Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Race Game.
JOHN DUNDON, 28, Marlboro Street, Cork, Store Clerk, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1st Two or more endless belts running parallel and close together. 2nd These
belts are mounted on a wooden frame any length required, preferably six feet.
3rd Belts are operated by crank handles attached to rollers or pullys. 4th To
these belts are attached minature horses bicycles, or anything suitable for entering
into racing competition. 5th Belts are concealed from view by a light board
placed over them. The bicycles or horses pass over this board while belts pass
beneath. The knife like connection between bicycle, or horses, and belts passes
along an almost imperceptable slit in the light board. 6 operators take a handle
each and the more expert wins.
JOHN DUNDON, formerly of 28, Marlboro Street, now of 11, Glenview Terrace,
Ballyhooley Road, Cork, Ireland, Store Keeper, 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 consists of four essential parts as follows. 1st. A table of any
required size preferably six feet long by 15 inches wide. 2nd. Two or more
endless belts, preferably four, running lengthwise and parallel to each other over
and under, about 1 inch apart, and revolving round the table over and under by
means of (3rd) A crank working independent reels or pulley wheels at either end.
of the table one crank handle and two pulley wheels to each belt. 4th. A figure
such as a bicycle model, model horse, grotesque animal or other figure attached
to each belt, and revolving with it, attached to same by a half circular stand and
connected to the figure by a vertical knife edge connection, which runs through
slit made in table over the centre of each band in such a manner that the band
and stand of figures are concealed from view within the thickness of the table.
The table in question is made for the purpose of this concealment by first laying
a light board about ½ inch thick over the entire surface of the table. On to
this board are fixed five light strips of wood about ½ of an inch thick. These
form four channels or grooves through which the belts pass. Over these again
are fixed five wider strips of wood which come to about 1/16 of an inch of meeting
each other, leaving only a small opening over the centre of each belt through which
the knife-shaped connection between belt and figure passes.

page_text: The cranks are fixed outside the four corners of the table and have suitable
handles attached each being connected with its independent driving pulley but
in order to obtain the same direction for the four operators in the motion of the
bands two of the cranks work on gear-wheels which changes the direction of the
driving pulleys as in ordinary coupling. If bicycles with riders on are the figures
used one leg of the fork is left so long as to pass through slit in table and form the
connection between figure and belt. It will thus be seen that the bicycle wheels
roll along by the side of slit the friction with the board causing wheels to revolve
and the legs of the riders to go around in the natural way.
I will now refer to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 gives a horizontal
section of the apparatus with the belts exposed to view. Each belt is moved by
the handle which bears the same letter. One bar of iron passing right across
the table forms the axle for all the pulley-wheels at that end of the table. The
driving pulley-wheels of belts A and B are fixed immovably on the axle; all the
other pulley-wheels revolve on the axle, so that if you turn handle all the belts
except belt A remain motionless. If you turn handle b all belts except belt B
remain motionless. Handles c and d are attached to cog-wheels or friction wheels.
These friction-wheels or cog-wheels work on other friction or cog wheels attached
to end of driving pully wheel as seen in this figure.
C
Figure 2 gives you a side view of apparatus. As I intind using bicycles princi-
pally I use them in illustrating this figure. Figure E is represented as running
along over table and Figure F is running underneath.
Figure 3 gives a vertical cross section of table with competing figures over
and under.
The operators take a handle each; all the competing figures are brought on a
right angle line across the table. At sound of a gong attached all start and as
cranks and driving-pully wheels are all equal the competitor who turns his handle
quickest wins the race. As the figures may go on for an unlimited number of laps
or rounds the length of the race has to be pre-arranged.
The competing figures cannot be seen while returning underneath the leaf
of table and the uncertainty as to which figure will appear first adds much to the
excitement of the game.
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 is:
1st. The manufacture and use for the purpose described of a rectangular frame
or table over and under the leaf of which competetive figures are made to revolve
by the power of endless belts, bands, or chains operated by pulley wheels.
2nd. The manufacture and use for the purpose described of a rectangular frame
or table over and under the leaf of which competitive figures are made to revolve
by the power of endless belts, bands, or chains, operated by pulley wheels and
crank handles; two pulley wheels and one crank-handle to each belt, band; or
chain.
3rd. The manufacture and use for the purpose of a race game of an apparatus
in which the competing figures, moved as hereinbefore described are concealed
from view during about half their course.
4th. The manufacture and use for the purpose of a race game of an apparatus
in which the competing figures, moved as here-in-before described, can race fo
any desirable number of laps or rounds.
تيمم
1
1000