US2406481A - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. (27, 1946. w. A. TRI XTSCH 2,406,481

4 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Ma 17, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 m nute. I

n M/em m/w 1946- w-. A. TRATSCH AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1945 s Shets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. B (M/far 774/56? w; A. TRATSCH AMUSEMENT APPARATUS File d my 17,.194 5- Aug. 27,1945.

3- Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 27, 1946 Walter A. Tratsch, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Cl'alrence E. Threedy, Chicago, 111., as trustee Application May 17, 1945,- Serial No. 594,297

6 Claims. 1

v 3 his invention relates to amusement apparatuses. v V

More specifically the invention relates to a mechanism for providing a staggered and intermittent movement of a plurality of objects each.

simulating a race horse or a greyhound or other animal or character, over an unobstructed track, and to this end it is sought by this invention to accomplish the foregoing by a structure .which is simple and economical in manufacture, requiring the minimum number of parts for effective operation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in'the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

' The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. lis a plan view of the amusement apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional detail view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view of the same taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of the same taken substantially on line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical plan view of a suggested circuit arrangement embodied in the in- Vention. v

The drawings illustrate the preferred form of construction by which the several objects of this invention are accomplished. In this connection a suitable mounting plate is indicated at I0. Positioned atone end of this mounting, plate is a U -shaped bracket the end portions |2 of which are, arranged in parallel relation with respect to each other to provide spaced bearings for a driven shaft 3 extending through the mounting plate l and extending vertically thereabove. The lower end portion of this shaft I3 is slotted as at I for the reception of a key l6 carried by the driving. shaft H, which driving shaft I! i rotated by a suitable driving power, such for example, an electric or spring motor (not shown).,. The major length of this shaft I3 is provided with a longitudinal slot l8 for reasons hereinafter set forth. Positioned upon the shaft l3 and fixed thereto by means of a suitable set screw l9 and located adjacent the lower end portions l2 of the bracket I is a collar 20.

Upon this shaft |3 in spaced relation with respect to each other are arranged a plurality of driving discs 2|. Each disc 2| supports a pulley 22. Each disc 2| provides a central hub 23 projected through an opening 24 formed in the pulley 22 supported by the disc. Each hub 23 extends slightly above the top surface 25 of the adjacent pulley 22 so that the hubs are in effect resting one upon the other and support the discs 2| in spaced relation from the pulleys 22, 'asbest shown in Fig. 3. Each hub 23 is provided with a transverse web 26 which fits into the longitudinal slot 3 formed in the shaft l3 whereby to provide driving connection between the discs 2| andthe shaft l3. Each pulley comprises a groove 21 and a ratchet gear 28; In the grooves 21 of the pulleys work continuou ribbon-like belts 29.

At the opposite end of the mounting plate H1 3 there is secureda substantially U-shaped bracket 30, the end portions 3| of which providesuitable bearings for the ends 32 of a shaft 33 disposed between the end portions3 v On this shaft 33 there is arranged a plurality of pulleys 34 spaced from each other by suitable collars 35 disposed between the pulleys a shown. The top and bottom pulley of the pulleys 34, are spaced from the end portions 3| of the bracket 30 by a suitable bushings 36. These pulleys 34 each comprise grooves 31 in which work the continuous ribbon-like belts 29. V

The lowermost of "the discs 2| (as shown in Fig. 3)'rests' upon the collar 20 fixed to the shaft 3 by the set screw t9.

The arrangement is such that when the shaft |3 is rotated by the shaft H, the pulleys 22, resting'u'pon the driving discs 2|, will rotate with the discs 2| except when prevented from doing so in a manner now to be described. Fixed to the mounting plate It) is a supporting bracket 38. Carried by this bracket 38 are a plurality of independently operated solenoids 39 each comprising a solenoid shaft 40 adapted to be projected outwardly toward the pulleys 22 by any suitable or well-known means successively engage the ratchet gears 28 of the pulleys 22 to momentarily hold one of the pulleys against rotation witli its respective drivin'gor supporting disc 2|.

This successive engagement between the solenoid shafts lt' and the ratchet gears 29 may be accomplished in any suitable manner, butfor the purpose of illustration I have shown in Fig. 6 a circuit diagram capable of this accomplishment. In this connection, 4| indicates a motor-driven switch arm, the motor being indicated at 42 and arranged in an electric circuit 43, in which circuit there is a master switch 44 to control operation of themotor 42. 'This switch arm' lliis adapted, in the present instance, to engage contact buttons 45 having connection with the solenoids. The opposite side of these solenoids is connected by the circuit conductors 41 to the source of electric energy 48.

The arrangement is such that upon engagejment between the switch arm 4| and one of the contact buttons 45, the solenoid coil connected to such button will be energized and the solenoid shaft 40 projected into engagement with the gear 128 to momentarily hold the pulley with which that gearis associated, against rotation with its driving or supporting disc. This will permit the remaining belts 29 to rotate while the belt of the pulley thus restrained from rotation will momentarily remain stationary. While I have illustrated in Fig. 6 that the buttons 45 are successively engaged, it is obvious that an arrangement maybe adopted for alternately engaging such buttons. Secured to each of the belts 29 is a spring-like 7 supporting wire 49 which supports a suitable object which object may simulate a race horse, greyhound or other racing animal. This racing object may be supported fromits respective wire support49 in a manner substantially similar to that disclosed-inapplication, Serial No. 574,436, filed January 25, 1945. w

i To complete the invention, a suitable structure isprovided to simulate a race track R. In this connection it is one of the objects of this invention to support this race track in a manner such as would not interfere with the movement of the wires 49 by the belts 129. To accomplish this object, there is provided a plurality of rod-like elements 52 equally spaced from each other as. best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, to provide guideways 52', which in the present'instance are substantially 'QVQzl-Shtlilfid in plan view and between which the wires 49 project and move;

1 These rod-like members 52'are arranged concentrically with respect to each other to simulate a racetrack. These red like members 52 are supported by bars 5-3 arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other and bent'to provide vertical end portions 54 secured to the' rod-like members 52 by soldering or the like. These bars 53 are further bent to provide horizontal end portions 55 secured to plates 56 carried by the brackets l l. As the bars 53 are concentric with respect to each other and support the track rods 52 in concentric relation with re- :spect to each other, it is manifest that the guideways- 52' between each of the track rods 52 and bars 53 are unobstructed, thus permitting the 'wires 49 'tolmove through the passages 51 free from any interference.

The operation of the amusement apparatus is as follows:

Upon rotation of the shaft IS the pulleys 22, by reason of their frictional engagement with the discs 2|, will be caused to rotate and in turn the belts 29 will travel around these pulleys and the pulleys 34.. As the belts 29 travel around the pulleys 22 and 34, the supporting wires 49 will move along the track provided by the track rods 52.

and carry the racing object 5| therewith. Upon operation of the motor 42, the switch arm 4! will be successively brought into contact with the conductor buttons 45 and successively effect energization of the solenoid coils 46, thus successively projecting the solenoid shafts 45 into engagement with'the ratchet gears 28, momentarily restraining rotation of one of the pulleys 22. While restrained, the belt of that pulley, 29, will momentarily stop traveling'and consequently the racing,

object carried thereby will likewise momentarily stop moving, thus'permitting the other racing ob-' jects to advance forward of the racing object momentarily stopped. By this arrangement, the

racing objects may advance ahead of one 'another, thus simulating a fast-moving object and one which has been slowed up or momentarily stopped. As before stated, while I have not indicated the mechanism for alternately engaging the conductor buttons 45, such mechanism may be provided without departing from the spirit of this invention.

, From the foregoing description, it is apparent that there is provided an amusement apparatus "in which the racing objects may gain or. lose according to the degree of rotation of the pulleys- 22 controlling their movement over a track simu-' Y lated by the track rods 52.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention *into efiect, this iscapable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as comewithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: I V

1'. An apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of spaced supporting brackets, a shaft supported by each of said brackets, a plurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect .to each other on one of said shafts and freely rotatable with respect thereto, a plurality of pulleys arranged in superimposed relation with respect to each other on the other of said'shafts and freelyrotatable with.re-. spec't thereto, with each pulley providing a ratch et gear, a plurality of driven discs supporting, said last-named pulleys, means for connecting said discs to said other of the shafts for rotation therewith, continuous belt 'members rotatable around said pulleys,'and means adaptedto selectively engage said ratchet gears to selectively restrain said last-named pulleys against rotation.

2. An apparatus of the class described'comprising a pair of spaced supporting brackets, a shaft supported by each of said brackets, a plurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect to each other on one of said shafts and freely rotatable with respect there-to, a plurality of pulleys arranged in superimposed Mtively restrain said last-named pulleys against rotation. a

3. An apparatus of the class described, eom= prising a bracket member, a driven shaft sup ported by said bracket member, a plurality of grooved pulleys mounted in superimposed-rela .tion with respect to eachother and freelyrotatable with respect to said shaft, a'drive'n disc supporting each of said pulleys and? having frictional N L Li driving engagement with respect thereto, means for connecting said discs to said shaft for rotation therewith, and means for selectively restraining rotation of one of said pulleys with respect to the disc supporting said pulley, said last-named means including a ratchet gear on each of said pulleys and a solenoid shaft adapted to engage said ratchet gear.

4. An apparatus of .the class described, comprising a bracket member, a driven shaft supported by said bracket member, a plurality of grooved pulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect to each other and freely rotatable with respect to said shaft, a driven disc supporting each of said pulleys and having frictional driving engagement with respect thereto, means for connecting said discs to said shaft for rotation therewith, said means comprising a longitudinal slot formed in said shaft and a hub formed in each of said discs and having a central web disposed on said slot, and means for selectively restraining rotation ofone of said pulleys with respect to the disc supporting said pulley, said last-named means including a ratchet gear on each of said pulleys and a solenoid shaft adapted to engage saidratchet gear.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a structure simulating a race track, a mounting plate, spaced bracket members on said plate, shaft members carried by said bracket members, a plurality of pulleys mounted on one of said shaft members for free rotation with respect thereto, a plurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect to each other on said other shaft member and freely rotatable with respect thereto, continuous 'belt elements rotatable over said pulleys, a plurality of discs i for supporting the pulleys mounted on said other shaft, means for connecting the discs to said other shaft for rotation therewith, means for selectively and momentarily restraining rotation of the pulleys on said other shaft, a plurality of racing objects above said track, means connecting said racing objects to said belt elements for support above said track, and driving means for said other shaft.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising a, structure simulating a race track, a mounting plate, spaced bracket members on said plate, shaft members carried by said bracket members, a plurality of pulleys mounted on one of said shaft members for free rotation with respect thereto, a plurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect to each other on said other shaft member and freely rotatable with respect thereto, continuous belt elements rotatable over said pulleys, a plurality of discs for supporting the pulleys mounted on said other shaft, means for connecting the discs to said other shaft for rotation therewith, means for selectively and momentarily restraining rotation of the pulleys on said other shaft, said means comprising a ratchet gear provided by each of said pulleys and a solenoid shaft adapted to engage said ratchet gear, a plurality of racing objects above said track, means connecting said racing "objects to said belt elements for support above said track, and driving means for said other shaft.

WALTER A. TRATSCH.

Images