GB297958A - Improvements in mechanical apparatus for playing a race game - Google Patents

Abstract

297,958. Falconbridge, C. E. Sept. 14, 1927. Race games, mechanical.-In mechanical apparatus for playing a race game, variable friction driving-gear associated with each miniature racing figure comprises a driving disc having its periphery in contact with the face of a driven member and being adjustable by the player to and from the axis of the driven members in order to vary the ratio of the gear, and the face of the driven member is formed with depressions so disposed that an uninterrupted drive can only be obtained by correctly adjusting the position of the driving disc relatively to the axis of the driven member from time to time so as to miss the depressions. The track for the racing figures may be vertical, inclined or level and, in plan view, may be straight, curved or of circular form. In Fig. 1 is shown an inclined track A with one of the racing figures B and its operative mechanism; the remaining racing figures are similarly operated. The figure B is drawn up the track by means of cord G passing over pulleys H, G<1> to a winding drum J carried by an arm K<1>. The arm has a limited pivotal movement in an horizontal direction under spring action so as normally to maintain the face of the winding drum J against the edge of a continuouslyrotating wheel M, Fig. 2, driven by an electric motor. The position of the wheel M radially of the winding drum may be adjusted by the player through operative connections with a hand lever V, Fig. 1. In order to interrupt the progress of the figure along the track, the face of the winding drum is provided with one or more depressions N which interrupt the drive when opposite the driving wheel M. The player, by operating his handle B endeavours to move the wheel M so as to avoid these depressions, warning of their proximity being given by indications on the track, for example, by representations of rough ground or hurdles. When a racing figure arrives at the top of its track it operates a switch thus lighting a lamp Z to indicate the winner, and stopping the driving motor. The figures are simultaneously returned to the starting position, under the action of gravity, by withdrawing the winding drums J from their driving wheels by means of a bar S common to all the, pivoted arms K<1>.