GB162129A - A new or improved appliance for playing games - Google Patents

Abstract

162,129. Longstaff, E., and Culpin, H. Feb. 14, 1920. Mechanical race games.- Relates to apparatus of the type in which miniature race horses are drawn over a sinuous course by means of cords and consists in providing a separate winding spindle for each cord. As shown, the table 1-4, Fig. 2, is formed with a sinuous course having grooves 5-14 within which are fitted blocks 16, Fig. 6, carrying rotatable rods 17 upon which the racehorses 15 are mounted. The cords 18 are attached to the ends of the racehorse blocks and to winding-reels 31 which are slidably mounted upon the spindles 19-28. The spindles are contained within casings arranged beneath the table and are operated by hand-wheels 29. Two sets of spindles and reels are provided one at each side of the table so that races may be run in either direction over the course. The reels are formed with clutch-members 33 which may be engaged with pins 32 carried by the spindles by means of devices consisting of slidable bars 34 arranged at each side of the table and carrying bars 38 having inclined plates 39 which engage with the flanges 40 of the reel-clutches. The slidable bars are actuated by levers 35 controlled by the attendant. In a modification, in which races are run in one direction only over the course, the spindles on the side 1-2 of the table are dispensed with and means is provided for returning the racehorses to the starting point after a race. As shown, a shelf 42, Fig. 8, is provided beneath the portion 1-2 of the table and having grooves 43 within which are fitted slidable blocks 44. The blocks are connected to the racehorse-blocks by cords 45 the other ends of which are passed over pulleys 47 carried by the blocks and attached to the shelf. A cross-bar 49 resting across the shelf is drawn alcng by a cord 49<a> attached to a'drum 50 which is actuated by an electric motor 51, and so moves the blocks 44 so that the racehorses are returned to the starting point. The bar is returned to its normal position by a weight 53. Ball-bearings may be placed between the racehorse-blocks and the grooves in the course and metal tubes may be arranged around the curved portions of the track to guide the cords. An automatic indicator may be provided at each end of the table to record the first three horses in a race.