US2225502A - Game of skill - Google Patents

Description

Dec, 17, 1940., K. LAUTERBH GAME OF SKILL Filed Oct. 17, 1936 l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 17, 1940. K LAUTERBACH 2,225,502

GAME OF SKILL Filed Oct. 17, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 I YNVENTOR. 234A. 3 @ea/Jdacr ac/ BY@ E #55,

Z13 ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940. K. LAUTERBACH GAME OF SKILL Filed Oct. 17, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENT OR. @www BY %z'5 ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940. K. LAUTl-:RBACH GAME oF SKILL Filed Oct. 17, 1936 lO SheecS-Sheefl 4 47423 ATTORNEYS' Il. I. IU

w WW RW mANN MW NWN NNN NNN l0 SheetS-Sheet 5 NMA GAME OF SKILL K. LAUTERBACH Filed Oct. 17, 1936 Dec. 17, 1940.

K. LAUTERBACH Dec. 17, 1940.

GAME OF SKILL Filed Oct. 17, 1936 l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 O O O O O C) OOOOOO @www Dec. 17, 1940. K. LAUTERBACH 2,225,502

GAME OF SKILL Filedoct. 17, 1936 1o Sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR. rkyes ZaaZeraC/z/ IB'YC, MVM,

#is ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940- K. LAUTERBAcl-l GAME OF SKILL 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENT OR. yelraazzergaa/ ATTORNEYS Filed OC'L. 17, 1936 kllli @wmf N NMA Patented Dec. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES `PATENT oFElcE 2S Claims.

This invention relates to games, and more particularly to games of skill.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved game which will hold the interest and attention of the players.

Another object is the provision of such a game in a form which is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to maintain in proper working order.

Still another object is the provision of a game of skill so arranged as to indicate automatically the winner or winners of the game.

'A further object is the provision of a game so constructed as to indicate rewards to be delivered to the winner or winners.

Astill vfurther object is the provision of improved means for automatically paying rewards in different amounts to the various winners. Still another object'is the provision of means dependent upon the number of persons playing the game for varying the amount and number of the rewards.

A still further object is the provision of reward indicating mechanism which is substantially foolproof and not susceptible of tampering.

Another object is the provision of a game of the type in which two or more playing pieces are moved along tracks, in combination with impediment means for interrupting'the smooth movement of the playing pieces along the tracks.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in f the claims at the end of the specication.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan of game apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of certain partsof the operating mechanism of the apparatus, with parts in vertical section and with parts removed for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the movable playing pieces attached to the flexible element which moves it;

Fig. 4 is a view of such a playing piece in one position with respect to the impediment means associated therewith;

Fig. 5 is a similar View of the playing piece in a dierent position with respect to such impedimentmeans;

Fig. 6 is a plan of a fragment of the apparatus showing the construction of a part of the impediment means;

Fig. '7 is a plan of part of the apparatus on a larger scale than Fig. 1, showing additional details, with part of the controlling mechanism in one position;

Fig. 8 is a similar View with part of the con- 5 trolling mechanism in a diierent position;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken transversely across the tracks just in advance of the control barrier;

Fig. 10 is a view similarto a fragment of Fig. 9, showing certain of the parts in a different position;

Fig. l1 is a vertical section takenlongitudinally along one of the tracks, with a playing piece just in advance of the control barrier; 12S-V` Fig. 12 is a similar view with the playing piece in a different position;

Fig. 13 is a similar view with the playing piece in still another position;

Fig. 14 is a Vertical section taken transversely across one of the tracks, illustrating details of one of the electrical switches associated therewith;

Fig. l5 is a horizontal section through one of such electrical switches, with the switch in open position;

Fig. 16 is a similar view with the switch in closed position;

Fig. 1'7 is an elevation of another electrical switch;

Fig. 18 is a horizontal section through the switch shown in Fig. 17, with the contacts in open position;

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of certain of the electrical parts for determining the winner or winners of the game; l

Fig. 20 is a plan of the parts shown in Fig. 19, with parts removed for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of one of the winner selecting assemblies shown in Figs. 19 and 20, with the parts in a different position;

Fig. 22 is a plan ofthe parts shown in Fig. 21, in the position there indicated; y

Fig. 23 is an end view of the parts shown in Figs. 21 and 22;

Fig. 24 is an elevation, with parts in vertical section, of certain timing mechanism constituting a part of the apparatus, shown in one position;

Fig. 25 is a ysimilar View of the parts in a diierent position;

Fig. 26 is a plan of the in Fig. 24, showing them in the same there illustrated;

Fig. 27 is a View similar timing parts, illustrated position to Fig. 26 showing the parts in the different position indicated in Fig.

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary view illustrating the cooperation with certain parts of the timing mechanism;

Fig. 29 is a plan of part of the timing mechanism with the parts in one position;

Fig. 30 is a similar view With the parts in a different position;

Fig. 31 is a wiring diagram illustrating the circuit controlling means for disconnecting an operating crank from its associated playing piece, with the parts in one position;

Fig. 32 is a similar view with the parts in different position;

Fig. 33 is an elevation, with 'parts in vertical section, of part of the mechanism for delivering rewards or prizes to the winner or winners;

Fig. 34 is a vertical sectionv on a larger scale of part of the reward delivering mechanism;

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary vertical section of certain vof the .parts illustrated in Fig.,34, viewe from a dierent direction, and f Fig. 36 is a wiring diagram showing the principal electrical circuits of the mechanism for se-` lecting and indicating the winner or winners and for delivering the rewards `or prizes.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment .of` the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that the apparatus is capable of many variations and modifications without departing from the invention, and that many features of the invention may be used without other features, so that the apparatus now to be described is to be regarded only as an illustrative example, and not' as a limitation upon the invention.

The illustrative apparatus comprises a case or cabinet suitably supported, having al glass top 40, and a playing board surface 4|, of metal, wood, or other suitable material, arranged approximately horizontally below the glass 40. In the playing board 4| are any desired number'of tracks, six being here shown, these tracks being indicated by the numerals 5l to 56, respectively. Suitable playing pieces, such as representations of dogs, horses, or other running animals, are arranged to move'aroundthese six tracks. When representations of dogs are used,l there is preferably a seventh track 51 inside the siX dogtracks, and YaV representation` of a rabbit 16| arranged to move around this seventh track, in order to make the game a more realistic simulation of an actual dog. race track as currently used for racing greyhounds.

