A Racing Game or Automatic Toy Race Course.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Racing Game or Automatic Toy Race Course.
I HART OSTHEIMER BERG of the Hotel Victoria Northumberland Avenue in the
County of Middlesex Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Andrew McNair Coyle of Washington
in the District of Columbia United States of America Mechanical Engineer and in
what manner the saine is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following manner :-
wherein
This Invention has reference to the construction of a toy apparatus or game
a number of moving figures of which horses may be taken as the type, run together
around a track or course, the figures being set in motion by the deposit of a coin ;
though the Invention or a greater portion thereof may be employed with other means
for starting the figures in motion.
With reference more particularly to the movements of the racing figures, it is
essential, in order to maintain an interest in the toy, that the result of the race should be
an uncertainty, and that in all cases each one of the figures should have an even chance
of being first at the goal. To subserve the same purpose it is also desirable that the
rate of motion of the figures should be somewhat proportional to the miniature track
upon which they run; or in other words that the time of the race should be
something approximate to that usually consumed in an ordinary race, and that the
several figures should shift positions from time to time as they move around the track,
thus presenting as nearly as possible the actual conditions and incidents of a veritable
These objects have been kept in view in carrying out the present Invention.
The Invention includes further a selecting mechanism whereby the user of the
apparatus for the time being can select one of the figures as the probable winner, and
indicate his choice. A simple mechanism for this purpose consists of a series of keys
or push knobs, one for each of the racing figures, the user having the privilege of
depressing any one of these keys or knobs when or for a short time after, the figures
start into motion. With the selecting mechanism is combined locking mechanism
whereby after the figures have moved over a certain portion of the course (say half
the distance) the keys are locked in position, and cannot be disturbed during the
remainder of the race.
race.
The Invention also includes the combination with the selecting mechanism, of
indicating mechanism (which may be of various sorts) which is adapted to respond in
the event of the user's having selected the winning horse, and in no other. This
indicating mechanism may be arranged to deliver a prize, to ring a bell, to display a
flag, or to perform any one or more of a number of simple mechanical operations
which are now cominon in coin-controlled apparatus of various sorts.
The manner in which the Invention is or may be carried out will now be described
in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings taking horses as the figures
represented.
Figure 1 is a top view of a box or case showing the track and racers in their
starting position.
Figure II is a plane view of parts beneath the tracks ;
Figure 111 is a longitudinal vertical section;
Figure IV is a diagram illustrating the electric circuits and connections;
Figures V, VI, VII and VIII are detail views illustrating the carriage and mounting
of the horses; and
Figures IX and X are details of the selecting mechanism.
Power is furnished by clock-work shewn at A. Figure III which drives the
wheel B, which imparts motion to the wheel C through a cord a.
The racer-
carriage D is attached to this cord by links or wires whereby the racers are
carried around the track or course E.

page_text: The wheels B. C and other mechanism are concealed by the plate F which forms
the plane of the race course. The three miniature horses 1, 2 and 3 project slightly
above this plane. A glass plate covers the whole.
The horses 1, 2, 3 (the number may be greater or less than three) are all mounted
on the same carriage D so that they move together. This carriage is composed of a
plate e of thin metal bent at a right angle and forming the top and back, a front
plate, and horizontal side and intermediate strips g (see Figures V to VIII). To
these strips g are journaled a series of wheels 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 capable of independent
rotation. The number of these wheels is immaterial, but there must be at least one
for each racer. As shown thero are two extra wheels.
Each horse or racing figure is mounted on a rod (9, 10 or 11) which rods pass up
through slots in the plate e so that the horses can move back or forward with respect
to their carriage, in addition to their common motion with said carriage. The
rod 9 (Figures V and VII) passing down is bent to form a rectangular frame
alongside of its wheel 5, and an eccentric pin 13, on this wheel works within the
frame, and as the said wheel rotates strikes now at the forward side of the rectangle
and now at its rear side. From the rectangular part of the rod 9 a rod 15 projects
forward through a guide opening in the plate f, and a rod 16 projects backward
through a similar guide hole in the plate e. By these arrangements the horse is sup-
ported so that it can slide readily forward and back. Each of the other rods 10 and 11
is constructed in the same manner. Thus when the carriage and races are dragged
around by the cord a the wheels 5, 6, 7 running on the board H are rotated by
friction and the eccentric pins 13 striking first one way and then the other inter-
mittently accelerate and retard the horses respectively, causing them to shift their
positions, as in an ordinary race, and making it a matter of uncertainty which horse
will be in advance when the goal is reached.
The starting and stopping of the figures is effected by the coin-operated lever I,
Figures III and IV, which is pivoted at hand is provided with the usual coin
receptacle or basket i and with a counter weight k.
Alongside of the coin lever I in a slot in the board H is provided the latch K, its
end lying flat against board H and being held in that position by the pin / on the
coin lever I.
