US1414788A - Appliance for playing race games - Google Patents

Description

. PARSONS.

APPUANCE FoR-PLAY|NG RACE GAMES.

APPLCATION FILED FEB.` l. 1922.

Patented.' May 2,1922.

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UNITED STATES WILLIAM JAMES PARSONS, F LONDON, ENGLAND.

APPLIANCE FOB PLAYING RACE GAMES.

Application led February 1, 1922. Serial No. 533,457.

To all whom t muy concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM JAMEs PA R soNs, a subject of the King of GreatBrltam, residing at London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Appliances forp Playing Race (rames, (for .which I have lfiled an application in England N ovember125, 1920,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved race game, of the type in which playing pieces such as toy horses are moved over a chart, representing a race course, according to certain rules, and as determined by cards bearing indications corresponding to the playing pieces and also instructions, denoting the moves to be imparted to the various playing pieces by the players.

The object of the invention is to provide a race game which can be played under conditions closely approaching those introduced in actual racing, such as in flat, hurdle, or steeplechasing.

According to the invention, the moves to be made by toy horses over a base or board marked out to represent a race course are controlled by means of a pack of cards, bearing indications corresponding to the horses and also instructions as to the nature of the move to be made by the horse or horses, the instructions being such however, as not only to provide for simple forward moves, but also to provide for bumping, swerving, bet-tering of position by moving nearer to the rails of the course and the like, moves corresponding to conditions arising in actual racing.

The invention also includes the use of a movable model winning post, and the addition to the pack of cards, of a winning post card, for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described.

The invention further includes the use of miniature hurdles with corresponding fall cards added to the pack.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate the various elements utilized in playing the game, and in which drawings;

Figure 1 is a plan view of the base with the course marked out thereon.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented May 2, 1922.

Figure 2 represents one set of cards for one horse, and forming part of a pack.

Figure 3 represents one set of cards for a pa111'{of horses, and also forming part of the pac Figure 4 is a winning post.

Figures 5 and 6 are respectively side v1ew of a model hurdle and Figure 7 represents one of the horses.

In carrying out the invention according to one mode by way of example, in its application to a horse racing game for eight players, a flat base which 'may be constructed of wood, but preferably made of linen so as to permlt of folding or rolling, is marked out in the form of a course in the following manner.

Two spaced parallel lines 2, 2, are provided to represent side rails of the course, and such side lines 2, 2, are joined at their u pper and lower ends by the lines 3, 4 respectively to form a rectangle.

The side lines 2, 2, are joined near to each end by the cross lines 5, 6, of which constitute the starting line and the winning line respectively.

The space between the line 4 and the'line 5, is divided into eight spaces 8 by lines 7 parallel to the side lines 2, 2, each space 8 being provided for a horse and advantageously corresponding in length thereto.

Aligned with each space 8, and extending the full length of the course, is a track constituted by short longitudinally spaced lines 9 at right angles to the side lines 2. one track thus being provided for each horse.

The distance between the lines 9 of each track is the same up to the line A-B which is arranged at a point ab'out three quarters of the length of the course, and from this point the distance is lessened.

The lines 9 of the first, third, fifth and seventh track are displaced longitudinally relatively to the lines,9, of the second, fourth, sixth and eighth track, as shown.

Certain of the tracks may be marked with rings 10, and a distance line 11 may be marked at a point near to the winning line 6.

A line of dots 12 divides the course cenplan view of a model movable a plan and trally and longitudinally.

60 Thus. for example,

Model horses 13 such as shown in Figure 7 a winning post 14, Figure 4, .and a pack of 'cards are provided for use with the base.

The pack of cards comprises one set of four for each horse and one set of four for each successive pair of horses. 4

rllhe four cards constituting the set for horse No. 1, are shown in Figure 2, from which it will be seen that all four cards are marked with the number of the horse, and bear res ectiively the followingl instructions.

(a) lvicves four spaces. (b) Moves three spaces.

c) Moves to rails and one forward. 5d) Bumped, rest move one forward.

. 1t is of course to be understood that four similar cards bearing the same instructions but marked with different numbers corresponding to different horses are provided for each. of the other horses.

The four cards constituting a set for a pair of horses are marked with the numbers c of the horses forming the pair` two of the cards having the lower number first, and the other two having the lower numberlast, as

shown in Figure 3 which represent the set.

for horses No. 1 and 2l Each horse of the pair thus has an equal chance of precedence \as regards turm or order ofmove.

1n addition to the numbers of the horses arranged as described, the cards constituting this set bear the following instructions respectively as shown in the figures in question (a) 1 and 2 move l space. (b) Nos. 2 and 1 move 1 space. (c) {Na 1 moves two spaces.

No. 2 swerves. (d) No. 2 movesl two spaces. c@ No. 1 swerves.

Asi before it is to be understood that sets of cards .bearing the same instructions are` 'provided for horses 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and4 7 and 8.

In playing the game the numbered horses are arranged in the spaces 8, which may be correspondingly numbered and the cards are either turned up successively, land the moves made by the players, accordingl to the instructions on the card turned up, or the cards may be dealt out to the players` who then either turn them up successively, in order of play, without first inspecting them, or first inspect them, and play them according to their judgment, and in turn, as in whist for example, the horses being moved in every case by the players in accordance with the instructions given -on the cards turned up or played.

if a card bea-ring the number 1 with the instructions Moves three spaces, is turned up, or played, the player owning horse No. 1 moves his horse from the space 8, on to for that particular' horse. A

the third line 9 of the track' Mieres move one forward, the player owning horse No. 1 moves his horse forward, but diagonally to the next line 9, in a direction towards the dotted centre line 12, which move in effect brings that horse only half a space nearer to the winning post, but on the track for another horse, whilst all the other players move their horses on to the nextline 9, of their own tracks if not alreadytaken up by another horse.

