US2026181A - Race game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P. G. KENNEDY 2,026,181

RACE GAME APPARATUSv Filed March 16, 1953 Dec. 31,

\ 4 Sheets-Sheet l P. G. KENNEDY RACE GAME APPARATUS Filed March 16, V1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw F .5. 22, M1

Dec. 31, 1935. P, Q KENH-:ENh 2,026,181

i RACE GAME APPARATUS- Filed March 16, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 EY VMMM'A Ibm muy Dec. 31, 1935. P. G. KENNEDY RACE GAME APPARATUS Filed March 16, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 atentecl Dec. 31', 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i Application March 16, 1933, Serial No. 661,062 In vG rreat Britain May 12 1932 14 claims. (ol. 4672,11)

rIfhis invention relates to apparatus for 'use in race games and more particularly to thosewhich ,employ miniature automobiles or like self-propelled vehicles.

Apparatus of the said kind includes a` plurality of tracks or guide-waysl and a plurality of ,miniature electrically-driven automobiles or the Tlike adapted to be guided by said tracks. One object of the present invention is the provision of race gaine apparatus by which the excite- ;'nient and interest assciated with motor car racing is capable of reproduction in an inexpensive manner. For the vehicles to be effective in their `reproduction of motor car racing, it is necessary for them to be capable of traversing the tracks 4,at high speeds and of executing lateral sideslips or skids when negotiating the curves or corners with which the track is provided.

The provision of vehicles which meet the` aboverecited conditions is another object of the present invention and this object is attained by the provision of improved self guiding means by Awhich the front of the vehicle is held to its course l,notwithstanding the lateral movements of the rear of the vehicle under the influence of centrifugal force. Such force may operate to skid the vehicle to the right or to the left of the .track viewed in the direction of travel and an 'essential part of my invention consists in guiding means which engage the guide-way so that the restraining or constraining function is exercised whether the lateral force be exerted to lmove the vehicle to the right or to the left relative to the track, such characteristic being referred to iny the appended claims as bi-lateral. I n combination with guiding means constructed to operate in the manner described, I employ means for supplying electric current to the motor of the vehicle arranged to maintain contact ,with conductor rails during slewing movements bf the rear of the vehicle and allow the driving force applied to the rear driving wheels to be continued undiminished. Means of articulation between the front axle and the vehicle structure are adapted to bring about a slowing of the vehicle when slewing occurs under the influence of centrifugal force on curves or corners, by allowing the rear wheels to contact with the guideway.

lThe invention further consists in the novel combinations of partsY described in the annexed specification, illustrated in the` accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Torfaciltate a clear understanding ofl the invention, I have appended hereto four explanatory sheets of drawings whereinr- Figure 1 is a p art sectional elevation of a miniature automobile incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the vehicle shown in Figure l with the upper part of the body removed.

Figure 3 is an elevation looking from the front of the front axle assembly included in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 3 with the steering wheels removed.

Figure 5 is a plan view cf another construction of front axle.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the front axle construction shown in Figurel 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an electric current pick-up.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional elevation of another form of bi-lateral guiding device,

Figure 9 shows in cross-section a further form of 'bi-lateral guiding device.

Figure 10 illustrates relative positions which c-an be assumed by the front and rear axles during the continuance of the guiding action.

Figure 11 is a part sectional elevation of an electric motor driving unit.

Figure l2 is a plan of Figure ll.

In the drawings is illustrated a model or miniature automobile but the general shape of the body or cover may be adapted to simulate other congurations such as those appertaining tol airplanes, airships, motor boats, etc. while retaining the characteristics of the invention. Since the Vehicles are intended to travel at high so as to emulatethe thrills associated with motor car racing, the construction of the vehicles presents problems or requirements of an engineering character not usually met with in game apparatus; they must be reliable under the high stresses set up by the high speeds to avoid breakdown, and controversy between players during the progress ofi a race.

A construction which takes the shape and form of a miniature motor car of the racing type is shown in Figures 1 and 2 wherein the model comprises a body I, a rear axle and wheel unit 2, an electric driving unit motor 3, and a front axle unit 4'.

The body is built up or composed of two main parts the upper of which denoted by 5 acts asV a c over andis shaped in imitation of the stream line formation of a racing motor car, while the lower part forms the platform 6' or backbone of the structure whereon are mounted the electric motor 3 and the front axle unit 4. Sheet metal may be adopted as the basic material for the upper body part 5 or as shown a moulded composition may be used and provided with moulded-in inserts 1 tapped to receive holding screws 8 at front and rear. As an alternative, dowels 3a shown in the fragmentary view at the right of Figure 1 may be moulded in the platform member ii to engage plain holes in the inserts 'l with pushfit limits to facilitate quick access to the mechanism of the driving unit. The body front 9 is sloped backwards to reduce head resistance and formed at It with an inclined locating ledge. For convenience, the dividing plane I2 of the two body parts passes horizontally through the centre of the rear axle, support for which is not provided directly from the body but indirectly by way of the electric driving unit as will be described more particularly hereinafter. A clearance aperture l l is disposed half in the upper body part 5 and half in the platform part 6 to allow freedom for rotation of the rear live axle.

To permit of the vehicle negotiating the curves or corners at high speed without overturning except under extreme conditions, a controlled degree of freedom is desirable in the coupling between the front axle unit and the Vmain structure, and one simple illustrated construction which meets the required conditions comprises a pin and hole connection in conjunction with resilient material. In the construction shown, a pin i3 is fixed in the front axle structure and the hole M is provided in a forward extension of the lower body part 6 with sufficient clearance to allow of the required amount of relative universal movement between the connected parts. Such relative displacement of the front and rear axles is shown in Figure 10 in which the rear axle is horizontal and the front axle inclined, the former being able to supply the driving movement which propels the vehicle while the latter unit continues to hold the vehicle to its pre-determined path. Control of the relative of the two axles is exercised by a pair of coiled compression springs I6, l1 Figures l and 1), placed one above the platform extension l5 and the other placed intermediate the platform extension and the axle structure. Such springs are put into a state of compression before the initial run of the vehicle and the force exerted by them may be varied by means of an adjustable abutment such as a nut i8 with a locknut I9 screwed on to the upper end of the upstanding pin I3.

In Figures 5 and 6 are illustrated means for frictional damping of the relative movement between the front axle unit and the main structure consisting of a resilient frictional pad 2i) of rubber or the like.

The front axle structure extends outwardly to carry the stub axles 2| on which the road wheels 22 are journalled and may in addition incorporate the means by which electrical contact is made between the moving vehicle and the conductor rails to which electric current is supplied. Such electric contact means may be adapted to guide the vehicle along the designed path while permitting of slewing or side-slipping of the rear of the vehicle when lateral skidding occurs on the curves or corners. With this object in view, the front axle structure may be provided with contact slippers 23 Figures 3, Ll, and 'l hinged at 24 to the forward part of the axle bed or beam '25 and caused to press inwardly against the re1- evant Contact rail by a spring 26 conveniently of the coiled compression type looped over upright insulated pillars 2 on the slipper body. Channel section is suitable for the forward part of the slipper arm and angle section for the rear part thereof which includes the slipper proper 28 curved to accommodate the various relative posi- 5 tions of the axle structure and the guide-way during the travel of the vehicle. It will be seen from Figure 4 that the width across the outsides of the trailing ends of the hinged arms 23 is less than the space between the depending parts of the l0 front axle structure indicated at 29 by which the front of the car can either move bodily in relation to the guide or the front axle can turn around the upstanding pin I3 without losing contact electrically or without ceasing to be guided by the guide-way. The spring 26 ensures that the two arms follow the movement of the vehicle in relation to the guide-way, but under extreme conditions it will yield and the vehicle may overturn in a similar manner to that which occurs in full scale motor car racing. The game is rendered more spectacular by this provision and some measure of safety is obtained for the electric driving device by the interruption of the electric supply when the contacts are broken.

While the foregoing description indicates how a vehicle may be constrained to follow a prescribed path in a more or less horizontal plane, it is desirable to incorporate means whereby the front of the vehicle is prevented from leaving 30 the guide-way in an upward direction so that 'the only direction in which the vehicle has complete freedom of movement is lengthwise oi the track. Means of this character may be combined with or form part of the electric current pick-up device, and in Figure 3 a horizontally-projecting tongue 3@ on the pivoted contact arm 23 is positioned at the lower edgev of the slipper face 28 to operate by engagement with the under side or face of the conductor rail 3l and so hold down the front 40 of the vehicle unless subjected to forces of a suhciently high order to overturn the vehicle. Current is conveyed from the contact slippers to the electric motor through suitable leads 32 soldered or otherwise iixed to the pivoted arm.

A construction in which the guiding means are separate from the current pick-up means is illustrated in Figure 8 wherein the bi-lateral guiding means comprise a headed member of T cross-section marked 33 in Figure 8 and one of L section 50 in Figure 9 marked 34, arranged to engage a slot or groove in the guide rail 3% or St. The electric current pick-up means may in this case be simplecurved strips 3l disposed to press yieldingly or springily on the conductor rails 38, and maintain contact therewith during the lateral and lengthwise movements of the front of the machine.

