[in 3,729,193 [45] Apr. 24,1973
[54] ELECTRONIC RACING GAME
[76] Inventor: George H. Labis, 27 Possum Way, Murray Hill, Union County, N.J. 07971
[22] Filed: Feb. 18, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 116,347
[52] U.S. CI 273/86 B, 273/138 A
[51] IntCI A63f9/14
[58] Field of Search 273/86 B, 86 F, 86 G,
273/138 A
[56] References Cited
UNITED STATES PATENTS
2,133,165 10/1938 Eisenberg et al 273/86 F
2,202,572 5/1940 Casstevens 273/86 F
FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
1,193,947 6/1970 Great Britain 273/86 F
Primary Examiner—Anton O. Oechsle
Attorney—Martha G. Pugh
[57] ABSTRACT
A method and system for racing a plurality of motor
driven units along a track which combines a random factor, not subject to control, with manually actuated means for establishing odds between the racing units at the beginning of each race. In a preferred embodiment, the heart of the system comprises two pulse sources operating at substantially different nonharmonic frequencies which are characterized by built-in frequency drifts. The higher frequency pulse source drives a system of stepping selectors through a repetitive cycle. The initial manual arrangement of a group of odds selector dials determines the number of times a power circuit is completed to any specific racing unit as the stepping system proceeds through its cycle. At random contacts during the stepping cycle, depending on the operation of the second pulse source, electrical current passes through one of the power circuits momentarily completed, to drive one or another of the racing units to spurt ahead. This continues until one or more of the units cross an arbitrary finish line. In a preferred embodiment, the racing units are motor driven horses. The odds manually set on each of the horses at the beginning of the race are also indicated on an electronic tote board, which is electronically triggered to indicate Win, Place and Show, at the end of each race, and also, the amount paid on each of the winning horses. Additional features include means for setting and counting races of more than one lap.
24 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures
