HUP0201998A2 - Race track design for speed and/or skill championships - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a racetrack arrangement for conducting speed and/or skill competitions, for comparing the performance of racing equipment with human effort or human-handled competition and, within that, for conducting the competition with equal opportunities, reducing the risk of accidents to a minimum, and avoiding the possibility of disturbing the competitors, which is installed on the terrain of the racetrack and with a starting point , with a destination, as well as a route from the starting point to the destination, and, where applicable, it is supplemented with information displays that provide information to the competitors and/or protective equipment suitable for protecting their physical integrity. It is characterized by the fact that the race course (2) is divided into at least two largely independent first and second tracks (3, 4) that complement each other in pairs, the first and second tracks (3, 4) are inaccessible to the competitors or accessible only in special cases (5) are installed around them, each of the first and second tracks (3, 4) is formed by at least one closed corridor (31, 41) with a physically impassable boundary on both ends, as well as an open corridor (32, 42) with an impassable boundary on only one edge, the interconnected transition zone (33) between the closed corridor (31) and open corridor (32) of the first and second tracks (3, 4), between the closed corridor (41) and open corridor (42) of the second track (4) a transition zone (43) is located, and the central space (5) - which can be accessed as appropriate - is on the path of the transition zones (33, 43) in connection with the first and second tracks (3, 4). HE

Description

PUBLICATION 2. U·Ή ⁵ '·

COPY (VI. 2002)

Representative: ADVOPATENT Patent and Trademark Office, Budapest

Race track layout for speed and/or skill competitions

The invention relates to a race track layout for holding speed and/or skill competitions, for comparing the performances of mobile devices operated by human effort or by humans, and within this, for conducting competitions in a way that provides equal opportunities, minimizes the risk of accidents and avoids the possibility of disturbing competitors. The race track is installed on the ground and has a starting point, a finish point, and a route from the starting point to the finish point, and is further supplemented, where appropriate, with information displays for informing the competitors and/or with protective equipment suitable for protecting their physical integrity.

Games are one of the oldest human activities, dating back to prehistoric times. Their specific form is social activities involving more than one person, and within them, those where the participants compete with each other. The competition can be intellectual, physical, or a combination of these, and can be carried out individually or in teams, without the use of tools or with the help of them. Within the latter, a separate family is formed by those competitions that are fought on a specific route, on a track of specified size and/or geometry. The number of possible variations is inexhaustible, and they are mostly based on the comparison of human skills, e.g. speed and/or dexterity and/or other abilities.

15906

During the 20th century, known as the age of motorization, motorized competitions connected to racetracks developed strongly, such as car and motorcycle races, and their various branches, e.g. go-kart races. Some of these take place indoors, others outdoors. In general, efforts are made to ensure that competitors have access to equipment of the same technical equipment and condition as possible, and that competitions can only be held on tracks of limited size and shape with limited accident risk.

The theoretically correct aspiration naturally divided the participants in the competition and the method of organization into two branches: professional competition and competitors, and those who consider driving special vehicles and competing merely as entertainment and leisure activities. For the former, the performance-centric exploitation of the possibilities became the main consideration, while for the latter, the greatest possible safety and, with it, the ability to appeal to the widest possible audience became the main consideration.

In the spirit of the latter, they are trying to build and operate competition tracks accessible to many. The earliest of these were the electric-powered dodgem tracks operated in so-called fun parks, which served more for entertainment than for racing, but from there the path of development led to outdoor and indoor go-kart and cross-kart tracks that can be rented and are in principle accessible to anyone.

The simplest form of track-based competition is the so-called summer bobsleigh, in which a person sitting on a rolling tray (car) can take advantage of the slope effect resulting from the difference in height between the starting point and the finish point. It is possible to compare the skills of several people with a stopwatch. The advantage is high safety, the disadvantage is the almost negligible competition experience.

In order to reduce the risk of collision on outdoor and indoor amateur go-kart and cross-kart tracks, short straight sections and excessively tight curves are intentionally used on narrow tracks with vehicles of low performance. Thus, the tracks provide only a small racing and speed experience. Because of the former, the participants regularly disturb and obstruct each other, and there is usually no way to do so-called clean overtaking. They very often push each other off the track. The motor and driving characteristics of vehicles that are theoretically identical can differ significantly in practice. The majority of such tracks provide a special experience, but realistic competition and equality of opportunity are not achieved.

On outdoor professional racing tracks, the vehicles are high-performance. However, they may only be used with special permits - after demonstrating proven knowledge on lower-performance vehicles. Even in this case, amateurs are not allowed to start simultaneously. Therefore, performance can only be compared by time measurement. An example of this is the A1 SPEEDWORLD racing track in Austria (Bruck an dér Leitha).

Inequality of opportunity is also typical on indoor and outdoor tracks intended for amateur use, operated by smaller, but at most medium-powered vehicles. Such tracks can be found in many countries. In Hungary, among the indoor tracks, the HUNGAROCART CENTER (Mogyoród, Ipar u. 1.) and among the outdoor tracks, the BUDARING (Budapest, XL, Budaörsi út, Flóracoop telep) are worth mentioning.

There are reputable amateur tracks in Germany owned by the MICHAEL SCHUHMACHER KARTCENTER (D-50170 Kerpen-Sinndorf), and in England by the companies SPEEDKARTING and RACEWAY.

The aim of the invention is to develop a racetrack layout that overcomes the shortcomings of known facilities and provides realistic competition, an enhanced speed and competitive experience, and true equality of opportunity.

The basis of the inventive idea was the realization that with the appropriate structural design of the track, safety is increased, and as a result, the use of high-performance vehicles capable of reaching higher speeds can be permitted. If, in addition, the width of a significant part of the track is increased - to a greater extent than is practically necessary - then the performance of the vehicles, but the driving skills of the competitors, become decisive and comparable. In this way, a real competition can develop, i.e. the set task can be solved.

Part of the inventive idea is that the track allows more than one - usually two - competitor to start at the same time and to minimize the intersections on the level, allowing for pursuit-type competitions where the competitors cannot obstruct or disturb each other.

In accordance with the set objective, the racetrack arrangement according to the invention is designed for conducting speed and/or skill competitions, for comparing the performances of mobile devices operated by human effort or man, and within this, for conducting the competition in a way that provides equal opportunities, minimizes the risk of accidents and avoids the possibility of disturbing the competitors - in which arrangement the racetrack is installed on the terrain and has a starting point, a finishing point, and a route leading from the starting point to the finishing point, and is further supplemented, if applicable, with information displays serving to inform the competitors and/or with protective equipment suitable for protecting their physical integrity - in such a way that the racetrack is divided into at least two largely independent, expediently complementary track tracks in pairs, the track tracks are installed around a central space inaccessible to the competitors or accessible only in certain cases, each of the first and second track tracks is physically bounded on both edges by at least consists of a closed corridor and an open corridor with an impassable boundary on only one edge. Among the interconnected tracks, there is a transition zone between the closed corridor and the open corridor of the first track, and a transition zone between the closed corridor and the open corridor of the second track, and the central space, which can be accessed in a given case, is connected to the tracks via the transition zones.

A further feature of the arrangement according to the invention may be that the closed corridors are separated from the central space by the inner boundary structure and from the open corridor by the outer boundary structure.

The inner boundary structure is formed along a line that encloses the central space and returns to itself, e.g. as a palisade. In other designs, the inner boundary structure is replaced by a visual marking at least in one section near the transition zones. The inner boundary structure is surrounded in sections by the outer boundary structure.

In one possible design, the first track and the second track cross each other at the same level in the transition zones. In another case, the first track and the second track cross each other at an offset level in the transition zones.

In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, a starting device, a finishing gate, a scoreboard, and one or more signaling devices for giving instructions to the competitors and/or indicating danger and/or communicating other information are installed on the tracks. The signaling devices are devices suitable for displaying visual and/or auditory information. The scoreboards and, where applicable, the starting devices and/or the signaling devices are connected to a central unit.

The first track, its parts and accessories bear a symbol that harmonizes with each other, preferably the same color. Similarly, the second track, its parts and accessories bear a symbol that harmonizes with each other, preferably the same color. The color of the first track and the color of the second track are clearly different from each other.

In a similarly advantageous design, the racetrack is equipped with auxiliary devices that influence its surface quality, such as wetting or dust removal devices.

The arrangement according to the invention has a number of advantageous features compared to the previous ones. The most important of these is that it truly combines the advantages of the known solutions, truly eliminates their shortcomings, provides the competitors with a high degree of safety, accident protection and a real racing experience, while at the same time practically eliminating the probability of disturbing each other.

The arrangement is illustrated in more detail using drawings in connection with an example of an embodiment. The attached drawings show the

Figure 1 shows the layout as a floor plan of a possible layout,

Figure 2 shows the layout of the central unit coordinating the operation of the racetrack accessories and the connection diagram of the accessories.

Figure 1 shows the simplest configuration, where the racetrack 2 installed on the terrain 1 has only two tracks. The first track 3 and the second track 4 are both located along the central space 5, which acts as a no-man's land, on its outer side, and each has a starting point of 30 and 40, respectively, which is the starting point for the race.

The simplest structure mentioned above can be considered a basic case that serves two people or two teams and can be further developed according to needs. In more advanced versions, of course, there are more tracks and more starting points associated with them. It is usually advantageous if the tracks are even in number, but exceptions can be made.

In the basic case shown in Figure 1, two identical first tracks 3 and two second tracks 4 are available to the cars of the two competitors A and B wishing to compete, which are designed as mirror images of each other - in fact as antimetrics. The 2 racing tracks are in principle intended for motor-driven devices, but this can also be deviated from. According to the inventive idea, however, the devices of the competition - the structural design of which is not the subject of the present application - must have strictly identical performance and equipment.

If we look at the first track 3, for example, we see that it consists of two main parts: the closed corridor 31 and the open corridor 32. At the starting point of the closed corridor 31, the starting point 30 can be equipped with the starting extinguishing device 34. We call it closed because on the side facing the central area 5 it is separated from them by the internal boundary structure 6, while on the side facing the terrain 1 it is separated from them by the external boundary structure 7, so that the competitor is always forced to stay within them. Within the closed corridor 31, the progress path can be freely chosen, so it is not a “forced path” like a track.

In the present embodiment, three zones of the closed corridor 31 can be observed: the flat curve 31a, the straight section 31b and the driving curve 31c. The topographic data of these sections of the race track 2 - such as the width of the closed corridor 31 (constant or variable), the dimensions of the radius of curvature of the curves, and the length of the sections - can influence the competition conditions, the achievable speeds, the time results, etc.

It is obvious, for example, that the length of the straight section 31b includes the conditions for acceleration, the driving curve 31c includes the conditions for braking and drifting, and the competitor chooses the path not shown in the diagram (since in principle an infinite number of paths should be shown) and drives in the knowledge of the design conditions.

The finish gate 35 can be located anywhere along the first track 3, through which the competitor must (or may) pass in the number specified by the current competition rules. It can of course be planned to be at the starting point 30, in or near the transition zone 33, and even in the central space 5, if applicable. The competitor leaves the closed corridor 31 and goes outside through the transition zone 33, i.e. to the open corridor 32 of the first track 3 outside the outer boundary structure 7. The competitor A running on the first track 3 therefore continuously avoids the outer boundary structure 7, since he sometimes runs inside the closed corridor 31 and sometimes outside it on the open corridor 32.

In the 32 open corridors - since only one side is impassably demarcated - the competitor can choose the unmarked route with even greater freedom.

In the case of the open corridor 32, a flat curve 32a, a straight section 32b and a hairpin curve 32c can also be distinguished. Here too, it is up to the driver to decide whether to drive slower on a shorter route or faster on a longer route.

The 32 open corridors - in order to prevent the risk of accidents - are much more suitable for a competitor who is forced to give up the fight due to a technical fault or other reason to leave the competition and stop in the 32 open corridors, or even to leave the 2 racetracks completely. The 32 open corridors also provide the possibility for the 2 racetracks to be supplemented with a track section starting from any part of the 3 open corridors and then returning there, e.g. a loop, while maintaining the basic principles unchanged.

