Electronic Racing Game

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to electronic methods and apparatus for random selection, and more specifically, to electronically controlled races, specifically simulated horse races, operating at preselected odds.

Horse racing and various other games of chance rely on the unpredictability of the result to attract the interest and bets of participants. In attempting to simulate the chance factor of an actual race, various means have been employed, such as the spinning of a wheel, the throwing of dice, etc. Such means are, at best, crude, and, at worst, lend themselves to patterned repetition which is predictable, and which can be dishonestly manipulated by the operator and others. Furthermore, such methods of chance selection cannot be combined readily with the preselective setting of odds for individual racing units, which is a salient feature of an actual horse race.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for random selection of contest winners which is highly unpredictable, and not readily subject to patterned repetition or manipulation. A more specific object of the invention is to provide an electronic racing game in which the racing units can be operated at preselected odds, but without the winner being predictable, and more particularly, one which closely simulates by electronic means the random factors, together with techniques for preselecting odds, which combine to generate interest and betting on horse races.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects and features are attained in the present invention by operating a pair of pulse actuated timing sources at two substantially different nonharmonic frequencies, each subject to a slight frequency drift, to control a plurality of racing units by means of a complex system of stepping selectors which move through a repetitive cycle of steps. Random bursts of power for moving one or another of the racing units forward are derived whenever there is a coincidence between the pulses of the two timing sources. Each of the racing units may have associated with it a switch which, at the onset of the race, can be positioned to vary the odds between the respective racing units by changing the number of steps during the stepping cycle at which a specific unit is connected to receive the random bursts of power.

The illustrative embodiment under description takes the form of an electronic horse race having six motor driven horses, each of which moves on an individual pair of conducting rails around an oval race track. For the sake of simplicity, circuits relating to only three of the horses are described. It will be understood that the principle of the invention can be applied to systems having a larger number or smaller number of horse units. In the system under description, each horse unit has an associated dial, by which its individual odds can be preset between one-to-one and 10-to-one, at the beginning of each game. Adjacent the finish line is a tote board which lights up to show the odds on each horse and which also lights up to indicate instantaneously, as they cross the finish line, which of the horses are in the Win, Place and Show positions, and the money payable to the bettors on each. Additional circuits are included which provide for the possibility of multiple laps around the track, and means for indicating the results of the multilap races on the tote board.

These and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, upon a detailed study of the present invention in connection with the attached drawings.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of the finish line of a race track, in accordance with the present invention, with horses in Win, Place and Show positions and the corresponding indications on the tote board;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing of the circuit of individual driving units used in connection with the horses shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 (Circuit Board Y) shows in schematic a track section near the finish line with circuit connecting points to the individual horse circuits of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A, 4B (Circuit Board W), combined as indicated in FIG. 12, show schematically the First Timer and the Second Timer, the pulse sources and the Sequential Selector system for controlling the racing units of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A, 5B (Circuit Board R), combined as indicated in FIG. 12, show schematically the Odds Selectors, ganged in groups of four, for controlling connection to the power circuits of the individual racing horses of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 (Circuit Board V) shows schematically the individual power relays and related circuits for driving the horses of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7A, 7B (Circuit Board S), combined as indicated in FIG. 12, are schematic showings of the manually actuated Win, Place and Show switches wired to the tote board, and Lap Counter Switches for the race track of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 (Circuit Board T) shows schematically the Lap Counter Relays for the race track of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9A, 9B (Circuit Board Z), combined as indicated in FIG. 12, show schematically the Tote Board Relays and interconnections for the tote board indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 (Circuit Board K) constitutes a schematic showing of the back of the tote board in lamps for the race track of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates the line up of the horses for calibrating speeds prior to beginning the race; and

FIG. 12 is a coordinated list of the Circuit Boards and the Figure numbers, showing how the latter are combined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

PRELIMINARY DESCRIPTION

To simplify the description of the complex circuitry of the present illustrative embodiment, the circuit has been divided into eight Circuit Boards, each designated by an identifying capital letter and a specific Figure number, as indicated in FIG. 12 of the drawings. To clarify reference characters, a separate set of numbers is used on each Circuit Board. When tracing circuits which lead from one Circuit Board to another, the reference number is preceded by a capital letter, indicating the Circuit Board, as "W180," although the identifying letter is omitted when it is clear that the cited reference numerals are on the same Circuit Board.

In the embodiment under description, the game consists of six motor driven plastic horses; but it can be modified to accommodate a greater or lesser number, all disposed on an eight foot by four foot, six lane, two rail oval track. Each horse has a selector switch associated with him which can vary his odds from one-to-one to 10-to-one. (This can also be modified to accommodate greater odds.) The greater the odds on the horse the less chance he has to win; but he nevertheless has some chance to win. The odds for each horse light up on a tote board at the time they are selected prior to the race. When the race is started, the horses race in short bursts of speed around the track until they reach the finish line. Upon crossing the finish line, the first three horses automatically light up their numbers on the tote board in their respective order of finish, Win, Place and Show. The prices associated with the odds of these three horses also light up automatically for Win, Place and Show. The third horse to cross the finish line also turns the game off; but the numbers and prices remain lighted on the tote board until the tote board reset switch is activated.

OVERALL ARRANGEMENT

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective showing of three horses crossing the finish line in the electronic racing game in accordance with a described embodiment of the present invention, with the electronically actuated tote board in the background, showing the selected odds, indicating which of the horses is in Win, Place and Show position, and the winning money to be paid on each.

In the embodiment under description, as actually constructed, there are six separate pairs of tracks, one pair for each of the six horses in the race. The two tracks forming each pair, which are spaced five-eighths inch apart, are formed of highly conductive, durable metal, each track having a highly polished, low friction upper surface designed to provide substantially uniform electrical contact with the slidably engaging lateral contact members on the two ends of an individual horse circuit of the form shown in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the outermost track (Horse No. 6) forms an external oval about four feet by eight feet, with the innermost track (Horse No. 1) defining an oval about three and one-fourth feet by seven and one-fourth feet. It will be apparent that in the alternative a single, bar rail could be substituted for the two rail track described with reference to the present embodiment.

HORSE MOTOR CIRCUITS

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, there is shown in schematic the driving circuit which fits under each of the plastic shells for Horses No. 1 through No. 6 to drive each horse along its specific lane of the track. Each of the circuits includes a small alternating current motor 2a of conventional design, which, for example, may be operated with 0.004 to 0.006 horsepower, drawing one-quarter ampere current, at 10-20 volts. The motor 2a is shorted across by a conventional diode 2b. The latter permits current for the Tote Board Relays (shown in Circuit Board Z, FIGS 9A, 9B) to by-pass the motor 2a, while blocking the motor current, forcing it to pass through and run the horse, as will be described hereinafter.

THE TRACK AND CONNECTIONS

Referring now to FIG. 3 (Circuit Board Y), there is shown, as formed in the present illustrative embodiment, six track lanes. For convenience of description hereinafter, the circuits relating to Horses No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6 are described in detail, whereas the circuits relating to Horses No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 have been omitted in order to simplify the description and reduce repetition.

The track sections indicated in FIG. 3 (Circuit Board Y) include the Finish Line Connections, the Lap Counter Connections and the Power Connections Sections 3a, 3b and 3c, containing the Finish Line Connections, and sections 3d, 3e and 3f, containing the Lap Counter Connections, are each insulated from the other sections of track in each of the lanes so that they do not receive any power from or through the track.

In section 3a (Horse Lane No. 1) the finish line contacts 1 and 2 are respectively connected to contacts Z171 and Z189 on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B); in section 3b (Horse Lane No. 2) the finish line contacts 3 and 4 are respectively connected to contacts Z172 and Z190; and in section 3c (Horse Lane No. 6) the finish line contacts 11 and 12 are respectively connected to contacts Z176 and Z194. On Circuit Board Z these contacts lead through terminal strip 9p to an appropriate dial on the ganged Lap Counter Switches of Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B), ultimately passing through the contacts of the Lap Counter Relays on Circuit Board T (FIG. 8), as will be described hereinafter.

Returning to FIG. 3, the purpose of the Lap Counter Connections indicated in sections 3d, 3e and 3f, for Horse Lanes No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6, respectively, is to provide contacts through the appropriate ganged dials of Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B), so that if the operator desires to set the game up for more than one lap, the proper relays will be actuated to carry the horses through the finish line sections on the first lap around without actuating the Win, Place and Show indications on the tote board, the showing of which is deferred until the last lap. The Lap Counter Connections include contacts 13 and 14 on section 3d (Horse Lane No. 1) which are respectively connected to contacts T101 and T100 on the terminal strip 8h of Circuit Board T. Likewise, on section 3e (Horse Lane No. 2) lap counter connections 15 and 16 respectively lead to contacts T103 and T102; and in section 3f (Horse Lane No. 6) lap counter connections 23 and 24 respectively lead to contacts T111 and T110. The T connections all lead through the contacts and to the energizing circuits of the Lap Counter Relays which will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to Circuit Board T.

The Power Connections in each of the lanes lead to the power circuits for each of the specific horses which are shown on Circuit Board V (FIG. 6). These power circuits function to energize the motor 2a (FIG. 2) in each of the horses, driving a specific horse forward along its track lane. In section 3g (Lane No. 1) power contacts 25 and 26 are respectively connected to contacts V74 and V75 on terminal strip 6a of Circuit Board V (FIG. 6). Likewise, in section 3h (Lane No. 2) power contacts 27 and 28 are respectively connected to contacts V71 and V72 on terminal strip 6b; and in section 3i (Lane No. 6) power contacts 35 and 36 are respectively connected to contacts V59 and V60 on terminal strip 6c. On Circuit Board V, the foregoing contacts lead through switches to the rheostats controlling the speed on each of the individual horses and through the normally open contacts of the horsepower relays, the operation of which will be described hereinafter.

PULSE TIMING AND SELECTOR SYSTEMS

We will now pass from the track sections to a description of the complex electrical circuit which drives the individual racing horses along the track. The heart of this system is shown in detail in FIGS. 4A, 4B which are combined as indicated to form Circuit Board W. This shows the master start-stop switches of the circuit, plus the pulse operated timing circuits, one of which drives a stepping selector system which operates respectively through a total of 48 contacts.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B (combined to form Circuit Board W), there are shown three double-pole manually operated switches 4h, 4p and 4q, which put the set in operating condition. In the tote board reset switch 4h, contact 180 is connected in Circuit Board T (FIG. 8) to one terminal T1 of the 12 volt, 2 ampere rectifier 8a which supplies power for the Lap Counter Relays. Contact 182 is connected to contact Z3, one terminal of the 6.3 volt, 1.2 ampere rectifier 9aa on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B). When switch 4h is in "off" position, power from these sources to the set is cut off. When this switch is in "on" position, power connections are respectively made between contacts 180 and 179, and between contacts 182 and 181. Contact 179 leads to normally closed contacts T5 of lap counter relays 8b, 8c and 8d (Circuit Board T, FIG. 8), and to normally open contacts T4 of lap counter relays 8e, 8f and 8g. The operation of the lap counter circuits will be described in detail hereinafter. Contact 181 leads to the normally open contacts Z5 (Circuit Board Z, FIGS. 9A, 9B) of the Win, Place and Show relays.

In switch 4p, contact 184 is connected to contact W112 of the 24 volt, 1 ampere rectifier 4bb for supplying power to stepping selectors 4a and 4b; and contact 186 is connected to contact W110 of rectifier 4cc for supplying power to stepping selectors 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f. In "off" position, these contacts are open; whereas, in "on" position, contact 184 is connected to contact 183; and contact 186 is connected to contact 185. Contact 183 leads through the normally open contact W160 of relay 4i of the First Timer, which closes periodically when the latter is energized. Contact 160 leads in parallel through energizing coils of relays 4a and 4b of the Primary Stepping Selectors. Thus, when coil 4i of the First Timer is actuated, current will pass from rectifier 4bb to simultaneously step both of the primary stepping selectors 4a and 4b.

Contact 185 leads to contact W147 of the terminal strip 4dd, which is ultimately connected to the selector arm W138 of stepping selector relay 4a. Thus, when the switch 4p is closed, power is provided through selector arm 138 and through whichever contact it rests on at the time, to energize the corresponding auxiliary selector 4c, 4d, 4e or 4f, causing it to move through a single step at the beginning of the race. This will break up the formation of any repetitive pattern of operation from one race to the next.

In switch 4q, contact 190 is connected to contact W176 of the 6 volt, 1.2 ampere rectifier 4m, which supplies current for the First Timer and the Second Timer. When this switch is in an "on" position, current passes from rectifier 4m through contact 189 which leads through the normally closed contacts Z146 and Z145 of the cut-off relay 9m shown on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B). This circuit is connected to both the normally closed and normally open contacts W157 and W163 of relays 4i and 4j of the First Timer, each of which is interconnected with the energizing circuit of the opposite relay. Also, the circuit through the normally closed contacts Z146 and Z145 of the cut-off Relay (Circuit Board Z) is connected both to the normally closed and normally open contacts W167 and W174 of relays 4k and 4l of the Second Timer (Circuit Board W, FIGS. 4A, 4B), each of these contacts being connected through the energizing circuit of the opposite coil. The return circuit passes from contacts W156 and W162 at the ends of the relay coils 4i and 4j, to contact W175 at the other pole of rectifier 4m. Thus, when the switch 4q is closed, the relay coils 4i and 4j of the First Timer and 4k and 4l of the Second Timer are energized and deenergized in tandem relation in each Timer, at pulse rates which are controlled in each case by the size of the condensers across each of the respective coils.

In the First Timer, a 45 microfarad condenser is connected between points 156 and 155 across the energizing coil of relay 4i; and a 75 microfarad condenser is connected between points 162 and 161 across the energizing coil of relay 4j. In operation, the First Timer produces a mark pulse of one-half second, and a space pulse of slightly less than one-half second, pulsing at a rate of 68 to 70 pulses per minute.

In the Second Timer, a 115 microfarad condenser is connected between contacts 166 and 165, across the energizing coil of relay 4k; and a 150 microfarad condenser is connected between points 172 and 171 across the energizing coil of relay 4l.

In operation, the Second Timer produces a mark pulse of one-half second, and a space pulse of one second, and pulses at a rate of 38 to 40 pulses per minute.

A most important feature of each of the pulse Timers is that the pulse rates are nonharmonic, and each of the pulse sources has a built-in frequency drift, whereby the frequency of each varies one or two beats per second. This increases the randomness of the operation.

It will be understood that in place of the First Timer and the Second Timer, of the form indicated, there can be substituted other types of pulsing circuits, of forms well known in the art, such as, for example, multivibrator circuits, adjusted to produce pulses of the desired pulse widths and relative frequencies, and each including a built-in drift of one or two beats per second as in the present system.

Whenever coil 4i of the First Timer is energized, closing contacts 159 and 160, a power circuit is completed from contact W112 of rectifier 4bb, supplying 24 volt, 1 ampere current, through switch 4p to W contacts 142 and 139 which are respectively connected to the parallel energizing circuits of primary stepping selector relays 4a and 4b, driving each of them to step in concert through a repetitive cycle of 12 contacts each. Primary stepping selector 4a steps through its contacts 113 through 124, making contact by means of selector arm 138. Second primary stepping selector 4b steps through its contacts 125 through 136, making contact by means of selector arm 141. The stepping selector 4a is, in turn, connected to energize and cause to step, in sequence, four additional stepping selectors 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f, of 12 contacts each, as will be explained with reference to FIG. 4B.

The two selector coils of 4a and 4b are connected in parallel, contact 139 being connected to contact 142 at one end of the two coils, and contact 137 being connected to contact 140 at the other coil terminals. The common connection from contact 137 is connected to contact 111 of rectifier 4bb to supply 24 volt, 1 ampere current to the Stepping Selectors. Each of the selector coils 4a and 4b is shorted by a 0.25 microfarad condenser. The stepping selectors 4a and 4b respectively have selector arms 138 and 141. Stepping selector arm 138 is connected to contact W147 on the terminal strip 4dd, which leads through the switch 4p back to contact W110 of rectifier 4cc, when the switch is closed, supplying 24 volt, 1 ampere current to drive the stepping selectors 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f, as will be explained. The stepping selector arm 141 is connected to contact W169 of the Second Timer, the function of which connection will be explained presently.

Contacts 113 through 124 of primary selector 4a are interconnected together in groups of four, so that 113 through 116 are respectively connected to 117 through 120; and the latter group of four is respectively connected to contacts 121 through 124. Contacts 121 through 124 are respectively connected, in order, to four W contacts 143 through 146, along the terminal strip 4dd.

The four auxiliary selectors 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f, which are operated in sequence by the selector 4a, have each of their coils shorted across by a 0.25 microfarad condenser. Selector coil 4c is connected between contacts 99 and 97; selector coil 4d is connected between contacts 102 and 100; selector coil 4e is connected between contacts 105 and 103; and selector coil 4f is connected between contacts 108 and 106. Contacts 99, 102, 105 and 108, at one end of each of the aforesaid coils 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f, are respectively connected to W contacts 143, 144, 145 and 146 on the terminal strip 4dd. The other terminals 97, 100, 103 and 106 of each of these respective coils are all connected together to complete the circuit to W contact 109 of rectifier 4cc. Thus, the four coils 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f are energized to step in consecutive sequence, so that when primary selectors 4a, 4b take four steps, each of the auxiliary selectors takes one step in sequence.

Auxiliary stepping selector contacts 49 through 96 are respectively connected, in numerical order, to W contacts 1 through 48 on terminal strip 4n. These contacts are then combined by strapping into sixteen groups, consisting of six groups of four contacts each, four groups of three contacts each, and six groups of two contacts each. Each of these groups is connected to a specific one of contacts R289 through R304 on terminal strip 5a of Circuit Board R (FIGS. 5A, 5B). These connections are indicated in Table I, which follows.

TABLE I

Circuit Board W Grouping of Contacts For Regulation of Odds Circuit Board R Group Corresponding Designation Interconnected W Contacts R Contact 4.sub.1 W 37, W29, W21, W3 R304 4.sub.2 W 43, W28, W14, W6 R303 4.sub.3 W 42, W35, W17, W1 R302 4.sub.4 W 40, W26, W19, W9 R301 4.sub.5 W 45, W33, W15, W4 R300 4.sub.6 W 48, W32, W23, W8 R299 3.sub.1 W 44, W30, W18 R298 3.sub.w W 31, W20, W5 R297 3.sub.3 W 47, W27, W11 R296 3.sub.4 W 39, W13, W2 R295 2.sub.1 W 38, W10 R294 2.sub.2 W 36, W22 R293 2.sub.3 W 16, W7 R292 2.sub.4 W 46, W25 R 291 2.sub.5 W 34, W12 R290 2.sub.6 W 41, W24 R289

the grouped contacts from the terminal strip 4n, arranged in the manner indicated in Table I, are connected to terminal board 5a of Circuit Board R (FIGS. 5A, 5B), which shows the Odds Selector Dials which are set up to control the number of individual circuit wires connected in succession to each of the horsepower circuits during a specific selector cycle. This will be described presently.

Before passing to a description of Circuit Board R, let us return to Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) for a description of the function of the Second Pulse Timer, which in the present embodiment is arranged to provide pulses at the rate of 38 to 40 pulses per minute, as opposed to a pulsing rate of 68 to 70 pulses per minute for the First Timer. As previously described, the latter energizes the two primary stepping selector coils 4a and 4b to step through their simultaneous cycle of twelve steps, operating to energize, in tandem, coils 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f of the auxiliary stepping selectors to control the sequential stepping of these selectors through their steps 49-96.

Stepping selector coil 4b actuates selector arm 141 to step through steps 125 through 136, while selector arm 138 of coil 4a is stepping through steps 113 through 124. It will be apparent that selector steps 125 through 136 are also connected in groups of four, each of which groups is connected to a contact on terminal strip 4dd. Thus, W contacts 125, 129 and 133 are connected to W contact 149 on terminal strip 4dd; contacts 126, 130 and 134 to terminal strip contact 150; contacts 127, 131 and 135 to terminal strip contact 151; and contacts 128, 132 and 136 to terminal strip contact 152. Each of the terminal strip contacts 149, 150, 151 and 152 is respectively connected through a diode to the respective selector arms 98, 101, 104 and 107 of the four auxiliary selectors 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f.

It will be apparent that when relay coil 4k in the Second Timer is energized, closing its contacts 169 and 170, a 6 volt, 2 ampere current passes from contact 177 of the rectifier 4aa, through selector arm 141, into one of the four selector arms 98, 101, 104 or 107 of the auxiliary selectors, and into one of the 48 contacts 49 through 96, depending upon which step the auxiliary selector has reached at that moment.

This random shot of current passes through one of the 48 contacts of terminal strip 4n, selected by pure chance, and into the horsepower circuit of one of the horses on the track, causing it to move forward. The number of times the driving circuit for any specific horse will be in position to receive a shot of current from the random pulse source, Second Timer, will be determined by the manual arrangement of the Odds Selector Dials, which will now be described with reference to Circuit Board R (FIGS. 5A, 5B).

ODDS SELECTOR SYSTEM

Referring now to Circuit Board R, there is shown a plurality of manually operated rotary selector dials, each of which is equipped with eleven contacts and a selector arm which is manually movable in a clockwise direction from a null position, with no connection, to engage any of the remaining positions which are connected in a manner to set up the desired odds. The rotary selectors are arranged in sections or gangs of four, one selector being assigned to each of the horses running in the race. The selector arms of each section of four are ganged together so that the four arms simultaneously make contact at the same angular position on the face of the dial. As seen, the dial contacts are numbered in order, clockwise around the dials, reading from bottom to top of each of the columns of dials.

In the illustration under description, detailed circuit arrangements are indicated for the dial selectors connected to the horsepower circuits No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6 (from left to right on Circuit Board R, FIGS. 5A, 5B), the selector dial contacts for horsepower circuits No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 having been omitted in order to simplify the description. It will be understood, however, that the connections not shown will be substantially similar in arrangement to those indicated with reference to Horses No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6.

Each of the selector dial arms shown on Circuit Board R is respectively connected to a contact on the terminal strip 5a. For example, ganged selector dial arms 305, 306, 307 and 308, relating to Horse No. 1, are respectively connected to R contacts 265, 266, 267 and 268 on terminal strip 5a; ganged selector dial arms 309, 310, 311 and 312 relating to Horse No. 2 are respectively connected to R contacts 269, 270, 271 and 272 on terminal strip 5a; selector dial arms 325, 326, 327 and 328 relating to Horse No. 6 are respectively connected to contacts 285, 286, 287 and 288 on terminal strip 5a. It will be noted that each of the mentioned contacts on terminal strip 5a has a diode connected between it and the designated selector dial arms, to maintain unidirectional current passing from the selector dial arm into the terminal strip.

Contacts 265 through 268 on terminal strip 5a are connected together to contact V76 on Circuit Board V (FIG. 6) leading to the energizing circuit of the horsepower relay 6d of Horse No. 1, as will be described later; contacts 269 through 272 on terminal strip 5a are connected together to contact V73 on Circuit Board V, leading to the energizing circuit of the horsepower relay 6e of Horse No. 2; and contacts 285 through 288 on terminal strip 5a are connected together to contact V61 on Circuit Board V leading to the energizing circuit of the horsepower relay 6f of Horse No. 6.

As indicated previously, the dial selectors for the Horse circuits No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 have been omitted; and likewise, the intermediate connections on terminal strip 5a to the contacts 273 through 284 relating to these omitted horses have not been shown or described, although it will be understood that they are substantially similar to the circuits shown.

The contacts at the right-hand end on the lower side of terminal strip 5a, numbered 289 through 304, lead from terminal strip 4n of Circuit Board W (FIGS. 5A, 5B). These are grouped as indicated in Table I hereinbefore, so that the first six contacts 289 through 294 are respectively connected to each of the six two-wire groups, designated as 2.sub.6, 2.sub.5, 2.sub.4, 2.sub.3, 2.sub.2 and 2.sub.1, respectively; the next four contacts 295 through 298 are connected to each of the four three-wire groups designated as 3.sub.4, 3.sub.3, 3.sub.2 and 3.sub.1, respectively; and the last six contacts on the terminal strip, namely 299 through 304, are connected in order to each of the six four-wire groups, designated as 4.sub.6, 4.sub.5, 4.sub.4, 4.sub.3, 4.sub.2 and 4.sub.1, respectively.

In order to better understand the theory behind the operation of the odds selectors, one is referred to Table II. It will be understood that although in Table II specific numerical odds have been assigned to the wire total for each cycle, a particular wire total can readily be adjusted on the tote board to produce a higher or lower percentage of wining favorites at any given odds.

TABLE II

Theoretical Grouping of Circuits for Odds

Selection Horse No. 1 Wire Groups Wire 4 3 2 Total Odds 1,2 1 3 13 1-1 1 1,2 1 12 2-1 1 2 1,3 11 3-1 1 1,2 10 4-1 1 1 3 9 5-1 1 2,6 8 6-1 1 4 7 7-1 1 5 6 8-1 2 1 5 9-1 1,3 4 10-1 Horse No. 2 Wire Groups Wire 4 3 2 Total Odds 2,3 2 2 13 1-1 2 2,3 4 12 2-1 2 3 2,4 11 3-1 2 2,3 10 4-1 2 2 2 9 5-1 2 2,5 8 6-1 2 4 7 7-1 2 6 6 8-1 3 2 5 9-1 2,4 4 10-1 Horses Nos. 3,4, and 5 have been omitted.

Horse No. 6 Wire Groups Wire 4 3 2 Total Odds 6,1 4 1 13 1-1 6 1,4 2 12 2-1 6 4 1,2 11 3-1 6 1,4 10 4-1 6 3 6 9 5-1 6 1,5 8 6-1 6 2 7 7-1 6 4 6 8-1 4 2 5 9-1 1,2 4 10-1

This Table includes a section for each of the horses under description (No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6), showing, in each case, how the grouped contacts from the right-hand end of terminal strip 5a add up to a total which varies from 13, when the odds are one-to-one, to four, when the odds are 10-to-one. The totals given represent, in each case, the total number of contacts from terminal strip 4n of Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B), which are in a position to receive power in each horse circuit during one complete cycle through the 48 steps of selectors 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f.

As seen from Table II, when the odds selector dials relating to a given horse circuit are put in the position of one-to-one odds, the number of contacts in that specific horse circuit which are positioned to receive power during one complete cycle of the selector system add up to thirteen. As the selected odds are progressively increased by setting the dials, the number of the contacts positioned to receive power is progressively reduced to twelve contacts, eleven contacts, ten contacts, etc., down to a minimum of four, in the case of 10-to-one odds. The selector contact arrangement is shown in Table III. ##SPC1## ##SPC2##

In order to make up these totals, as shown in Table III, corresponding contacts on the four ganged odds selector dials connected to each horse must be so chosen that they add up in each case to the number indicated at Total Wires. For example, let us refer to the ganged selector dials 5e, 5d, 5c and 5b which control the odds selection for Horse No. 1. Contacts 34 on selector 5e, 23 on selector 5d, 12 on selector 5c and 1 on selector 5b, each indicate the null or starting position. In order to indicate a position of one-to-one odds (a total of 13 grouped contacts per cycle), the four ganged selector arms of these dials are moved clockwise one step. In this position the selector arm 308 of selector dial 5e is positioned on contact 35; selector arm 307 of dial 5d is positioned on contact 24; selector arm 306 of dial 5c is positioned on contact 13; and selector arm 305 of dial 5b is positioned on contact 2.

