US2034324A

US2034324A - Game of skill

Info

Publication number: US2034324A
Application number: US702784A
Authority: US
Inventors: Brady John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-12-16
Filing date: 1933-12-16
Publication date: 1936-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 1953-03-17

Description

J. BRADY GAME OF SKILL March 17, 1936,.`

Filed Dec, 16, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 n www. Q

J. BRADY GAME F SKILL March 17, 1936.

Filed Deo.

16, 1933 5 sheetsheet 3 J. BRADY GAME OF SKILL Filed Deo.

March 17, 1936.

16, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W@ E uw J. BRADY GAME OF SKILL March 17, 1936.

Filed Dec. 16, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @www Jaim z'aqg/ fff Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a game of skill in which racing figures allotted to the contestants are made to travel along a race course, their progress being controlled by the striking of targets by the contestants, so that the contestant exhibiting the best marksmanship will bring his racing gure to the finish line iirst.

In one form of the invention the racing gures, which may be horses and jockey for example, are driven along parallel paths and are stopped at certain positions along the path, for instance, at hurdles; whereupon each contestant whose racing figure has stopped shoots at an individual target by which his ligure is controlled and if he hits the target the figure starts on its way again.

One object of the invention is to avoid complexity in the construction and operation of a device of the kind described, as far as possible.

Means are preferably provided to impart to the racing gures realistic movements simulating those of their natural counterparts, as they travel along the race course.

The device may be arranged so that when any ligure reaches the nish line it stops all the other gures and actuates an indicator to show which figure won.

The targets may be provided with means for modifying their effective surface in order to adapt them to the relative skill of the contestants, iristead of placing the contestantsI at dierent distances from the targets.

The invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings showing one form in which it may be carried out. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is an isometric View showing the general layout of a device made according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic horizontal section showing the track and switch system,

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a detail side View of one of the racing a figures and its carrier,

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective View of one of the target controlled switches,

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the range control device of one of the targets, and

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is one in which the racing iigures representI horses and jockeys and are controlled by target devices intended to be Shot at by rifles. Any other kinds of figures and any other means for striking the targets may be used. In Fig. 1,

Ill is an enclosure for the race course, inside of which at some elevation from the oor Il is a 5 platform I2. The racing figures, one of whichl appears at I3, travel from the right end to the left end of the platform I2 along parallel paths. Any suitable means may be employed to carry and drive the figures, so long as it permits they 10 motion of each figure to be controlled independently of the others. Thus a common driving means may be employed for all, with means for individually connecting and disconnecting the figures. In the form of the invention shown in the drawings, each racing figure is supported on a frame I4 pivoted to a truck (Fig. 3) driven by an electric motor I9. The frames travel along slots I6 in the platform I2, so that only the figures and the upper part of the frame appear above the platform, the driving mechanism being concealed from view. Arranged at intervals along the platform I2 are a series of hurdles Il and means are provided to stop each racing figure as it reaches a hurdle. A row of targets at |60 numbered I, 25 2, 3, 4 and 5 is arranged along the front wall I8 of the enclosure ID and these targets control the stopping means for the racing figures in such a way that if a contestant strikes the target in iront of him his racing gure starts on its way again. At a distance in front of the targets is a bench 20 behind which the contestants stand. Each contestant is supplied with one of the rifles 2|. The targets may be made to disappear when struck and to reappear in ready position coincident with the stopping of the horses at the hurdles. The numbers I, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the targets are preferably on detachably mounted plates 9 so as to be interchangeable.

Any suitable system of tracks may be provided 4 for the trucks carrying the racing figures to travel upon. In the drawings I have shown a track system in which individual parallel tracks forming the race course proper all lead toand branch from a common return track, which has the advantage of conserving space and making it possible easily to switch the racing gures onto different tracks. The parallel tracks of the race course proper are designated respectively 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and 25E, while the common return 50 track is designated 33. Five tracks and racing figures are shown, but this number may be increased or decreased as desired. The direction of travel of the figures is from right to left along the race course and from left to right along the 55 Vand 59 and switch 69.

return track. At the right end the

individual tracks

25A, 25B, etc., branch out from the ladder track 34 and switches 35A, 35B, 35C, and 35D controlled by

buttons

36A, 36B, 36C, and 36D are provided to switch the trucks onto their respective tracks on the race course. If all the switches are open the truck travels onto the track 25E.