Each of the tracks 5l to 5S maybe formed by a slot extending through the board 4|, with a channel 45 v(Fig. 9). beneath each slot. Each channel forms a guideway for a chain 46 extending continuously around thev track,'each chain having at one point an upstanding member 41 secured thereto. The post 41 extends upwardly from the chain through the slot in the board 4l and projects to a substantial height'above the top of the board. Each post 41 has pivoted to it a representation of the desired animal, such as the greyhound 43, mounted on the horizontal pivot 49 (Fig. 11) and having a cavity 50 in its body into which the upper end of the post 41 extends. The pivot 49 is placed slightly forwardly of the center of gravity of the animal, so that the rear end of the animal tends to tilt downwardly by 9) driving a shaft 62 gravity. But the cavity 50 is so formed around the upper end of the post 41, that the walls of the cavity contact with the post and prevent the rear end of the animal from tilting downwardly below the normal position shown in Figs. 3, 4, 11, and 12, although the rear end can rise and the front end can move downwardly to a substantial extent from this position, as shown, for example in Fig. 5.

Each chain 46 of each dog track 51 to 56, inelusive; is independently driven by means under the control of a person playing the game. Each driving means may comprise, for example, a chank 6| in an accessible position (Figs. 1 and extending into the casing and having on its inner end a sleeve 63 longitudinally slidable on ablyconnected thereto, so as to rotate with the shaft. The sleeve 63 constitutes part of a disengageable clutch and has on its inner annular end a notch '64 for engaging a radial pin 65 on a shaft 66 which is arranged coaxially with' the shaft' 62. A spring 61 constantly tends to move the sleeve 63 outwardly toward the crank 6l and thus to disengage the connection between the shafts 62 and 66. A member 10 surrounding the shaft 62 may be moved leftwardly when viewed as in Fig. 9, however, by suitable mechanism tol be described below, in order to move the clutch sleeve 63 leftwardly and thus engage the clutch as shown in Fig. 10. AV spring 1| is interposed between the member wand clutch sleeve 63 so that if the member 10 should be moved leftwardly at a time when the notch 64 is not correctly alined with the pin 65, no breakage of the' parts would occur but the clutch would become properly engaged as soon as rotation of the shaft 62 brings the notch 64 into alinement with the pin 65. When the member 10 is moved leftwardly to engage the clutch, it is held in clutchengaging position by a latch 13 Which is maintained in latching position by a spring 14 and which holds the clutch in engaged position until the latch 13 is withdrawn by energizing an electro-magnet 15, which pulls the latch 13 downthe position shown in Fig. l0 to the position shown in Fig. 9 and allows the spring 61 to disengage the clutch.

- When the clutch is engaged, rotation of the shaft 63 by the crank 6| ing rotation of the shaft 66, driving a beveled gear 11 meshing with another beveled gear 18 on a vertical shaft 19 which carries a disk 88 having a non-rotatable connection with the shaft 19 but free to move vertically thereon. 'Ihis shaft 19 is controlled by centrifugal governor mechanism indicated in general at 82 (Fig. 2) so that as the speed of rotation of the shaft 19 increases, the governor mechanism causes the disk 86 to move up the shaft, and when the shaft 19 is stationary, the disk 80 is at its lowermost position, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The periphery of the'disk 80 engages with the face of another disk 85 which is non-rotatably secured to a horizontal shaft 86 and capable of slight longitudinal movement thereon, and is constantly pressed into engagement with the disk 86 by a spring 81 which is interposed between the disk 85 and a nut 81a. By adjusting the nut, the tension on the spring can be varied. The

will cause correspond- Cil shaft 86 carries a bevel gear 88 meshing withl of the driving mechanisms may be the same except the drive for one of the tracks, which is so arranged that this driving mechanism also drives the rabbit running around the track 51.

'I'his special drive for the rabbit is indicated in Fig. 9, where the shaft 66 is extended beyond the beveled gear 11, whereas in the other drives the shaft is out off just beyond the gear 11. The extended shaft 66 carries another beveled gear 95 meshing with a gear 96 on a vertical shaft 91 which has at its upper end a sprocket 98 meshing with a chain 99 in the rabbit track 51, which rabbit track may be formed by a channel-shaped member turned on its side as shown in Fig. 9. The rabbit chain 99 has a laterally extending post |00 which extends out through the continuously open side of the channel and which carries the representation of the rabbit |0|.

In the form here shown, it is the drive for the dog track 5| which also drives the rabbit IUI, although the rabbit could obviously be driven from the drive of any desired one of the dog tracks. All of the drives for the dog tracks 52 to 56, inclusive, may be identically constructed, and the diierent distances of the respective tracks from the edges of the casing where the cranks 6| are mounted, may easily be taken` care of by placing the shafts 86 in different annular relations to the shafts 62 and |56, as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

When any one of the cranks 6| is turned slowly (the clutch 63-65 being engaged) the disk 80 will be near the periphery of the disk 85 and will drive the chain 46 of the associated dog track with the maximum power ratio but at relatively slow speed. As the speed of rotation of the crank 6| is increased', the speed of travel of the chain 46 increases even more rapidly, because in addition to the faster rotation of the crank, the driving ratio is also changed by the centrifugal governor 82 lifting the disk 80 up to -a point closer to the center of the disk 85. As the crank 6| is turned still more rapidly, however, the disk 80 is lifted to la point at or so close to the axis of rotation of the disk 85 that there is insucient power to overcome the friction of the chain 46 and associated parts. Hence the driving of the chain stops, and the person turning the crank 6| must stop the rotation of the crank or slow it down to a great extent, until the driving relationship is again established. This irregularity as to the maintenance of the driving relation makes the game more interesting and makes it truly a game of skill rather than a game of chance, because it requires skill on the part of the operator, acquired by tests and experience, to determine at just what rate he should turn his crank 6| in order to drive his chain 46 to get his dog 48 around the track in the` minimum time.

Those tracks which are closer to the center of the board will, of course; be slightly shorter than the outermost tracks. This difference in length of tracks can be compensated for in various ways, such as by using driving sprockets 9| of slightly different sizes for the different tracks, or by slightly changing the gearing 88--89 or the gearing 11--18, or the diameter of the disk 80, in the drives in the different tracks, so that the player of each track has an equal chance and the shorter tracks are not given preference over the longer tracks.

In order to make the game still more interesting, it is 4desirable to have impediment means or obstruction means associated with the tracks, so

that the dogs cannot move smoothly or continuously around the tracks except at a certain `speed within narrow limits. Indeed, the impediment means may be so constructed that the dogs cannot move continuously at any speed, but in all cases may have to stop and then start again.