Tracing the circuits it will be seen that contact 35 is connected to contact 292 on terminal strip 5a, which leads to the 2.sub.3 group of contacts. Contact 24 in odds selector dial 5d is connected to contact 298 on terminal strip 5a, which corresponds to the 3.sub.1 contact group. In dial 5c contact 13 leads to contact 53 in dial 5f; the latter, in turn, leads to contact 52 which leads to contact 51, etc., around the dial, to contact 46, which is ultimately connected to contact 303 on terminal strip 5a, corresponding to the 4.sub.2 group. On dial 5b, contact 2 leads directly to contact 304 on the terminal strip 5a, which corresponds to contact group 4.sub.1. Thus, the grouped contacts 2.sub.3 plus 3.sub.1 plus 4.sub.2 plus 4.sub.1 add up to a total of 13.

In a similar way, as the four ganged selector arms are moved through the next step in a clockwise direction, the contacts engaged are 36 on dial 5e, 25 on dial 5d, 14 on dial 5c and 3 on dial 5b. It will be seen by tracing the circuits that contact 36 is ultimately connected to group 2.sub.1, 25 to group 3.sub.1, 14 to group 3.sub.2 and 3 to group 4.sub.1 ; all of which add up to a total of 12 contacts on terminal strip 4n of Circuit Board W.

Table III shows the contact arrangements of the odds selector dials for each of Horses No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6, indicating the specific contact groups of 2's, 3's and 4's corresponding to each of the positions on the dials in clockwise succession, corresponding to ascending odds. It will be understood that either electronically or manually, the dials of FIGS. 7A, 7B (Circuit Board S) relating to the tote board will be set up to correspond exactly to the selector settings indicated in FIGS. 5A, 5B (Circuit Board R). The wiring of the tote board dials (FIGS. 7A, 7B) will be described in detail at a later point.

In the specific illustration under description, the following odds have been selected and the dials set accordingly: Horse No. 1, five-to-one; Horse No. 2, three-to-one; and Horse No. 6, six-to-one. Thus, for Horse No. 1, ganged rotor arms 308, 307, 306 and 305 are respectively set on contacts 39, 28, 17 and 6, whose wire total, as shown by Table III, is nine. For Horse No. 2, ganged rotor arms 312, 311, 310 and 309 are respectively set on contacts 81, 70, 59 and 48, whose wire total, as shown by Table III, is 11. For Horse No. 6, ganged rotor arms 328, 327, 326 and 325 are respectively set on contacts 260, 249, 238 and 227, whose wire total is shown by Table III, to be eight. This arrangement may be varied at the beginning of each race.

HORSEPOWER CIRCUITS

The description will now pass to Circuit Board V (FIG. 6) which details the power circuits for driving the individual horses on the tracks. As indicated previously, the connections from the left-hand end of terminal strip 5a (Circuit Board R, FIGS. 5A, 5B) consist of connected groups of four contacts each, from the ganged selector arms corresponding to each horse. These groups are respectively connected to R contacts 268, 272 and 288, which are, in turn, respectively connected to contacts V76, V73 and V61 on terminal strips 6a, 6b and 6c (Circuit Board V).

Contact 76 on terminal strip 6a relating to Horse No. 1 is connected to the energizing circuit of horsepower relay 6d through contact 53. Likewise, contact 73 on terminal strip 6b is connected to the energizing circuit of relay 6e through contact 49; and on terminal strip 6c, contact 61 is connected to the energizing circuit of relay 6f through contact 33. The energizing circuits of horsepower relays 6d, 6e and 6f, relating to Horses No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6, respectively, are connected together in parallel relation through contacts 34, 50 and 54. The latter is connected through V contact 77 on terminal strip 6i to contact W178 of the 6 volt, 2 ampere rectifier 4aa on Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B), as described hereinbefore, which supplies current to energize each of the relays 6d, 6e and 6f.

When each of these three relays is energized, it respectively closes its normally open contacts completing the driving circuits of the individual horses. Relay 6d closes contacts 55 and 56; relay 6e closes contacts 51 and 52; and relay 6f closes contacts 35 and 36. These relay contacts, when closed, complete the driving circuits through the track to each of the individual horse motors as follows.

Horses No. 1 and No. 2 both derive power from rectifier 6g whose terminal 2 is connected in parallel to V terminals 10 and 14 on the rheostat boards 6m and 6n, respectively.

For Horse No. 1, slider 12 of rheostat board 6m is connected through closed contacts 55 and 56 of horsepower relay 6d, through contact 75 on terminal strip 6a to track power contact Y26 on Circuit Board Y (FIG. 3), which contacts one terminal of the motor of Horse No. 1. The return from the other terminal of that motor leads from track contact Y25, through contact 74 on Circuit Board V (FIG. 6), contact 11 on rheostat board 6m, and back to terminal 1 of rectifier 6g.

For Horse No. 2, slider 16 of rheostat board 6n is connected through the closed contacts 51 and 52 of horsepower relay 6e, through V contact 72 on terminal strip 6b to track power contact Y28 on Circuit Board Y (FIG. 3), which contacts one terminal of the motor of Horse No. 2. The return from the other terminal of this horse motor leads from track contact Y27 through V contact 71 of terminal strip 6b, and contact 15 of rheostat board 6n to terminal 1 of the rectifier 6g.

In the case of Horse No. 6, power is supplied from rectifier 6h. Terminal 6 of the latter is connected to V terminal 30 of rheostat board 6p. The slider 32 of the latter is connected through the closed contacts 35 and 36 of horsepower relay 6f through V contact 60 of terminal strip 6c to the contact Y36 on the track (Circuit Board Y, FIG. 3), contacting one terminal of the motor of Horse No. 6. The return track contact Y35 from the other terminal is connected through V contact 59 of terminal strip 6c, contacts 31 and 29 of rheostat board 6p, to the terminal 5 of rectifier 6h.

Manually actuated switches 6j, 6k and 6l respectively short the contacts of relays 6d, 6e and 6f, permitting the horses to be powered manually, when necessary. The speeds of the individual Horses No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6 can be adjusted or calibrated at the initial set up of the game by manipulating the sliders 12, 16 and 32 on the respective rheostats 6m, 6n and/or 6p. The purpose of this is to permit the speed of the horses to be so regulated initially that they complete the trip around the track in the same time, absent odds and chance factors, notwithstanding the fact that the outside track is slightly longer than the inside track. This will be explained further, hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11.

It will be apparent that, as in the descriptions of previous figures, the contacts and circuits corresponding to Horses No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 have not been shown.

The rectifier 6q, which provides common power for the finish line on the second lap, is connected through its contacts 7 and 8, which respectively pass through contacts 57 and 58 of terminal strip 6aa, to V terminals 80 and 81 (the slider) of rheostat board 6bb. Terminals 78 and 79 of the latter are respectively connected to terminals T6 and T7, common contacts of the Lap Counter Relays on Circuit Board T (FIG. 8), which will be discussed hereinafter.

ROTARY TOTE BOARD SWITCHES AND TOTE BOARD CONNECTIONS

Prior to the race, when odds for each horse are selected on the Odds Selectors of Circuit Board R (FIGS. 5A, 5B), the Win, Place and Show switches of Circuit Board S, which are indicated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, must be dialed to exactly correspond, so that the indications on the tote board (Circuit Board K, FIG. 10) show the same odds as indicated for the horsepower circuits. FIGS. 7A, 7B show four ganged rotary switches 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d for Horse No. 1; 7e, 7f, 7g and 7h for Horse No. 2; and 7i, 7j, 7k and 7l for Horse No. 6. The switches relating to Horses No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 having been omitted as in previous circuits.

It will be understood that instead of the separate switches on Circuit Board R and Circuit Board S being ganged together in groups of four in the manner shown, they could alternatively be ganged together as a single eight gang rotary switch, for simplicity of manipulation.

Passing now to the corresponding tote board back and lamps, which are indicated in FIG. 10 (Circuit Board K), it will be seen that the selected odds are indicated on row 10d, indicating from left-to-right the odds one-to-one to ten-to-one for Horse No. 1; row 10e, indicating from left-to-right the odds one-to-one to 10-to-one for Horse No. 2; and row 10f, indicating from left-to-right the odds one-to-one to ten-to-one for Horse No. 6. (Horses No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 have been omitted.) It will be noted that the noncommon terminals of each of the indicating lamps in row 10d are progressively numbered from two through 11; in row 10e, from 12 through 21; and in row 10f, from 52 through 61. The common number one terminals to each of these lamps are connected together to the energizing source terminal Z2 of the 6.3 volt, 3 ampere rectifier 9q of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B).

Contacts to the lamps in the Odds section of the tote board (Circuit Board K, FIG. 10) are lighted up at the appropriate indications in accordance with the odds settings of the dials on Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B), which in the present illustration are five-to-one for Horse No. 1, three-to-one for Horse No. 2 and six-to-one for Horse No. 6. The contacts on the bottom dials 7d, 7h and 7l (Horses No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6) are connected in succession to the appropriate connections in the Odds section of Circuit Board K, rows 10d, 10e and 10f, as shown in the following Table IV:

TABLE IV

Dial S-Starting K- Correspond- (Circuit Contact S-Contact Contact ing Horse Board S) Number (Null) Numbers Numbers No. 1 7d 1 2-11 2-11 No. 2 7e 12 13-22 12-21 No. 6 7l 56 57-66 52-61

On Circuit Board S, the other end of the circuit for the Odds lamps passes through contacts 100 on the rotor arms of dials 7d, 7h and 7l, respectively, which contacts are connected together to contact Z1 of the rectifier 9q on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B). The latter is normally connected to each of the common contacts 10 of the Win, Place and Show tote board relays 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h and 9i on Circuit Board Z. Thus, current is directed through the selector arms 100 (Circuit Board S, FIGS. 7A, 7B) to light up the selected Odds lights on Circuit Board K (FIG. 10). This also sets up a power contact which will be actuated on operation of the Win, Place and Show relays on Circuit Board Z, in a manner to be explained hereinafter.