In designating the tracks of the race course and associated elements, I have used the letters A, B, C, D, and E together with a reference numeral to indicate a particular track or associated element, but in some cases the letters are omitted, Where the parts are referred to collectively .or representatively.

The electric circuits for driving the motors of the trucks on which the figures are carried may be of any suitable kind, the one shown in the drawings being Very satisfactory because of its simplicity and its adaptability to the purpose. It is desirable to have the circuits arranged so that the gures can be started simultaneously and stopped vsimultaneously at the finish of the race.

Also, it should be possible to stop and start the figures individually during the race. It should also be possible after the finish of the race to run the trucks carrying the figures individually onto' the return track to avoid collisions and to enable the operator to switch them onto their several tracks at the starting end of the course.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the` drawings, electric current for driving the trucks I5 is derived from a transformer 29 connected by wires ,39 with main wires 3|. One terminal 28 of the transformer is connected by wires 21 and 26 with the rails, all of which are in constant electrical connection. The other terminal of the transformer is connected through wire 58, main switch 51 and wire 56 to a bus bar 54; from which

separate wires

53A, 53B, 53C, 53D, and 53E lead oil to switches 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, and 45E arranged respectively beside the

tracks

25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, and 25E. From the switches 46

wires

45A, 45B, 45C, 45D, and 45E lead to third rails 48A, 40B, 49C, 40D, and 40E. Each truck carries a brush 42 (Fig. 3) making Contact with the third rail, to lead the current to one terminal of its motor I9, the other terminal being grounded to the wheels of the truck. The main switch 51 is for starting and stopping all of the trucks at the same instant at the start and finish of the race. The switches 46 are for stopping and starting trucks individu- Vally during the race, and also for manipulating "5;5'

the trucks separately when running them onto the return track. In addition to the connection through main switch 51, bus bar 54 can also be connected with terminal 55 of transformer 29 through a parallel circuit consisting of wires 6| The third rail 4DR of the return track 33 is connected to terminal 55 of the transformer 29 through wires 62 and 63. A resistance 64 may be inserted in wire 63 for a purpose to be presently described.Y Third rail 4DR is connected by bridge wires 31 with

third rails

42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, and 42E at the finish end of the tracks 25, the third rails 42A. 42B. etc. being separated from third rails 49A, 49B, etc. by gaps or insulating sections 38. In the same way at the starting end of the tracks 25 third rail 46R is connected by bridge wires 31 with third rails 4|A, 4|B, 4|C, 4|D, and 4|E, these "third rails being separated by gaps or Yinsulating sections 39 from third rails 40A; 40B, etc. Thus it will be seen that the third rail 4DR and the the

third rails

42 and 4| are constantly connected to the transformer 29, whereas third rails 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E are dependent upon either one of switches 51 or 60 being closed, and also upon their respective switches 46 being closed.

Any suitable means may be used to close the main switch 51 at the start of the race and to open it at the finish. In the drawings switch 51 is shown as having a stationary Contact 14, to which wire 58 is connected, and a three-armed

movable contact

15, 16, 11, to which. wire 56 is connected. The arm 15 closes the circuit to contact 14. The

arms

16 and 11 are lever arms for operating the switch. Arm 16 is connected by a link 13 to a series of bell crank trip levers 10 located at the finish line, one being placed beside each track 25. These trip levers have arms 1| which extend across the tracks in one position and move clear of the tracks in another position, and arms 12 connected to the link 13. When the arms 1| extend across the track the main switch 51 is closed. When the arms 1| are moved clear of the track, as when any one of the trucks travels past the finish line, the main switch 51 is opened.

