US1626420A - Toy race course - Google Patents

Description

M. B. MILLS Tm( RACE COURSE Filed April 14, 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 216, 1927.

'April 26,1927. r M B MlL'L-S 1,626,420

v Toy RACE COURSE v Filed April 14, 1926 7 Sl'1ee't.s-Shee1: 2V

l i [n v HIM fg W" ff n 52 y O Inhl J5 @D g NA ,24 27 Il e rf /7/6 FZ l IHHI ml' j- I :IUI L 1Z0 22 yl 5 l Il. I. V l U lllllxl' mlm. im@ 'j/ 2 4245416/ g l 626,420 Aprll 26 1927. M. B- MILLS y A TOY RACE COURSE Filed April 14, 192s' '7 sheets-shan s M. B. MILLS TOY RACE COURSE- Aprl 26, 1927. 1,626,420

Filed April 14. 192e v sheets-sheet l4 A rl 1927'.

p l 2.6 M. B. MILLS TOY RAGE COURSE Filed April 14. 1926 '7 Sheetssheet 5 April 26 ,A 1927. 1,626,420

M. B. MILLS TOY RACE COURSE Filed April 14, 192e 'r sheets-sheen 6 M. B. MILLS April 26,1927. 1,626,420

TOY RAGE COURSE l Filed April 14, 1926 7 sheets-Sheet' '7 Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

earner IVIORIJIlLHlEti B. MILLS, OF CHICAGQEILLINOISA j regatta [non Raon conRsE.

Application led April y14, 1926; Serial No. 101,935.

v'l'hisHinvention relates particularly to a i toy race course in which a are employed.' The primary objectoff'the invention is to provide la toy race course'wh'ich is capable ot simulating-:closely' an Vactual race, which is 'providedfvvitl'r simple means Jfor effectively varying,v or changing,l the Winner, such mea-ns preferablyr acting y automatically, and 'which is of Vsimpleconstruction and ycapable oflbeing: manufactured yat moderate cost.

The invention maybe embodied, if desired, infaivendingmachine; in which case it will be'useful in' attracting custom. Gn the other hand,- the'toy race course may be employed independ-curly-` andi servez-as a means for amusement.` 'preferred.embodiment of the yinvention isilli'istratedin the accompanying drawings.l In accordance" with such embodiment7 the racel course is combined` With a coin-con` trolled vending machine in such manner that the racers may be actuated in operating the vending machine. l

In the drawings- Fig'. 1 represents la Vplan view of a machin-e embodying the invention, ,the operatinghanyplurality, ot racers.A

, ,dle being shownr brolrenly; Fig. 2, a front v'elevational View, partly in section, of the same; Fig. 3. a broken plan sectional View taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 2, a portion. of an vinternal housing plate dis- `.posedpabove the section `plane being lshown brokenly; Fig.V 4, a. view similar to Fig. 3, butsliowing the position otthe parte after the actuating lever has been moved from the normal position shown inFig. 3, to a position which serves to return the racers to a. common starting point; Fig. 5an enlarged. broken vertical sectional view taken as iudicated at line 5 of Fig; y3, the racers being assumed to be abreast orf eachother in this verticalsectional View taken as indicated at liinell of Figb 1 and-shovvin'gvfeatures of the coin-controlled mechanism; Fig.A 12, a fragmentary View showing anotherposif 13, s a ivertical rsectional 'View Vtaken as jindicated at line 13 offFig. 11'; Fig. 111, a broken 2 ti'lEl vtion ofcertain parts shown in Ffig.-11;'Fig

vertical vsectional vieivtaken as indicated at line 14:` of Fig. 2; Fig. 15,7aperspective view illustrating, the manner-in Which the a'ctua-l i v tion of the rotary4 ejector of the vending mechanism lis controlled; Fig. 16, a broken plan view showing ay modificationy ofthe` invention,- the racers being mountedon endless Vbelts `in this modiiication; and Fig. 17,' an enlarged'broken vertical sectional .View

`takenapproximately asy indicatedv at line 17 of Fig. 16. y

'It may be stated preliminarily that in a preferred embodiment offthe invention thev racers are actuated through the "mediumof a plurality of nested tubularshafts equipped i Witlipinions driven byspring actuated jgearsegme'nts, the tubular shaftsbeingg` capable of making aplurality ofrevolutions at :each actuation of the machine; `and in such pre# ferred constrnction'the gear-:segments are. reversely turned againsttheffforce ot'their springs, as bymeans of a lever, during thev initial` portion ofthe opcn'ation` ot'the machine. therebyreturning the racers to a come' mon starting point preparatory to the race, the 'springs .then `acting Vthrough the medium ot' gear devices to impel the racers during the racing' portion` of the operation. Also,` therefpreferablyis employed a permutation stop .device Which'is "automatically changed at-each cycle of operations, suchpermutation stop device .governing the stopping the racers and the consequent position oft'the racers attheend of they race.

Referring to the, construction illustrated in .Figsf1-1f inclusive, VA designates a frame, -or casing, which `servesasa suitable support andhousing for the operative parts,

saidcasingcomprising, in the illustration.,

given, a has@ A?, peripheral ivalls'fi?, a top los J the top plate A3 being preferably of inclusive; C3 to G3 inclusive, gear-segments servingto actuate said pinions, said gearsegnients being, 1n turn, actuated by springs C4 to G4 inclusive; H, a disk journalled beneath the hub-portions of the gear-segnients and Aequipped With a stud H through the jiiiediuni of Which all of the gearrsegnients niay be retracted against the force of their springs, the disk H having connected With its periphery a flexible nieiiiber H2 which is adapted to be actuated through the inediuin cfa lever H3; I, a permutation stop device controlling the stoppage and position of the racers atthe end ofthe race; and J, coincontrolled inechanisin whichv controls the actuation of the lever H3 and the actuation ot the coiniiiodity ejecting device B.

The casing A inay be oi anysuitable form and construction. In the illustration given, it is shown as a rectangular box, the base A of which is equipped With a: fixed vvertical the racers Work.

The coniniodity vending niechanisin of the j niachine inay be'ogt any desired torni or conpost 1, upon the upper end o'j vWhich is secured the central portion 2 of the inner housing-plate A4. provided, as appears from Figs.- l, 3 and 5, with an annular channel 3 through which struction. 1n the illustration given, the coininodity chambers A5' are disposed at the lateral sides or' the casing and are in the form fit) orf inclined runivaysfliaving.forwardly and downwardly slopingbottorns et which lead to external orifices, or trays, 5, as will be best. understoodVfroin',lT 14. f A

Y The ejector B isv shown as comprising a shaft 6 equiiped at its ends with operating knobs Ga, a d equipped Within the casing With seguier ts 6b, each of which is provided with a peripheral recess 6". Thesel recesses `are separatcl by an angle of 180o andare adapted to receive the articles 7, such as.

rolls oi inin s, which are to be vended. Each oi the nieinoers 6 will discharge an article during a i'fill revolution oi the ejector in the directii n indicated by the arrow in Fig. 14. It 'follows that an article Will be ejected at et ch half revolution ofthe shaft.-

Tl'ie shaft 6 isiequipp'ed with aratchet- Wheel 8 (Figs. ,12, 13 and 15), vvhich is providedv with tivo notches, or teeth, 8placed 18()O apart. The rotation ot thev shaft is controlled by a latch 9 which is adapted to This housing plate is' be retracted through the niediuin of lthe coin-controlled mechanism J. r1`he nieinber 9 is supported on a pivot 9'il andis equipped with an upturned arin 9b. ,An auxiliary latch 10 mounted on a pivot 10a is einployed for holding the latch 9 out of engagement with the ratchet-Wheel untill the ratchet` Wheel has turned a sutcient distance to insure release ijfroni the latch 9'.' The member 10 is in the forni of a bell-crank lever and is provided With a short arm 10b which is con#v iiected through the inediuin ot a spring 10c With a iixed stud 10d. The latch-member 9 is provided ivith Aa forwardly'projectinglug f 9C Which is adaptedto engage a shoulder-10e with which thev auxiliary latcheineinber 10 is provided. When these parts are engaged,

the latch 9 will he held out or engagement The rratchet-Wheel Y with the ratchet-Wheel. carries cams 11 which are adapted to engage and retract the auxiliarylatch 10, 4thus pere..