The second track 4 is a mirror image of the first track 3. Therefore, what we have said above is also true with regard to the starting point 40, closed corridor 41, open corridor 42, transition zone 43, starting barrier 44 and finishing gate 45 of the second track 4, as well as the additional track section that can be connected to the open corridor 42, if applicable. The competitor B belonging to the second track 4 therefore avoids the outer boundary structure 7 by alternating between the closed corridor 41 and the open corridor 42, as we have already mentioned in the case of competitor A. It follows from the mirror image nature of the first track 3 and the second track 4 that although the competitors starting from the starting points 30 and 40 at the same time can freely choose their routes, the same route offer is available. So the goal of equal opportunities is actually achieved, and it is up to the competitor how they live with it.

Of particular note are the transition zones 33 and 43, which are used by both competitors and where, in the given example, the 3 first track lanes and the 4 second track lanes intersect at the same level.

Given that the races are practically held and decided in close competition, level crossing does not pose a realistic risk of collision. The reason for this is also the aforementioned simultaneous start. That is, when one (e.g. competitor A) reaches transition zone 33, the other (e.g. competitor B) moves in transition zone 43 on the opposite side, and vice versa: when competitor A touches transition zone 43, competitor B crosses transition zone 33.

If for some reason the competition is not close, the safety indicators 37 and 47 inform the competitors of each other's whereabouts, or the traffic regulations appear on the indicators 37 and 47, which tell the approaching competitor what to do: e.g. he must slow down.

Several of the signaling devices 37 and 47 may be placed along both the first track 3 and the second track 4, but it is definitely advantageous if they are located near the mouths of the hairpin bends 31c and 41c near the transition zones 33 and 34.

From the point of view of the spectators, however, it is advisable if the finish gates 35 and 45 are clearly visible from afar, e.g. on the straight section 32b of the open corridor 32 of the first track 3, and on the straight section 42b of the open corridor 42 of the second track 4. It is worth installing the scoreboards 36 and 46 in front of them. A preferred variant may also be one in which the central space 5 contains the start-finish corridors connected to the tracks 3, 4 via the transition zones 33, 43.

In contrast to the 37 and 47 signaling devices, it is required that they emit clear and clearly perceptible signals for both competitors and spectators. Visual signals in any case, but possibly supplemented with audible signals. There is also a way to continuously provide information to the competitors in the form of coordinated signals from a central unit 8 - either automatically or through personal intervention (e.g. the activities of a track judge). Through continuous information, attention can not only be drawn to danger, but instructions can also be given, e.g. alternately prescribing for them the mandatory direction of travel, the open or closed corridor to be used, the task already completed and the task still to be completed (e.g. the number of laps to be completed), etc.

In accordance with the inventive idea, but for the safety and clarity of the competition, it is important that both the 3 first track lanes and the 4 other track lanes have a symbol system that is characteristic of them, but strikingly different from each other, e.g. color code. Within the symbol system, strict consistency must be achieved with regard to all accessories, e.g. the starting blocks 34, 44, the finish gates 35, 45, the scoreboards 36, 46 and the signaling devices 37, 47. In principle, it is also possible for the different symbols, e.g. colors, to be assigned to the competitors A and B themselves.

In the spirit of maximum striving for equal opportunities, since the typically motorized racing equipment has strictly identical structural design, performance, and maintenance, it may also be necessary to equalize the differences in the body weight of the competitors - based on the handicap principle that has been proven in horse racing for centuries.

For similar reasons, it is worth assigning to the 2 racing tracks - accessories not marked in Figure 1, which continuously ensure the cleanliness and/or other quality indicators of the track surface. In this regard, among the accessories, devices can be used that can be used to moisten, dust-free, and even roughen or heat the track, if necessary.

The schematic diagram shown in Figure 2 merely indicates that the equipment items providing the equipment of the racetrack 2, such as the starting blocks 34, 44, the finish gates 35, 45, the scoreboards 36, 46 and the signaling devices 37, 47, can be connected to their own track and to other equipment items via the central unit 8. Thanks to this, the operation of the equipment items can be coordinated with each other, and the conduct of the competitions can be controlled and automated. Moreover, in such a way that the competitors, the organizers and judges (jury), as well as the spectators, are immediately and continuously informed of all relevant data and information.

