US2315978A

US2315978A - Photographic timing device

Info

Publication number: US2315978A
Application number: US371037A
Authority: US
Inventors: William P Moorefield
Original assignee: AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL DEVICES I
Current assignee: AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL DEVICES I; AUTOMATIC ELECTRICAL DEVICES Inc
Priority date: 1935-11-15
Filing date: 1940-12-20
Publication date: 1943-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 1960-04-06

Description

April 6,1943. w. P. MOOREFIELD PHOTOGRAPHIC .TIMING DEVICE OriginalFiled Nov. 15, 1955 /lo lion's nc an ac v Patented Apr. 6, 1943 PHOTOGRAPHIG TIMING DEVICE William P. Moorefield, St. Petersburg, Fla, as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to Automatic Electrical Devices, inc... St. Petersburg, Fla., a

corporation Original application November 15, mason! No. 50,051. Divided and this application December 20, 1940, Serial No. 311,037

8 Claims.

This invention relates to photographic timing devices and particularly to a photographic timing device electrically operated which will accurately time and photograph the finish of a race.

This application constitutes a. division of my.

copending application Serial No. 50,051 filed November 15, 1935, renewed December 2, 1939, and issued September 9, 19%1, as Patent No. 2,255,266.

in prior automatic timing installations using a photoelectric cell and a projected beam for starting and stopping race timing devices, no provisions have been made for preventing accidental operation oi the system, for permittin operation in races wher the participants must run more than one lap or for other desirable features forming a part of this invention.

in accordance with this invention a photographic timing device is provided that utilizes a group of photoelectric or other beam sensitive members, each member acted upon by a. projected light beam or analgous high frequency beam. This group will operate an associated .relay only when a predetermined number of these cells and beams have been interrupted. One group of cells and beam projectors are located at the starting point of the race and when these cells ar interrupted by the body of one or more ill of the participants a timing mechanism is set in operation in the judges stand.

At the finish line is located another similar group of cells and beam projectors. Associated with this second group are devices which will automatically and/or manually prevent the operation of their associated timing mechanism until the actual finish of the race is at hand. For example assuming the device embodying this invention should be in use at a mile track for judging a mile and one-half horse race. When the horses break from the barrier or their stalls as the case may be, at the start of a race the group of cells at the starting line will be interrupted and by means of an electric circuit and suitable relays will set a timing mechanism'in operation in the judges stand. At the same time a contact may be opened in clock mechanism that will prevent operation of the'judging mechanism until a period of forty-five seconds or other predetermined length of time has elapsed. This device will enable the participants to pass the judge's stand the first time without stopping the judging mechanism.

Mechanism is also associated with the device illustrative of this invention that will permit a judge to take care of a contingency such as for quently running away and crossing the nominal finishing line after the predetermined automatic time set has elapsed. By merely pushing a button and opening a circuit as the horse is coming down the track, the judge can prevent operation of the photo timing device as this run away horse crosses the nominal finishing line.

The circuit governing the photo timing device is provided with two relays, one of which opens the clock starting circuit when the impulse starting the timing mechanism is received, and the other or which opens the finish line circuit when the impulse governing the photo timing operation at the end of the race is received. By virtue of these two relays the photo timing starting and stopping devices each receive a single impulse only, so that the timing is recorded from the time when the first participant at the start crosses the starting line and when the first participantat the end of the race-crosses the finish line. This relay arrangement prevents subsequent operation or chattering of the photo timing device due to an uneven start or finish and the relays must be set from the judge's stand or some other convenient place before the device will operate at all. This setting may be accomplished by means of a push button which closes a presetting circuit.

. Objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in this particular art from the claims and description in the specification taken in connection with the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram illustrative of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of high frequency beam projectors and their associated beam sensitive cells.

In the embodiment of the invention which has been chosen for the purpose of illustration and referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, at It) is shown a starting line of a race track. At this,

point a plurality of beam projectors l I and beam sensitive cells l2 are disposed on opposite sides of the track. These cells and their arrangement are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2. Power for the beam projectors and the light sensitive cell is derived from a power line It! which may be an A. C. or D. C. power source.

For purposes ofillustration and description this line is indicated as having a positive side It and a negative side IS. The light sensitive cells are connected in a vacuum tube amplifying circuit characterized by a pair of balanced resistances I6 and I1 which determine the amount of current flowing through a filament and a high resistance element It connected in the circuit from one side of the power line to the light sensitive cells I2. The plate circuit of the amplifying circuit includes a coil 20 of a relay. When power is impressed'upon the circuit, sufficient current flows through the coil 20 to attract armature 2|, away from a contact 22, and hold its associated circuit in open position, A spring 23 tends to pull the armature 2| against the contact 22 and hold it in closed position.

With this circuit properly connected because of the values of the resistances I and I1 and the mechanical strength of the-spring 23, the current flowing through the coil is such that it requires an interruption of a plurality of the beam members to so reduce the strength of current flowing through the coil 20 that the spring 23 will attract the armature 2| and close it to contact. This feature of design forms a part of the invention and it prevents to a large extent unintentional operation of the photo timing device. For example, should it be necessary for six out of twelve of the beams to be interrupted before the contact 22 is closed, it would obviously require a body of considerable size to break a suflicient number of beams and set the device in operation. This feature will prevent operation of the device if a bird flies across the starting line or if a piece of paper or some other object should be blown across the beam path.