The said lever I also carries an upright stop L which arrests and holds the
carriage.
When a coin by its weight depresses the coin lever I, this stop L is withdrawn
from the path of the carriage which at once begins to move around the track. The
pin also moves away from the latch K, which thereupon tilts by gravity, its small
end flying up, as shown in Figure IV. When the coin falls out of the coin basket i
into the receptacle or drawer M, the counter weight & raises the lever I but the latter
cannot return to its normal position, because as shown in Figure IV the pin strikes
against the underside of latch K. When the carriage and racing figures complete
the circuit a brush m (Figure VIII) passes over latch K and depresses it, allowing
lever to swing back to its normal position; but the carriage has before this passed
the stop L so that the figures make two turns before they are arrested by the stop.
In other words the race, started by the payment of a coin, consists of two laps, which
is considered a desirable feature of the operation of the device.
In the fictitious, as in the real horse race, the interest lies not entirely in seeing the
figures move, but in the result; as the spectators will inevitably express a preference
for one or other of the racers. The result with small figures such as used in toy race
courses, is frequently very close, so that the spectators cannot always infallibly
declare the winner. In order to announce the result with cortainty, selecting and
indicating mechanism have been provided, and constitute special features of the
invention.
The selecting mechanism comprises keys or push knobs which are designated
1, 2, 3, to correspond with the racers 1, 2, 3, respectively. These keys constitute
electric circuit changers or controllers, as presently described. The shanks of the
several keys have near their inner ends notches n for the engagement of the locking

page_text: bar N.
When this bar is down, as shown in Figure X the keys are all locked in
position, the bar being either at the end of the shank or in the notch n.
The keys are locked and released by the action of the locking magnet O. The
locking bar N is attached to the armature o of the magnet through a lever P, pivoted
at p. When the circuit of the magnet O is broken the bar N moves by its own
weight and locks the keys. When the circuit is closed, the magnet attracts the
armature o, lifts the locking bar N, and leaves the keys free to be inoved in or out
from the outside of the case.
The circuit of the magnet O is shown in Figure IV. It runs from the battery X
by the wire 18 to the magnet O, and thence by the wire 19 to the latch K. The
wire 20 runs from the other pole of the battery X to the coin lever I. When the
parts are in the position shown in Figure III, the pin rests against strip 7 of
insulating material on the edge of the latch K. Consequently the circuit is normally
open at this point, and the keys are consequently locked. During the time however
that the parts occupy the position shown in Figure IV the pin is in contact with
the metal part of the latch K, the circuit is closed, and the keys are free. This con-
dition prevails, as already stated, while the figures are making their first turn.
Hence during this period the bystander can indicate his choice of the racing figures
by pushing in the appropriate key; but as soon as the carriage throws down the
latch K, and starts on the last lap, the circuit of the locking magnet is broken by the
return of the lever I to its normal position, and the keys are again locked. Thus it
is not possible for the user to make another choice during the last half of the race.
The keys are so constructed that the act of pushing in one throws out the other two,
so that only one key at a time can be pushed in. The construction is illustrated in
Figure IX. The shanks of the keys are guided in sleeves r of the key board R. On
the underside of this board are pivotted three levers 20, 21, 22. The ends of these
levers aro in the path of pins 23 on the several key shanks. It is evident from an
inspection of Figure IX that by this cross-connectinn of the keys only one at a time
can be pushed in. If the key 2 be pushed in, its pins 23 acting on the levers 21
and 22 would throw out the keys 1ª or 3ª, if either of these were in, and similarly
with the other keys.
When the user has made a right selection, the fact is automatically announced or
indicated; that is to say, if the racing figure corresponding to the key that has been
pushed in crosses the finishing line in advance of the others, no matter how slight the
distance, the indicating mechanism, which will now be described, gives notice of
the fact.
S is the indicating magnet, and when its circuit is closed, its armature s through a
wire or cord 35 retracts the bell hammer 36 and rings a bell 37. The circuit of this
magnet will be closed, as will now be shewn, only when the racing figure corresponding
to the key that has been depressed is in the lead in passing the finishing line on the
second or last lap.
The circuit of the magnet S and its branch circuits are shown in Figures II and
and IV. From the positive pole of battery X it proceeds by the wire 20 (common
to this and to the circuit of the magnet 0) to the coin lever, to the spring contact t
(when the lever I is in its normal position), to the magnet S by the wire 25, and
thence by wire 26 to spring contact u in the path of the carriage, where the circuit is
normally broken. From the negative polo of the battery, wires 18, 27, lead to the
metallic key board R with which all the keys 1º, 2º, 3º, are in electric contact. The
keys are adapted when pushed in to make contact with a spring 1b, 2b, or 3, (corre-
sponding to the racing figures 1, 2, and 3 respectively) and these springs are connected
by wires 30, with threo stationary contacts 1, 2, 36, which are in the path of three
brushes 1, 2, 3d, on the carriage and at the line of finish. The brush u where the
other branch of the circuit terminates is also in the path of the brush m of the carriage,
so that the circuit of tho magnet S can only be closed when the carriage is at a line
drawn between the brushes and c (Figure II) which line represents the finish.
Referring now to Figures V to VIII, W is a light swinging frame of wire, pivoted
at to and provided with a counter weight which keeps the upper part of the frame

page_text: .
always in contact with the upright rods 9, 10 or 11. It is obvious that this frame
will touch only that rod which is at the time in advance of the others.
This frame carries three contacts 1º, 2º. 3e, insulated from each other and connected
by wires 31 with the brushes 1ª, 2, and 3d respectively.
It will now be readily seen that by these circuit arrangements if the figure corre-
sponding with the key that has beon depressed be in advance when the three brushes d
strike the three contacts c, the circuit of the indicator magnet S will be closed, and
not otherwise. For the circuit from points 1, 2, 3, is closed through only one key,
the other two branches being open. On the other hand only one of the branches
from the brushes 1, 2, 3, is closed, namely that corresponding to the rod 9, 10
or 11, which is at the moment nearest the front of the carriage; and in order
that the circuit be completely closed it is obviously necessary that the closed
branch of the carriage should correspond with the closed branch on the key
board. To make the explanation clearer, suppose the key 2" be pushed in. The
circuit from the battery will then be closed through this key as far as the contact 2°.
This key corresponds with the intermediate horse 2 on the rod 10. If at the finish
line this rod be in advance of the others, it will be in contact with the swinging
frame W, at the contact piece 2, while the other rods 9 and 11 will be out of contact
.therewith. The circuit will then be completely closed as follows: from the spring
contact u to the brush m on the carriage, thence through the frame of the carriage to
the rod 10, contact 2 wire 31 brush 2", contact 2, wire 30, contact. 2b, key 2ª, key
board R and so on. If at this moment one of the other horses bo in advance, say
No. 1, the circuit will remain open, for the rod 9 will in that case be in contact with
the swinging frame W, and the circuit will be open at the contact piece 2º.
It should be noticed that the indicating mechanism can never be operated at the
end of the first lap, for at this time the circuit of the magnet S is always open by
reason of the coin lever I being out of contact with the spring t, as shown in
Figure IV.
Modifications may be made in the forms and arrangements of parts without
departing from the spirit of the invention, and parts thereof may (if desired) be used
without the whole.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
'
"
↑
1. In a toy race course, the combination of a carriage adapted to make the circuit
of a track, a series of racing figures mounted on and independently moveable length-
wise of the said carriage, and intermittently acting devices, such as striking pins,
for shifting the positions of the said figures relative to the said carriago, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. The combination of the carriage and mechanism for propelling it around the
track, a series of racing figures mounted on the said carriage, and movable inde-
pendently lengthwise thereof, a series of wheels one for each figure, and eccentric
pins on the said wheels for shifting the positions of the said figures, substantially as
bereinbefore described.
3. The combination with the carriage, the racing figures mounted thereon, and
driving mechanism, of a coin actuated lever controlling a stop which arrests the
said carriage, and a latch for preventing the return of the said lever when depressed
by a coin, the said latch having a projection in the path of the carriage whereby it is
tripped and removed out of the way of the coin lever in time to arrest the carriage
at the end of the second turn or lap, substantially as herein before described.
4. The combination of the racing figures, the driving mechanism, selecting keys
one for each figure, an indicating device, and connections substantially as hereinbefore
described, whereby the indicating device is actuated as herein before set forth.
5. The combination of the racing figures, an indicating magnet, the selecting
keys controlling each a branch of the circuit of said magnet, and a series of terminals
in multiple are arranged in the path of brushes carried by the racing figures, whereby

page_text: the leading figure may close the circuit of the said magnet, if the branch controlled
by the corresponding key be closed, substantially as herein before described.
6. The combination of the racing figures, the indicating magnet, a circuit therefor
selecting keys, one for each figure, controlling parallel branches of the said circuit,
levers cross-connecting the shanks of said keys so that but one of the said branches
at a time can be closed, and other branches having open terminals in the path of
brushes carried by the said racing figures, substantially as herein before described.
7. The combination of the racing figures, the coin controlled lever for starting
them on its being depressed by a coin, the selecting keys one for each figure, the
locking lever normally bolding the keys stationary, a magnet whose circuit is closed
by the depression of the coin lever for unlocking the keys, and means as indicated
for keeping the coin lever depressed for a brief time after the racing figures start
into motion, and for releasing it before the said figures reach the end of their travel,
substantially as herein before described.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.