US1553909A - Mechanical racing toy - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15,1925.

J. F. MUELLER MECHANICAL RACING TOY Filed Oct. 24, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVf/VTQE JAces F MeaLLER Sept. 15. 1925.

J. F, MOE LLER MECHANICAL RACING TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m JAGOB F Momma Filed Oct. 24. 1923 ATTORNEY Patented Sept, 1925 i a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB F. MonLLnn, or oINcINNArI, OHIO.

MECHANICAL RACING TOY.

Application filed October 24, 1923. Serial No. 670,576.

toy game, and more particularly to a device of this character having a plurality of racers adapted to be moved at variable rates of speed and which game is adapted to be participated in by one or more persons and to be operated by one person.

The objects of my invention are to provide a racing toy in which miniature vehicle racers mounted upon racing ways may be started either simultaneously or promiscuously with uncertainty as to the result of the race whether the racers are started simultaneously or promiscuously; toprovide a racing toy in which the racers are adapted to be moved at variable rates of speed noncontrollable by the person operating the game; to provide a racing toy in which the game may be modified by employing disqualifying means adjacent the beginning and ending of a racing way; to provide means whereby any one of the racers is adapted to increase its speed relative to the other racers and to pass other racers even though it was last to start in the race; to provide means adapted to impart tothe several racers different continuous variable rates of speed to provide means whereby the results of races in conjunction with a scale of points and disqualifying lines are made into games; to provide means whereby the simultaneous n'iovements of the racers in conjunction with a scale of points are made into gan'ie's; to provide means whereby the players chances of winning the games are equal with or without previous knowledge of the device, and to provide a simple, interesting and amusing game which may be participated in by one or more persons.

My invention consists in providing a frame having a plurality of racing ways with a longitudinal slot adj acenteach racing way and transverse slots extending from each longitudinal slot near the respective ends of the racing ways; in providing a pair of rotatable drums'mounted beneath the racing ways adjacent the respective ends of the frame, each drum having a plurality of similar sets of circumferential grooves therein, each groove in each set having a diiterent depth from the other grooves in said set and the grooves in each set arranged similar to the grooves 1n the other sets; in

providing a plurality of sets of similarly constructed and arranged endless cords or belts having spacedapart obstructions or enlargements thereon, each set of which separately imparts a continuous varlable rate of speed to a racing vehicle due to variable rates of motionbeing imparted to said belts positioned within said grooves; in providing a pluralityof racing vehicles each having a slotted actuating member adapted to pro ject through the respective slots in said racing ways whereby the fingers on the actuating members lit over a plurality of said cords or belts having spaced apart enlargements or obstructions and to engage the latter whereby said racers are moved at-vari able rates of speed. I

My invention also consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as herein set forth and claimed.

In the drawings: i

Fig.1 is a plan view ofmy racing toy;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an inverted view in perspective of a. bridge or impediment over which a racer may travel;

. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are rear elevational views of racers showing difierently constructed actuating members;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1 with one of the racers in position and the fulcrum removed;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View partly broken away and showing two of the bridges in position;

Fig. racers;

Fig. 10 is an inverted perspective view of the rake for arranging the mechanism of my toy for starting the racers simultaneously; and s Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the braces- In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated and which shows a. preferred-construction I provide a frame comprising top 1, sides '2 and 3, ends at and 5 and bottom 6.

is'a perspective view of one'of the The top is provided with longitudinal racing ways 7 and with a longitudinal slot 8 ad acent each racing way. Transverse slots 9 and 10 leading from each longitudinal slot 8 are formed near each end of the respective racing ways. A stop 11 is mounted on the under side of the top near end 5. Braces 12 (F ig. 11) are preferably mounted transversely of the racing ways intermediate of the ends 4 and to firmly support said racing ways.

Drums 13 and 14 are journaled at 15 in sides 2 and 3 near the respective ends 4: and 5, and drum 13 is provided with crank 16 by which it is rotated. Each drum is provided with a plurality of sets of grooves 17, 18 and 19, the grooves of each set being duplicates of those of the other sets and each groove of each set differing in depth from each of the other grooves of the set i to cause each cord or belt of a set to travel at a different rate of speed from the other cords or belts thereof. A plurality of endless cords, bands or belts 20, 21 and 22 each having knots, enlargements or obstructions 23 thereon in spaced apart relation from each other in uniform sequence, are mounted and stretched on said drums, respectively, in such a manner that each cord is guided and adapted to travel in corresponding grooves in the respective drums. Drum 14: is rotated by belts 20, 21 and 22.

The racers 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 are ositioned upon the respective racing ways g and may be in the form of automobiles, horses or other objects as desired. Each racer is provided with an actuating member 30 supported in fixed relation therewith below the racing way by arm 31 attached to the racer. Actuating member 30 comprises a plurality of fingers 32 spaced apart from each other by slots 33 which are of sufiicient width to freely receive the respective cords or bands 20 but which are sufficiently narrow to prevent the passage therethrough of said enlargements 0r obstructions 23. The racers are positioned upon the racing way 7 for racing by projecting the actuating members vertically downward through slots 8 and 9, each cord entering a slot 33 and the obstructions are adapted to engag and actuate the adjacent fingers 32. The race is won by the vehicle which is first to reach stop or goal 11. At the finish of each race the racers are removed from the slots 8 and 10, respectively, and then inserted in the slots 8 and 9, respectively, ready for the next race and so on. t

The racers are interchangeable and may be placed upon any of the racing ways 7 for beginning movement at transverse slot 9, the engagement of the fingers 32 with enlargements 23 forcing the respective racers over the racing ways 7 to stop 11 when the cords or belts are actuated by rotation of crank 16 imparting rotary movement to drum 13 with which the belts or cords are in engagement.

hen drum 13 is rotated each set of endless cords or belts 20, 21 and 22 imparts continuous variable rates of speed to the respective racers caused by each belt in a set having variable rates of motion produced by the enlargements on said belts contacting with and leaving contact with the rear side and front side of said actuating member 30. Each belt in a set has a different rate of motion than other belts in the same set caused by circumferential grooves 17, 18 and 19 in the drums, in which the belts are positioned, having diiferent depth. Inasmuch as the enlargements fixed on the belts are greater in diameter than the width of slots. 33 of the propelling members, frequently the enlargements of different belts in the same set simultaneously engage the propelling member on its front and rear sides, thereby exerting-pressure in opposite directions on the propelling member, whereby, the belts are caused to slip in the circumferential grooves in the drum in which they are positioned. The slipping operation of the belts is, therefore, the direct cause that imparts variable rates of speed J to the belts, thereby resulting in uncertainty as to the time required for a given racer to travel a given space on the racing way. Inasmuch as the belts in each set of belts have variable rates of motion imparted independently of the other sets of belts, considerable uncertainty exists in determining which of the several racers starting at a given point shall first arrive at a given point.

For the purpose of further rendering the game complex and increasing the uncertainty as to which racer shall travel over a given space in the shortest length of time, if desired, actuating members 30 may be constructed in modified forms as shown for illustrative purposes in Figs. 4, 5 and (3.

The actuating member 30 as shown in Fig. 1 has three slots 33 adapted to receive belts 20, 21 and 22, respectively; in Fig. 5 two slots 33 are shown adapted to receive belts 20 and 21, respectively; in Fig. 6 two slots 33 are shown adapted to receive belts 21 and 22, respectively, whereby the knots 23 are adapted to force the racers shown in F 4, 5 and 6 to travel over the racing ways at rates of speed varying with one another, as for instance, by having the slots in the actuating members arranged in different combinations, as well as, having different numbers of slots adapted to receive the belts, respectively, in different sets.

An adjusting rake 34 is fixed to handle 35 and is provided with slotted teeth 36 adapted to embrace cord 20 and engage the obstructions 23 when handle 35 is pressed downwardly upon its fulcrum 3'7 and pulled outwardly thereby bringing said obstructions into transverse alinement. The rake is caused to assume its normal inoperative position as shown by Fig. 2 by simply race.

pushing it inwardly, to the position shown in Fig. 2 thereby disengaging enlargements 23 and permitting the racers to start evenly.

The racers or other articles may be placed in compartment 38 which is provided with door 39 hinged on one side at 40 and adapted to be secured by lock or other fastening at 41. Rubber or cloth covered feet 42 are preferably attached to the bottom 6 to prevent the frame from scratching or marring furniture or other surfaces upon which it may be placed.

Scales 43 and 44 may be provided upon the top near the respective ends to represent starting and stopping points and to clearly indicate the relative positions of the respective racers at the beginning and end of a Bridges 45 having lugs 46 adapted to enter holes 47 may be mountedyon part of the racing ways as shown in Fig. 8 to serve as a handicap or hazard for the racers of such racing ways.

The operation of my mechanismis as follows:

Revolving crank 16 rotates drum 13 thereby imparting varied rates of motion to belts .20, 21 and 22 carrying fixed enlargements 23 and respectively engaging grooves 17, 18 and 19 in drums 13 and 14. The grooves 17, 18 and 19 each have a different depth, where by varied velocities and an infinite number of positions are imparted to enlargements 23 relative to one another. Varied rates of motion are imparted to the racers as by en-f largements 23 contacting with and leaving a faster rateof motion imparted to it than has belt 20 in engagement with groove 17. For illustrative purposes, assume that enlargements 23 on belts 20,21 and 22 are in transverse alinement and in engagement with the rear side of actuating members 30. When crank 16'is revolved, motion is imparted to belt-s 20, 21 and 22, but a faster rate of motion is imparted to theenlargements fixed to belt 22,.whereby actuating member 30 is forced forward in advance of the enlargementson belts 20 and 21 by contact of the engaging enlargements on belt 22, thereby causing the enlargements on belts 20 and 21 to disengage the actuating member. Continued revolving of crank 16 causes the actuating member to overtake the enlargement on belt 20 preceding the one originally in" engagement with the rear sideof the actuating member, whereby slow moving belt '20' the like.

and taken out of the race.

exerted by the enlargement on belt 22, thereby causing belts 20 and 22 to slip on drums l3 and 14. Usually an enlargement on freely moving belt 21 engages the rear side of the actuating member and assists in forcing" it forward to stop 11 at a variable rate of motion, dependent upon the tension of belts 20, 21 and 22. Thus varied combinations of positions of enlargements 23 on belts 20, 21 and 22 result in considerable difierence in the length of time required for a given racer to travel from the beginning of the racing field to stop 11.

The surface of my toy may be unevenand the racers may be represented by various objects, such as balloons, birds, animals Any number of belts and racing ways maybe substituted.

A modification and variation in mygame consists in providing a starting point for the racers at each end of the racing way and in extending the actuating members of one set of racers downward to the lower portion of the belts, thereby causing the racers to move from each end of the racing way in opposite directions and toward the centerof the racing way. I have, therefore, invented a simple, efficient, economical and highly. interesting game which for amusement p-urposes'may be operated by one person and participated in by numerous others.

Various games may be played with this racing toy in accordancewith the following rules which are given by way of illustration:

Game 1 is played by two or more players The first each of whom selects a racer.

player places the racer in position on any track desired. The second player places a' racer on any remaining track desired. After all players have placed their racers, the first player turns crank 16 to the right. Should any racer touch disqualifying line bearing the number of the racer before the last racer starts, such racer is pushed back The first player continues to turn the crank. The racer first crossing line 30 (Fig. 1) is the winner. The racers are removed by sliding to the end of the longitudinal slots through branch slot 10. The winner ofthe race turns the crank in the next race. The winnerhas the privilege of giving the crank a few turns before any racers are placed.

