US3596103A — Multiple timing apparatus for track events and th…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 165 words

A timing apparatus adapted to measure and record various times from individual racing lanes, comprising: a. a support frame assembly to straddle a plurality of the racing lanes, b. signal generator means to place an output beam of energy within respective ones of the racing lanes, c. a plurality of signal receiver means supported on said frame assembly in operating cooperation with respective ones of said signal generator means, d. timing means operably connected to said signal receiver means operable on interruption of a signal between said generator means and said receiver means to record the actual time of interruption of said beam of energy in individual ones of the racing lanes, e. said timing means including an electrical circuit means operably connected to timer assemblies associated with respective ones of said signal receiver means, and a start switch means connected to all of said timer assemblies to simultaneously actuate said timer assemblies to start recordation of time required for the start of a race.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 165 words

A timing apparatus adapted to measure and record various times from individual racing lanes, comprising: a. a support frame assembly to straddle a plurality of the racing lanes, b. signal generator means to place an output beam of energy within respective ones of the racing lanes, c. a plurality of signal receiver means supported on said frame assembly in operating cooperation with respective ones of said signal generator means, d. timing means operably connected to said signal receiver means operable on interruption of a signal between said generator means and said receiver means to record the actual time of interruption of said beam of energy in individual ones of the racing lanes, e. said timing means including an electrical circuit means operably connected to timer assemblies associated with respective ones of said signal receiver means, and a start switch means connected to all of said timer assemblies to simultaneously actuate said timer assemblies to start recordation of time required for the start of a race.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 123 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said signal generator means and said signal receiver means both connected to said support frame assembly in a spaced relationship to project an ultrasonic signal against a reflecting surface on the racing lanes in order to receive the same and complete the circuit, b. interruption of said ultrasonic beam operable to actuate said timing means, and c. said timing means including said electrical circuit means having first solenoid members operable by said signal receiver means to actuate second solenoid members to operate respective timing elements for a stopping function, and said start switch in said circuit means connected to said second solenoid members to actuate all of same concurrently as a starting function.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 120 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said timing means including a rotatable drum member having a calibrated paper roll thereover and driven by a constant speed timing motor, and a plurality of spaced pen members, each individually actuated by said signal receiver means into contact with said calibrated paper roll for readily indicating accurate and visual results of a race in the various racing lanes, b. said electrical circuit means connected to a plUrality of solenoid members, and c. said solenoid members operably connected to respective ones of said pen members to move same into and out of engagement with said paper roll on interruption of said signals between said generator means and said receiver means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 207 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said timer assemblies including a plurality of various timer elements to be operated by said beams of energy in respective ones of the racing lanes and a plurality of actuator members in cooperative alignment with said timer elements for operating the same on start and stop conditions, b. said actuator members each respectively operated on receiving a signal through said circuit means from said signal receiver means operable to start and stop each said timer element, c. said actuator members being electrical solenoid members selectively operable to actuate a start/stop button on respective ones of said timer elements, d. said circuit means having a plurality of relay members operably connected, respectively, to said solenoid members for operating the same, and e. said start switch operable to momentarily and concurrently actuate said relay members to operate said solenoid members to serve as a starting function whereupon all of said timing elements are operable at the same time; and said relay members operable on interrupting said beam of energy between said signal generator means and said signal receiver means to operate respective ones of said relays, said solenoid members, and said timer elements to serve as the stopping function.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 44 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein: a. said timer elements each being a stopwatch mechanism having one of said stop/start buttons and a reset button thereon operable to efficiently and effectively record times of persons running in the individual racing lanes.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 93 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said timer assembly including a constantly moving timing motor having a drive shaft interconnected as by gear members to respective ones of clock mechanisms, and b. said circuit means including solenoid means operable to move a portion of said clock mechanisms in and out of engagement with said gear on said drive shaft for a starting and stopping function thereof whereupon said timing motor is constantly rotating so as to eliminate errors from the various starting and stopping torques found in any motor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 58 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein: a. said clock mechanism including a driven shaft with one end connected to a timer member, one of said gears secured to the other end of said driven shaft, and a yoke assembly connected to said driven shaft for moving same axially to connect and disconnect said gear members.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 61 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein: a. said yoke assembly having an actuator rod connected to said solenoid member and a spring member connected to said actuator rod to bias same into connection of said gear members with said solenoid members operable to bias said gear members out of engagement, and secondly, to hold same in such position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 193 words

A timing apparatus adapted to measure and record various times from individual racing lanes, comprising: a. a support frame assembly extended transversely of a plurality of the racing lanes, b. mechanical actuator means connected to said frame assembly having trip means extended transversely of respective ones of the racing lanes, c. timing means operably connected to said mechanical actuator means operable on moving said trip means to record accurate time of crossing individual ones of the racing lanes, d. said support frame assembly including a plurality of downwardly depending support arms, e. said trip means including a cord member extended between said downwardly depending arms and held in a position by an actuator assembly, f. said actuator assembly including an actuator rod member operably connected To said cord member to hold the same in the taut position and movement of said cord member as by a runner operates to move said actuator rod to deenergize said timing means and record time of the interruption, and g. said rod members operable to provide a signal in said circuit means to operate said timing assemblies to record, respectively, lateral movement of said cord members thereacross.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 193 words

A timing apparatus adapted to measure and record various times from individual racing lanes, comprising: a. a support frame assembly extended transversely of a plurality of the racing lanes, b. mechanical actuator means connected to said frame assembly having trip means extended transversely of respective ones of the racing lanes, c. timing means operably connected to said mechanical actuator means operable on moving said trip means to record accurate time of crossing individual ones of the racing lanes, d. said support frame assembly including a plurality of downwardly depending support arms, e. said trip means including a cord member extended between said downwardly depending arms and held in a position by an actuator assembly, f. said actuator assembly including an actuator rod member operably connected To said cord member to hold the same in the taut position and movement of said cord member as by a runner operates to move said actuator rod to deenergize said timing means and record time of the interruption, and g. said rod members operable to provide a signal in said circuit means to operate said timing assemblies to record, respectively, lateral movement of said cord members thereacross.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 69 words

A timing apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein: a. said timing means including a rotatable drum member having a calibrated paper roll thereover and driven by a constant speed timing motor, and a plurality of spaced pen members, each individually actuated by said signal receiver means into contact with said calibrated paper roll for readily indicating accurate and visual results of a race in the various racing lanes.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 136 words

A timer apparatus adapted to measure and record various times from individual racing lanes, comprising: a. a plurality of spaced upright support posts each having an electrical conduit therein, said support posts connected to a support surface defining the racing lanes, b. electrical continuity means operably connected between adjacent upper ends of said support posts to respective ones of said electrical conduits to provide electrical continuity therebetween, c. signal receiver means mounted in the support surface including a battery member and a relay member electrically connected through said electrical conduits to said continuity means, and d. timing means operably connected to said signal receiver means and having electrical circuit means connected to timer assemblies whereupon breaking of said continuity means operates to immediately actuate said timer assemblies for starting and stopping functions of a given race.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 136 words

A timer apparatus adapted to measure and record various times from individual racing lanes, comprising: a. a plurality of spaced upright support posts each having an electrical conduit therein, said support posts connected to a support surface defining the racing lanes, b. electrical continuity means operably connected between adjacent upper ends of said support posts to respective ones of said electrical conduits to provide electrical continuity therebetween, c. signal receiver means mounted in the support surface including a battery member and a relay member electrically connected through said electrical conduits to said continuity means, and d. timing means operably connected to said signal receiver means and having electrical circuit means connected to timer assemblies whereupon breaking of said continuity means operates to immediately actuate said timer assemblies for starting and stopping functions of a given race.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 53 words

A timer apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein: a. said continuity means being individual foil strips between said support posts, and b. said battery is of low voltage and operably connected to said strips whereas a person running in said individual racing lanes hitting said strips will not receive a shock therefrom.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 75 words

A timer apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein: a. said timing means including a rotatable drum having a calibrated paper roll thereon driven by a constant speed timing motor, and a plurality of spaced pen members each operably connected to said strips by said circuit means to receive signals from various ones of the racing lanes whereupon the actual results of a race may be readily and permanently recorded on said calibrated paper roll.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-07-26	1975-01-25	1975-07-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-07-26	1979-01-25	1979-07-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-07-26	1983-01-25	1983-07-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Multiple timing apparatus for track events and the like

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