The main switch 51 can also be operated by handto start the race. For this purpose the arm 11 of the main switch is connected through a link 18, ,a bell crank lever 19, a link 80, and a bell crank lever V8| to the shaft 82 of a starting button 83. The main switchV 51 can be opened and closed at will by the button 83. In order to line up the racing figures at the starting post stop bars |8| may be provided and connected tolink 80 of the starting mechanism byv lever .arms |00. The stop bars are arranged so that when the main switch is open the stop bars extend across the tracks, and when the starting button 83 is pulled out to close the main switch the stop bars Swing clear of the tracks.

The individual switches 46 which stop the rac'- ing figures during the course of the race may be operated in any desired manner. As shown in the drawings they are operated by trip levers arranged in position to be engaged by the trucks as they pass by on the tracks 25. Each switch 46 has a swinging arm 52 pivoted at 49 to a support 44. Two

Contact plates

43 and 48 are bridged by a contact bar 32 fixed to, but insulated from the arm 52. Contact `48 is made of springy metal and bulges up into the path of bar 32. Wire 45 is connected to contact plate 48 and wire 53 to contact plate 43. Two other arms, 50 and 5|, are'rigidly connected to arm `52. Contact plate 43 is insulated from pivot post 49 and the movable Switch element 50, 5| 52 by a fiber bush 41. Arm 50 serves as avtrip lever; when the switch is closed the arm 50 Vextends across the track and when arm 50 is moved aside by the truck passing by on the track the switch is opened. Additional trip levers are arranged at intervals .along the tracks. These are all connected by a link 61vto the switch arm v52. Each trip lever is in the form of a bell crank with one arm 66 connected to link 61 and the other arm 68 extending across the track, or clear of the track, according to whether the switch 45 is closed or open. When any one of the trip levers 66, 68 is moved clear of the track it throws open the switch 46, thereby cutting off the current from the third rail of that track. 'I'he circuits of the other tracks are unaffected. At the starting end of the tracks the four

trip levers

66, 68 and the one switch 46B are mounted somewhat differently from the trip levers and switches further down the track. Instead of being pivoted on a stationary post 49 they are fixed to the top o-f a spindle 49X rotatably supported in a bearing 65 (Figs. 3 .and 4). Spindle 49X extends through the upper floor 24 and carries at its lower end a fixed arm 69 connected to the shank 22 of a button 23 which serves to operate the switch 46 individually by hand. There is a button 23 for each switch 46.

The individual circuits to the truck motors are preferably opened by the trucks themselves as they arrive at certain points along their tracks, and each circuit is preferably closed again by a target device allotted to the contestant playing the racing ligure on the track corresponding to that circuit. The target devices may be of any desired construction for this purpose. The drawings show a target device having a striking plate 84 mounted upon a support 85 pivoted at 86 and counterbalanced by a weight 81. The support 85 is connected by a link 88 to arm 5| of switch 46. The striking plate 84 is Visible through anaperture |60 in the front wall I8 of the enclosure I0. When switch 46 is open the striking plate 84 of the target is close to the opening in wall 8 and clearly visible. When the striking plate is hit it moves back from the opening, shifting switch 46 to closed position. The arrangement may be such that the target is clearly visible when the switch is opened, but not when the switch is closed, so that the appearance of the target in ready position gives a visible signal to the contestant that it is time to fire.

I prefer to provide means for changing the effective surface of the striking plates of the target devices, so that handicaps can be arranged without making some of the contestants stand further from the targets than others, thus avoiding the danger of having some within the range of the guns of the others and also reducing the space required. One means for accomplishing this result is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. In the front wall I8 of the race track enclosure, which may be of bullet proof sheet metal, there is an aperture |6| for each target, which may be square and is at least as large as the greatest effective area to which the target devices may be adjusted. Mounted o-n the back of the wall I8 is a plate |62 having an aperture |63 conforming to the aperture |6|, this plate serving as a base plate for mounting the adjustable mechanism. Two channel bars |64 and |65 are secured to the back of plate |62 in parallel relation, with the channels opening toward each other. Slidably supported in the channels are cover plates |66 and |61 arranged one behind the other in overlapping relation. The adjacent edges of these cover plates have notches |58 and |59 the sides of which are 90 apart .and are arranged so that the two notches form a square opening, |60, which is the eifective aperture through which the bullets must pass to hit the striking plate 84. Thus as the plates are moved to overlap more, the size of the square opening decreases. The square opening formed by these notches is located in line with the openings I6I, |63 and directly in front of the striking plate 84 of the target when the latter is in forward position. 'Ihe plates |66 and |61 are bullet proof and therefore prevent any bullet from striking the plate 84 of the target except one passing between the sides |58, |59 of the square opening |60.