Let us refer, now, to the corresponding Prices schedules on Circuit Board K, comprising columns 10g, 10h and 10i. It will be seen that in the Win column 10g, winning amounts for odds one-to-one through 10-to-one are successively indicated by small lamps, each having one terminal represented by contacts 62 through 71; in the Place column 10h, winnings for odds one-to-one through ten-to-one are indicated by small lamps whose terminals have contacts 72 through 81; and in the Show column 10i, winnings for odds one-to-one through 10-to-one are indicated by lamps having contacts 82-91.

It will be noted that on the upper three of the four ganged columns of dials for each horse, as shown on Circuit Board S, the corresponding dials have similarly numbered contacts; and each of the similarly numbered contacts is connected together to a common circuit.

The interconnections between the contacts on the upper three dials of Circuit Board S, representing each of the horses, and the corresponding contacts on the Prices columns 10g, 10h and 10i of Circuit Board K (FIG. 10) are shown in the following Table V.

TABLE V

Dials- S-Starting K- Correspond- Circuit Contact S-Contact Contact ing Horse Board S Number (Null) Numbers Numbers No. 1 7a Win Col. 10g No. 2 7e 89 90-99 62-71 No. 6 7i No. 1 7b Place Col. 10h No. 2 7f 78 79-88 72-81 No. 6 7j No. 1 7c Show Col. 10i No. 2 7g 67 68-77 82-91 No. 6 7k

The common contacts 1 of each of the indicating lights in columns 10g, 10h and 10i are connected together to terminal Z2 of the 6.3 volt, 3 ampere rectifier 9q on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B).

Completing these circuits, it will be noted on Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B) that in the ganged rotary switches relating to the tote board indications for Horse No. 1, the rotary arm 103 of rotary switch 7a, rotary arm 102 of rotary switch 7b, and rotary arm 101 of rotary switch 7c, are respectively connected to Z contacts Z147, Z148 and Z149 of the terminal strip 9n on the Circuit Board Z, which is shown as FIGS. 9A, 9B. Similarly, of the ganged rotary switches on Circuit Board S relating to Horse No. 2, rotary arm 106 of rotary switch 7e, rotary arm 105 of rotary switch 7f and rotary arm 104 of rotary switch 7g are respectively connected to contacts Z150, Z151 and Z152 on the terminal strip 9n (Circuit Board Z). Likewise, of the ganged rotary switches on Circuit Board S relating to Horse No. 6, rotary arm 118 of rotary switch 7i, rotary arm 117 of rotary switch 7j and rotary arm 116 of rotary switch 7k are respectively connected to contacts Z162, Z163 and Z164 on terminal strip 9n (Circuit Board Z).

Let us refer to the Finish schedule, indicated in columns 10j, 10k and 10l of Circuit Board K (FIG. 10).

In column 10j, contacts 92, 93 and 94 (for Horse No. 1) are respectively connected to contacts Z147, Z148 and Z149 of the terminal strip 9n of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B).

In column 10k (Circuit Board K), contacts 95, 96 and 97 (for Horse No. 2) are respectively connected to contacts Z150, Z151 and Z152 on terminal strip 9n of Circuit Board Z.

In column 10l (Circuit Board K), contacts 107, 108 and 109 (for Horse No. 6) are respectively connected to contacts Z162, Z163 and Z164 on terminal strip 9n of Circuit Board Z.

As with the other tote board lights on Circuit Board K, the common contacts 1 of each of the indicating lights in columns 10j, 10k and 10l are connected together to terminal Z2 of rectifier 9q on Circuit Board Z, which furnishes the power for the tote board lights.

Contacts Z147, Z148 and Z149 (for Horse No. 1) on terminal strip 9n of Circuit Board Z are respectively connected to normally open contact 16 for Win relay 9g, to normally open contact 22 for Show relay 9d, and to normally open contact 27 for Place relay 9a.

Contacts Z150, Z151 and Z152 (for Horse No. 2) are respectively connected to normally open contact 33 for Win relay 9h, to normally open contact 39 for Place relay 9e and to normally open contact 44 for Show relay 9b.

Contacts Z162, Z163 and Z164 (for Horse No. 6) are respectively connected to normally open contact 101 for Win relay 9i, to normally open contact 107 for Place relay 9f and to normally open contact 112 for Show relay 9c.

When any of the aforesaid relays is energized, the respective contacts mentioned above are closed to make connection with common contacts 10, which are all connected together to contact 1 of the rectifier 9q, to establish an energizing circuit through the appropriate lights in the Finish and Prices columns on the tote board, Circuit Board K (FIG. 10).

LAP COUNTER SWITCHES

In addition to the Win, Place and Show rotary switches on Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B) are a series of additional rotary switches, one corresponding to each horse, which are designated the Lap Counter Switches.

Each of these ganged, double-poled switches has a pair of rotor arms, each of which is simultaneously set at one of two positions, Sprint or Distance, depending on whether one or two laps is desired for the race. Table VI, which follows, shows the corresponding connections between dials 7m, 7n and 7p of Circuit Board S and terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B).

TABLE VI

Rotor Contacts Peripheral Contacts Sprint Distance Intercon- Z(Strip Z(Strip Z(Strip Dial nections S 9p) S 9p) S 9p) 7m 1st Rotor 143 171 119 165 120 177 Horse No. 1 2nd Rotor 144 189 121 183 122 195 7n 1st Rotor 145 172 123 166 124 178 Horse No. 2 2nd Rotor 146 190 125 184 126 196 7p 1st Rotor 153 176 139 170 140 182 Horse No. 6 2nd Rotor 154 194 141 188 142 200 (1st and 2nd rotors are ganged)

TOTE BOARD RELAYS

Referring in detail to Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B), power for the Tote Board Relays is furnished from the 6.3 volt, 1.2 ampere rectifier 9aa, having terminal contacts 3 and 4.

Circuit Board Z shows an array of Win, Place and Show relays for each of the horse circuits, and in addition, three common relays for Win, Place and Show and a cut-off relay.

The connections to the energizing circuits for each of the four-pole double-throw Win, Place and Show relays, for each of the Horses No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6 are indicated in tabular form on Table VII, together with the connections to the six-pole double-throw common Win, Place and Show relays, which have one set of contacts for each horse in the race. In the present illustration, three sets of contacts are omitted from each of the common relays 9j, 9k and 9l as Horse circuits No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 are not shown. ##SPC3##

In addition, the cut-off relay 9m is shown on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B). The energizing circuit of the latter passes from contacts 132 to 138. Contact 132 is connected through the normally open contacts Z8 for each of the Show relays 9a, 9b and 9c. When one of the latter is operated, energizing connection is made through contacts W181 and W182 of master switch 4h of Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) to terminal Z3 of rectifier 9aa (Circuit Board Z). Contact 138 on relay 9m is connected through normally open contact Z136, Z126 and Z119 of the common Show, Place and Win relays 9l, 9k and 9j, in series, ultimately to contact Z4 of rectifier 9aa.

When cut-off relay 9m of Circuit Board Z is energized, it opens the normally closed contacts 145 and 146 to contact W189 in the on-off power switch 4q of Circuit Board W. This shuts off power to the relays 4i, 4j, 4k and 4l of the First and Second Timer Circuits thereby cutting off their operation.

At the completion of a race, the first motor driven horse to cross the finish line (Horse No. 6 in the present example) encounters the insulated section of the track, section 3c of Circuit Board Y (FIG. 3). The No. 6 Horse is then disposed between contacts Y11 and Y12 of section 3c, which are respectively across contacts Z176 and Z194 (terminal strip 9p), which are across contacts S153 and S154 to the rotors of the lap counter switch 7p on Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B). For present purposes, the ganged rotor switch on Circuit Board S is set in Sprint position for all of the horses, with rotor S153 connected to peripheral contact S139, and rotor 154 connected to peripheral contact S141. Contact S139 is connected to contact Z170, and contact S141 to contact Z188, both of the latter, on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B).

Current then flows from contact Z4 of the 6.3 volt, 1.2 ampere rectifier 9aa, through contact Z188 of terminal strip 9p, contact S141 and rotor arm S154 of lap counter switch 7p (Circuit Board S, FIGS. 7A, 7B), to contact Z194 on terminal strip 9p (Circuit Board Z) and contact Y12 on one rail of track section 3c (Circuit Board Y, FIG. 3). Current passes through the motor-shunting diode 2b of the horse circuit (FIG. 2) to contact Y11 on the other rail of track section 3c (FIG. 3) which leads to contact Z176, on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z. Current then passes through the other rotor arm 153 on lap counter dial 7p on Circuit Board S and to peripheral contact 139, from which it passes to contact Z170 on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z. From this point the current passes to Z96, which is one terminal of the energizing circuit of relay 9i, which is the Win relay for Horse No. 6.

To complete the energizing circuit, the other terminal 97 of the Horse No. 6 Win relay 9i is connected through the normally closed contacts 115 and 9 of the common Win relay 9j to the other terminal Z4 of the rectifier 9aa.

When Win relay 9i is operated, it performs the following functions.