niiftting the latch 9 to drop again into en-A gageinent with vthe ratchet-Wheel'.` As -vvill be explained iiiore in detail later,-theejec tor B is freed each tiine the coin-.controlled n mechanism .l is actuated, thus A,permitting the ejector to be turned through the inediurn of the external knob 6a. y j

The ejector B is further vequipped (Fig. 2) with a ratchet-Wheel 12 engaged bya pawlV 12a which serves toprevent the ejector from being turned, except in the directionindi' cated by the arrow in Fig. 11i.

.ln the forni of construct'on being described,`the racers C--G' inclusive are car. ried by radial arnis liivhich extend ltroni hubs 13ZL Which are rigid-ly niouiited upon thev upper ends of the tubular shafts .CV-Gr inclusive. IThus, when the.spinningolc the shafts occurs,` the racers are carried'about in the annular course. The pinioiis C24-G? inclusive are tixedly secured on the lower,` ends of the tubular shafts and ineshivith the gear-segments in the inanner incre clearly illustrate-d in Fig. (5. lVheumthe 'geare segments are turned in the directionindi cated by the arrow in F ig. 3, this inovenient occurring when the lever H3 is nioved to 'the right i'roin the position .shonn iii-Figli, the racers Will he turned clockwise. they will be turned backwardly-troni the finishing position shown in Fig. El and returned to a coiniiion starting point, as, 'i'or example, to theposition indicated between the dotted lines at 1li in Figzl. `While the racers are being thus returned to the start-A ing; position, the springs Cif-G4 inclusive will he placed under increased tension,and thus will be in readiness to actuate the racers counter-clockwise during the'racing portion of the cycle of operations. rEhe springs (lL-G4 are attached at 15 to a stal tionary support. Att their opposite ends, they are connected with inetal strapsk 1li which wrap partially about and are secured rliliat is, 'fr

neem-'Liao tothe/hubs` lfof fthe gear-segnients.` The Caching Aplate"l8l. The restoring-'disk Hv which serves to lreturnthe racers to Itheir' starting positionv lis also journa'lledf'on.the

shaft' 18 lbeneath the hub-portions fot' the' vgearsegnients, and the stud 'extends'upot their springsnvhen the lever H3 is ac- YThe le'Xibl'efmeifnb'er may consist of a He'ilole Vsteelband vWhidh' lwraps upon a portionof the periphery `of'disk H and is 'secured thereto by=means of a stu'd l'Q'fOFigzS').v

The -lever fHlis 'mounted on a pivot l2O. It has 'a'forivardly'extendingactuating arm' equippedat 'its' front end with a handleportion 21. The rear portion of :the `lever is equipped*Withintegral arms 22 and 23:

The free extremity ot the arm 22 is connected With 'the' flexible. member H2. y

The gear'segmentsia're equipped with lugs 24 Which' 'are adapted to be lengaged by a paivlf which: isp'ivotallyV supported at l25.

The fp'awl, or dog, 25, serves to latch the Fig'. 4, a't'ter the gea'reseginents have been actuated to"return the racers'to the startingA position` illustrated in Fig. f4. The dog holds the gearesegments in 'this position until the lever `H3 nears vtheen'd'otits traverse on thereturnV stroke, when a flexible connectionQYTbetWeen the arm 28 andthe dog 25=serves1to retract the' dog against the force of' its spring` 25a, `thus Y'releasing the gear#segments` 'This permitsthe gear-segments to' 'returnl to theirV initial position illustrated in- Fig. 8. f The `permutation stopl device .I inthe Iform illustrated comprises a pack ot independently movable -st-op vplungers Il co-acting with `the gear-'segments C3-G3 and a pack I2 ot permutation disks vjoui'nalledon a stud 28 mounted on the base otithe casing. The device "I2 comprises n l1 wl't t l' "lr C)9 a p Lia 1 y o c isis which are'provided at their ]ier1fpher1es with alternate teeth and notches 29a. Thesefdishs may be duplicates, itide'sired. That is,-ithey may have the'same stepped arrangement at theirperipheries, Sbut insuch case the disks f are arranged in di'lierent angular*positions. The disks'- are shown E'secured together by means o'flbolts-BO. At the lower surface of the `pachlof `disksis secured aratchet'-Wheel 3l equipped with teeth 31a Whiehwmay vary in heig'gjht,v "The device I2 is adapted fto be rotated throu gh the fm'edium of fthe :ratchet- Wheel by means of a lpaaijl 32 mounted on the oscillating lvdisk 2H. The rmovement- 'of the dish preferablyfissuch asto carry the paivl past tWo or more ot' the ratchet-teeth 3121"-ateach actuation. @Wing vtothe fact piece 48a.