The racing figures are preferably made to simulate those which they represent as nearly as possible, both in appearance and in movements. In the case of a horse and jockey I have found that this can be accomplished very well in the manner shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. I'he upper end of support I4 is fixed to the body |09 of the jockey by a rivet |I0 and a pivo-t III, the latter serving to connect the body of the jockey to the body ||2 of the horse. The extremities of the horse, its legs ||3 and I|4 and its head ||5, are pivoted to the body ||2 by rivets IIB. The arms ||1 of the jockey are pivoted at 8 to the horses head and the legs of the horse are connected to the lower end of the body of the jockey by links ||9 and |20. The horse is balanced so that its center of gravity is under the pivot and its body I I2 therefore retains a substantially horizontal position. If the body I 69 of the jockey is rocked, there is a relative angular movement between horse and jockey about the pivot I||, and the arms I1 and links I I 9 and |26 cause the extremities of the horse to execute movements simulating those of a horse galloping. The rocking of the body |09 of the jockey is preferably derived from the mechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Frame I4 is pivoted o-n truck I5 at |25. Below the platform I2 the frame I4 is of triangular shape and carries at its rear angle a roller |26. This roller travels upon an elongated undulating cam |21 extending along the track. As the truck travels along the track the roller |26 rides up and down upon the waves of cam |21, rocking the frame |4 and imparting an up and down movement to the horse and jockey. At the same time it imparts an angular movement to the jockey which causes the head and legs of the horse to move up and down and in and out, since the body |I2 of the horse tends to retain a horizontal position. The cam 21 has small hills |28 between the hurdles and large hills |29 at the hurdles. The horse therefore has movements simulating those of a galloping horse between the hurdles and a jumping horse at the hurdles. While the frameV I4 passes through gapsA |39 in the hurdles, the horse appears to jump over the hurdles, to one viewing him from the side. When the horse passes the nish line roller4 |25 rides ofi cam |21, which ends at this point, and the base ofthe triangular frame |4 comes to rest upon cross piece |2| of the truck |5. In order to simulate the prancing of the Vhorses at the starting post there may be provided a shaft |35 carrying eccentric disks |36 upon which rollers |26 rest when the horses are v in starting position. The shaft |35 may be driven by an electric motor |31 (Fig. 2) receiving its current from

wires

62 and 21.

An indicator may be provided, as shown at (Fig. 2), for instance, in the form of a box having windows 9| corresponding to the several tracks, the Windows to be illuminated selectively by the trucks reaching the finish line. The glasses of the windows, each of which bears a number I, 2, 3, 4, or 5, are hung by detachable devices 89 so that their positions can be easily interchanged. For controlling the illumination of the windows 9|, there may be beside each track at the nish line a switch 92 comprising a stationary contact 93, a movable contact 94, and a trip arm 95 to be actuated by a truck passing by on the track. The contacts 93 and 94 are connected by wires 96 and 91 to the corresponding bulb (not shown) behind the window allotted to the particular switch. Electric current for lighting the bulbs of the indicator is conducted through

wires

98 and 99 leading to

wires

21 and 62 connected to the terminals of the transformer 29.

