GB574465A - Improvements in game or amusement apparatus, including means simulating the steeringof vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

574,465. Games of skill. SMITH, J. A., and MERROW, V. Jan. 19, 1944, No. 1020. [Class 27] [Also in Group XV] In a game or amusement apparatus wherein a miniature vehicle is steered relative to a track by a remote steering wheel, control means are provided for varying the relative speed of the track and the vehicle. As shown in connection with coin-freed apparatus, a casing 1 with a transparent top 2 contains an endless belt 9 marked with a track bordered by marginal areas of electrically-conducting material. The belt is driven by a motor 6 and the vehicle is steered by a steering wheel 4, a link 12a being provided to prevent the vehicle moving fore and aft. A scorer or counter 55 is driven by the motor and the highest score obtainable results from driving the endless belt at a maximum average speed during one run of the apparatus. If the vehicle touches a marginal area of the track, a circuit is closed through an electromagnet 14 and as explained below, the motor is slowed down, thereby reducing the possible score. The speed of the motor and consequently the speed of the belt may be controlled by an accelerator pedal 30 connected to the slide 29 of a variable resistance 20 in the motor circuit. In commencing a game, the operation of the coin slide 52 closes a switch 50, winds a spring motor 60 to close a time switch 51, turns a friction-driven disc 34 by means of a cord 43 and resets the scorer 55 by means of a cord 54. The motor starts up, and runs initially at a slow speed until a projection 31 on a lever 16 drops into a recess in the disc 34, thus allowing contacts 18, 27 to bring into circuit the slide 29 and enabling the player to control the speed of the motor by means of the accelerator pedal 30. If the vehicle is steered over a marginal edge of the track, the electromagnet 14 is energized and contacts 18, 19 are closed, thereby bringing the whole resistance 20 into circuit and slowing down the motor. The projection 31 at the same time liberates a friction-driven wheel 34 which after one revolution allows the circuit through the slide 29 to be re-established provided the vehicle has been steered back to the track. After a predetermined time, the time switch 51 cuts out the circuit.