The impediment means may be constructed as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6. On both sides of each track, in position to be struck by the hind legs of the dog moving along that track, is a ramp |20, constituting part of what may be described as hurdle means, and a little in advance of each ramp |20 is placed, on both sides of the track slot, an upwardly projecting member I2I, constituting another part of the hurdle means. In order to make the position of the member |2| with respect to the member |20 somewhat adjustable, the upstanding member |2| is preferably formed as part of a fiat bar |22 having a downwardly projecting tongue |23 which may be placed in any one of a series of slots |24 in the board 4|. A screw |25 extending through a slot in the bar |22, holds it down in proper position.

As the dog passes along the track, his hind legs strike the ramp portion |20 of the hurdle which causes the rear end of the dog to tilt upwardly, depressing the front legs until they are below the level of the top of the member |2| of the hurdle. If the dog is traveling fast, the front legs will be caught by the member |2| and further progress of the dog will be arrested, as indicated in Fig. 5, stopping the movement of the chain and causing the disk -80 to slip on the disk 85. to this dog must then stop turning the crank forwardly and turn the crank rearwardly a slight amount, until the front legs of the dog are withdrawn from beneath the somewhat overhanging hurdle member |2|, and wait until gravity has a chance to tilt the rear end of the dog down to its normal position, raising the front feet above the top of the member |2|. Forward turning of the crank may then be resumed to drive the dog further around the track. If the dog is moving somewhat slower, however, then after the rear legs pass off of the ramp |20, gravity will have a chance to restore the dog lto normal position before the front legs reach the member |2|, and thus the-hurdle means will not interrupt the travel of the dogs. Whether or not the dog is arrested by the hurdle means will thus depend upon the speed at which the dog is traveling and the distance between the members |20 and |2| of the hurdle means. By placing a number of hurdle means at different points around the track, preferably at least at three or four different points on each track, and by adjusting the spacing of each hurdle means on each track somewhat different than the spacing of the others, the playing of the game is rendered more difficult and interesting.

In Fig. 1, only two hurdle means on each track are indicated, the others being omitted for the sake of clearness, and it will be observed that the spacing of the second hurdle means on each track is different from the spacing of the first hurdle means. Thus it takes considerable skill and experience for the player to run his dogv over all of the hurdle means without interruption of the travel of the dog, and yet at a sufficiently fast pace to stand a reasonable chance of winning the race.

In order thatl there may be some revenue to the proprietor of the game, suitable coin controlled The person turning the crank connected -proxnnately at the time that mechanism of any conventional construction is combined with the other parts of theapparatus.

Preferably, but not necessarily, there is'a separatelcoin controlled mechanism for .each separate crankSI ,oper-ating the dog on one track.

Thus any number of dogs may be run in playing the game, but a coin must be inserted in the corresponding coin controlledmechanism in order to permit operation of each individual dog.

-Each coin controlled mechanism may include a slide member |30 (Figs. 1, 7, and 8) having therein an opening ISI for receiving a coin. When a coin is placed in this opening andwhen .the slide I 35 isshoved inwardly from theposi- -tion shownin Figs. 1 and 7 to the position shown ini-Fig. 8, the inward movement of the slide causes an inward swinging ofthe bar 1|] -(Figs. 7, 9, and 10) to close the clutch 64, 65 and effect a driving connection between the crank 5| and the shaft 65 ofthe particulartrack associated with thevcoin Vcontrolled mechanism which was thus Operated.

The clutch is Aheld closed by the latch member y'|"5, -as labove explained, until the dog has completed its course around the track. At or apthe dog reaches source of -current |38 and suitable leads or wires |39 and |415 connecting the battery and the contacts yIS'I to the magnet 15. When the switch L36 is moved from the open position of Fig. 3lV

closed position.

The-coin controlled mechanism is shown only diagrammatically-in the present drawings, since the details thereof may be constructed vin any known manner. Itis to be understood that in this Adiagrammatic showing, the slide |30 cannot be vshovedinwardly until the proper coin has been 'placed in the receiving opening |3I, or, 1f the 'mechanismis-of the type in which the slide can bemoved in the'absence of linner non-accessible moving part only when the -coin is inserted,and this inner part of the slide is the one vwhich moves the member l0.

Therabbit IGI is moved around its track by any desired one of the cranks v6| associated with anyvdesired one of the tracks. In the present illustrative embodiment, it is the crank 6| operating upon the outermost track 5| which controls the movements of the rabbit lOl. Since it is desired to make the rabbit run in all races,

no matter how many dogs are running, means controlling the track 5|. Except for the necessity of depositing a coin always in the mechanism for =track-5 Ithere are no other restrictions as to any .particular dogs or any number of dogs which may vbe run, and thedog of the track 5| .may berun by itself,'or with any other one or more dogs of any other tracks.

The control `mechanism requiring insertion of a coin in the coin slot of track 5| ,may include a barrier bar |50 (Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 11) extending transversely across all of the tracks and having upwardly looped portions |5| normally out of the track slots. 'I'he portions ofthe bar |55 be- -tween the loops |5| lie substantially flat ori the board 4|, as best shown in Fig. 9. They carry strong fingers |53 `projecting in a direction along the track slots, as best shown in Fig. '7.y The lingers |53 are normally alined with the track slots and act as stops to contact with the supporting posts 47 of the several dogs to stop the movement of these dogs Just after they passthe a position just past the finishline, with its post 41 against the end of the nger |53, whichfprevents further movement.

`When a coin is inserted in the coin controlled mechanism associated with the track 5| and when the slide I 30 is shoved inwardly, a pin |60 move their respective dogs past the barrier |50, through the loops Aor arches |5|. The player who plays track y5| meanwhile keeps his coin slide |30 shoved inwardly until he-has moved his own dog past the barrier and until all of the other players who intend to participate in this racehave done likewise. -When all of the dogs which are .to be run in this race havepassed the barrier, the player operating track 5| releases Ithe coin slide,.and thespring |52 restores the rbarrier |50 to yitsnormal position shownvin Fig. 7.

The clutch operating member 10 for track 5| may conveniently beactuated by a pin IE5-depending from the barrier |50, asshown in Figs. 7 and 9. :The corresponding clutch loperating turn their cranks slowly, the front legs of the respective dogs meanwhile pushing against the door |8|, and the disks 80 slipping upon the disks 85. The player lwho is playing track 5| continues rotating his crankuntil the rabbit -II is brought around to a point adjacent the kennel 75 I 80. It will be noted that the drive of the rabbit is from the same crank which controls the dog track I but the rabbit drive does not go through the friction disks 80 and 85. Thus, when the dog running on track 5| is in the kennel and held stationary by the door |8| of the kennel, the crank 6| of the track 5| may nevertheless be rotated to move the rabbit, and the slipping of the disk 86 on the disk 85 will not interfere with the drive of the rabbit.

As the rabbit passes the kennel, a cam member |98 (Figs. 9 and 13) secured to the rabbit contacts with the inclined upper end |9| (Figs. 7, 8, and 9) of a link |92 pivoted to the control bar |84. This pushes the lever |92 downwardly to move the control bar |84 downwardly about its fulcrum |85, and pulling downwardly on the latch |83 to release the kennel door |8|. The pressure of the dogs pressing forwardly on the rear side of the door immediately opens the door as soon as the latch |83 is released, the dogs pass forward, swinging the door upwardly and forwardly as they go, and the race is on (Fig. 13).

The respective players operate their cranks in the manner which, in their judgment and according to their skill, will bring their dogs around the track in the least possible time, and cause the least possible interruption in jumping the The winner is, of course, the one who first brings his dog around to the finish line. This finish line is just in advance of the free ends of the stop members or 'fingers |53, or left hand ends of these ngers as viewed in Figs. 7 and 11. The finish line may be indicated by a visible mark or stripe extending across the tracks, and arrival at the finish line may also be indicated by electric means or other suitable indicating or registering means, if desired.

The mechanism thus far described provides an interesting game of skill, closely simulating, on a miniature scale, an actual greyhound race as run with live dogs.

The dogs all start off simultaneously when the kennel door is opened, and just as the rabbit is passing the kennel, thus producing a very realistic effect. The rabbit may, and preferably is, geared to run somewhat faster than the dogs, so that even if the player operating the crank of track 5|, be relatively slow and unskilful, the rabbit will nevertheless usually stay ahead of the fastest dog. In fact, the rabbit driving mechanism may be geared, if desired, to run the rabbit two or more times around the track during a single circuit made by the dogs.

While the foregoing described mechanism provides an interesting and highly entertaining game, yet it is frequently desirable to add further mechanism to the game, for the purpose of distributing prizes, tokens, or rewards to one or more winners. An embodiment of this additional mechanism will now be described.

In its preferred form, the prize, token, or reward distributing mechanism includes means for varying the number and amount of thetokens or rewards in accordance with the number of clogs which run in the race, or partly in accordance with the number of dogs which are conditioned or set to run in the race by insertion of a coin in their respective coin controlled mechanisms, whether or not they actually run.

The prize or reward mechanism includes a series of switches associated with eachl track for operation by the dogs as they move along the track. In connection with each track these switches may be mounted on four switch bars.

those of the track 5| being designated as 2li, 22|, 23|, and 24|, those of track 52 being designated as 2|2, 222, 232, and 242, and so on, the switch bars of the inside track 56, shown in Figs. 11 to 13, inclusive, being designatedas 2|6, 226, 236, and 246, respectively.

Each of these switch bars may be of similar construction, except that some of them may carry more electrical contacts than others. One of the switch bars, such as the switch bar 2|6, is shown in detail in Figs. 14 to 16. It comprises a block of insulating material mounted to swing about a pivot 266 near its upper end, the ends of the pivot extending into the side plates 26| of an inverted channel-shaped member on which the switch parts are conveniently mounted. A spring 262 (Fig. 13) constantly tends to swing the switch bar in one direction, but such swinging is resisted by a latch including a vertical shaft 263 mounted to rotate about its axis, the lower end of the shaft extending horizontally at 264 along the side of the switch bar 2|6 and then being bent to extend laterally as at 265 to overlie' an edge of the switch bar. A leaf spring 266 tends to hold the latch part 265 in latching relation to the switch bar. The upper end of the shaft 263 has an arm 268 extending laterally across the path of travel of the dog running on the track associated with this particular switch mechanism. As the post 41 on which this dog is mounted moves along the track, it contacts with the arm 268 as indicated in Fig. 14, and thus moves this arm and swings the shaft 263 from the position shown in Fig. 15 to the position shown in Fig. 16, withdrawing the latch 265 to the ineffective position shown in Fig. 16 and permitting the spring 262 to swing the switch bar 2|6 to the left when viewed as in Fig. 13.

The switch bar 2|6 may be made of suitable insulating material, such as wood or a molded composition, and may carry one or more metallic contact parts, one of which is indicated by the numeral 210. When the switch is open, the metallic piece 210 is spaced from the contact members 21 I, but when the latch is released and the switch is closed by its spring, the metal piece 21|) makes a contact with both of the spaced members 21| and thus completes the circuit at this point. The number of contact members 210 on the respective switch bars 2|| to 246, inclusive, varies according to the number of circuits which need to be closed when that particular switch bar is moved, and each contact member 210 cooperates with its own individual pair of circuit members 21|. Except for this variation in the number of contacts on each switch bar, however, mechanical construction of all of the switch bars 2|| to 246, inclusive, may be the same.

The switch bars 2|| to 2|6, inclusive may be described as the finish line switches, and the trip members 268 for controlling these switches are at the nish line, which is just in advance of the left hand ends of the ngers |53. In Fig. 11, the dog has just tripped the finish line switch of his track and allowed this switch to be closed by its spring, and the dog has come to rest against the end of the stop nger |53 associated with his track. The previously mentioned -switches |36, |31 (Figs. 31 and 32) which disconnect the driving cranks from the dogs, 'are mounted on these switch bars 2|| to 2|6, inclusive, so thatl as each dog reaches the finish line, his associated clutch will be disconnected and the crank controlling this dog will remain ineffective coin controlled mechanism associated with this particular dog track.

The other three switch bars of each dog track,

such as the bars 226, 236, and 246 of track 56, may all be mounted together in a single inverted channel-shaped member 23|, as seen in Fig. 13, for ease of assembly. Similarly, the switch bars 225, 235, and 245V of track 55 are mounted together in oney inverted channel, and so on for the other tracks. The last twoswitch bars (which would be numbered 23| and 24|) of the' mainor control track 5| are not needed, however, and may be omitted, because the dog on track 5| is` always supposed to run in all races, no matter how many other dogs run,-

and accordingly it is not necessary to have this dog close certain switches which the other dogs must close in order todetermine the number of dogs running in the race and the number and amounts of the prizes or rewards to be distributed.

The electrical relationship of the various switches mounted on the switch bars 2|| to 246, inclusive, and their functions and correlations withreach other, can best be described with relation to the wiring diagram, Fig. 36, but before proceeding to this description it will be convenient to describe the mechanical construction of certain other switch bars included in the electric circuits, so that such mechanical construction may be understood before the circuits are traced.

Referring now to Figs. 13, 17 and 18, there are two switch bars 30| and 382 mounted to swing on the pivots 3F33 and 3313 near their upper ends, which pivots are mounted in an inverted channel 305. The switch bars 30| and 332 are relatively wide, and are not associated with any one individual dog track but relate collectively to all of the tracks. Springs 331 and 308, respectively, tend to swing these switch bars about their pivots to move their lower ends leftwardly when viewed as in Fig. 13. Such leftward movement is resisted by latches 3H and 3|2, respectively, which are mounted on armatures in electro-magnets or solenoids 3|3 and 3|4, respectively. When either of the solenoids or magnetsv3| 3 and 3| 4 is energized, its corresponding latch 3|| or 3|2 is withdrawn to an ineffective position, and the spring 301 or 308 then swings the switch bar 30| or 3D2, as the case may be, leftwardly from the position shown in Fig. 13. Such leftward swinging of the bar 33| is indicated in Fig. 11.

v Both of these switch bars 30| and 302 may be formed of insulating material as in the case of the bars 2|| to 246, inclusive, and each of them may carry a considerable number of contact members for cooperation with fixed circuit or contact members when the switch bar is in one or 'the other of its two positions. Both of the switch bars are arranged to close certain contacts when the bars are in their initial or unreleased positions shown in Fig.` 13, and to open these contacts and close other contacts when the bars are swung by the springs 301 and 308 from these initial positions to the other or released positions. The various circuits closed and opened by movements of these switch bars will be described in connection with Fig. '36.

These switch bars 30| and 302 are actuated in accordance 'with the number of dogs running each race, Land the actuation of 'these switch bars Adetermines the number and amount of until another coin is properly inserted in theV prizes or rewards to be distributed to the winner may be varied. according to choice, but in4 the present illustrative embodiment including six dog tracks, it may be assumed that when all six dogsrun the race, prizes of varying amounts are to be distributed to the players who play the dogs making first, second, and third place in the race; that when three, four, or ve dogs run in the-race, a prize is to be given to the player playing the dog who makes first place, but no prize to the players of the second and third place dogs, and the prize to the rst place dog being of different amount from the prize given to the player of the rst place dog when all six dogs run; and that when only one or two dogs run in the race, no prizes are to be paid to any dogs.

Thus, in this illustrative embodiment, there are three general conditions as to number and amounts of prizes, irrespective of whichpartic-y ular dogs make rst, second, or third place. First, there is the condition when all six dogs run, and when three prizes are to be distributed. This condition may be controlled, for example, by actuation of the switch bar 33|, without actuation of the bar 332. Next, there is the condition when three to ve dogs run, and when a single prize is to be distributed to the winner. This prize distribution may be controlled by actuation of the switch bar 332, without actuation of the bar 33|. Last, there is the condition when less than three dogs run, and when no prize is to be distributed to the player of any dog. This lack of prize distribution may be effected by not actuating either of the switch bars 33| and 332 when less than three dogs run.

Referring now to the wiring diagram in Fig. 36, the circuits for actuating the switch bars 33| `and 392 in accordance with the number of dogs running the race will now be described. In Fig. 36, the showing is, of course, entirely schematic or diagrammatic, no attempt being made in this diagram to show actual structure, but only to show the circuits and the functions which they perform. The switch bar 30|, its latch 31|, and its controlling solenoid or electro-magnet 3|3 are shown near the left lhand edge of the wiring diagram. The other switch bar 332, its latch 3|2, and its controlling solenoid or electro` magnet 353, are shown near the center of the diagram.

A suitable source of current, such as a battery, is indicated at 3|3. From one side o1" this battery, a wire 320 extends to electrical switches 322, 323, 324, 325, and 326, mounted on the switch bars 232 to 236, respectively, of tracks 3,2 to 556, respectively. No corresponding switch is needed on track 5|, `because the dog running on track 5| is always supposed to run in all races. In any event, the game cannot be operated and no race can be run unless the coin controlled lmechanism for the track 5| has been operated, and if the proper coin has been inserted in this mechanism, it is immaterial to the proprietor of the ygame whether the dog of this track actually runs the race or not, so long as the fee has been paid.

The circuit from the battery after passing through all of the six switches 322 to 325, inclusive, in series,- next passes in series through corresponding switches 332 to 336, inclusive, mounted on the switch barsV 222 to 226, inclusive, of tracks 52 to 56, respectively. Then the circuit goes to the electro-magnet or solenoid 3 I3. From there it passes through a switch 340 `mounted on the switch bar 30|, this Iswitch being normally closed when the switch bar has not been actuated and being open when the switch bar has been actuated; thence through a similar switch 30| on the switch bar 302, which switch is closed when the switch bar 302 has not been actuated and open when the switch bar has been actuated; thence back to the opposite side of the battery 319.

When all six dogs run the race (or if the dogs on tracks 52 to 56 all run the race, the fee for dog 5| having been paid but this dog not actually running) it is apparent that as the dogs pass the trip controlling the second set of individual track switch bars 222 to 226, inclusive, the dogs will trip these switch bars and close the switches 332 to 336. A little further on, the dogs will trip the switch bars 232 to 236 of the third set of individual track switch bars, and will close the switches 322 to 326, inclusive. Since neither of the switch bars 30| and 302 has yet been actuated both of the switches 340 and 34| will be closed. Thus, the circuit to the solenoid or magnet 3|3 will be completed, the latch 3|| will be withdrawn, and the switch bar 30| will be moved by its spring 301. The actuation of this switch bar will immediately open the switch 340, to open the circuit and thus prevent waste of electric current by thereafter continuing the energization of the solenoid or magnet 3|3. Moreover, the opening of the switch 340 prevents the switch bar 302 from being actuated.

If less than all of the dogs on tracks 52 to 56, inclusive, should run in the race, then one or another of the switches 322 to 326 and the corresponding one of the switches 332 to 336 will not be closed, the circuit to the solenoid or magnet 3|3 will not be closed, and the switch bar 30| will not be actuated. If any two or more dogs on tracks 52 to 56 do run, however, the circuit will be closed to magnet or solenoid 3|4 and the switch bar 302 will be actuated, provided switch bar 30| has not previously been actuated. This is done by means of the switches and circuits now to be described.

On the third set of switch bars 232 to 236 are switches 352 to 356, respectively, which may be conveniently referred to asthe 350 group of switches. On the switch bars 233 to 236 are also mounted the switches 363 to 366, respectively. which may be referred to as the 360 group of switches. On the switch bars 234 to 236 are mounted switches 314 to 316, respectively, which may be referred to as the 310 group of switches. On the switch bars 235 and 236 are also mounted switches 385 and 386, respectively, which may be called the 380 group of switches.

On the fourth or last group of individual track switch bars 242 to 246 are switches 392 to 396, respectively, which may be called the 390 group f switches. Also on the switch bars 243 to 246 are the switches 403 to 406, respectively, called the 400 group of switches. On the switch bars 244 to 246 are the switches 414 to 4|6, respectively, called the M0 group of switches. And on the switch bars 245 and 246 are the switches 425 and 426, respectively, which may be referred to as the 420 group of switches.

The switches of the groups 350 to 420, inclusive, are arranged, as will be apparent from Fig. 36, in the circuit leading from the battery or source of current 3|9 through the switches, and then to the solenoid or magnet 3|4, then through the switches 340 and 34|, and then back to the opposite side of the battery or source of current 3|9. It will also be apparent from inspection of Fig. 36 that if the switches of the groups 350 to 380 are closed on any two or more dog tracks, by two or more dogs operating the trips of their respective switch bars of the third or 230 group of switch bars, and if the corresponding track switches are closed in the groups 390 to 420, by actuation of the respective switch bars of the fourth or 240 group of switch bars, then the circuit will be completed through the solenoid or magnet 3|4, provided only that the switches 340 and 34| are closed. It does not matter which two dogs run on the tracks 52 to 56, inclusive, so long as two or more dogs move past the third or 230 group and the fourth or 240 group of switch bars. If all ve dogs on the tracks 52 to 56 are running, they will previously have actuated the switch bars of the second or 220 group and of the third or 230 group, before they arrive at the fourth or 240 group, and thus will have previously closed the switches 322 to 336, inclusive, actuating the switch bar 30| and opening the switch 340 so that the circuit to the magnet or solenoid 3|4 will be broken at this point. But if less than all rive of the dogs, and more than one of the dogs on the tracks 52 to 56, inclusive, move past the third or 230 group and the fourth or 240 group of switch bars, the consequent closing of the corresponding switches in the groups 350 to 420 will complete the circuit through the magnet or solenoid 3|4, which will be energized to withdraw the latch 3|2 and to permit the spring 308 to actuate the switch bar 302. The actuation of this switch bar will immediately open the switch 34| which will not only save further flow of current through the solenoid or magnet, but also will prevent subsequent actuation of the switch bar 30| if one or more dogs should make a late start in the race and should' close all of the still open switches of the 320 to 330 groups at a time after the switch bar 302 had already been actuated.

The purpose of having the circuits controlling the switch bars 30| and 302 pass through two different groups of individual track switch bars instead of through only one group, is so that unscrupulous players of the game will not be able to leave one or more dogs stationary on the track in such position as will help to close the necessary circuits for actuating the bars 30| and 302, and thus get credit, so far as the prizes are concerned, for playing a greater number of dogs than the number for which the fees have actually been paid. Since no dog has any eiect upon closing the circuit to the solenoids 3|3 or 3|4 until such dog moves past two different individual track switch bars, it follows that a player can gain no advantage by leaving a dog stationary in a position to trip one of such switch bars.

The mechanism for determining which dogs make first, second, and third places in each race will now be described, in order that this may be understood before proceeding to a description of the winner indicating and prize distributing circuits, which necessarily pass through the selecting mechanism. Referring now to Figs. 19 to 23, inclusive, the selecting mechanism comprises a series of individual rst place magnets 43| to 436, inclusive, one corresponding to each of the six tracks to 56, inclusive, and a larger first place controlling magnet 438. Mounted adjacent these magnets is a bar 439 of insulating material, pivoted on pivot pins 440 so that it may tilt. "ll-his bar'439 carries an yarmature 44| which is attracted when the controlling magnet v'438 is energized, and such `attraction tilts Vthe bar '439 against the influence of va light spring 442 which normally holds the armature 44|. away from the magnet 438.

Mounted on this bar A435i are six resilient ngers 45| to 456, each in alignment with one of the .magnets 43| to 436, respectively. 'These fingers 45| to 456 are .of magnetic material, so that they may be attracted `by and act as armatures for their 'respective magnets, .and have a considerable amount of resilience so that one `of the ngers may, when` attracted by its Ycorrespending magnet, be bent to a considerable degree without causing it to draw .away from its magnet.

Slightly spaced from the ends of the respective magnets 43| .to 43.6 are .contact members 46| to 456, inclusive. The resilient .fingers `45| to'455 extend down'mto the spaces between the magnets and the contacts, as shown, and each nger is adapted to Contact either with its corresponding magnet or. with its corresponding Contact piece, and make electrical connection therewith. The pole tips oi the magnets form part of the electrical circuits, so that when any of the spring `lingers Contact with the pole .tips or their magnets, the circuits through the windings. on those -magnets are closed at that point.

On the rst or nish line group of individual track switch bars 2| to 2|6, inclusive, kare switches 48| to 486, respectively-which may be referred to as the switches of the 480 group. Conductors run individually from each of these switches 43| to 486 to the spring fingers l45| to 456, respectively, as indicated in Fig. 36. Each of these lingers/is normally held against the pole piece of its respective magnet 43| to 436, completing the circuit to the magnet,'which circuit then runs through the winding around the magin Fig. 2l, and also as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 36. Thus the controlling magnet. 438 has siX separate windings on it, all insulated from each other, which Windings may be arranged in overlapping relation to each other, or inseparate cylindrical zones band of wires wrapped spirally around the controlling magnet.