First, it locks up by closing its normally open contacts 100 and 9, making connection to terminal Z4 of the rectifier 9aa; and closing its normally open contacts 98 and 5, making contact to W181 of Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B), which ultimately leads through the closed master switch 4h to contact Z3 of rectifier 9aa on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B).

Secondly, it closes its normally open contacts 10 and 101, thereby connecting terminal 1 of rectifier 9q through Z contact 162 on terminal strip 9n, to contact K107 in the Win column 9l on Circuit Board K (FIG. 10); and contact S118 on dial 7i of Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B). This supplies energy to light up a lamp behind a tile indicating Horse No. 6 in the winning position on the tote board.

It will be recalled that the Win, Place and Show switches on Circuit Board S have been positioned prior to the race, in accordance with the selected odds of six-to-one for Horse No. 6, five-to-one for Horse No. 1 and three-to-one for Horse No. 2. Current is caused to pass through the rotor arm 118 of dial 7i on Circuit Board S to K67 in column 10g (Circuit Board K) of the Prices column on the tote board, lighting up the winning price of $14.00. In order to obtain the Place and Show prices on the tote board for the winning horse, one reads horizontally across the row showing the winning price, which in the present case would give $5.80 for Place and $4.20 for Show.

The third function performed by the Win relay 9i (Circuit Board Z) is to break the energizing circuits to the Place and Show relays so that they cannot operate. The circuit to the Place relay 9f is broken by breaking the normally closed contacts 98 and 99, the latter being connected to the terminal of contact 102 of relay 9f and to the terminal of contact 108 (through contacts 104 and 105) of relay 9c. This prevents relays 9f and 9c from energizing.

The fourth and final function performed by operation of Win relay 9i is to close its contacts 5 and 6. The former contact leads through contact W181 on the master switch 4h of Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B), ultimately to contact Z4 of rectifier 9aa, to supply power through contact 6 to terminal 125 of relay 9j, causing it to energize.

Again referring to Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B), when the common Win relay 9j operates, it transfers the rectifier current from one side of the coils of the Win bank of relays 9g, 9h and 9i, for each of the horses, to one side of the coils of the corresponding Place bank of relays 9d, 9e and 9f. This is accomplished by breaking contact between its common contacts 9, which lead to terminal Z4 of rectifier 9aa, and contact 116 to the energizing circuit of relay 9g, contact 117 to the energizing circuit of relay 9h, and contact 115 to the energizing circuit of relay 9i. Contact is then made between each of the contacts 9 of relay 9j and its normally open contacts 119, which are respectively connected through each of the normally closed contacts 121 of common Place relay 9k. The normally closed contacts 121 of the latter respectively lead to: contact Z18 (energizing circuit of Place relay 9d); contact Z37 (energizing circuit of Place relay 9e); and contact Z103 (energizing circuit of Place relay 9f). All of these steps are carried out in milliseconds, conditioning the tote board relays to respond to the second horse crossing the finish line.

In the present illustrative embodiment, the second horse crossing the finish line is Horse No. 1. Upon making contact with the insulated section of track 3a at the finish line section for Horse No. 1 (Circuit Board Y, FIG. 3), the horse completes the circuit between contacts 1 and 2 connecting contacts Z171 and Z189 on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B), which are respectively connected to rotor arms 143 and 144 on lap counter dial 7m (Circuit Board S, FIGS. 7A, 7B). The latter, being set in Sprint position, contact is respectively made with peripheral S contacts 119 and 121, which are respectively connected to Z165 and Z183 on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z. Contact 165 leads to contact Z11 and through the normally closed contacts 13 and 14 of Win relay 9g for Horse No. 1 to contact 17 in the energizing circuit of Place relay 9d. It will be recalled that Win relay 9g cannot operate because common relay 9j transferred power from the Win bank of relays to the Place bank of relays. Thus, an energizing circuit is set up through contact Z183, terminal strip 9p, to contact Z4 of rectifier 9aa, providing power for operation of the Place relay 9d for Horse No. 1.

Operation of the latter causes the following functions to be performed:

First, it breaks contact between normally closed contacts 19 and 20 leading to contact Z23 in the energizing circuit of Show relay 9a for Horse No. 1, so that the latter cannot function.

Secondly, it lock-operates through its own contacts by closing normally open contacts 21 and 9, thereby applying power from terminal Z4 of rectifier 9aa to terminal Z18 of the 9d relay windings.

Third, it lights the finish lamp in the Place row 10b for Horse No. 1 by closing its normally open contacts 10 and 22. This applies power from contact Z1 of rectifier 9q through contact Z148 on terminal strip 9n of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B), which leads to contact K93 on Circuit Board K (FIG. 10).

Contact Z148 also leads to S102 on dial 7b of Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B). The preset odds for Horse No. 1 having been five-to-one, armature S102 is connected to peripheral contact 83, which leads to K76 in Prices column 10h (Circuit Board K), illuminating the light behind a tile reading $5.20 for Place. Reading to the right in column 10i, the player can also collect $3.80 for Show.

Fourthly, Place relay 9d (Circuit Board Z) closes its normally open contacts 5 and 7, energizing common Show relay 9k. To do this, power is applied from contact Z3 of rectifier 9aa through the master switch 4h on Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) to terminal Z128 of the energizing circuit of common Show relay 9k (Circuit Board Z).

When operated, this latter relay functions to transfer current from one side of the coils of Place relays 9d, 9e and 9f (Circuit Board Z) to one side of the coils of the Show relays 9a, 9b and 9c. This is carried out by breaking connection between each of its contacts 120, 122 and 131 and common contacts 121, which leads through contact 9 of relay 9j to the source of power at terminal Z4 of rectifier 9aa. Contact 121 is then closed to each of its normally open contacts 126, which lead through the normally closed contacts of common Show relay 9l to the energizing circuit of each of Show relays 9a, 9b and 9c, conditioning each of these for the third horse to cross the finish line.

In the present illustration, the third horse to cross the finish line is Horse No. 2, for which three-to-one odds were selected prior to the beginning of the race. At this point in the race Horse No. 2 enters the insulated section 3b of track as shown in FIG. 3, his circuit disposed across contacts 3 and 4 which are respectively connected between contacts Z172 and Z190 on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B) and corresponding contacts S145 and S146 to the rotors of dial 7n of the Lap Counter Switch of Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B) which, as in the previous switches, is set at Sprint. The two rotors 145 and 146 are respectively connected to peripheral contacts S123 and S125, which are respectively connected between contacts Z166 and Z184 on Circuit Board Z. Contact 184 of terminal strip 9p is connected to contact Z4 of rectifier 9aa, and serves to supply power to terminal Z28 of the coil of Win relay 9a for Horse No. 2. But the energizing circuit of Win relay 9h is broken by the operation of common Win relay 9j; and the energizing circuit of Place relay 9e is broken by the operation of common Place relay 9k. Therefore, power from rectifier 9aa is ultimately transferred through the normally closed contacts of relays 9h and 9e through the energizing circuit from contacts 40 to 41 of Show relay 9b. Operation of relay 9b causes the following functions to be performed:

First, it closes its normally open contacts 10 and 44, connecting power from contact Z1 of rectifier 9q through contact Z152 on terminal strip 9n of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B). This illuminates lamp K97 of Circuit Board K (FIG. 10), indicating that Horse No. 3 is in Show position. Simultaneously, since odds of three-to-one have been preset, energizing current passes through contact Z152 on terminal strip 9n of Circuit Board Z to armature S104 of dial 7g of Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B), and to peripheral contact S70. The latter is connected to contact K84, lighting the lamp under $3.00 in the Show column 10i of the Prices schedule on the tote board of Circuit Board K.

Second, Show relay 9b lock-operates by closing its normally open contacts 9 and 43, to connect contact Z4 of rectifier 9aa to terminal 41 of its energizing circuit.

Third, it operates its normally open contacts 5 and 8 to energize common relay 9l by completing the power circuit from contact Z3 of rectifier 9aa through master switch 4h on Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) to terminal Z130 of the relay energizing circuit.

When relay 9l operates, it removes power from the energizing circuits of each of the Show relays 9a, 9b and 9c by opening connection between its contacts 134 and each of contacts 133, 135 and 143, so that a fourth horse crossing the finish line in close proximity to the third horse would not register on the tote board. It completes connection of each of its contacts 134 with its respective contacts 136 to the energizing circuit of cut-off relay 9m. The latter opens its normally closed contacts 145 and 146, cutting off power from master switch 4q on Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) to the timing circuits, and thereby turning off the driving mechanism until the following game begins. The numbers and prices of the horses remain illuminated on the tote board (Circuit Board K, FIG. 10) through the lock-up of relays 9i, 9d and 9b on Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B).

The two start-stop switches 4p and 4q of Circuit Board W should then be turned to "off" position. The tote board reset switch 4h is then turned off, deenergizing the locked up relays 9i, 9d and 9b by breaking the circuit from their respective contacts 98, 19 and 42 to their common contact 5, which leads through switch 4h. This causes each of the aforesaid relays to drop its contacts, extinguishing the corresponding tote board lights, and restoring the tote board to normal condition for the next race.

The horses can then be lined up in the start position as indicated on Circuit Board Y (FIG. 3). Operation of tote board reset switch 4h and the two startstop switches 4p and 4q of Circuit Board W then starts a new race.

Although the indicating means shown on Circuit Board K in the embodiment under description take the form of conventional lamps, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of indicating means can be substituted for the lamps, such as, for example, digital indicators.