To put this device in operation to judge a race, a switch 25 is closed in the power line I3 and power is supplied to the beam projecting and beam sensitive members at the starting line In and their associated amplifying circuit and also to similar beam projecting and beam sensitive devices located at the flnish line III. This finish line actuating device has a similar amplifying circuit forming a relay control similar to that located at the starting point and its specific function and features will be described in connection with its operation.

When power has been applied to the tubes of the amplifying circuits at the start and finish line for a sufflcient length of time for them to warm up, current flowing through their plate circuits and the coils 20 and 20' will be of sufficient strength to attract armatures 2I and 2| and open contacts 22, 22'. When the armature 2| is attracted and its circuit open this circuit is closed through a pilot light 21 which may be located in the judges stand and this will inform the judge that the circuit is ready to be set for operation.

To set the circuit of the race judging device ready for operation a button switch is closed. This switch permits current to flow from the line I4 through line 29 to switch 30, line 3|, coil 32, line 33, line 34, lead 35, switch 31, to be described in detail later, lead 38, button switch 39 and line 40 to the opposite side I5 of the line I3. This current flowing through the coil 32 attracts an armature H and closes a contact 42. At the same time this operation is going on, current flows from line 3| through a branch 3 I and leads current through a second relay coil 32' and back to line 34 from where it traverses lead 35, switch 31, lead 38, switch 39, line 40 back to opposite side I 5 of power line I3. Current flowing through the coil 32' attracts armature 4| and closes the contact 42' in the manner previously described in connection with armatures 4|. With the armatures 4I, 4| in closed or set position the photoelectric timing device is ready to operate.

Assuming now the start of a race to be judged. The participants cross the starting line I0, breaking beam circuit II and I2 which causes a diminution in the current flowing through the coil 20 and permitting contact 2|, 22 to close under the action of the spring 23. Upon closure of this circuit, current flows from the line I4 through line 25, line 43, armature 4|, contact 42, line 44, contacts 2|, 22, line 45, coil 45, line 41, line 43, lead 35, switch 31, lead 35, switch 38, line 40 back to side I5 of power line I3. -The current flowing through the coil 45 starts the timing mechanism in a clock 50. The clock 50 may be of any desired type operating on the stop-watch principle. For the purposes of illustration, it is shown as of the mechanical spring wound type having a brake disc 45a connecting with a chain of clock gears 46b. The coil 45 constitutes a solenoid adapted to attract an armature brake 45c. When the coil 45 is energized, the brake is retracted clear of the disc 45a, permitting the clock to start.

At the same time current is flowing through the coil 45, a branch lead 5| connected with the line 45 carries current through a coil 52, line 53 connected to the line 33 from where it flows to the side I5 of the power line I3 through line 34, lead 35, switch 31, lead 38, switch 39, line 40. The current flowing through the coil 52 attracts armature H and pulls it oil. contact 42 to open or unset position. In connection with this operation it is to be noted that the contact 42 is of considerable length so that notwithstanding the fact that it opens the circuit permitting current to flow through the time starting mechanism coil 45, it

. will stay closed a suflicient length of time so that the same electric impulse that opened this contact will have sufflcient time to start the timing mechanism.

Referring now particularly to the switch 31 this switch is engaged by a selected one of a group of earn 55 and is normally maintained in closed position by the cam. The cams 55 are so shaped. however, that when the timing mechanism is started, the switch 31 is allowed to spring open due to the action of spring 31a. The design of the cams is such that this switch is allowed to remain open for a predetermined period of time such as for example, fifteen, thirty or forty-five seconds. After the lapse of the predetermined time, determined by the design of the cam which engages the switch, the cam will move the switch 31 to closed position. By virtue of this construction the photo timing device illustrative of this invention may be readily used on a mile track for judging a mile and a sixteenth, a mile and a quarter or any other race wherein it is necessary for the participants to cross the nominal finish line more than once.

To continue the description in connection with the mile and a sixteenth race assuming that the switch 31 is engaged by a cam permitting it to remain open for thirty seconds following the actuation of the timing mechanism. The participants of the race have crossed the starting line I0, the timing mechanism has been started and the switch 31 has been automatically opened. The participants will cross the finish line III and notwithstanding the fact that the armature 2| will close and remain closed until all of the participants have passed the finish line, the judging mechanism will not be affected due to the fact that when switch 31 is open no current will flow through the Judging mechanism. After the lapse of the selected thirty second time interval and after all of the participants have crossed the nominal finish line ill, the switch 31 will be closed by means of the selected cam 55.

When the participants next cross the finish line l marking the end of the race, the breaking of the beam circuit .II', [2, will cause a diminution in current through the coil 20', closing the contacts 2|, 22 and current will flow from side Id of the line l3 through line 43, branch 43', armature 4!, lead 44', armature 2|, contact 22', line 45, relay 60, lead if to line 34 from where it goes through lead 35, switch 31, lead 38, switch 39, line 40, to side 15 of power line l3.