Now if'it vbe assumed that thecircuits are not open at some other place .but are allclosed except for the open nish line switches. of the 486 group, it is seen that the rst dog to arrive at the nish line will Vclose his corresponding switch of this group. This will complete the circuit through his individual magnet of the 430 group, because all of the fingers 45| .to 456 are in Contact with the pole pieces of their respective magnets. As soon as any one ,of these six circuits is closed, however, the current will ow not only through the individual magnet of the 466. group, but also through the controlling magnet '439. This will cause the controlling magnet .to .attract the .armature 44|, and will swing .the bar 439 against the influence vof the spring 442, swinging all of the other spring ngers 45|to 456 away from the pole pieces of their corresponding magnets of the 436 group, and swinging them into contact with the contact members 46| to'466. The one spring associated magnet of the 450 group, however, be-

pole tip of the magnet, maintaining the circuit closed at this point, although all of the other spring ngers will be moved away from their magnets, since no current is then flowing through these individual magnets and the magnets do not attract their spring iingers.

In this way, the individual circuit corresponding to the first place or winning dog is selected out of the other circuits and continued through and beyond the control magnet 463, so that it may operate indicating means and paying means. The other circuits corresponding to the other dogs are shunted or side-tracked, as it were, away from the controlling magnet 433, and are connected to the contact members of the 466 group.

The winning dog individual circuits, after leaving the control magnet 438, pass independently tol winner indicating means such as the electric lamps 49| to 496, inclusive (Fig. 36) one such lamp corresponding to of these circuits can be energized at a time, the others being shunted oir as above explained, it

of the 480 group.

The mechanism for selecting the second place dog may be substantially identical with the rst place selecting mechanism, corresponding parts being indicated by the same numerals used in the irst place mechanism, except that these numerals are in the 566 series instead of the 466 series. Individual circuits, one corresponding to each track, pass from the contact members 46| to 466, inclusive, to corresponding individual spring fingers 55| to 556, inclusive, of the second place dog selecting mechanism, constructed just like the spring ngers 45| to 456, and cooperating similarly with individual magnets 53| to 536, corresponding to the magnets 43| to 466. The conmagnet of the .53.6 .group will `to maintain itsz'individual spring finger ofthe 556 group in contact with this magnet, and the second place control magnet 538 will be energized to draw allof the other spring fingers away from their individual magnets and move them into contact with the contacts of thef560 group. The individual circuit of the second place dog will remain closed through his .individual magnet of the 530 group, however, and this circuit, after passing through the winding of the control magnet 538, goes to one of the electric lamps 59| to 596, inclusive, these lamps beingr the second place dog indicating lamps. Thus, the one of the lamps of the 590 group which lights will indicate which of the dogs make second place in the race.

Similarly, the third place selecting mechanism may be constructed the same as the rst and second place selecting mechanism, except that the contacts corresponding to the 460 group or the 5604 group are not needed in the third place selecting mechanism unless more than three places are to be selected or determined. The parts of the third place selecting mechanism are indicated by the same reference numerals used for the rst and second place selectors, except that these numerals are of the 600 series instead of the 400 or 500 series. f Individual circuits run from the contacts 56| to 566 of the secondi place selecting mechanism to the spring fingers 65| to 656 of the third place selecting mechanism. These fingers, as in the other mechanisms, are initially in contact with the pole tips of the magnets 63| to 636, respectively, and the circuits continue through the magnets to the third place control magnet 638 which operates upon the armature 64| to swing the bar 639 to swing all of the spring fingers of the 650 series away from their individual magnets, except the one spring finger in the circuit of the third place dog. e

The individual circuits from the magnets of the 630 group after passing through the multiple winding of the control magnet 638, go to the third place lights of the 690 group, indicated at 69| to 666, inclusive, one light for each dog track. The light or" this. group which lights will show which of the dogs made third place in the race.

The selecting mechanism may be continued in a similar manner to indicate the fourthA and fifth place dogs, or any other desired number of places if desired, merely by duplicating the mechanism the form already described. If no places beyond the third place are to be indicated, however, the contacts corresponding to the 400 group of the first place selector and the 560 group of the second place selector can be omitted in the third place selector and when vthe spring ingers of the group are pulled away from the individual magnets of the 4660 group, these spring fingers will not make new contacts but will simply form dead ends for the other' circuits except those of the rst, second, and third place dogs.

Separate prize or reward paying or delivering mechanisms are associated with each dog track, so that'there can be no argument between the various players of the game as to whichone is entitled to the prize or reward. Thus, when the game includes six Ytracks around which the movable playing pieces run, there are preferably six separate paying or delivering mechanisms, each capable of delivering the proper coins, tokens, or other prizes into a chute 102 (Fig. 33)' having a spout 103 (Fig. 1) .in-the side of the casing and adjacent the crank 6| controlling the dogA or other playing piece with respect to which the prize or reward is to be delivered. Each delivering mechanism may be of any suitable known form of electrically operated or electrically controlled delivering mechanism. For instance, each delivering mechanism may include a cylindrical holder 105 forholding a stack of coins or tokens of one denomination or kind, another cylindrical holder 106 for holding a stack of coins or tokens of a different denomination or kind and other similar holders 101 and 108 for holding other stacks of still Adifferent coins or tokens. Merely as an example, the holders 105 may hold half dollars, the holders 106 may hold dimes, the holders 101 may hold nickels, and the holders '|08 may hold pennies. Of course, the denominations may be varied at will, by substituting holders of the proper size to receive the desired denominations, and instead of using actual coins in the holders, some or all of the holders may contain tokens redeemable by the proprietor of the game either in money or in merchandise.

The bottom coin or token from each holder may be ejected therefrom by movement of a suitable apertured slide 109, Vthe slide being actuated, for example, by means of a solenoid. When the solenoid is energized, the slide is moved and the coin or token is withdrawn from the bottom of the stack and allowed to drop through an opening, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 34, so that it falls into the chute 102 and slides by gravity to the spout 103 where it may be collected by the player who is entitled to it.

The slides of the several holders '|05 may be actuated by solenoids of the 1|0 group (Fig. 33) comprising the six solenoids 1|| to 1|6, inclusive (Fig. 36), one corresponding to each of the six dog tracks to 56. Similarly, the ejector slides for theY holders 106 may be operated by the solenoids of the 120 group, these being the solenoids 12| to 126, inclusive. `The slides for the holders 101 are actuated by the 130 solenoids numbered from 13| to 136, while the slides for the 108 holders are actuated by the 140 solenoids numbered from 14| `to 146, all as shown in Fig. 36.