FUNCTION OF LAP COUNTER CIRCUITS AND OPERATION OF TWO LAP RACE

The foregoing description covered a single lap race from start to finish, the ganged lap counter relays 7m (for Horse No. 1), 7n (for Horse No. 2) and 7p (for Horse No. 6) having each been set with their two rotor arms respectively in Sprint position on each of the dials.

If it is desired to have a two lap race, the six ganged rotors on dials 7m, 7n and 7p (together with the dials of Horses No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5, not shown) are moved to the Distance position, as indicated on the respective dials. These connections are indicated in Table VI hereinbefore.

This serves to transfer the rails of the finish line sections 3a, 3b and 3c of Circuit Board Y (FIG. 3) from their connections with terminal Z4 of rectifier 9aa and the tote board relays of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B), across contacts V78 and V79 of the common rheostat 6bb of Circuit Board V (FIG. 6), through the common normally open contacts T6 and T7 of each of the lap counter relays 8b, 8c and 8d of Circuit Board T (FIG. 8).

The energizing connections and the contact connections of lap counter relays 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f and 8g are shown in tabular form in Table VIII. ##SPC4##

Rheostat 6bb of Circuit Board V (FIG. 6) is connected across contacts V7 and V8 of the common power rectifier 6q, which functions to furnish common power to the finish line sections 3a, 3b and 3c of Circuit Board Y (FIG. 3) corresponding to each of the horse circuits No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6, under description. Thus, constant power appears in all sections of track at the finish line. Consequently, when horses reach the finish line on the first lap of the race, they do not register on the tote board; but their motors receive current which carries them over these sections of track (3a, 3b and 3c) of Circuit Board Y to the next sections of track (3d, 3e and 3f) which are also insulated from the other sections of track, and are not connected to any sources of power.

In the example under description, when Horse No. 6 reaches the finish line section 3c on the first lap, it proceeds to the next succeeding lap counter section 3f, as previously described. Upon making contact with track section 3f, Horse No. 6 completes a circuit from terminal 1 of rectifier 8a of Circuit Board T (FIG. 8), through the contacts of master switch 4n of Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B), the normally closed contacts 5 and 8 of lap counter relay 8d on Circuit Board T, contact T111 on terminal strip 8h of Circuit Board T to contact Y23 on one side of track section 3f (Circuit Board Y). Current passes through the diode across the horse motor to contact Y24, which is connected through the normally closed contacts T79 and T78, relay 8d of Circuit Board T, to contact T77 through the energizing circuit of the corresponding lock-up relay 8g, completing the circuit to the terminal 2 of rectifier 8a of Circuit Board T (FIG. 8).

Lock-up relay 8g operates and performs a single function. It supplies a constant source of power for its own energizing circuit and for the energizing circuit of lap counter relay 8d, by closing its normally open contacts 96 and 4, which connect both of these circuits through the contacts of master switch 4n on Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) to terminal 1 of rectifier 8a of Circuit Board T, causing both relays 8g and 8d to lock up.

Operation of lap counter relay 8d performs two functions.

First, it transfers contacts Y23 and Y24 on the lap counter rail section 3f of Circuit Board Y (FIG. 3) from their connection with rectifier 8a and lock-up relay coil 8g of Circuit Board T to the terminals V78, V79 of rheostat 6bb of Circuit Board V (FIG. 6). This is done by relay 8d closing its normally open contacts 6 and 7 to its contacts 79 and 81, respectively. On Circuit Board V the opposite terminals V80 and V81 of rheostat 6bb are connected across terminals V7 and V8 of the common power rectifier 6q which supplies power for the finish line section on the second lap.

Thus, constant power is now applied to the rails of lap counter section 3f on the track of Horse No. 6 (Circuit Board Y), enabling the horse to move over this section to section 3i, where the electricity is distributed in the form of random pulses by the sequential selector of Circuit Board W, in the manner previously described.

The second function performed by operation of relay 8d on Circuit Board T (FIG. 8) is to transfer contacts Y11 and Y12 in the finish line section 3c (Circuit Board Y, FIG. 3) from their connection with rheostat 6bb and rectifier 6q on Circuit Board V (FIG. 6) to rectifier 9aa and the tote board relays of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B), so that the next time the Horse No. 6 encounters the finish line section 3c, the normal sequence of events will occur as described hereinbefore with reference to the one lap race. This function is carried out as follows. Operation of lap counter relay 8d (Circuit Board T) breaks its normally closed contacts 7 and 84, and 6 and 87, and closes its normally open contacts 84 and 85, and 87 and 88.

Contacts 84 and 87 of relay 8d are respectively connected between contacts Z182 and Z200 on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z, which are connected between peripheral contacts S140 and S142 on lap counter switch 7p on Circuit Board S (FIGS. 7A, 7B). Switch 7p and the corresponding switches for the other horses, now have their rotors placed in the Distance position as indicated on the dials. Thus, contacts S140 and S142 are respectively connected between rotors 153 and 154, which are, in turn, connected between contacts Z176 and Z194 on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z which are across horse circuit terminals Y11 and Y12 on finish line section 3c of Circuit Board Y.

On Circuit Board T, contacts 85 and 88 of relay 8d, which in the present condition are connected to the horse terminals, are respectively connected between contacts Z170 and Z188 on terminal strip 9p of Circuit Board Z (FIGS. 9A, 9B). Contact 170 leads to terminal Z96 of the Win relay 9i for Horse No. 6; and contact 188 leads to terminal Z4 of rectifier 9aa for energizing circuit including the Win relay when Horse No. 6 reaches the finish line section 3c (Circuit Board Y, FIG. 3), the second trip around.

It will be appreciated that the sequence of events is similar for each of the horses encountering the finish line on the first and second laps. The third horse to complete two laps actuates its Show relay, which, in turn, actuates cut-off relay 9m on Circuit Board Z, cutting off the game in the manner previously described with reference to a single lap race.

MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS

The make-when-depressed buttons 6j, 6k and 6l individual to each horse, which are found on Circuit Board V (FIG. 6), when depressed complete a circuit from the corresponding one of rheostats 6m, 6n and 6p (also Circuit Board V) to the power connection (bypassing the contacts of horsepower relays 6d, 6e and 6f, Circuit Board V) to the track (Circuit Board Y). This supplies constant power to the track causing the corresponding numbered horse to move. In this manner, horses that were stranded in the backstretch, when the game turned off at the end of the race, can be brought back to the start position.

Adjusting the rheostats 6m, 6n and 6p (one for each horse) on Circuit Board V to control the speed of the horses should be performed as follows at the beginning of each game. All of the horses are placed in a straight line on the straight section of track preceding a curve and the individual rheostats 6m, 6n and 6p adjusted so that one pulse of current when the game is turned on, carries all of the horses to a position on the curve so that a straight line can be drawn across their front ends, as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawing.

In order to accomplish this, the horse on the outside oval must be travelling faster than the horse on the next inner oval, etc., the horse on the innermost oval travelling at the slowest rate. This is necessary because the innermost horse has less distance to travel than any other horse; and the further the outpost, the further the horse has to travel. This is compensated for by increasing the speed of the horses as you move outward from number one.

At the very beginning of each game, after switches 4p and 4q of Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) are turned to their "on" positions, in order to increase the randomness of the system, the contact 159 of relay 4i, First Timer, is manually depressed to contact 160, closing the circuit to stepping switches 4a and 4b, and causing the system to move through a single step. This prevents any possibility of any repetitive pattern being set up, based on that of the last game played.

A particular feature of the present embodiment is that all of the relays are designed for fast operation, after not longer than about one seventy-fifth of a second, and preferably, as fast as one one hundred twenty-eighth of a second. This serves to prevent dead heats from occurring between two or more horses. In the embodiment under description, the relays are preferably designed to operate at 12 volts, although this may be varied, as convenient. In any case, it is undesirable to use high voltages because of the safety factor. In the present embodiment, the following illustrative types of relays were used, as disclosed in the Distributor Stock Catalogue, issued May 1, 1969, by Sigma Instruments, Inc., 299 Forest Avenue, Paramus, N.J. 07625.

identification Circuit FIG. Catalogue of Relay Board No. No. Page Common Relays 62R6-6DC 9j, 9k, 9l Z 9B (could be 12DC) 6 Win, Place & Show 62R4-6DC Relays 9a Z 9A (could be 12DC) 6 through 9i Lap Counter Relays 8b, 8c, 8d T 8 62R4-12DC 6 Lap Counter Lock- Up 8e, 8f, 8g T 8 65F1A-12DC 7 Cut-Off Relay 9m Z 9B 11F-250G-Sil 3 First & Second 62R2-6DC Timer Relays 4i, 4j, W 4A (could be 12DC) 6 4k, 4l Horsepower Relays 62R2-6DC 6d, 6e, 6f V 6 (could be 12DC) 6

in the present illustrative embodiment, each of the stepping selector relays 4a through 4f, as shown on Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) is a continuous operation rotor-relay of the type manufactured by Guardian Electric Co., Chicago, Ill., under the trade name "Rotomite" stepping switch, as item number 1R-705-12P-24D in their catalogue published in 1969. An important feature of this type of selector is that when it reaches the last step in the series, it automatically returns to the first step for recycle, without the actuation of a specific release mechanism.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to any of the specific forms or mechanisms shown by way of illustration. For example, although the particular model described is a six horse race, it will be appreciated that any number of horse units can be employed, and furthermore, that the race can be designed to have as many laps as desire. Moreover, although the model described is a horse race, it will be appreciated that the concept of the present invention can be adapted to many different types of racing units, such as, for example, racing cars, boats, men, etc.