The example design shown in Figures 1 and 2 shows the basic case for a competition between two competitors (or two teams). By maintaining the principles described intact - as mentioned above - it is possible to create a facility suitable for the simultaneous competition of several competitors (or several teams).

In these cases, it is also possible to achieve a completely identical track layout, precisely simultaneous starts, safe distances, continuous information for the competitors, and an exciting and spectacular competition for both them and their spectators.

There is also no obstacle to racing taking place not on two-dimensional tracks, but on three-dimensional tracks, and not only on the ground (on several levels), but even in other media, e.g. water or air. Of course, suitable water or air vehicles must be constructed for this.

The race track arrangement according to the invention can be used in all cases where, with the help of typically motorized - mobile equipment, exciting competition and an enhanced racing experience must be offered while keeping safety and equal opportunities in mind.

Claims (14)

Patent claims 1. A race track layout for holding speed and/or skill competitions, for comparing the performances of human effort or human-operated racing equipment, and within this, for conducting the competition in a way that provides equal opportunities, minimizes the risk of accidents and avoids the possibility of disturbing the competitors, in which layout the race track is installed on the terrain and has a starting point, a finish point and a route leading from the starting point to the finish point, and is further supplemented, if applicable, with information displays serving to inform the competitors and/or protective equipment suitable for protecting their physical integrity, characterized in that the race track (2) is divided into at least two largely independent, preferably complementary first and second track tracks (3, 4) in pairs, the first and second track tracks (3, 4) being installed around a central area (5) inaccessible to the competitors or accessible only in certain cases, the first and second each of the trackways (3, 4) is formed by at least one closed corridor (31, 41) with a physically impassable boundary on both edges, and an open corridor (32, 42) with an impassable boundary on only one edge; of the first and second trackways (3, 4) belonging to each other, a transition zone (33) is located between the closed corridor (31) and the open corridor (32) of the first trackway (3), and a transition zone (43) is also located between the closed corridor (41) and the open corridor (42) of the second trackway (4), and the - optionally accessible - central space (5) is connected to the first and second trackways (3, 4) via the transition zones (33, 43). 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed corridors (31, 41) are separated from the central space (5) by the inner boundary structure (6), and from the open corridor (32, 42) by the outer boundary structure (7). 3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner boundary structure (6) is designed along a line that returns to itself, e.g. as a palisade, enclosing the central space (5). 4. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner boundary structure (6) is replaced by a visual marking in at least one section near the transition zones (33, 43). 5. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the inner boundary structure (6) is intermittently surrounded by the outer boundary structure (7). 6. Arrangement according to claims 1-5, characterized in that in the transition zones (33, 43) the first track (3) and the second track (4) cross each other at a level. 7. Arrangement according to claims 1-5, characterized in that in the transition zones (33, 43) the first track (3) and the second track (4) cross each other with a level shift. 8. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the tracks (3, 4) are equipped with a starting device (34, 44), a finishing gate (35, 45), a scoreboard (36, 46), and one or more signaling devices (37, 47) are installed to give instructions to the competitors and/or indicate danger and/or communicate other information. 9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the signaling devices (37, 47) are devices suitable for displaying visual and/or auditory information. 10. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the scoreboards (36, 46) and, if applicable, the starting devices (34, 44) and/or the signaling devices (37, 47) are connected to a central unit (8). 11. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the first track (3), its parts and accessories bear a symbol that harmonizes with each other, preferably the same color. 12. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the second track (4), its parts and accessories bear a symbol that harmonizes with each other, preferably the same color. 13. Arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the color of the first track (3) and the color of the second track (4) differ clearly from each other. 14. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the racing track (2) is equipped with auxiliary devices influencing its surface quality, e.g. wetting or dust removal devices. The authorized person: PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE FABER MIKLÓS patent attorney ipil Bu/jlpest, Főu. 19.