that sonic 'of the lratchet-teethi are,'shortery than otliei's,l1oive'ver,f t-he ratchet-Wheelnnay be yi'noved through I`a sp'aceot` one tooth,- orthrough a spacefof two lteeth fat eachl actua-` tion of the dis'l HL The 'movement' may *vary-,f depending upon the location and spacing ot' the short lteeth. yAipavvl 88 :is employed to'` prevent retrograde finov'ernent olt'the ratchet. i V

Thestopplungers 'of the pack I are '-,dis-v posed one abovethe. otherand are mounted in suitable 'guidesv 34. lThe plungers :are-

designated :from top-to liottom,-35,3G; "37, 38" and'39, and co-act respectively :Withthegearff segments CS--GSQ The plungersfarerecessed;H as indicatedat 40, these recesses lco`acting With horns, orlugs, V40El Withvvhi'ch the several gear-segments are equipped. As willl be understood from Figs. Sand 9, the horns 40a ot vthe gear-segmen'tsv 'engage the Vrecessesl 40 ofthe plungers when the gearlsegmen'ts' return to the'position shown Ain `Figjl -This' occurs at-'the concluding xportion loit the race, and thus the extremitiesA of the plunge1^sare brought vagainst 'the edge-portions of. the p'ermut`ation-d'isks 1 29 in` the manner 1 illus! tratedin VFig. 9. rIlhis leaves thefracersSC-G- in separated,l or tanned-fout, relationatthe end "ottherace, as shown Iin Fig. 1'; *This action occurs because, afterthelgear-segments engage the rvpli1n,g ;ei's, the gear-segments are permitted vvto move Avaryingdistinice's due to the fact that fthe steppedarrangement ofthe peripheralportions of the permuta'tion#disks` I2 are vengaged the plungers in -an1ir-'regutold. I f

"In the illustration given, the actuation "oit". the lever H3 is'contro'lled :by a latching-pawl 4l which is supported on a pivot 42, and

ino. vlar manner. inasmuch asthe1permuta'tion- Which has a hook portion 43 -adaptefdito vride over and engage the'k lever. The paw'l isr adapted'to be released by means of a lever 44 supported onva pivot 45. The upper end of the lever 44 co-acts with the coin-'coin trollcd mechanismJ. This mechanism coinprises a horizontally disposed'coin-chute 4G- througi'h which' coins 47 may be pushed by means of a slide 48 equippedgwith avfinger The yconstruction fand arrangelll() mentlare such that vwhen the slide-48 is'moved to the .left :from the `p'ositionrshoivn inFigs;

l andv 2, 'assuming a coinitohave been finserted through the .opening 49, lthefcoins'are shoved along and are caused. to kactuate the lever44fand thus lift the ipai'vl 4landireleasc the lever H3. Attached tothe lever 44 Vnear its upper end is aslideO which :isequipped withal` v cam' 50a which is vadapted to actuate the trip-lever 9, as will be understood from Figs. 2, 12 and 15. The trip-lever 9 will be operated to release the rotary ejector B whenthe slide moves to the leftfrom the position shown in Fig. 2.' A suitable spring 51 (Fig.

11) may be employed to return the slide 50 to its normal position.