The operation of the device is as follows:

At the start of the race the various switches,

` trip levers, and stops are in the position shown in Fig. 2. The barrier |46 is down and the eccentrics lt` are causing the horses to prance in readiness for Athe start. Buttons 23 are now pushed forward to bring the trip lever 68 and switch arms 59 across the tracks in position to be struck by the trucks. The main switch 51 stands open and the finish trip bars 1| are clear of the tracks. The circuits for all of the tracks are closed, except for the main switch 51. The targets are moved back from ready position as the

bars

68 and 50 on the trip levers and switches are brought across the tracks. The contestants stand ready with gun to shoulder. The race is started by pulling out starting knob 83. This removes the stop bars |0| from the tracks, raises barrier |46, and closes main switch 51. The

Vhorses start and move forward at the same speed,

all stopping at the rst barrier when they move the trip levers 68 and 59 and openthe switches This movement of the switches is accompanied by a movement of the striking plates 84 of the target devices forward to ready position, vThe contestantsv commence ring at their respec-y tive targets. When a contestant strikes his target the target swings back and closes switch 46, which completes the circuit to the motor of his horse and the horse jumps the hurdle and proceeds down the track. At the next hurdle it strikes a

trip lever

68 or 50 and opens the switch 46 again. This sequence continues until the horse jumps the last hurdle and proceeds down the nal stretch. The first horse to cross the nish line strikes the trip arrn 1| which stands across his track and throws open the main switch 51, thus stopping all the horses wherever they may be. The rst horse to nish also trips his switch 92 and illuminates the corresponding window 9| of the indicator 99.

The race being finished, the horses are now to be brought around to the starting post again.

The operator will bring the horses one after another onto the return track, which will return them to the starting end, the switches 35 being controlled so as to bring each horse onto the desired track at the starting end, which may or may not be the track on which it traveled in the preceding race. There may be a call for shifting of the horses to diierent tracks, for a change of luck, or whatnot. It is for this reason that the window glasses 9| and number plates 9 are detachably mounted, so that their positions can be interchanged as the horses are shifted from one track to another. The numbers on the window glasses 9| and plates 9 correspond to the numbers on the horses.

Suppose the rst horse to nish was the one on track 25A. The operator now pulls out all of the knobs 23, thus opening all of the circuits to third rails 40-40E. Thereupon switch 60 is closed, but this has no effect because the circuits are all open at the switches 46. Now the button 23A is pushed in, closing the circuit of the track 25A and starting the horse on that track toward the return track. When the horse reaches the third rail 42A it continues its travel around the return track without regard to the position of switch 46, since the third rails 4DR, 4| and 42 are in constant connection with the transformer 29. Resistance 64 is inserted in wire 63 to reduce the voltage at the third rail of the return track, to compensate for the reduction in the drag on the motor after the roller |26 leaves cam |21, which it does at the end of track 25. When the horse reaches the ladder track 34 it may be switched onto the same track 25A again, by pushing in button 36A, or it may similarly be switched onto rany other track. The horse proceeds until the brush 42 of its motor passes gap 39 and comes onto third rail 40A, at about which time the front wheels of the truck strike against stop arm |0| and the operator cuts 01T theY current to the motor by pulling out button 23A and opening switch 46A.

Now the button 23 of any other track, say 23B, is pushed in and the horse on track 25B starts toward the return track. Since the finish trip arms 1| are all clear of the tracks, there is no interference at this point with the progress of the horse. It is for this reason that the additional switch 60 is provided as a substitute for the main switch 51 in returning the horses to the starting position. The horse proceeds around the return track to the starting en d and is there switched onto any desired track.

In switching horses from one track to another there will be two horses on the same track at one stage of the procedure. Thus if the horse from track 25A is switched onto track 25B, the horse which started on track 25B may still be there. However, there will be no difliculty in bringing the horse which started on track 25B onto the return track, for even though the cur-- rent is switched onto the motors of both horses, the horse just coming onto track 25B will be restrained by the stop arm lili and its wheels will turn idly until the other horse reaches the return track, at which time the button 23B can be pulled out to open the circuit to third rail 46B. In order to avoid unduly long operation of the motor of a horse held by a stop arm IUI, the horses can all be manipulated in such a way that they are close to the gaps 38 before any one is sent onto the return track, in which case a mere touch of the switch 46 will serve to send any horse onto the return track.

It will be evident that the invention covers many modications of the illustrative form of it shown in the drawings. Any kinds of figures having suflicient interest for a race may be substituted for horses and jockeys. The invention is not confined to electrical operation, though I regard that as the most satisfactory source of power. Various other Ways of controlling the progress of the racing figures by means of target devices may be substituted for the one shown. Many of the details shown are not essential.

Having described my invention,

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a movable gure, means for driving said figure, means for starting and stopping said driving means, and a target device controlling said starting and stopping means, said starting and stopping means being movable by said figure to stopping position and by said target device to starting position.

2. In a device of the class described, a simulatory gure, a carrier for said ligure, electrical driving means for said carrier, a circuit for said driving means, a switch to open and close said circuit, means operated by said carrier for opening said switch, and a target device adapted to close said switch.

3. In a device of the class described, a movable iigure, electrical driving means therefor, a circuit for said driving means, a switch to open and close said circuit, and a target device connected to said switch, said switch, when closed, being in position to be engaged by said iigure to open the same, said target device being adapted to close said switch when struck.

4. In a device of the class described, a race course; a figure adapted to travel along said course; driving means for said iigure; stopping and starting means )forv said driving means arranged at intervals along said course and operable by said figure to stop said driving means; and a movable target device connected with said stopping and starting means so as to be moved into ready position when said stopping and starting means is operated by said gure, said target device being adapted to move under the impact of a missile to shift said stopping and starting device to start said driving means.

5. In a device oi the class described, a plurality of figures; means for driving said iigures along individual parallel courses; means for separately interrupting the drive of each figure as it reaches certain positions along its course; a plurality of target devices correlated respectively With said figures, each provided with means for varying the size of the eiective surface thereof; and lmeans whereby each target device, when struck, restores the drive to the iigure correlated therewith.

6. In a device of the class described, a plurality of gures; means for driving said figures along individual parallel courses; means for separately interrupting the drive of each figure as it reaches certain positions along its course; a plurality of target devices correlated respectively with said figures, each of said target devices comprising striking plates partially covered by adjustable guard plates adapted to expose only a predetermined, but variable extent of surface of each striking plate; and means whereby each target device, when struck, restores the drive to the iigure correlated therewith.

7. In a device of the class described, a plurality of gures; means for driving said iigures along individual parallel courses; means for separately interrupting the drive of each iigure as it reaches certain positions along its course; a plurality of target devices correlated respectively with said gures, each of said target devices comprising striking plates partially covered by adjustable guard plates adapted to expose only a predetermined, but variable extent of surface of each striking plate; range indicators connected to said guard plates and adapted to be adjusted to indicate the range corresponding to the extent of surface exposed by said guard plates; and means whereby each target device, when struck, restores the drive to the iigure correlated therewith.

8. In a device of the class described; a plurality of parallel tracks; a plurality of electric motor trucks adapted to travel on the respective tracks; independent electric circuits associated with the respective tracks for supplying current to the motors of said trucks; switch controlling. devices arranged at intervals along each track; each of said circuits including a switch, said switches being adapted to be opened by the switch controlling devices along the respective tracks with which they are associated; and a plurality of target devices, one for each track, adapted to close the respective switches when struck.

9. A device as described in claim 8, in combination with a master switch device adapted to open all said circuits and comprising means whereby it can be operated by any one of said trucks reaching a certain position along its track.

10. A device as described in claim 8, in combination with a single return track into which all of said parallel tracks lead, and switches for leading said trucks from said return track to their respective parallel tracks.

11. In a race course device, a plurality of gures representing horses and jockeys, means for driving said figures along parallel courses, means for causing said figures as they travel to execute movements simulating their natural counterparts, hurdles arranged at intervals along said courses, means for arresting the travel of each iigure at each hurdle along its course, and target controlled means for setting said gures in motion again.

12. A race device as described in claim 1l, in combination with a barrier device for starting said figures, and means for causing said gures as they stand at the barrier to execute movements simulating the prancing of horses at the barrier.

JOHN BRADYe