Current flowing through the coil 60 actuates the camera 65 and takes a photograph of the finish of the race. At the same time current from the line 45 traverses a line 6! and goes through a coil 10 in the timing mechanism 50. From there it goes to the line 48, lead 35, switch 31, lead 38, switch 39, to line All joining side 85 to power line l3. Current flowing through solenoid I0 attracts armature brake 46c and causes the latter to engage the brake disc 46a, to thereby stop the timing mechanism and accurately time the race.

At the same time the race judging circuits are closed through coils 60 and i6 and photographing and timing the race, a branch connected with line 45' carries current to a coil 52', lead 53, lead 33' to line 34 and thence through lead 35, switch 31, lead 38, switch 39, line dd back to side I5 of power line l3. The current flowing through the coil 52' attracts the armature 5i and pulls it off contact 42' The contact 32 has the same general dimensions as the contact 62 so that notwithstanding the fact that a single impulse opens this contact which in turn opens a contact in the circuit of the finish line judging mechanism, the contact M, 42' will not be opened until the impulses traversing coils 6i) and 'illhave had time to actuate the camera 65 and the stopping mechanism respectively.

- The switch 39, located between lines 38 and id in a common return to side it of power line it,

is normally located in the judges stand and will take care of any contingencies such as for example a horse baliring and being left at the post and subsequently running away and crossing the finish line after the predetermined time governing time switch 31, has elapsed. Should this contingency arise the judge has merely to press the button 39 and open the circuit between lines 218 and 40 as the horse crosses the finish line and the judging mechanism will not operate but will be ready to operate as soon as this switch 39 is allowed to close. Similarly a switch 80 is provided between lines 34 and 38 which may be operated manually to take the place of the automatic time switch N. If it is desired to use the switch 80 instead of the automatic switch 3i it is only necessary to remove the switch 37 from contact with any cam so that it will remain open.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in this device without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore is not limited to what is shown in the drawing and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for judging races run on a track including a beam projecting device arranged to project a beam transversely across the track, a photo-electric cell or beam-sensitive receiver disposed on the side of the track opposite said beam projecting device and positioned to receive said beam, a camera adapted to be focused on the line of projection of said beam, electrical means for plurality of beams in substantial vertical align-- ment across the track, a plurality of photo-elec- 'tri c cells positioned at the opposite side of the track to receive the beams from said projectors, photographing apparatus including a camera, electrical means for operating the camera, and

an electric circuit electrically connecting said photo-electric cells with the camera operating device, sald circuit being balanced in a manner such as to cause the camera operating means to be energized only upon interruption of a plurality or a predetermined number of said beams.

3. In a device for judging races, 2, light beam projectingmeans including a plurality of substantially vertically aligned beam projecting ele-' ments, coacting beam receiving means including a plurality of substantially vertically aligned beam sensitive elements, and an associated cir cult including a relay actuated by interruption of a predetermined number of the beams pro-= jected from said projecting elements.

l. Apparatus for iudging'races at a race track including a plurality of light beam projectors at one side of the track positioned to project a plurality of beams in substantial vertical alignment across the track, a plurality of similarly aligned photoelectric cells positioned at the opposite side of the track to receive the beams from said projectors, an associated circuit including a relay actuated through interruption of said beams, and means interposed in said circuit and associated with said relay for preventing actuation thereof until a predetermined number of beams are interrupted.

5. Apparatus for judging races comprising an electric circuit, a beam projecting element arranged to project a beam transversely across the track at the starting line of the race and another beam projecting element arranged to project a beam transversely across the track at the finish of the race, coacting beam sensitive receivers disposed on the side of the track opposite said projecting devices to receive the beams therefrom, timing mechanism operatively connected into the circuit and means for causing said timing mechanism to start operating upon interruption of the beam at the starting line, a camera adapted to be focused on the finish line, and means in said circuit operatively connected to said timing mechanism and to said camera and responsive to interruption of the beam at the finish line for stopping said timing mechanism and actuating the camera.

6. Apparatus for judging races at a race track including a plurality of light beam projectors at one side of the track positioned to project a plurality of beams'in substantially vertical alignment across the track, a plurality of similar aligned photoelectric cells positioned at the opposite side of the track to receive the beams from said projectors, an associated circuit including a relay adapted to be actuated through interruption of said beams, said circuit including amplifying means and adjustable resistors coacting with said relay in a manner such that the relay will remain inoperative until a predetermined number of beams are interrupted.

7. In apparatus for judging races, a light beam projector including a plurality of beam projecting elements arranged to project a plurality of beams along a predetermined finish line or a race course with said beams in eflect constituting the finish line, a beam sensitive receiver including a pinrality of beam sensitive elements arranged to receive the beams from said projecting elements, and an associated electrical circuit including amplifying means and a relay interconnected and balanced in a manner such that the relay will operate only upon interruption of a plurality of said beams.

8. In apparatus for judging races. a light beam projector including a plurality of substantially vertically aligned beam projecting elements arranged to project a plurality of vertically aligned beams along a predeterminediinish line 01' a race course with said beams in elect constituting the