From the description given, the operation will be readily understood. A coin maybe introduced through the passage 49 andthe slide 48 may be moved to actuate the leverl 44 through the medium of the coins. In

this action, the pawl 41 is liftedto release the actuating lever H3, and the slide 50 isr moved to ytrip the ejecting device B, permitting the delivery of Lthe vended article. When the lever H3 is swung from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4, the disk I-I is rotated, and, through y the medium of the stud I-I, moves all of the position shown in Fig.

gear-sectors (i3-G3 against the force of i their springs. In this'action, the racers are moved clockwise (a retrograde movement of the racers) through several revolutions. In

vstrike the stepped edge-portions of the permutation-disks 29. Thus, the racers are brought toa stop in staggered, or fanned, re-

lation. While the gear-segments are moving' from the position shown in Fig. 3 to lthe 4, the kpavvl 32 engages the ratchet-wheel 31 and turns it, thus effecting a fresh permutation of the stop device. l

It will be understood that the racers are independently actuated during tli'e racing portion of the cycle of operations; also that each racer is free to pass the other racers.

This follows from the/use of the nested tun billar shafts andthe manner in which said shafts are actuated. j

It is preferred to make provision whereby f some of the racers may move more rapidly than others under the action of the springs (E4-G4. This may be accomplished by emn ploying springs of different strength for the different racers, or it may be accomplished by varying frictions upon the gear-segments,

` or in any other suitable` manner. It may be remarked that the disk Il willbe returned to its normal position by one of the gear-segv ments vr(the one that chances to be in the lead), during the racing movement.

inclusive.` These belts In the modication illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17, the tubular shafts and gearmechanism are the saine as in the rst describedl construction, and the parts are designated by corresponding reference characters. In this modilication, however,`the racers C-G inclusive are mountedk upon belts 53' to 57 wheels, or pulleys, 53avto y57a inclusive at one-end, and pulleys 58h to 57'? inclusive atv the other end. The vpulleys 53a to 57a inclusive are mounted -onthe upper ends of the tubular shafts C to Gr inclusive. These pulleys, therefore, correspond with the raceractuating arms 13 of the iirst described" construction. By mounting the Aracers upon endless belts actuated in this manner, the

racers may be carried through an oblong,

or elliptical, course, as desired. Obviously, any suitable gear ratio between the pinions and the gear-sectors may be employed for the purpose of 'causing the racersto goone or more times about the course, as desired. The improved race course, in either form of embodiment, is simple in construction and, nevertheless, permits the racers to pass are mounted on each other in movingabout the race course. 1

Also, in each construction, each racer Iis actuated independently of the others during the racing portionnofthe cycle of .opera-k tions.y Also, in each construction, a permutation stop `device of the character illustrated is available forfgoverning the stoppagev and relative positions of the racers at the end of the race. By meansv of the imi proved construction, it is possible to secure a certain freedom of action and l1veliness` of the racers which adds greatly to the charm of the race. By. preference,l the means for actuating the tubular shafts which, in turn, actuate the racers is, of anl oscillating character and is adapted to move the racers in a retrograde manner in bringing them to the starting position. Any desired mechanism for actuating the tubular shafts may be employed, however. v Also, anysuitable permutation stop device may be employed for governing the stoppage and positions of the racers at the end of the .spins ning operation.

`The foregoing .detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

Vhat I regard as new, and desire to se-k cure by Letters Patent, is:y v. Y l.4 In a toy race course, the combination of a plurality of concentric'tubular shafts journaled one within another, `racers actuated throughk .the `medium thereof, and spring-actuated ymeans for actuating said shafts. l

2. In a toy race course, Athe combination l 4. lIn a toy ,racecoursethe combination of;y a nestecl'.Series of raceractuatingshatts, racers actuated,y thereby,5 gear-devices serving `to.A actuate `saidg shafts; springs.- .servingY to.V

actuate said gear-devices in one direction, and meansfor actuating said geardevlces ,in the other directionv tao-move the racers back to astarting-position andlyincrease the tensionof said .springs .5'. `In a toyraceoursw te Combination of a series of racers, springsactuated `racerspinning devices, anda; permutation stop device control-ling the-stoppingo the racers yat the conclusion .of the,y race.