I have illustrated two different types of front axle, one of which is built up of steel with attached parts oi insulating material while the 50 other is produced by a moulding process. In an example of the latter shown in Figures 3 and 4, the axle beam 25 and stub axles 2l are integrated as a moulded composition body which enables a realistic shape to be imparted to the axle; the metallic stub axles andthe coupling pin I3 are roughened or shaped polygonally at their ends to ensure effective iixation in the moulded composition in a manner known in the art. As such material, usually a synthetic resin or ormaldehyde product, has a high specic resistance to the passage of electric currents, the pivoted members by which electric contact is made can be mounted directly on an extension of the axle beam. In another construction shown in Figures 5 and 6, 75

the axle structure comprises a transverse metal bar 39 upswept at its ends to form the stub axles;'two longitudinal spaced strips 46 of fibre or other insulating material to the front ends of which the contact arms are hinged; and a llat connecting plate 4|` of metal for joining the axle bar and the fibre strips conveniently by means of screws 42.

` In the interest of standardization, the road wheels are preferably duplicate blanks with an appropriate variation introduced to" adapt them either for running free on the stub axles 2| for use as front steering wheels 22, or for xing to the live rear axle 43 to function as driving wheels 44.` 'Metalor mouldedcomposition may be used bust in either material it is desirable to include ribbed brake drums45, to provide a conoidal formation 46 on theouter face of the wheel, and to cantor incline the stub axles so that the model follows closely the lines of a racing car. The front wheelsmay beheld on to their stub axles in a lateralV sense by collars 41 screwed, pegged, soldered or otherwise xed in position, while a convenient driving xing for the rear wheels consists of a polygonal recess 48 in the inner face of the hub, la nut 49 fixed by screw to the axle shaft, and .a nut 56 on the end of the said axle shaft. This method is suitable fo-r a wheel of moulded materialbut for a metal wheel, the hub may be tapped. to engage the thread on the shaft end.

VrThe coupling between the front axle unit and the main structure 'of the car may be situated at a point substantially in alignment with the'axes of `thestee`ringwheels to'4', or as shown in. Figure 5 the coupling point may be arranged rearward of the said axes. If a trailing action is desired, the coupling point is placed in advance of the steering wheel axes.4

4It is preferred to space the rear driving wheels 44 so that the track or width between the wheels is less-than the track of the steering wheels 22. The electric driving unit must be able to meet the conditions of high speed developed by the miniature machines and the possibility of damage through overturning, and in Figures 11 and l2 the unit is constructed so that the horseshoe type of permanent magnet constitutes the foundation on which the mechanism is built. Said magnet 5| rests o-n the floor 52 of the platform body part 6 and is iixed thereto by screws and brackets 53 which may be extended to form bearer bars 54 for journally supporting the armature shaft 55 and the live driving axle 43. Lubrication of these small bearings is an. important factor in the life of the unit, and provision is made for supplying oil continuously and in a manner easy of replenishment by the incorporation-of absorbent pads 56 of felt or other suitable material convveniently held in position by tongues of springy material 51 which press on the outer face of the pads. The latter are in contact with the ends of the armature shaft 55 and encircle the live driving axle 43.

Appropriate brush gear for conveying current to the commutator 59 includes a pair of arms 60 hinged at one end toi an H-section bre block 6| andprovided at their free ends with brushes 62; springs 63 apply pressure to the brushes to maintain them in Contact with the commutator 59, and current-carrying leads 64 are soldered or otherwise xed to extensions 65 on the arms 6|).l

Gearing for reducing the i velocity ratio conveniently comprises a pair of spur wheels the smaller one 66 of which is fixed to the armature shaft while the larger one 61 is secured tothe rear live axle 43.

By my invention is provided a vehicle capable of high speed travel with mechanical and electrical reliability; capable of executing lateral sideslips on the curves or corners of the track while being held to its course in respect to the front part of the vehicle; and in general embodying appearance and other characteristics associated with racing motor cars whereby the players are enabled to participate in and enjoy the thrills of motor car racing'but in an inexpensive manner not hitherto available.

lHaving described my invention, what I claim 1s:-

l. A miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game comprising in combination, a rear driving axle, an electric motor operatively connected to said rear axle, a front steering axle, and a spring-controlled guiding means which im holds the front of the vehicle bi-laterally to a guide and permits of a restricted amount of lateral movement of the front of the vehicle relative to said guide.

2. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle unit comprising in combination, stub axles for journally carrying the road wheels, an axle beam supporting said stub axles, means of articulation on said beam for coupling to the vehicle structure, and a pair of :to spaced yieldingly-mounted current pick-up and guiding -devices on said axle beam for co-operation with a guide.

3. In a miniature automobile orlike vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle unit comprising in combination, stub axles for journally carrying the road wheels, an axle beam supporting said stub axles, means of articulation on said beam for coupling to the vehicle structure, a pair of currentpick-up and guiding arms hinged to said axle beam, a spring tending t-o close said arms on to a guide, and stops on said arms to co-operate with the axle beam and limit the lateral move- .ment of said arms in relation to the said axle beam. 45

4. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle unit comprising in combination stub axles, an axle member supporting said stub axles, means of articulation on said axle for coupling to the vehicle structure, a pair of spaced yieldingly-mounted current pickup devices at the front of the vehicle, and a bilateral guiding device at the front of the vehicle for coi-operation with a guide.

5. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle, an axle bed plate secured to said axle, a pair of parallel spaced insulating members attached to said axle bed plate,

a pair of spaced current pick-up and guiding arms hinged on said insulating members, and means of articulation on said bed plate for coupling to the vehicle structure.

6. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a moulded front axle bed plate, stub axles inserted in said bed plate, a pair of integral strips disposed longitudinally on said bed plate, a pair of spaced current pick-up and guiding arms hinged on said bed plate, and means of articulation on said bed plate for coupling to the vehicle structure. 70

7. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle, a pair of spaced yieldingly-mounted current pick-up devices on said axle for contact with conductor rails, a guiding device on said axle for co-operation with a guide, an articulated coupling permitting universal movement between the said iront axle and the vehicle structure, resilient means for restraining movement of said coupling, and stops for posiltively limiting the movement of said coupling.

8. In a race game employing a plurality of electrically-driven automobile or like vehicle, the combination in a vehicle, of a rear driving axle, driving road wheels thereon, means for self-steering the vehicle comprising a guide, a front steering axle, steering road wheels journalle-d thereon, means positioned at the front of the vehicle to engage bi-laterally with said guide to render the vehicle self-steering, means of articulation between the said front axle and the vehicle structure to allow the rear wheels to slew in relation to the front wheels and to contact with said guide, and current pick-up means positioned at the front of the vehicle.

9. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle, means of articulation on said axle for coupling to the vehicle structure, a pair of spaced yieldingly-mounted current pick-up and guiding devices on said axle for cao-operation with a guide, and means projecting horizontally from each of said guiding devices for engagement with a horizontally-projecting part of said guide to resist upward movement of said axle in relation to the ground.

10. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle, means of articulation on said axle for coupling to the vehicle structure, a pair of spaced yieldinglymounted current pick-up and guiding devices on said axle for co-operation with a guide, each of said guiding devices including an arm hinged at one end to the axle on an upright axis, a spring attached to said arms tending to close them on to said guide, and a horizontally-projecting tongue at the free end of each of said armsy for engagement with a horizontally-projecting part of said guide to resist upward movement of said axle in relation to the ground.

1l. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle, means of articulation on said axle ir coupling to the vehicle structure, a pair of spaced arms hinged at one end to the axle on an upright axis, and resilient means tending to close said arms on to a guide. 5

12. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle for use in a race game, a front axle, means of articulation on said axle for coupling to the vehicle structure, a pair of spaced arms hinged at one end to the axle on an upright axis, L shaped-contact pads at the free ends of said arms, a spring anchorage on each of said arms, and a spring attached to said anchorages tending to close said arms on to a guide.

13. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle l5 for use in a race game, a front axle for journally carrying the road wheels, a pair of spaced yieldingly-mounted current pick-up and guiding devices on said axle for co-operation with a guide, and means of articulation on said axle for coupling to the vehicle structure having a body part, said articulation means comprising an upstanding pin on the axle, a clearance hole in the body part encircling said pin, a spring abutment at the upper end of said pin, a spring positioned intermediate said spring abutment and the upper horizontal face of said body part, and a spring positioned between the lower horizontal face of said body part and the said axle.

' 14. In a miniature automobile or like vehicle 30 for use in a race game, a front axle for journally carrying the road wheels, a pair of spaced yieldingly-mounted current pick-up and guiding devices on said axle for co-operation with a guide, and means of articulation on said axle for coupling to the vehicle structure having a body part comprising a pivot pin upstanding from said axle, a clearance hole in the body part encircling said pin, a spring abutment at the upper end of said pin, a spring positioned intermediate said 40 spring abutment and said body part, and a frictional damping pad insertedl between the underside of said body part and the said axle member.

PATRICK GILBERT KNNEDY.

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