US3815912A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Race game with preference for random winner related to randomly selected odds
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-21
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Granted: 1974-06-11
•
Expires: 1991-12-21
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a race game apparatus in which racing figures are caused to move along a track from a starting point to a finishing point. In the preferred arrangement the racing figures are model horses ridden by model jockeys and for the start of the race the horses and jockeys are arranged within a replica of a normal starting gate. The apparatus includes an electric motor which is arranged to move the racing figures at random along the track, controlled by an electromechanical mixer device which operates after the end of the race to randomly preselect the winner of the next race. The mixer includes means for assigning odds to each of the horses, and for then preselecting the winner, the selection being influenced by the assigned odds. The mixer includes means for assuring that the random assignment of odds and winner selection occurs after each race, and a unique magnetic clutch for controlling the movement of the rotating elements of the mixer.
Inventors
- 👤 M Wichinsky
- 👤 C Laughton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:04
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/14; A63F9/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
A race game apparatus comprising a plurality of tracks arranged together between a starting line and finish line to form a race course, each of said tracks having associated therewith a racing figure movable on said tracks between said starting line and said finish line, drive means for moving said racing figures between said starting line and said finish line, said drive means being operatively engageable with each of said racing figures, a selectively engageable coupling means associated with each said racing figure for connecting said racing figure to said drive means, means for intermittently engaging and disengaging each said coupling means to cause each of said racing figures to move in a step-by-step manner between said starting line and said finish line, odds selection means for randomly selecting and assigning odds to win to each of said racing figures before each race, winner selection means for randomly preselecting the winner of each race, said winner selection means being operatively interconnected with said odds selection means in such a manner as to give preference in selecting said winner to those of said racing figures having the lowest preselected odds to win assigned by said odds selection means, said winner selection means comprising a rotary switch having at least one output for assignment to each one of said racing figures by said odds selection means and a wiper arm adapted to be sequentially associated with said outputs, a randomly operated switch means for establishing a first initial condition precedent to the selection of a winner, and a relay device responsive to the random operation of said randomly operated switch means and the coincident association of any one of said outputs of said rotary switch with said wiper arm to fix said one output as being connected to the winning racing figure, and means for continuously engaging said coupling means of said winner at a predetermined point in said race, whereby said winner then advances continuously to said finish line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
A race game apparatus comprising a plurality of tracks arranged together between a starting line and finish line to form a race course, each of said tracks having associated therewith a racing figure movable on said tracks between said starting line and said finish line, drive means for moving said racing figures between said starting line and said finish line, said drive means being operatively engageable with each of said racing figures, a selectively engageable coupling means associated with each said racing figure for connecting said racing figure to said drive means, means for intermittently engaging and disengaging each said coupling means to cause each of said racing figures to move in a step-by-step manner between said starting line and said finish line, odds selection means for randomly selecting and assigning odds to win to each of said racing figures before each race, winner selection means for randomly preselecting the winner of each race, said winner selection means being operatively interconnected with said odds selection means in such a manner as to give preference in selecting said winner to those of said racing figures having the lowest preselected odds to win assigned by said odds selection means, said winner selection means comprising a rotary switch having at least one output for assignment to each one of said racing figures by said odds selection means and a wiper arm adapted to be sequentially associated with said outputs, a randomly operated switch means for establishing a first initial condition precedent to the selection of a winner, and a relay device responsive to the random operation of said randomly operated switch means and the coincident association of any one of said outputs of said rotary switch with said wiper arm to fix said one output as being connected to the winning racing figure, and means for continuously engaging said coupling means of said winner at a predetermined point in said race, whereby said winner then advances continuously to said finish line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A race game apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a home stretch switch mounted on said tracks a predetermined distance from said finish line, said home stretch switch operating said means for continuously engaging said coupling means of said preselected winner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A race game according to claim 1 further comprising return means to return said racing figures to said starting position when said winner has reached said finish position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A race game according to claim 3 wherein said odds selection means is actuated by actuation of said return means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
A race game apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotary switch includes a plurality of contacts, each of said contacts being assignable to one of said outputs to represent the chance of said one racing figure being selected as the winner, said wiper arm being driven across said plurality of contacts by a motor, and a second relay device responsive to one of said racing figures crossing said finish line to energize said motor, whereby said wiper arm is driven across said contacts by said motor until said coincident contacting of any one of said contacts and operation of said randomly operated switch means occurs to thereby actuate said first recited relay device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A race game apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further including a clutch interposed between said motor and said wiper arm and responsive to a signal from said first relay device to brake movement of said arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A race game apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said clutch comprises a shaft drivingly coupled to said wiper arm, a field coil selectively electrically connected through said first relay to sources of positive and negative voltage and a permanenet magnetic armature mechanically coupled to said drive shaft and oriented relative to said field coil to brake said shaft when positive voltage is applied to said field coil through said relay and to release said shaft to be rotated by said motor when negative voltage is applied to said field coil through said relay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A race game according to claim 1 further comprising a start switch for operating said drive means to begin the race, said start switch also actuating said winner selection means to preselect said winner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A race game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pulse time delay relay electrically connected to said winner selection means and energized coincidentally therewith to prevent coincident operation of said randomly operated switch means and said first relay device simultaneously with the energization of said winner selection means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
A race game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotary switch includes a plurality of contacts, each of said contacts being assignable to one of said outputs to represent a chance of said one racing figure being selected as the winner, said wiper arm being driven across said plurality of contacts by a motor, and a second relay device responsive to one of said racing figures crossing said finish line to energize said motor, whereby said wiper arm is driven across said contacts by said motor until said coincident contacting of any one of said contacts and operation of said randomly operated switch means occurs to thereby actuate said first recited relay device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3297323A
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Cited
US3709493A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |