US3462151A - Chance controlled racing game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug.'19, 1969 f J. J. PARISI 3,462,151 i CHANCE cowrxfxobmsl'nv RACING GAME'APPARATUS l med July 1s;` 196ev f l' z sheets-sheen l G84 3 2 Iker/'4 3 @@'Qaygp I l y lNvENToR. f .I JOSEPH J.pAR|s| ATTORNEYS.' f

Ang 19, V*L J PARISI y CHANCE CONTHOLLED RACING GAME APPARATUS med .my 1s, 196e z sheets-sheet z ffy/6,2. rf?

"32 f 32 32 Ilm l Zb 3 mvENToR M E." Z3 4W 2?@ 24 5 JOSEPH J. PARlsl lMlLE l 2 l?? 3'4-5 -265512'500 Y33c evi( E 7/ l nms i Zaifzn zsflinlzllllwglg ,23 4. @Wfw -I I I ATTORNEY5- I Ud States Paw f CHANCE CONTROLLED RACING.

. GAME APPARATUS Joseph J. Parisi, 293 Mountanview Ave.,

Staten Island, N.Y. 10314 Filed'July 13', 1966, Ser. No. 564,964 Int. Cl. A63f 3/00 v U.S. Cl. 273-134 v s claims ABSTRACT oF THE DISCLOSURE A game apparatus having .(a) a board having a race L.

course thereon marked in a, series of lanes and divided into segmentsof 1A mile, 1/2 mile, 3%; mile and Finish, each segment having a series of section marks and adjacent numerals indicating a yrange of elapsed time intervals, (b) a deck of cards each having one of said time placed in each pocket, with the lleading edge of each succeeding card disposed adjacent the marker on the preceding card, whereby the markers on the cardsindicate the respective positions for playing pieces on the board at the end of eachtsegment and at the nish of the race.

This invention relates to a board game apparatus,` and more-particularly to a board game of the racing type having a conventional race track layout marked with a seriesl of" concentric ovals providing lanes, each of `the lanesl being divided into-a numberof spaces by section marks, and said trackhavingstarting and vfinishing positions. e f v i More particularly, the Vpresent invention provides -av l novel racing board game apparatus'wherein the section marks on vthe racetrack oval carry elapsed time indicia corresponding to the times customarily required to run an actual race.`A1so, the present invention provides a novel deck of cards andra novel card holder which-are correlated to the elapsed time markings onvarious segments of thetrack so that theposition ofeach of the racing pieces at the end of each segment of the track will ybe determined bythe successive positioning y of c ards dealt from the deck when placed in the card holder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide `an apparatus for playing a boardv game for human amusement which will closelyrapproximate a horse or other type of race, and which will introduce elements .of both skill and chance andwill present various opportunities for friendly wagering during the course of the race so as to preserve interest throughout.

In the preferred form the board game apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated and will be described on the basis of a horse race, although it will be understood that lit can be adapted to other types of simulated races withoutdeparting from the underlying concept. According to the present invention, and in its preferred form, the board game apparatus comprises an oval 3,462,151 Patented Aug. 19, 1969 ICC track having a series of lanes, the track having a starting position and a finishing position corresponding to a onemile race track. The track is preferably divided into four segments, each representing a distance of A mile. Each of these segments has been divided into sections, with said sections having adjacent indicia indicating a range of elapsed time intervals customarily required to cover the corresponding part of the track in an actual horse race. Thus, the 1A mile segment represents an elapsed time range from 23 seconds to 241/5 seconds; the 1/2 mile segment represents an elapsed time range from 46 seconds to 482/5 seconds; the 3A mile segment represents an elapsed time range from 1 minute 9 seconds to l minute 12% seconds; and the one-mile or Finish segment represents an elapsed time range from l minute 32 seconds to l minute 381/5 seconds. f

The game board apparatus also provides two decks o cards. From the iirst deck three cards are dealt to each player and are used by each player in successively determining the position of his horse at the 1A mile position, the 1/2 mile position, and the 3/4 mile position. After each of the three cards have been used by all players, one card is dealt to each player from the second deck of cards and this card carries the successive position of each horse at the one mile position.

The cards from the two decks are used in cooperation with a card holder and adding device which is provided with a series of four pockets to receive the cards, each pocket having thereon section marks and elapsed time indicia identical with those on the corresponding track segment. Each of such cards has on its face an arrow which, when the card is correctly placed in the proper pocket in the card holder and adding device, will indicate the elapsed time for the then completed portion of the race, the position of the arrowon the cards varying within the range above set forth. When the four cards are mounted in the holder, in the four separate pockets, with the left edge of each succeeding card coinciding with the arrow designated section on the preceding card, the arrow on the fourth or Finish pocket will indicate the elapsed time for the particular horse in the one mile race. Hence, the winner will be the horse having the minimum elapsed time, and in the illustration herein made will be the horse which comes closest to the elapsed time of 1 minute 32 seconds.

The board game apparatus of the present invention also provides various other features for the purpose of closely simulating a conventional horse race, providing means for friendly wagering and maintaining players interest throughout the race by injecting certain elements of chance as well as skill.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of the game board showing the oval track.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the card holder and adding device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of such card holder and adding device taken alongfthe lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a collective view showingy cards, racing pieces, and playing chips forming part of the game apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevationl view of the card holder and adding device showing 4four cards in the positions which they may assume during the course of a race.

Referring now to the drawings, a flat game board 10, preferably metal topped, has marked thereon an oval race track 11 simulating the distance of one mile. It has a starting gate 12 and a finish line 13. The oval track 11 is divided into eight concentric lanes numbered from 1 to 8, inclusive, such number constituting the post position.

The oval track 11 is divided into four segments. The first segment 16 is labeled 1/1 mi1e; the second segment 17 is labeled 1/2 mile; the third segment 18 is labeled 1% mile; and the fourth segment 19 is labeled Finish. Each segment, in turn, has section marks which provide sections 16a, 16b, etc., 17a, 17b, etc., 18a, 18b, etc., and 19a, 1911, etc. In the 1A mile segment 16 there are shown seven sections 16a to 16g, inclusive, and inwardly of the track oval there are shown, respectively, numerals 1, 24, 4, 3, 2, 1, 23, which in turn correspond to sections 16a, 1Gb, 16C, 16d, 16e, 161, and 16g. These numerals indicate an elapsed time for running the first quarter mile within the `range of 23 seconds to 241/5 seconds. Section 16g corresponds to 23 seconds; section 16f corresponds to 231/5 seconds; section 16e corresponds to 232/5 seconds. Hence, it will be understood that when the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 appear alone they indicate an increment of 1/5 second from the following section and should be read with the nearest integer forwardly on the track.

Segment 17 of the track, which is labeled 1/2 mile has thirteen sections, 17a through 17m", inclusive, which have been respectively numbered to show elapsed time from 482/ seconds to 46 seconds, in 1/5 second increments corresponding to each of sections 17a to 17m, inclusive. Again, where the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 appear they are to be read as fths of a second in conjunction with the nearest integer appearing forwardly on the track. Thus, section 17e is to be read as 473/5 seconds and section 17k is to be read as 462/5 seconds.

Segment 18 of the track, which is labeled 3/1 mile comprises 19 sections showing elapsed time intervals ranging from l minute 9 seconds to 1 minute 122/5 seconds. Again the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent fifths of a second and should be added to the nearest integer forwardly on the track.

Segment 19 of the track, which is labeled Finish consists of 32 sections which show elapsed times ranging from 1 minute 32 seconds to l minute 381/5 seconds.

With the eight lanes shown on the game board as many as eight persons may play at one time. Each person has a distinctively marked racing piece 20 which is here shown as a racing horse with jockey. The horse 20 is preferably of plastic and has a magnetic base 21 which provides a rm grip on the metal top of the game board.

In FIG. 2 of the drawings there is shown in `front clevation, and in FIG. 3 in cross section, an important element of the present invention. This is a card holder and adding device 25 which has four laterally extending pockets 26a, 2Gb, 26C and 26d of progressively decreasing heights. It will be noted that each of the pockets of the card holder 25 corresponds to a segment of the one mile oval race track 11. The top pocket 26a is labeled 1/1 mile; the second pocket 26b is labeled 1/2 mile; the third pocket 26C is labeled 2%1 mile; and the lowermost or fourth pocket 26d is labeled Finish It will also be noted that each such pocket has section marks corresponding to the elapsed time section marks on the oval track. Hence, the 1/1 mile pocket 26a has seven sections ranging in time from 23 seconds to 241/5 seconds, in increments of one-fifth second. The 1/2 mile pocket 2617 has thirteen sections ranging in time from 46 seconds to 482/5 seconds. The 3/1 mile pocket 26C has nineteen sections ranging in time from one minute and 9 seconds to one minute and 123/5 seconds; and the Finish pocket 26d has thirty-two sections ranging in .time from one minute and 32 seconds to one minute and 381/5 seconds. Each of the sections is of equal width and represents an increment of 1/5 second from the next preceding section to its left as shown in FIG. 2. In the preferred form of the invention 24 i these sections are made of a width of one-quarter inch.

In FIG. 4 there are shown three decks of cards. One of these decks of cards is generally marked 30 and another is generally marked 31. The purpose of the third deck of cards will later be made apparent. In the preferred form of the invention each of cards 30 carries an elapsed time number ranging from 23 to 241/5 in amounts varying by increments of 1/5. These cards are intended to correspond to the elapsed time increments shown on the oval track 1/1 mile segment 16 and on the 1A mile pocket 26a of the card holder and adding device 25. As the game is intended to be played by Ias many as eight players and each player should be dealt three cards from deck 30, there should be a minimum of twenty-four cards in deck 30. In practice it has been found that fifty-nine cards in this deck are preferred so as to'vary the chances for each player from vrrace to race,...

It will also be noted that each card in deck 30 has a downwardly directed arrow 32, 32a, 32b, etc. The arrow is spaced inwardly from the left edge of the card in proportion to the elapsed time numeral on the card. Hence, it will be seen in FIG. 4 that the card 23 which represents the smallest elapsed time has its arrow 32a close to the left edge 33 of the card, whereas card 241/5 in the same deck has its arrow 32b closer to the right edge 34 of the card, In the preferred form of the invention the arrow moves to the right on each card by one-quarter of an inch for each 1/5 second increment from the starting position of the arrow 32a, on the card labeled 23.

The second deck of cards 31 shown in FIG. 4 coniprises Finish cards for the Finish segment of the race. Each Finish card carries a number ranging from 23 to 252/5, in increments of 1/5, so as to correspond to elapsed time intervals for the Finish segment of the race varying from 23 seconds to 252/5 seconds. Each such card also has a downwardly'directed arrow 33a, 33h, 33e. Arrow 33a on card 23 is close to the left edge. vAll other cards' have arrows spaced toward the right in one-quarter inch increments, as is done with the cards of deck 30.

According to the rules of -play for the preferred form of the invention, each playeris dealt three cards from deck 30. He is then at liberty to use these cards in any order or sequence which he selects. No player receives a card from the Finish deck 31 until all players have used their cards from deck 30.

In turn, each player places one of his cards from deck 30 in his respective card holder in the uppermost pocket corresponding to 1A mile, with the left edge of the card aligned with the edge of the section labeled 23. The arrow on such card will then indicate the elapsed time for the rst one-quarter mile. As shown in FIG. 5 a card 40 reading 231/5 has been placed in the uppermost pocket 26a,

and the arrow points to the section block 1 after 23 on the card holder which corresponds to 231/5 seconds.

After due allowance for any friendly wagering which may take place after each player has inserted his first card in his card holder, the horsesare then moved to positions on the oval track 11 corresponding to the arrow positions in the card holders. Thus, with the card holder shown in FIG. 5 the horse will assume a position on the 1A mile segment in section 16). Each player then places his second card from deck 30 in the card holder 25 in pocket 2Gb, with the left edge ofthe card'aligned with the right edge of the'box to which the arrow of the preceding card points. Thus in the illustration shown in FIG. 5, the second card 41 having a marking of 241/5 has its left edge 41a aligned with the right edge of box 231/5 in pocket'26a. The arrow 32 on card 41 points to 472/5 which is intended to mean that up to the end of the 1/2 mile segment the horse has had an elapsed running time of 472/5 seconds. Again,y after yfriendly wagering, the horses are moved to the new elapsed time position on oval track 11.

Each player next placs his card from deck 30 in the third pocket 26e of cardholder 25, with the left edge of the card aligned with the right edge of the box indicated by the arrowA on the second card in pocket 26b. Hence, in the illustration shown in FIG. 5, the lthird card 46 carrying the number"23/shas its left edge 46a aligned with the right `edge of box472/s of the 1/2 mile pocket. Card 46'has anarrow which then points to one minute lll/s seconds, which represents'l the aggregate time elapsed from the start ofthe race throughthe three-quarter mile segment.

After each player has placed vhis third card from deck 30 in the third pocket 26c'of his respective card holder, all horses are placed on the oval track in positions corresponding to the arrows on such cards. For example, in the caseof FIG. 5, the horse will be on section 18h of the oval. Each player is then dealt one Finish card from deck 31, which is placed in the lowermost pocket 26d of card holder 25 and positioned as the other cards were. It will be noted however that for convenience the Finish l.cards have a wide horizontal dimension and a shallower vertical dimension as this provides a greater range of elapsed times in increments of 1/s second for the Finish segment of the race. As shown in FIG. 5, the Finish card 50 carries the number 243/5 which indicates an elapsed time of 243/5 seconds for running the finalor Finish segment of the race. The arrow 33C points to 1:3546 which indicates a total elapsed running time of 1 minute 35% seconds.

The winner of the race is the horse having the lowest elapsed time for the race as shown on the card holders 25 of the players.

In order to inject as many elements of chance and skill into each race as possible, to preserve the interest of each player until the end of the race, and to simulate actual horse racing as it occurs under pari-mutuel conditions today, the present invention provides the following additional features:

On the game board within the oval track are eight groups of three boxes each'carrying the letters W, P and S ,and a number from 1 to 8, inclusive. The number l corresponds to post position 1, and each succeeding number up to and including 8 corresponds to a like-numbered post position. The letter W stands for win, the letter P stands for placej and the letter S stands for show. These boxes for convenience are called wagering boxes. For friendly wagering the game contemplates the use of chips 65 as shown in FIG. 4. In the preferred form of the invention 300 such chips are provided of which 50 are red, 100 are blue, and 150 are white.

As shown in FIG. 2 each card holder 25 has a number l to 8 in the upper right-hand corner. Thus the post position of each player is determined by random distribution of such card holders. Each player then takes a position adjacent the track opposite the wagering box having the same post position number. After each player has placed a card in the 1A mile elapsed time pocket in his card holder, each player may wager on his own horse for win, place, or show by placing chips in the correspondingly marked Wagering box in front of him. Additional wagers may be made after the 1/2 mile and SA mile cards have been placed in the card holders.

In order further to simulate pari-mutuel horse racing, a third deck of cards 80 shown in'FIG. 4, each carrying a number from 1 to 8, inclusive, is provided. In the preferred form of the invention 64 such cards constitute the deck. Preferably at the 3A mile segment and before the Finish cards have been dealt, each player may select any horse which he thinks will win and pick a daily double card from deck 80 having a number from l to 8 corresponding to the post position of the horse he selects. This daily double card is then placed in the box labeled 1st Half on the track in front of the player. Those players who select the winner of the first race by picking the properly numbered daily double card then keep their cards for the second race. On the second race when the horses have reached the 3% mile position the players having winning cards on the first half of the daily double select the horse which they think will win the second race according to post position and place correspondingly numbered daily double cards from deck on the squares marked 2nd Half. The player or players who select the winners for both races `win or participate in the daily double. A separate pool provides the funds for paying the winner of the daily double.

To inject the possibility of a long shot coming from behind to winin the Finish segment of the race, some of the Finish cards in deck 31 have a number in a circle in the upper right-hand corner, such as the number 21 on Finish, card 50, shown in FIG. 5. In the preferred form of the invention, if the number shown in the circle when added to the total elapsed time of the rst three cards equals 1:32 or more, such circled number may be used in place of the number shown in the center of the card, such Ias 24a/s, to give a smaller elapsed time and to increase the horses chance of winning.

On each Finish card in deck 31 there is also shown a dollar amount such as $4,500, $6,500, or $12,500. These figures indicate the class rating of the horse and are only used l.to determine the winner in the event of a dead heat or tie.

While the board game Iapparatus of the present invention has been illustrated and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that variations may be made therein.

What I claim is:

1. Board game apparatus comprising a board having a race course marked thereon with starting and finishing positions, lsaid course comprising a series of lanes adapted for movement of racing pieces along said lanes, said lanes divided by markings into segments, each segment having marks thereon dividing the segment into sections each representing a predetermined elapsed time interval, racing pieces for indicating each players position, a deck of cards having various elapsed time intervals marked thereon constituting a range of time intervals required for a racing piece to cover a lane segment, each said card having a marker thereon positioned to correspond to the elapsed time represented by said card, and a card holder and adding device having pockets therein for receiving cards from said deck, said card holder having section and elapsed time markings thereon designating each pocket as corresponding to a different segment of the course and having a number of sections equal to that of the corresponding segment, each section having indicia designating the total time required to reach the corresponding section of the race course, said markers being differently positioned relative to the same reference edge on all of the cards in proportion to the dilerent elapsed time intervals indicated on the cards, and said holder having its pockets so constructed and arranged that a card may be placed in each succeeding pocket with said reference edge adjacent the marker on the card placed in the preceding pocket, the pocket markings being so arranged that each card marker points to a marking designating the total elapsed time up to the point in the race to which the particular pocket corresponds.

2. Board game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total elapsed time during each segment of the race is indicated on the board by numerals opposite each section of each segment.

3. Board game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the last segment of the race course is of greatest length, wherein there is provided -a second deck of cards each having an elapsed time interval correlated to such last segment, and wherein one of the pockets in said card holder has elapsed time markings corresponding to such last segment.

4. Board game apparatus according to claim 3 wherein some of the cards in said second deck have an alternative lower elapsed time numeral.

5. Board game apparatus according to claim 3, where- References Cited in said lanes are in the form of a series of concentric UNITED STATES PATENTS ovals, wherein there are four segments, the :first segment i Y being marked 1A mile, the second segment being 1,463,871 8/1923 Chsqlm 273-434 marked 1/2 mile, the third segment being marked 5 062,168 11/1936 Entwlstle 27?*134 mile, and the fourth segment being marked Finish, 218231919 2/1958 Scruggs 273`134 and wherein the card holder has four pockets for re- FOREIGN PATENTS I ceiving elapsed time cards from said decks, and said Y v pockets are respectively marked to correspond to such 1368346 6/1964 France 1A mile, 1/2 mile, 3A mile and Finish segments. 10 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner

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