconds, and No. 3 fifteen
seconds; the person in charge of the race stops the clock as previously described
but also depresses the keys corresponding to divisions marked 60, 8, and 15. The
competitors being ready the clock is started. No. 3 starts when the gong is sounded
the first time, which will be when the second hand points to 60; No. 2 when the
gong sounds a second time, which will be when the hand points to 8; and No. 1
starts when the gong sounds a third time, which will be when the second hand
points to 15. The race is timed in the manner before described.
I prefer to have an insulated wire supported upon posts and carried overhead
with an earth return from the clockwork mechanism at the winning point, to the
apparatus at the different starting points; but where it is desired I wind the said
wires upon a coil or drum of any suitable description from which it may be uncoiled
as required.
I have described my apparatus for starting a race by sounding a gong or bell
but it may be so arranged as to give other signals such as firing a pistol.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1892.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, Agents,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Starting Races and Recording the
Results of the same.
I, ALFRED BARTLETT, of the City of Auckland, in the Colony of New
Zealand, Watch and Chronometer Maker, 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 apparatus for starting races; for
automatically handicapping the same when time allowances are made; and which
apparatus also correctly and automatically records the time of the race; and has
for its objects performing these operations in a simple and effective manner by
suitable mechanism.
I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings
in which,
-
Fig. 1, is a view of the case or stand; the part of which b, shewn in elevation

page_text: Dattery.
Fig. 2, is a side view of the same similarly in elevation and section.
Fig. 3, is a plan of the same, shewing the second and minute circles on a larger
scale.
Fig. 4, is an electrical relay.
Fig. 5, shews an electro magnet and armature with clapper and bell or gong
attached.
Fig. 6, is an auxiliary electric battery.
Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive shew the arrangement of my apparatus.
Fig. 7, is a plan of my clockwork mechanism with the clock dial removed.
Fig. 8, is a side view of the same and shews the clock dial and hands.
Fig. 9, is a plan of my contact making apparatus.
Fig. 10, is a sectional elevation of the same on the line 1-2 (Fig. 9).
Fig. 11, is a plan of the centre part of the contact making apparatus on a larger
scale.
Fig. 12, is a sectional elevation of the same on the line 3-4 (Fig. 11).
Similar letters and figures of reference indicate similar and corresponding parts
in all the figures.
When my apparatus is used for starting, timing and handicapping races the case
or stand A, shewn in Figs. 1, 2 & 3, is placed at the winning post; and the
electrical apparatus and bell or gong shewn in Figs. 4, 5 & 6 at any desired and
convenient starting point. These two parts are connected by the insulated wires a
& a', which may be of any suitable length, and are for a purpose to be hereinafter
described.
The part of my apparatus situated at the winning post consists; firstly, of a
stop clock enclosed in part b, of the case or stand A, and is shewn on an enlarged
scale in Figs. 7 & 8. It will be seen that this clock which is constructed to indicate
fourth parts of seconds has a train of wheels and pinions in which the great wheel c
has 80 teeth, the second wheel d, 72 teeth and pinion d', 10 leaves; third or centre
wheel " 64 teeth; and pinion e', 8 leaves; minute wheel, '60 teeth; scape wheel g,
15 teeth and pinion g', 8 leaves.
The escapement is similar in construction to ordinary right angled lever clock
escapements. The main spring is enclosed in the barrel el, which forms part of and
is in one piece with the great wheel c., is the upper clock plate shaped as shewn,
and h, the lower clock plate which is circular in shape (by preference). These
plates are held together by pillars h², in any ordinary manner and form the framing
in which the clock mechanism works. The centre wheel e, is provided with a
detent e, (shewn in detail in Figs. 13 & 14) which once every revolution of the
said centre wheel engages with the minute wheel f, advances the same one tooth
and the minute hand, one division of the minute circle ^, (Fig. 3). The
depending arme, of the detent e2, is made of fine spring steel and thus allows the said
minute wheel, to be turned backwards and forwards while engaged with the
said detent. f, shewn in detail in Figs. 15 & 16 is a check spring bearing with
a light pressure against the teeth of the minute wheel, and thus preventing the
same moving when not engaged with the detent. is a flat piece of brass or
other suitable metal shaped as shewn and is provided with a socket, which
fits tightly on to the lower end of the minute wheel arbor 10. f³, is a spring fixed
at f, in any suitable manner to the case A. This spring is provided with a
point, and a wire, the outer end of which projects beyond the case or stand A
as shewn in Fig. 3. It will be evident that when the end of the said wire f, is
pulled the pressure of the point f³ on the plate will cause the minute wheel
to revolve until the said point arrives at 18. When the point f³, is in that
position the minute hand, which fits tightly on to the upper end of the said
minute wheel arbor f10, always points to 60 on the minute circle. ', is the second
hand fitting tightly on to the centre wheel arbor es, as shewn. c², is the winding
square fitted with ratchet wheel c³, click or pawl c', and click spring c³. n, (Figs. 1,

page_text: 3 & 7) is a lever fixed in any convenient position on the case or stand A, and
fulcrumed on a pin n'; this lever n, is provided with a cord n³, and an arm n³. It
will be seen by reference to the drawings Fig. 7 that when the cord n², is pulled in
the direction shewn by the arrow the said lever n, is advanced to the position
shewn by the dotted lines, the said arm n³, pressed against the balance nt, and the
clock instantly stopped. It will also be seen (Figs. 1 & 3) that the free end of
.this lever projects out from the case or stand A.
