US3602508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Racing game with randomly accelerated drive elements
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1967-12-22
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1987-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical horseracing game is disclosed which includes an automatic random selection mechanism for advancing the racers randomly ahead of other racers as all of the other racers are driven forward at a uniform speed. The first racer to reach a switch mechanism at the finish end of the course is indicated the winner automatically. The racers are individually attached to a plurality of parallelly extending conveyor bands driven by a like plurality of pulleys arranged in a linear array. The random selection mechanism includes a ratchet which is randomly reciprocated both in a direction parallel to the array to position the ratchet adjacent a pulley and transverse to said array to bring the ratchet into driving engagement with that pulley to thereby accelerate the engaged pulley and the racer associated therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A Abercrombie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:33
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/14; A63F9/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game comprising a plurality of parallel tracks, a continuous conveyor band in each of said tracks, a simulated racer member mounted on each of said conveyor bands, driving pulleys about which each of said conveyor bands passes said driving pulleys being disposed generally in a linear array extending substantially transversely of said tracks and conveyor bands, first driving means for simultaneously driving all of said pulleys at a constant speed, and random-selection means for randomly driving sequentially any of said driving pulleys by an incremental distance in advance of the remainder of said pulleys while said first driving means is driving said pulleys, said random-selection means comprising a carriage mounted for reciprocation between forward and rearward positions with respect to said driving pulleys along a path substantially transverse to said linear array of driving pulleys, second driving means for driving said carriage to the rearward position, means biasing said carriage towards the forward position, said carriage comprising ratchet means for engaging any one of said driving pulleys, means for reciprocating said ratchet means along a path parallel to said lineAr array of driving pulleys, a random-selection wheel, means for driving said random-selection wheel and means operable by said random-selection wheel for actuating said second driving means to move said carriage rearwardly and engage said ratchet means with one of said driving pulleys whereby said driving pulley is accelerated and the corresponding simulated racer member is advanced an incremental distance relative to the remainder of said simulated racer members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game comprising a plurality of parallel tracks, a continuous conveyor band in each of said tracks, a simulated racer member mounted on each of said conveyor bands, driving pulleys about which each of said conveyor bands passes said driving pulleys being disposed generally in a linear array extending substantially transversely of said tracks and conveyor bands, first driving means for simultaneously driving all of said pulleys at a constant speed, and random-selection means for randomly driving sequentially any of said driving pulleys by an incremental distance in advance of the remainder of said pulleys while said first driving means is driving said pulleys, said random-selection means comprising a carriage mounted for reciprocation between forward and rearward positions with respect to said driving pulleys along a path substantially transverse to said linear array of driving pulleys, second driving means for driving said carriage to the rearward position, means biasing said carriage towards the forward position, said carriage comprising ratchet means for engaging any one of said driving pulleys, means for reciprocating said ratchet means along a path parallel to said lineAr array of driving pulleys, a random-selection wheel, means for driving said random-selection wheel and means operable by said random-selection wheel for actuating said second driving means to move said carriage rearwardly and engage said ratchet means with one of said driving pulleys whereby said driving pulley is accelerated and the corresponding simulated racer member is advanced an incremental distance relative to the remainder of said simulated racer members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game as claimed in claim 1 further comprising manually operable electrical switch means to start said first driving means and random-selection means, and switch means operable by any of said simulated racer members to stop said first driving means and said random-selection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A mechanically driven horse racing game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first driving means comprises a driving shaft upon which each of said driving pulleys is freely rotatably mounted and ratchet means between said driving shaft and each of said pulleys for driving said pulleys with said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second driving means comprises a rotatable cam and linkage between said cam and carriage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for reciprocating said ratchet means along a path parallel to said linear array of driving pulleys comprises a rotatable lead screw having an endless helical thread thereon, gear means for engaging said first driving means when said carriage is in its forward position for rotating said lead screw and a following block engaging said lead screw and reciprocable therealong, said ratchet means being mounted on said following block.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for driving said random-selection wheel comprises a rotatable member driven by said first driving means for engaging the periphery of said random selection wheel when said carriage is in said forward position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said random-selection wheel includes at least one axially extending pin and said means operable by said random-selection wheel for actuating said second driving means comprises an electrical switch operable by said pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mechanically driven horseracing game as claimed in claim 7 further comprising spring means for engaging said pin on said random-selection wheel and for imparting free rotation to said wheel as said carriage is moved rearwardly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |