GB1010166A - Improvements in or relating to starting barriers, such as for horse racing - Google Patents

Abstract

1,010,166. Starting carriers for horse races. March 24, 1964 [April 4, 1963], No. 12425/64. Heading A6D. A starting carrier for horse races, of the kind which moves slowly along the track prior to the start of the race, is mounted for movement along tracks 3 each comprising a horizontal portion 3a and a rising portion 36. As illustrated, the barrier may be mounted on endless belts 5a and 5b driven from an electric motor 9, the speed of movement of the barrier along the portion 3a of the track being controlled by the starter in box 11 until switch 12 is tripped by the barrier, when the starter loses control of the carrier and the latter rises at full speed to allow the runners to pass thereunder. Alternatively, the carrier may be moved by means of weights suspended over posts 14a and connected by cables to the carrier, or by means of elastic elements connected between the posts 14a and the barrier and acting to urge the barrier towards the posts. In the latter two alternatives, brakes are provided to control the initial horizontal progress of the carrier, and switch 12 is replaced by a trigger to release the brakes.