6.,;In atoygrace-icourse,l the combination of ajseries of racers,` springactuatedI racer- Spinning devices, and a pe,rinuta-tion v,stop

device co-acting with Vand.governing y*the .Stopnaseio'f said vra@,erfspiruline devises at the conclusion of they race. i

f7. In' a toy race4 course, they combination vvof a nested series of racereactuatingshafts, racersv Aactuated= thereby, gear-devices serv- .ingto actuate saidshafts, springs serving i to actuate, said gearfdevicesm one direction,

means for actuating said Gear-devices in the other direction to, vmove the ,racers `back to a starting.;v position, and a permutation.k stop l,device governing, the `relative stopping placeswof saiduracers.v

8. vIn a toyrace coursethev combination ofa'seri'esof racers', spring-actuated racerspinning idevices, and an `automatically r varied ,permutation stop device v,controlling lthe :relativestopping places of said racers.

a, toy race course, ,the combination device comprisingV amember equipped with aplurality ofunequalrecesses, and mm bersr actuated by the racer-spinning devices and cQ- acting withsaidrecesses.' y

4 n.10. In atoy lrace course, the combination of aseries ,of racers, *spring-actuated racerspinning devices, a permutation s topdevice controlling the stopping of the racers at theV yConclusion of ,the race, said permutationstop device comprising a. rotatable device equipped y peripherally with stepped shoulders, and al series of cofacting stop members actuated by tion stop device col-acting;

devices?capabley ofimpartingj a plurality of p revoljutionsvto said shafts.

.12. In` a toy racev course, the combination v. p.

ot a plurality of shafts, ,as pl'urality,onc -racers actuatedl thereby, indivi-dual shatt-spinning deviceszcapablle of imparting', aplur'ality of revolutions t0 sadshafts, and a permuta* with. the-shaitspinning devices. i V

Y 1.3. In a toy race course, the lcombii,lati-,on

oli anested series of tubular shatts,racer actuating means connected `with said ,shafts at one' end,Vv pinions lconnected Withjsaidy shaft-s atv the, other` end,` ygear-sfigments meshing vwith said'pinions, springdevicies `forl actuating `said gear-segments in one dfirection, Iand means :for actaiatine;l the gear,n segments in the Opposite direction.

14. In atoy race course, the combination of a nestedseries of tubular shafts, raceractuating means connected with saidshafts atone endl pinions connected ,Withsaid shafts at the other vend, gearesegments meshing with saidpini'ons, spring devices foractuating said vgear-segments in one direction,

means for actuating thegear-segments in the Aopposite direction and a permutation stop device co-acting` with said gear-segments and governing the Q15. In atoy race. course, the combination of a plurality of telescoping' tubular shafts, Yracer-actuatingV means .connected Wit-h1 said' l stoppage thereotat the` convelusion :of the race.

shafts a-t one end thereof, pinionsconnected j wvith, said shafts atthe other-"endtliereof,

gear-segments meshingfwith vsaid ,pinions,

and. individual spring devices ,for actuating said gear-segments.

16ln a, toy race cou-rse,` the, combination yof a .plurality of telescoping tubular shafts, ,racer-,actuating Ineansfconnected With said Shafts, at one end thereof, pinionsv connected with said shafts at ,the other endtllereo,

e 4 .gear-segments meshing` `with said pinions, f of a series of racers, spring-actuated, racerspinning devices, and afpermutation stop,

meansorv 'actuating said gearfsegments, and a permutation sto-p..` device co-facting with said gearfsegments. -v 17. vIn a toy race course, Ithe combination of a plu-ralityot telescoping, tubular shafts, racer-actuating means connected with said shafts at one end thereoi",'pini0ns connected with said shafts at the other,y end thereof, gear-segments, meshing ,With said pinions,

means ifor actuating said gear-segmentsa-a vpermutation stop device comprising plungers actuated by said gear-segments, and a. permutation device ,equipped Wit-h stepped shoulders `co-acting With said plungers.;

18. In a toy race course, the combination f ofa plurality of telescoping tubular shafts,

with said shafts at the other end'thereof, gear-segments meshing with .said pinions.