The first, second, and third place circuits, after passing the indicating lights of the 490, 590, and 690 groups, pass to the solenoids of the 120, 130 and 140 groups, as shown in Fig. 36, but in so doing they go through the control switches mounted on the switch bars 30| and 302, since these switches are operated in accordance with the number of dogs running the race and determine the number of prizes or rewards to be delivered and the amounts thereof. The circuits to the reward delivering solenoids of the 120, 130, and 100 groups are all open until one or the other of the switch bars 30| and 302 is actuated, as plainly seen from Fig. 36.

If all six dogs run in the race, then the switch bar 30| is actuated but the bar 302 is not actuated as above explained. The actuation of the bar 30| (which takes place, however, long before any of the dogs get around to the nish line) completes the circuits to the solenoids which are otherwise broken at this point, and by tracing the circuits in Fig. 36, it will be seen that Whichever dog comes in rst, lighting one of the lights of the 490 series, will energize a circuit passing through the switches on the bar 30| and to one of the solenoids of the 120 group, corresponding to the particular dog which won the race. Thus the player who played this winning dog will receive in his individual spout 103, whatever coin or token is delivered by the solenoids of the 120 group, this being a dime in the illustrative example above given.

By tracing the circuits it will also be seen that whichever dog reaches the nish line in second place and lights one of the lights of the 590 series, will energize a circuit going to his individual solenoid of the '|30 group, this delivering to the player of that dog the coin or token which is intended to be delivered to the second place dog. This is a nickel in the illustrative example above given. Similarly, whichever dog makes third place and lights one of the lights of the 690 group will energize a circuit passing to his individual one of the solenoids of the '|40 group, thus energizing this solenoid and delivering to the'player of this dog the intended reward, such as a penny in the illustrative example above given.

If, however, the entrance fees or playing fees for all six dogs have not been paid and the dogs at least on tracks 52 to 56 have not passed the switches of the 320 and 330 groups, then the switch bar 30| will not have been actuated, and the above mentioned circuits will all be broken at this point. But if any two of the dogs on tracks 52 to 56 are running (thus making at least three dogs in all, including the dog on main or control track 5|) then, as above explained, the switch bar 302 will be actuated and the switches Vconnected yto this bar, which are shown to be open in Fig. 36, will all be closed, the switches on this bar shown in Fig. 36 to be closed also being opened at the same time. If, now, the circuits from the rst place lights of the 490 group be again followed, it will be seen that these circuits lead through the switches on the bar 302 to the solenoids of the '|30 group. Hence the player of the winning dog, when more than two but less than all six of the dogs run in the race, will lreceive a coin or token ejected by his individual solenoid of the '|30 group, this being a nickel coin in the illustrative embodiment above given.

When less than all six dogs run, no prizes or rewards are given to the players of any dog except the first place dog according to the present illustrative example. It is desired, however, to have the proper lights of the 590 group and 690 group show which dogs make second and third place. Hence, it is necessary to provide, in connection with the switch bar 302, some means for completing the circuits from the second and third place lights of the 590 and 690 groups so that electric current can now through these circuits and light the proper light but without actuating any of the reward delivering solenoids. 'I'his is provided for by including on the switch bar 302 switches which complete the second and third place dog circuits to a conductor 150, in which is interposed a resistance approximately equal to the resistance of each of the solenoids of the 720, '|30 and '|40 groups. The purpose of this is to make the resistance of all these circuits approximately'equal so that the second and third place lights will not light more brightly when less than all six dogs run, than the first place lights. This circuit, like all of the other place indicating and reward delivering circuits, is shown in Fig. 36 as being grounded at its remote end; that is, as being a circuit which returns to the source of current through the metallic frame of the machine, or through a common or universal bus bar, although complete two-wire circuits can be used in each instance if preferred.

In case less than three dogs run the race, neither of the switch bars 30| and 302 will be actuated. While it is desired not to deliver any prize or rewards when less than three dogs run the race, yet

it is desired to have the place indicating lights operate to show which dog is the winner. Provision must, therefore, be made for completing the circuits from the rst place lights of the 490 group in order to permit current to ow through these lights, even when neither of the switch bars 30| and 302 is actuated. This provision is made as indicated in Fig. 36 by completing the circuits from the lights of the 490 group to switches mounted on the bar 302, and normally closed when this bar is not actuated, these switches being opened by the actuation of the switch bar. Beyond these switches, the individual track circuits of the winning group are all joined to a common wire 155, which passes through a switch |56 on the switch bar 30| and then leads to the wire '|50 above mentioned.

Hence, when neither of the switch bars 30| and 302 has been actuated the circuits of the rst place lights of the 490 group will all be completed to the wire 155, then through the switch '|56 to the wire 750, and through the resistance |5| to ground. Whichever dog makes first place will then cause the lighting of its respective light of the 490 group. If the switch bar 30| has been actuated, however, by reason of all six dogs run` ning the race, then this lighting circuit will be broken through the switch 156 which is closed when the bar 30| is not actuated and opened when the bar 30| is actuated. Or if the bar 302 is actuated, the circuits from the first place lights of the 490 group to'the wire '|55 will be broken by the opening of the switches on the bar 302 but these circuits will simply be transferred to the wires leading to the solenoids of the '|30 group, so that the proper light of the 490 group will light and the proper solenoid will be energized.

It is desirable to provide mechanism for turning oiT all of the circuits after the lapse of a predetermined time, so that the lights will not stay lit indefinitely and will not waste electric current. To this end a time switch is preferably provided somewhere in the circuit, to turn oil' all of the place indicating lighticircuits at a given length of time after the game starts. This length of time is a time amply sufficient to allow for completion of the game even by slow and unskilful players. It may be, for example, one or two minutes in a small game board, or perhaps ve minutes in a larger game board Where the tracks are longer and a greater time is required to run the dogs around the tracks.

The time switch may comprise clockwork of any conventional kind within a casing '|60 (Figs. 24, 25 and 36), the clockwork tending to turn a vertical shaft 16| which extends up through the top of the playing board 4| and is there provided with a suitable needle '|62 cooperating with graduations on the board to show the players at any instant how much time is left for them to complete the game before the electric circuits will be broken. The graduations illustrated in Fig. 1 run from zero to 60 and are intended to refer to seconds, the players being allowed a period of one minute to complete the game.

A gear |65 (Figs. 24 to 27) is loosely mounted for rotation on the shaft 16|, and has a pin '|66 in such position that when the gear is rotated the pin will engage with another pin '|61 fixed to a disk '|68 which is pinned or otherwise nonrotatably secured to the shaft |6I. A rack 110, held in meshing engagement with the gear '|65 by a bracket 11|, is actuated by the coin controlled mechanism of the main or control track

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