Improvements in Race Starting Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 17th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Race Starting Machines.
The ends
I, GEORGE THOMAS POLAIN, of 48, Barnett Grove, Bethnal Green, in the County
of Middlesex, Ivory Cutter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a
communication from abroad by Christopher Snowden, of South Saint Kilda, in
the Colony of Victoria), and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This invention relates to race starting machines, and consists of a barrier,
formed of rope wire or light flexible material spanning a race track, connected
to the lower part of two oscillating lever arms; the said lever arms operate one
on each side of the track; oscillating in a direction across the track.
of the barrier ropes are preferably provided with tension screws. The top or
upper part of the lever arms are connected together by a wire or its equivalent so
as to keep them equidistant; the said wire being provided at one end with a
tension screw. These lever arms are pivoted centrally or thereabouts, to the
post at or near the top of same and preferably set at an angle of from 30° to 60°.
Their respective top ends are loaded with weight sufficient to depress said lever
arms when released so as to cause their rapid oscillation, and consequent ascension
of the barrier. One of the lever arms is provided with an are having two notches
in which engages a pawl as means for holding the barrier in position and for
allowing the same to be released when the barrier is required to ascend, and for
stopping the rebound of barrier when up. It is preferable that a spring may be
used to operate one or both of the lever arms so as to give a sharp motion at the
start. When the arc is released the weight and the supplementary spring acting
on the head or top of the said lever arms causes them to move to a position nearly
horizontal. The barrier and overhead connection, communicate a corresponding
movement to the opposite side of track In this motion, the horizontal
spaces between the rope contract as in a parallel ruler.
I do not confine myself to any particular means for operating the lever arms
as I may apply with equal effect springs, weights over pulleys, or cranks and
levers to gain the ascent.
But in order that the invention may be better understood reference is made
to the accompanying drawing which shews an elevation of the machine, the
full lines representing the barrier when down in the starting position the dotted
lines shewing the position of barrier when up, and in which (A) represents a
post formed with bearings (B) and a slot (e) to act as a guide to arc (K) and
fitted pawl (C) and buffer (1)). The lever arm (1) is fitted with a plate (F)
having trunnions which oscillate in the bearings (B) The top end of (E) 18
furnished with a plate staple (G) to take hook of a tension sciew (g) and the
rope of a suspended weight. The said tension screw secures at its opposite end
a top straining wire which connects with the top part or head of opposite lever
arm for the purpose of keeping the said lever arms (E) and (c) equidistant with
DQ77

page_text: barrier. The staple (G) supports at its opposite end a line carrying a weight.
This weight (H) may be suspended or may be in the form of a fixed weight such
as (I) on lever arm. The spring (J) and its connection with (E) and (c) 18 only
applied where a rapid motion is essential, and may be substituted by a flat
spring working between the lever arm (E) and the post. The lower end of lever
arm (E) is bored for receipt of rope, but the manner of securing same is not an
essential feature; where wire is used tension screws are advisable.
The arc (K) connected to lever arm (E) is formed with two notches (L) and (M).
The notch (L) being used for retaining the barrier when down, or in its starting
position the second notch (A) acting as a lock when the barrier is up and prevents
the rebound of same. The opposite lever arm (c) 18 formed and operates in a
corresponding manner to and with the starting lever arm (E) substantially as
shewn in the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
understood that I am aware of the Specification of Victor Carandini, No. 21,303,
A.D. 1896, and that I claim nothing that is described and claimed therein, but
I declare that what I claimed is:-
Firstly: A race starting machine having two pivoted oscillating lever arms (E)
and (c) pivotally oscillating in a direction across the track on suitable bearings,
the said lever arms being connected at the top by straining wire and at the
bottom by the barrier, as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Secondly-A race starting machine, having two pivoted oscillating lever
arms (E) and (c) connected at top by a straining wie and at the bottom by a
barrier pivotally oscillating in a direction across the track on suitable bearings
in combination with an arc (K) having notches (L) and (M) a pawl (C) and
weights and springs to operate the arms, substantially as described and illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings.
Doted the 8th day of Febru 1800
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.