ymeans for actuating said gear-segments, a

`vvith and serving to actuate said'last-named member, a spring serving to retract said permutation stop device comprising plungers actuated by said gear-segments, andan automatically actuated rotary member equipped peripherally with stepped shoulders co-acting with said plungers.`

19. In a toy race course, the combination of a plurality of racers, a racer-actuating device associated with each racer, a movable stop-member associated with each racer-actuating device, and a series of permutation disks co-acting With said stop-members.k

20. vIn a top race course, vthe combination of a plurality of racers, a racer-actuating device associated vvith each racer, each of said devices being equipped with an actuating spring, means for retracting saidv devices against the force of their springs, means for latching'said devices temporarily `in retracted position, and means 'for effecting release ofthe latching means. 'f

21. In a toy rac-e course, the combination of a plurality of racers, a racer-actuating devioe associated With each racer, actuating .springs for said devices, a member adapted to retract the racer-actuating devices against the force of their springs, and a lever con-y nected With and servingto actuate saidlastnamed member. v

22. Ina toy race course, the combination of a plurality of racers, a racer-actuating device associated With each racer, `actuating springs for said devices, a member adapted to retract the racer-actuating devices against the force of their springs, a Vlever connected With and serving to actuate said last-named member, and a spring serving to retract said lever. j i

23. In a toy race course, the combination of ,a plurality of racers, a racer-actuating vdevice associated With each racer, actuating springs for said devices, a member adapted to retract the racer-actuating devices against the force of their springs, a lever connected lever, latching means for latching the raceractuating devices in retracted position, and means connected with said lever for effecting release of said latching means during retraction of said lever.

24, In combination, a plurality of telescoping tubular shafts, racers actuated thereby, pinions on said shafts, gear-segments meshing with said pinions, springs connected With and serving to actuate said gearsegments, a rotatable member equipped Wit-li means for retracting said gear-segments against the force of their springs, a lever connected With and serving to -actuatesaid member, and latching means co-acting-With said gear-segments, said latching means havtuated thereby, pinions mounted on said i l shafts, ions,"springs serving-to actua-te said gearsegments in one direction, a krotatable kmein'- ber having an axis concentric With the axes of said gear-segments and equipped With means for retractingl all of thev gear-segments, and means for actuating said rotatable member. ,k f K 27. In combination, la plurality of racers, a plurality of independently actuated raceractuating devices equipped Withspring-actuating means, and a lever through the medium of Whichsaid racer-actuating devices may be retracted. n 28. In combination, a pluralityl of concentric tubular shafts, arms mounted on said shafts and equipped With racers adapted to clear each other in the 'racing operation, pinions on vsaid shafts, and spring-actuated gear-segments meshing With said pinions.`

29. 'In combination, a plurality of concentric tubular shafts, arms mounted on said shafts and equipped vvith racersadapted to yclear each other in the racing operation, pinions on said shafts, spring-actuated gearsegments meshingy with saidY pinions, and means for retracting said gear-segments.v

30. In combination, a pluralityy of telescopically related L-t-ubular shafts, Wheels mounted thereon, companion'yvheels mounted at a distance from-the first-mentioned `Wheels', endless belts connecting said Wheels,

' 3l. -`In combinat on, "a yplurality of tel'e-l s gear-segments meshingwith said pins scopically related tubular shafts, Wheels mounted thereon, companion Wheels mountedV at a distance from the tiret-mentioned Wheels, endless belts connecting vsaid Wheels, racers mounted on said belts, and individual springactuated devices associatedwith andserving to actuate said tubular shafts.-

32. In combination, a plurality of racers, a plurality ofspring-equipped racer-actuating devices capable of independent movement, means for retracting said devices, a permutation stop device, and `co-ac'ti-ng means between said permutation stop device and said retracting device adapted to effect a varied change in the permutationy stop device.

33. In a foy race course, the combination of a plurality of telescopng tubular shafts, journaled one Within another, the shafts being of successively increasing length from the outer shaft to the inner shaft; racers actuated through the -medium "of theupper portionsyo said tubular shafts, pnions connected with the lower portions of said tubular shafts, and spring-'driven individual ac-` tuating means forsaid pinions.

M0RT1MER B. MILLS.` I

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