I-Ie also has the privilege of making the racers start together or unevenly; If he wishes them to start together he must, before any racers are placed, press down and pull out handle 35 completely, then pull up and push incompletely and give crank 16 one] complete turn to the right. If he wishes the racers to start unevenly he can press down and pull out handle 35 part way, then push up and return or disregard it entirely. The

and lifting out in the next.

Game 2 is played like game 1 except the players select the racers by chance from sets of racers.

Game 8 is played like games 1 or 2 except that a bridge is placed on one or more of the racing ways or tracks before the race is started.

Game 4 is played the same as games 1, 2or 3 except that the winner drops out in each race, the final player losing the game, or the loser drops out each time, the final player winning the game.

Various modifications of the foregoing games may be made.

It is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed because it is susceptible of embodiments of 1. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality of racing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way with a'tr'ansverse slo't leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof, a pair of drums each having circumferential cord receiving grooves. of varying depth arranged in sets, endless cords mounted in corresponding grooves of said drums, knots or enlargements in spaced apart relation on said cords, racers mounted on said racing ways and having arms pro jecting through said slots, respectively, fingers on said arms adapted to be engaged by said knots or enlargements whereby, when said drums are rotated, saidknots or enlargements will move said fingers forward and cause said racers to travel at varying rates of speed, and means for rotating said drums.-

2. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality of racing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way with a transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof in the adjacent racing way, a pair of drums each having corresponding and cooperating circumferential cord receiving grooves of varying depths, endless cords mounted in the corresponding grooves of said drums and each cord having thereon knots or enlargements in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways and having arms projecting through said slots, respectively, fingers on said arms adapted to be engaged by said knots or enlargements whereby,'when said drums 'are rotated, said knots or enlargements will move said fingers forward and cause said racers to travel at varying ratesof speed, and means to rotate said drums.

3. A inechanical'racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality of racing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way with a transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof, impeding detachable bridges mounted on part of said racing ways, a pair of drums each having circumferential cord receiving grooves of varying depths arranged in similar sets, endless cords mounted in corresponding grooves of said drums, knots or enlargements in spaced apart relation on said cords, racers mounted on said racing ways and having arms projecting through said slots respectively, fingers on said arms adapted to beengaged by said knots or enlargements whereby when said drums are rotated, said knotsor enlargements "will move said fingers forward and cause said racers to travel at varying rates of speed, and means for rotating said drums.

l. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality of racing ways with holes therethrongh adjacent their forward ends and having a longitudinal slotadjacent each racing way with a. transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof,- curved impeding bridges each having lugs adapted to engage said holes, a pair of drums each having circumferential cord receiving grooves of varying depths arranged in similar sets, endless cords mounted in corresponding grooves of said drums, knots or enlargements in spaced apart relation on said cords, racers mounted on said racing ways and having arms projecting through said slots, respectively, fingers on said arms adapted to be engaged by said knot-s or enlargements whereby, when said drums are rotated, said knots or enlargements will move said fingers forward and cause said racers to travel at various rates of speed and means for rotating said drums.

5;. In a device of the character described, a frame, drums mounted therein, knotted cords mounted on said drums and an adjusting rake having slotted teeth adapted to engage knots or enlargements on the adjacentcords whereby said knots or enlarge ments, will, when said rake is pulled to the forward end of said frame, bring said knots or enlargements into transverse alinement, substantially as set forth and for the purposes specified.

6. In a mechanical racing toy, a frame havin a plurality of racing ways thereon and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way with a transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof, a scale of points extending transversely across said racing ways near each end thereof, a drum mounted under said racing ways near each end thereof and having circui'nferential grooves of varying depths therein, endless cords mounted in said grooves and each cord having knots or enlargements thereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways,

respectively, and having arms extending through said slots and provided with actuating fingers adapted to be engaged and moved by said knots or enlargements, respectively, when said drums-are rotated, substantially as set forth and for the purposes speci thereof, .a drum mounted beneath said racing ways near eachend thereof and each having corresponding circumferential grooves therein of varying depths arranged in sets, endless cords mounted in corresponding grooves in said drums, respectively, said cords each having knots or enlargements thereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways and adapted to have operative engagement with said knots or enlargements, respectively, whereby said racers will be caused to travel at uncertain and varying rates of speed.

8; A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality of racing ways and having a longitudinalslot adjacent each racing way with a transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof, a drum mounted beneath said racing ways near each end thereof and each having corresponding circumferential grooves therein of varying depths arranged in sets, endless cords ,mountedin corresponding grooves in said drums, respectively, said cords each having knot-s or enlargements thereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing waysand adapted to have operative engagement with said knots or enlargements, respectively, whereby said racers will be caused to travel at uncertain and varying rates of speed, and a compartment in the bottom thereof and having a door adapted to be secured in locked position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality of racing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way with a transverse slot leading from. each longitudinal slot near each end thereof, a drum mounted beneath said racing ways near each end thereof and each hav-" ing corresponding circumferential grooves therein of varying depth arranged in sets, endless cords mounted, in corresponding grooves in said drums, respectively, said cords each having enlargements thereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways and adapted to have opera: tive engagement with said enlargements, respectively, whereby said racers will be caused to travel at uncertain and varying rates of speed, and transverse braces mounted beneath the respective racing ways intermediate of the ends thereof.

10. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality of racing Ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way with a transverse'slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof, a drum mounted beneath said racing ways near each end thereof and each having corresponding circumferential grooves therein of varying depth arranged in sets, endless cords mounted in corresponding grooves'in said drums, respectively, said cords each having enlargements thereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways and" adapted to have operative engagement with said enlargements, respectively, whereby said races will be caused to travel at uncertain and varying rates of speed, and a transverse stop beneath said racing ways near one end thereof.

11. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a plurality of longitudinal slots therein and having a transverse slot leading into each, of said longitudinal slots near each end thereof, apair of drums 'rotatably mounted at the ends of said racing ways and having a. plurality of circumferential grooves of varying depth therein, an endless belt positioned in corresponding grooves of said drums, spaced apart enlargements fixed to said belt and a vehicle adapted to move over said racing way at variable rates of motion when said drums are ,ro-

tated.

12. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a plurality of longitudinal slots therein, racing vehicles mounted on said racing way, endless bands positioned beneath said racing way, spaced apart knots fixed to said endless bands, and means for carrying said bands for propelling said racing vehicles over said racing way.

13. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a longitudinal slot therein, a racing vehicle, a propelling member fixed to said racing vehicle and adapted to extend downwardly through said longitudinal slot, an endless band, knots fixed in spaced apart relation on said endless band andmeans for carrying said endless band I whereby said racing vehicle'is adapted to be 1 forced over said racing way.

14. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a plurality of longitudinal slots therein, a pair of drums rotatably mounted at the ends of said racing way and 1 provided with a plurality of circumferen- 1 tial grooves arranged in duplicate sets, each groove in a set having different depth from other grooves in the sameset, a plurality of endless belts positioned, respectively, within said grooVflS, paced apart knots fixed to said belts, vehicles on said racing way, pro-plurality of circumferential grooves therein pelling members fixed to each of said vehicles, respectively, and adapted to extend downwardly through said longitudinal slot-s, fingers integral with each propelling memher and adapted to be engaged by said knots when said drums rotate whereby said vehicles are adapted to be forced over said racing ways at variable rates of speed.

15. A mechanical racing'toy comprising a racing way having a plurality of longitudinal slots, a rotatable drum secured transversely of said racing way and having a circumferential groove therein, an endless cable positioned within said groove, knots fixed to said cable in spaced apart relation, a vehicle, and a slotted member secured to said vehicle and adapted to be contacted by said knots, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

16. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a plurality of longitudinal slots therein, a rotatable drum secured transversely at each end of said racing way and having a plurality of circumferential grooves therein and arranged in similar sets, each groove in a set being of different depth, endless cables positioned in said grooves, spaced apart enlargements fixed to said cables, a vehicle, and a slotted member secured to said vehicle and adapted to be received by said longitudinal slots whereby said vehicle is positioned on said racing way and adapted to move at variable rates of speed when said drums rotate, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

17. In a mechanical racing toy, a racing way havinga plurality of longitudinal slots therein, a vehicle adapted to be positioned adjacent each of said longitudinal slots, a slotted member fixed to each of said vehicles, a plurality of cables, spaced apart knots fixed to said cables and means whereby said enlargements impart various rates of speed to said vehicles.

18. Ina mechanical racing toy, a racing way, a racer, an endless cable, spaced apart knots fixed to said cable and means whereby said knots impart motion to said racer.

19. In a mechanical racing toy, a racing way, a vehicle adapted to be positioned on said racing way, a plurality of cords or cables, spaced apart enlargements fixed on said cords or cables, and means whereby said enlargements impart variable rates of speed to said vehicle, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

20; A mechanical racing toy comprising a. racing way having a plurality of longitudinal slots therein and having a plurality of transverse slots adjacent each end thereof and leading into said longitudinal slots,

a rotatable drum. secured transversely at each end of :said racing way and having a and arranged in similar sets, each groove in a set having a diii'erent depth, endless cables positioned in said grooves, spaced apart enlargements fixed to said cables, a vehicle, a member secured to said vehicle and having vertical slots therein adapted to fit over a set of said cables and means for arranging said racing vehicle in substantially a stright line transversely of said racing way comprising a plate extending transversely of said racing way and having upwardly extending teeth integral therewith and having slots therein adapted to fit over said belts, a U-shaped handle fixed to said plate and slida-bly received beneath said racing way, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

21. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way consisting of two ends, one of said ends having holes therein,two sides, a top and a bottom suitably secured together, said top comprising a racing way having a plurality of longitudinal slots therein, a rotatable drum secured transversely at each end of said racing way and having a plurality of circumferential grooves therein and arranged in similar sets, endless cables positioned in said grooves and having spaced apart enlargements fixed to said cables, a plurality of vehicles, a slotted member secured to each of said vehicles and adapted to extend downwardly through one of said longitudinal slots and means for arranging said race-rs in substantially a straight line transversely of said racing ways comprising a longitudinal plate extending transversely of and beneath saidracing way and having upwardly extending teeth integral therewith having slots therein adapted to fit over said "belts, a Ushaped handle fixed to said plate and slidably received by said holes in said end and means for rotating'said drum whereby said vehicles are forced over said racing way at variable rates of motion.

22. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinal slots, a rotatable drum connected transversely at each end of said racing way and having circumferential grooves therein, endless bands positioned within said grooves and in tension around said drums, knots fixed to said belts in spaced apart relation, a vehicle, a slotted actuating member fixed to said vehicle and adapted to project downwardly through one of said slots whereby said knots are adapted to contact said slotted actuating member on said vehicle at uncertain intervals tending to move said vehicle over said racing way at variable rates of speed when said drums are rotated. p

23, A mechanical racing toy comprising a plurality of racing ways provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots and a plu-,v

rality of transverse slots, a drum rotatably connected'transversely at each end of said racing way and having a plurality of sets of circumferential grooves therein, endless belts positioned within similar sets of said grooves of different depth, obstacles fixed to said belts, a plurality of vehicles, a slotted actuating member fixed to each of said vehicles and extending downwardly through said slots, said obstacles adapted to contact 10 said slotted members whereby said racing vehicles are moved over said racing way at variable rates of speed.

JACOB F. MOELLER.

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