Secondly, it consists of mechanism shewn in Figs. 9, 10, 11 & 12 for making
electrical contact and thus in conjunction with the hereinbefore described stop
clock, sounding a bell or other alarm at desired times or intervals for starting and
handicapping races by time allowances. This mechanism is (for convenience)
enclosed in part b, of the case or stand A. (see Figs. 1 & 2) and immediately above
and around the stop clock (see Fig. 10). In this part of my apparatus; i, are
springs shaped as shewn and of a number to correspond with the 60 seconds on the
clock dial, (Fig. 3). These springs are made of brass (by preference) and are
provided with points, (see Figs. 11 & 12) made preferably of silver or other
suitable metal which is a good conductor of electricity and does not easily corrode,
and have grooves or notches, and contact points, and are so constructed as to
exert their energy in the direction of the arrows (Fig. 9) in an opposite or contrary
direction to the revolution of the centre wheel arbor e, of the clock mechanism.
They also press outwardly and radially. 2, (Fig. 10) is a brass band connecting
the said springs together and having a wire, attached, which is connected with
the battery j, (Fig. 1). k, (Figs. 11 & 12) is a brass ring perforated with slots k₁,
for the reception of the points, two of which are shewn in position. This ringk,
is fixed by nibs ³, to a disc of vulcanite 42, or other suitable non-conductor of
electricity thus insulating the same from the clock plate. The said vulcanite disc k²,
is perforated as shewn and fixed to the clock plate h, by screws *, and separated
therefrom by distance pieces k³. m, (Figs. 9 & 10) are levers provided with knobs
or keys m', corresponding in number with the 60 seconds marked on the second
circle, (Fig. 3). These levers are bent as shewn and fulcrumed on pins m².
When one of the knobs or keys m', is depressed it will be evident by reference to
the drawings that from the position and peculiar shape of these levers m, one of
the springs i, (before described) is advanced until its groove or notch, (Fig. 11)
engages with the ring k, where it is held by the pressure exerted by the said
spring i., (Figs. 11 & 12) is an arm having a socket e', both made preferably of
silver, fitting tightly on and travelling with the centre wheel arbore e³, is a
depending spring made preferably of silver, fixed to the arm e, and bearing on the
disc e, made also by preference of silver. This disc e³, has a wire elo, attached for
a purpose to be hereinafter described.
Thirdly, it consists of an ordinary three cell Leclanche or other suitable
electric battery enclosed (for convenience) in part 6, of the case or stand A..
The part of my apparatus situated at the starting point consists of an electric
relay (Fig. 4); a three cell Leclanche or other suitable electric battery F
(Fig. 6) and an ordinary electro magnet with gong or bell G and clapper H,
(Fig. 5) enclosed in a suitable case for convenience of handling and transport. By
reference to the drawings (Figs. 4, 5 & 6) this arrangement will be readily under-
stood by one skilled in the art to which it appertains, being apparatus similar to
that ordinarily used for operating bells by electricity when one blow at a time on
the bell by the clapper is desired.
Having now described the several parts of my apparatus I will proceed to
describe the method of operating the same. The part of my apparatus illustrated
in Figs. 1, 2, & 3; and shewn in detail in Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16,
being placed at the winning post, and the part of my apparatus shewn in Figs. 4, 5
& 6 at the starting point and connected together by the insulated wires a & a as
shewn, the person in charge of the race pulls the lever n, and thus stops the clock,
as before described, at say a second before the second hand e', reaches the division
marked 60 on the second circle 68, (Fig. 3) and then depresses the key or knob m²,

page_text: >
corresponding to the said division marked 60 on the second circle. The object
of thus stopping the clock at a second before the hand reaches the division 60 is,
that when the competitors are ready, as little time as possible shall be lost in
starting the race; for when the said hand reaches division 60 corresponding to the
key which has been depressed as stated, the bell G, is sounded at the starting point
by electrical contact being made with the same in the following manner: -The
arm e, is so situated in relation to the second hand e, that when the latter is over
the division corresponding to the key m', which has been depressed, electrical
contact is made between the said arm eª, and the point, of the spring i, which has
been previously advanced by the depressed key m², thus connecting the wire el,
through the disc e, spring e, arme, point, spring i, (Figs. 11 & 12) band 2, to
the wire (Fig. 10). The wire e, being connected to the wire a', (Figs. 1 & 4)
by means of the contact screw a³; and the wire i³, connected to the battery j
electrical energy is exerted along the wire a', to the relay E (Fig. 4), depressing
the armature a, and completing the circuit along the wire a, through the contact
screw a, (Fig. 1) to the other terminal of the battery j. The armature a', of the
relay E, (Fig. 4) having been depressed as described contact is established between
this armature and the contact screw a. Electrical energy is now exerted from the
battery F (Fig. 6) along the wire a', through the armature at, contact screw a³,
pillar, wire a, and coil a', depressing the armature a10, and clapper H, which
strikes the bell or gong G, or other alarm and gives the signal to start the race.
The circuit is completed along the wire a", to the battery F. The arm,
(Figs. 11 & 12) continuing to advance carries with it the point, (Fig. 11) until
the groove or notch, is disengaged from the slot ', in the ring k, and the said
point released by the spring i. The electric circuits are thus broken, when the
mechanism is ready to be re-operated.
Having thus described the method of starting a race automatically by my
apparatus will now explain how the same can be automatically and correctly
timed.
A cord or tape is stretched across the track at the winning, post in the usual
manner but fastened at one end to the stop work lever », (Figs. 1, 3 & 7). It will
be readily understood that immediately the foremost competitor comes into contact
with the said tape or cord, the lever, will be pulled in the direction of the arrow
and the clock stopped simultaneously and automatically by the stop work nechanism
herein before described, (see Fig. 7) and thus a correct record of the time will be
indicated. The said cord or tape is preferably made of such a thickness that it
will break after operating the stop work lever n.
Having thus described the methods of starting and automatically timing a race
by my apparatus I will now explain how the same can be used for automatically
handicapping a race by time allowances. If for instance it is desired to start a
race of three competitors in which No. 1 competitor allows No. 2 eight seconds
and No. 3 fifteen seconds, the manner of operating my apparatus is as follows:-
The person in charge of the race arranges the apparatus, stops the clock at one
second before the division marked 60, on the second circle 5, (Fig. 3) as described
herein for starting and timing a race where no time allowances are made, and also
depresses the keys m', corresponding to the divisions marked 60, 7 & 15. The com-
petitors being ready the clock is started, No. 3 starts when the gong sounds thie
first time, which will be when the second hand of the clock points to 60, No. 2
starts when the gong sounds the second time which will be when the second hand
points to 7; and No. 1 starts when the gong sounds a third time which will be
when the second hand points to 15. The race is timed in the manner before
described.
In some cases the person in charge of the race may prefer to be at the starting
point when giving the signal to start the same, I then dispense with the electrical
apparatus and bell shewn in Figs.. 4, 5 & 6, and instead of using the contact making
apparatus shewn in Figs. 9 & 10 employ the apparatus shewn in Figs. 17 & 18,
in which R, in Fig. 17 is a pistol, having a hammer r, with detent, and also

page_text: provided with insulated springs & connected respectively to the wires a & a by
the contact screws & Fig. 18 is a plan shewing the clock plates & hand
balance, of the stop clock, and the lever n, as illustrated in Figs. 7 & 8 and
battery, as in Figs. 1 & 2, but having armature p, attached to the said lever n,
electro inagnet p', and contact screws &³.
Fig. 19, shews the case or stand A containing the stop clock and battery but
having an electro magnet and arrangement of wires as hereinafter described.
The person in charge of the race being at the starting point fires the pistol as
the signal to start the race, when electrical contact is made by the detent, on
the hammer pressing the springs ³ & together. Electrical energy is now
exerted from battery, through wire y', contact screw 2², wire a, contact screw -³,
springs & contact screw, wire a', contact screw ³, wire, to electro
magnet p withdrawing the arinature p, and lever n, with arm n³, and starting
the clock by freeing the balance n'; the electric circuit being completed through
wire .
It will be seen by reference to Fig. 17 that the pistol is shewn with the hammer
half cocked with the detent, just engaging with the spring. The dotted
lines shew the positions of the detent, when the hammer r, is fully cocked and
after the pistol has been fired..
The said detent is so arranged in regard to spring, that when the pistol is
fired this spring is pressed against spring, and thus electrical contact made, and
immediately released therefrom, and contact broken, allowing the foremost com-
petitor to actuate the lever, and stop the clock by coming into contact with the
tape (Fig. 3) as previously described.
Figs. 20 & 21 shew how electrical contact is made when a flag is used as a
signal for starting a race. In these figures S, is the handle of the flag having
insulated springs, contact wire s', and contact screws 2 & 3, and knob or button 8.
The insulated springs, and contact wire s', are connected by the contact screws s
&to the insulated wires o & a', which are in connection with the battery j, and
electro magnet pl.
When giving the signal for starting a race by lowering a flag the staff S, is held
in the hand in the usual manner but the starter at the moment of lowering the
same, presses and immediately releases the knob or buttons, when electrical
contact is made and broken. The clock is started and the race timed in the same
manner as described when a pistol is used.
I prefer to have an insulated wire supported upon posts and carried overhead
with an earth return from the clockwork mechanism A, (Figs. 1, 2 & 3) at the
winning point to the apparatus (Figs. 4, 5 & 6) at the different starting points;
but where it is desired I wind the said wires a & a¹, upon a coil or drum of any
suitable description from which it may be uncoiled as required.
The minute circle & on the dial 3, (Fig. 3) is for recording the time of a
race or handicap which occupies a longer time than the second dial will
indicate.
The stop clock as described is constructed to beat four times per second, but
it is obvious that the train of wheels may be so arranged as to beat any other
desired fractions of seconds. For instance if it is desired to arrange the clock to
beat five times per second I should make the train as follows:-Centre wheel e,
60 teeth, and escape wheel pinion g', 6 leaves; or any other convenient number
of teeth and leaves having the same relative proportion; the remainder of the
mechanism being unaltered. It will be further obvious that by increasing the
number of stops- m³, and springs i, my apparatus may be arranged to sound
the gong at any desired intervals less than a second. Also that my apparatus
may be used for starting and handicapping a race where it is not convenient to use
a tape at the winning post. In that case the person in charge of the race stops
the clock by hand as is usual at the present time with stop watches. I have
described and illustrated my apparatus for starting a race by sounding a bell or
gong but it will be evident that it may be so arranged as to give other signals

page_text: such as firing a pistol. The dial, also may be arranged vertically instead of
horizontally as shewn, or the mechanism constructed to indicate the time on two or
more dials in the manner usual in such cases.
The battery (Fig. 6) may be fixed at the back of the relay (Fig. 4) and gong
(Fig. 5) if desired.
In some cases where the distance from the winning to the starting point is short,
the relay (Fig. 4) and battery (Fig. 6) may be dispensed with and the insulated.
wires a & a connected directly with the coils aº (Fig. 5).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim :-
:-
1. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same,
the detent e, depending arm e³, combined with minute wheelf, and check spring",
as and for the purposes substantially as set forth and described.
2. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the
lever n, having cord n², and arm n³, as and for the purposes substantially as set
forth and described.
3. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the
combination of the levers m, having keys m³, with the springs i, and insulated
ring k, as and for the purposes substantially as set forth and described.
4. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the
combination of the levers m, having keys m³, springs i, insulated ring k, and
arme, actuated by the stop clock as and for the purposes substantially as set forth
and described.
5. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, a
stop clock such as described, springs, with levers m, having keys m', insulated
ring k, combined with arm e, attached to wheel arbor e³, disc e³, wire el, connecting
with electrical apparatus and bell as and for the purposes all substantially as set
forth.
6. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the
combination of the pistol R, having hammer r, provided with detent ², with
insulated springs & , as and for the purposes substantially as set forth and
described.
7. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the
combination of the electro magnet p', and armature p, with lever n, arm n³, and
stop clock, as and for the purposes substantially as described and set forth.
8. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the
combination of the pistol R, having hammer, provided with detent ³, and
insulated springs 3 and 4, with battery j, electro magnet p¹, armature p, lever n,
arm n³, and stop clock as and for the purposes substantially as set forth and
described.
12
9. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the.
combination of the flag handle S, with the insulated spring s, knobs, and contact
wire s', as and for the purposes substantially as set forth and described.
10. In an apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same, the
combination of the flag handle S, having insulated spring s, knobs, contact wire s¹,
with battery j, electro magnet pl, armature p, lever n, arm n³, and stop clock as and
for the purposes substantially as set forth and described.
11. The apparatus for starting races and recording the results of the same
substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of February 1892.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, Agents.