Year: 1897

page_text: I, AUGUSTE GROSSET, of 97, Rue du Faubourg du Temple, Paris, France, Decora-
tive Painter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is a new velocipede game for public use, and consists
in causing to manœuvre on a minute straight track a certain number of mechani-
cal runners set in movement by a similar number of persons placed on machines
at fixed posts each person representing and actioning one of the runners by a
system of transmission described further on:-
1. The person placed on the apparatus which makes everything function.
2. The little automaton actioned by the person.
3. The chain of transmission of movement.
4. Endless chain actioned. by pinion No. 6.
5. Plank on which the little automaton runs.
6. Pinion receiving the action from the person and transmitting it to endless
chain.
7. Tambour employed for bringing back the little runner to the starting point.
8. Equal pinions which support the endless chain.
9. Counterpoise maintaining the little automaton upright.
10. Point of attachment of the little runner to the endless chain.
1000
I, AUGUSTE GROSSET, of 97, Rue du Faubourg du Temple, Paris, in the Republic
of France, Decorative Painter, 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 a velocipede or cycle race game and apparatus for playing
the same whereby I obtain, by means of automatons mounted upon cycles and
moving over a suitable track, an exact imitation of a real cycle race.
For this purpose my invention consists in actuating, upon a straight track, auto-
matons mounted upon bicycles each fixed to an endless chain actuated by a person
seated upon a stationary cycle-frame fixed near the track and operating the auto-
maton through the medium of an endless chain passing over suitable pinions.

page_text: The drawing accompanying my Provisional Specification illustrates, by, way
of example, one method of carrying out my invention.
The race track consists of boards 5 having spaces between them, so as to form
slots, through which pass rods provided with counter-weights 9, to which rods are
attached, the bicycles running over the boards. 5 and carrying the automatons 2.
These rods are each fixed, at the point 10, to an endless chain 4 passing over toothed
pinions 8 of equal diameter.
Each endless chain 4 is actuated by a gear wheel G driven by a chain 3 passing
over a toothed wheel fixed upon a pedal axle on the stationary cycle-frame on which
the person 1 is seated. When the latter actuates the pedal axle of his stationary
machine he sets in movement the endless chain 4 which n ves the corresponding
automaton 2 along at a speed proportionate to that at which te person 1 is working.
The length of the track 5 being suitably chosen, each au omaton 2 will take a
given time to traverse the same, which time will be propo. ionate to that which
the person I would take to travel the same distance upon a rea track. The progress
of the automaton can, therefore, be followed as if it were the person himself and
an imitation of a real race can be produced if several automatons be used, each
operated by a person. When one of the automatons, having arrived at the end
of its course, is required to be brought back to the starting point it is only necessary
to operate the chain 4 in the reverse direction by means of a crank handle 7 pro-
vided for that purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I eclare that what I
claim is:-
1. A new velocipede or cycle race game consisting in causing bicycles, each
carrying an automaton, to move in a straight line over a suitable track, each bi-
cycle being set in motion by an endless chain actuated from a fixed post by a
person mounted upon a cycle-frame.
2. In a velocipede or cycle race game in which a bicycle carrying an automaton
is set in motion by a person mounted upon a stationary cycle-frame the combina-
tion with the bicycle carrying the automaton of a counterweight 9 serving to hold
it upright upon the track and a floor, constituting the said track, the boards of
which have spaces between them, forming slots, through which pass rods carrying
the said counter weights, substantially as herein before described and illustrated.
Dated the 31st day of January 1898.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.