As one alternative to the mechanism indicated on Circuit Board W (FIGS. 4A, 4B) in the present illustrative embodiment, a single selector mechanism having 48 contacts (or other convenient number), which is directly driven by the First Timer pulse circuit, could be substituted for the system including primary selectors 4a, 4b and auxiliary selectors 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f. Moreover, it is within the contemplation of the invention that a variable speed motor driven commutator which continuously moves through 48 contacts (or whatever number of contacts is arbitrarily selected) could be substituted for the latter combination. The commutator would have its speed geared down to correspond to the pulsing speed of the Second Timer, acting independently. A further alternative would be to provide a separate motor driven commutator for each horse.

Moreover, as a further alternative, instead of each of the horses, or other racing units, having individual driving motors, a single motor can be connected to energize individual units at different steps of the commutator, whenever there is a coincidence with an independently driven pulsing unit.

More broadly, the concept of the present invention is applicable to other types of systems, such as, for selecting random numbers, and for many and varied purposes.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for playing a game of chance between a plurality of electrically driven units which comprises in combination the steps of:

deriving pulses from two distinct pulse sources operating at substantially different frequencies which are not harmonically related,

employing the pulses from one said source to drive a stepping selector system through a repetitive cycle of steps, each of said steps being connected on contact during said selector cycle to condition a unique circuit to one of said electrically driven units for possible energization by a pulse from the other said pulse source,

utilizing pulses from the other said pulse source, which are applied through random steps of said stepping selector system upon a coincidence between the pulses of said two pulse sources, to energize one or another of said electrically driven units over one of said conditioned unique circuits, for driving said unit along a preselected course,

and utilizing the first said unit reaching a preselected goal on said course to actuate an indicator.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one said pulse source is constructed with a built-in frequency drift of a few cycles per minute.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said pulse sources is constructed with a builtin frequency drift of a few cycles per minute.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the number of said unique circuits conditioned to energize a specific one or another of said electrically driven units during a single selector cycle can be varied from game to game prior to the playing of said game, thereby to vary the odds of one or the other of said units being a winner.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein prior to operation of each game a single pulse is supplied to said stepping selector for driving said stepping selector to move through a single step before beginning said game, thereby to increase the randomness of said game.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said game is an electronic horse race, and wherein said game is played using electrically driven units which simulate race horses, which are driven by individual motors to move along a preselected course which simulates a race track, each of said individual motors being disposed in contact with a low friction electrically conducting path for propelling a corresponding one of said simulated race horses along said track.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the terminals of the driving unit comprising said individual motors are movably disposed across a double rail electrically conducting track.

8. The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the finish line track section is insulated from the driving sections of said track, and wherein a circuit including said finish line section is actuated upon contact with a wining horse crossing said finish line to energize a winning display indicator uniquely connected to said winning horse circuit.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein, in addition to energizing a "winning" display indicator, a winning horse crossing said finish line conditions a "place" indicating circuit which responds to the second said horse crossing said finish line to energize a "place" display indicator on said tote board; and wherein, in addition, the said second horse crossing the finish line conditions a "show" indicating circuit which responds to the third horse crossing the finish line to actuate a "show" indicator on said tote board, and wherein, in addition, said third horse crossing the finish line conditions a circuit to prevent further indications when additional horses cross the said finish line.

10. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein a section of the said track designated the "lap counter section" is disposed to immediately follow the finish line section of said track; and wherein said lap counter section is disposed by a manual pregame setting to deactivate the circuit for energizing the winning display indicators corresponding to each of said horses for a preselected number of laps traversed by said horses around said track, and to reactivate the said circuit for energizing said winning display indicators on the last lap of said horses around said track.

11. A game of chance comprising in combination:

a plurality of units having electrical driving means,

said units disposed to be propelled along a preselected course,

a pair of pulse sources operating simultaneously at substantially different frequencies which are not harmonically related,

a stepping selector system connected to be stepped through a repetitive cycle of contacts by the pulses from a first one of said pulse sources,

the driving means of each of said units being connected to one or more discrete contacts of said selector system,

and means responsive to the second one of said pulse sources upon a coincidence with a stepping pulse from said first pulse source to energize a circuit supplying a spurt of power through one of said selector contacts to one said driving means, thereby propelling the unit corresponding to said driving means to move along said preselected course.

12. A game in accordance with claim 11 wherein at least one of said pulse sources has a built-in frequency drift.

13. A game in accordance with claim 12 wherein both said pulse sources have built-in frequency drifts.

14. A game in accordance with claim 11 wherein the selector contacts which are connected to the electrical driving means in each said unit during one cycle of said selector system are connected in circuit relationship with odds selecting means which is adjustable at the beginning of each game to vary the number of selector contacts connected to the driving means of each said unit during one selector cycle, thereby to adjust the winning odds on each said unit.

15. An electronic horse race in accordance with claim 14:

wherein said units simulate race horses, each said electrical driving means comprising an individual motor,

said preselected course comprising a plurality of adjacent individual electrically conducting tracks,

each said horse motor being disposed in electrical contacting relation for propulsion along one of said individual tracks,

said combination including an electrically actuated tote board having indicating means for each said horse connected in circuit relationship with said system and disposed to indicate information in response to the conditions of each race including the first horses to reach a preselected position on each of said individual tracks.

16. An electronic horse race in accordance with claim 15 wherein each of said individual tracks is continuous and comprises a finish line track section insulated from the other sections including the driving sections of said individual tracks,

means connected to said finish line track sections which are actuated upon contact with one or more winning horses crossing said finish line to actuate appropriate winning indicating means on said tote board connected through a corresponding one of said horse circuits.

17. An electronic horse race in accordance with claim 16 wherein said tote board includes indicating lights for "Win," "Place" and "Show" indications individual to each said horse; and wherein first means are connected to said finish line track sections which operate when the winning horse crosses said finish line track section, in addition to energizing a "winning" display indicating means on said tote board, to condition a "place" indicating circuit which responds to the second said horse crossing the finish line to actuate the "place" indicating means on said tote board; wherein second means are connected to said finish line track sections, which operate when the second horse crosses said finish line track section, in addition to energizing a "place" indicating means on said tote board, to condition a "show" indicating circuit which responds to the third said horse crossing the finish line to actuate "show" indicating means on said tote board; and wherein third means are connected to said finish line track sections, which operate when the third horse crosses said finish line section, in addition to energizing a "show" indicating means on said tote board, to condition a circuit to prevent further indications on said tote board when additional horses cross the said finish line track section.

18. An electronic horse race in accordance with claim 16 wherein each of said individual tracks comprises a lap counter section immediately following said finish line section, each said lap counter section being insulated from said finish line section and from the remaining portion of each of said individual tracks, relay means connected to said lap counter section which is constructed and arranged in response to a manual pregame setting to deactivate said tote board on the winning display indications corresponding to each of said horses for a preselected number of laps traversed by said horses around said track, and to reactivate said winning display indications on the last lap of each of said horses around said individual tracks.

19. An electronic horse race in accordance with claim 14 wherein said tote board includes means in circuit relation with said odds selector means for indicating the selected odds on each said horse.

20. An electronic horse race in accordance with claim 19 wherein said tote board includes indicating means connected to said odds selector means and each said horse circuit to indicate the amount paid for "Win," "Place" and "Show" at the preselected odds.

21. A game of chance comprising in combination:

means for driving a plurality of racing units including driving means for driving said racing units to traverse a preselected course,

commutating means including a series of contacts, at least one of said contacts being uniquely connected to the driving means for each of said racing units,

means comprising a first pulse source for driving said commutating means to engage the contacts of said series in orderly progression at a regular contacting rate,

a second pulse source independent of said first pulse source constructed to generate pulses at a frequency which is roughly of the same order but a nonharmonic of the pulse rate of said first pulse source,

a source of power,

and means for utilizing coincidences between the pulses of said second independent pulse source and engagement of one of said contacts by said commutating means to complete one of said unique circuits between said source of power and said driving means for driving a specific one of said units to move in a preselected direction along said course.

22. The combination in accordance with claim 21 wherein said commutating means comprises a system of stepping selectors, and wherein means for driving said racing units comprise motors individual to each said unit, each of said motors uniquely connectable at one or more steps of said selectors to be energized upon a coincidence with a pulse from said independent pulse source to drive the corresponding racing unit a preselected distance on said course.

23. The combination in accordance with claim 22 which includes means for manually varying the number of steps in said selector system uniquely connectable to specific ones of said racing units, thereby to vary the odds on said units.

24. A game of chance comprising in combination:

means for driving a plurality of racing units including driving means for driving said racing units to traverse a preselected course,

commutating means comprising a plurality of motor driven commutators individual to said racing units,

means for driving each of said commutators to move in sequence through a series of contacts in orderly progression at a regular contacting rate for placing each of said racing units in unique circuit relationship on at least one said contact with the means for driving said racing unit,

an independent pulse source constructed to generate pulses at a frequency which is roughly of the same order but a nonharmonic of said regular contacting rate,

a source of power,

and means for utilizing coincidences between the pulses of said independent pulse source and engagement of said one contact by said commutating means to complete one of said unique circuits between said source of power and said driving means for driving a specific one of said units to move in a preselected direction along said course.