When a card is turned up or played bearing the instructions No. 2 moves two spaces, No. 1 swerves the player owning horse No. 2 moves his horse forward from the'line 9, o n which the forefeet of the horse are then engaged,on the second line 9, therefrom, while the player owning horse No. 1 moves his horse forward, but diagonally to the second line 9, away from the line originally occupied, this move in effect placing that horse one space nearer the winning post.

Should for example, the card be played or turned up bearing the number 1 and the instructions Moves to rails and one forward the owner of horse No. l first moves his horse laterally until reaching one of the side railsA 2 and then forwardly to the next line 9.

1f the horse of a player in making a move is passed over a space marked with the ring 10, the space is not counted, but if a horse by being bumped or swerving reaches a space marked with a ring 10, such space must be counted as usual.

By making the distance between the lines 9 shorter Atowards the winning post line the progression of the horses is delayed thereby adding to the chances of the horses finishing level or in close relation, and so denoting small degrees by which the foremost horse wins.

Each .horse isy advantageously of a length equal to two spaces between the lines 9. Again,

say half a division in front ofthe next and so on, and such amount may be considered as winning by a neck. y

From the foregoing the manner in which the moves are to be made in accordance with the instructions on the cards will be readily appreciated.

Observance of the following rules, which are given by way of example, will facilitate play in its simplest form. 1) `All horses at the start to be placed in their respective spaces, (which maybe drawn for) with forefeet on the starting post line (5).

as the lines are in staggered relation one horse may arrive at the winning post (2) The cards to be dealt out to the players, or exposed successively by a referee.

(3) Horses to be moved in accordance with the instructions on the cards as they are exposed or played, by sliding sald horses from one position to another as the case may be.

(a) Directly forward.

(b) Diagonally as necessary, or if pre- 4 ferred to directly forward.

c) Sideways.

4) After crossin the starting ost line both forefeet of eac horse to be a ways on a stop (i. e. a line 9), two horses not belng permitted in the same space at the same time.

(5) No horse to be permitted to occupy the space immediately in front of another horse unless bumped or swerved into that position, although a space immediately behind a horse may be occupied by the horse of another player.

(6) Any move prevented from completion by reason of the posltion taken up by one or more horses on the course, to be completed as far as possible.

(7) All horses to be moved in the order in which their numbers appear on the cards.

(8) In moving a horse overa ringed space, the space is not to be counted, but a horse being bumped or swerved on to a ringed space, to count that space as usual.

(9) Bumped or swerved moves to be taken away from the nearer rails, even if the latter move is only partly possible, if not possible at all in this direction, the move to be taken towards the'near rails.

These moves may occur at any position, on the course and a horse may be bumped. or swerved over the winning post, and thus win. If a horse is bumped or swerved at the starting post line however, the move is to be lost.

(10) When the card is played or turned] up bearing the instructions Rest move one the leading horse is to be moved first and so on in order. If two horses are level the horse nearer the No. 1 side of the course to have irst move of the two. This move is not to be allowed to any horse beyond the` distance line.

(11) A horse moving to rails to have the choice of 1) either vdirection (2) moving only partly towards the rails (3) not moving sideways at all, the move forward however is always to be taken.

(12) The first horse having its forefeet placed beyond the winning post line is the wmner.

(13) A dead heat occurs only when two horses are both on the winning post line and a card is exposed givinginstructions for both to move one space. v (14) When two horses are both on the winning post line, and a card is. exposed instructing one to move two spaces, and the other to swerve, the former is the winner, and the latter is to be regarded as second.

The course may be provided at suitable and advantageously equally spaced distances with marks 15,l 16 denoting the positions at which model hurdles 17 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 ma be arranged, and in such case a set of cards one card for each horse, bearing the number of the horse, and the instruction F all should beV added to the pack.

The ame then proceeds in the same manner as eore described, but in passing over a hurdle the forefeet of the horses should be placed immediately above the line 9 upon which they should ordinarily be resting if the hurdlel were omitted.

A horse on passing a hurdle may rest in four different positions viz:

(1) With the forefeet just touching the top of the hurdle.

(2) With its forefeet well over the hurdle.

(3) Restingnon the hurdle slightly more than half Way overand (4) `With the lower part of its rear legs resting onthe hurdle.

Should a card be turned up or played bearing the instruction Fall then the horse denoted by that card, if said horse is in any of the four positions last mentioned, remains there until all other horses behind have been passed over, or remain on the hurdle.

In either variation of the games i. e. with or without hurdles, a card marked Winning post and bearing an instruction to move the winning post into another position may be added to the pack, and the game then proceeds as before, except that if the Winning post cardbe turned up or played the movable winning. post 14 is placed on the course in the position indicated by the card.

The game then continues, with the post 14 in its new. position, taking the place of the winning post line 6, on the track.

Instead of using model hurdles, the course may be marked by lines for example and indications to denote hurdles, and similarly indications such as Starting post Distance line and Winning post may be marked on the course.

It will be readily appreciated lfrom the foregoing that many variations may be made in the method of plav without departing Afrom the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that the invention is in no way horses, a chart marked in the form of a race course upon which said horses are moved 1n the playlng of the game, and a pack of cards bearing indications for the moves of the horses uponv said chart, said cards in` 13o cluding sets of cards limited to each partie ular horse and sets of cards limited to certain pairs of horses, whereby a s ingle card may control the movement of a smgle horse or a pair of horses.

2. Apparatus for playmg race games comprising 1n comblnatlon playing pieces representlng horses, a pack of cards bearmg 1ndications corresponding to the horses and instructions for the 'moves to the particular horsesindicated some of said cards also bearing penalty and privllege 1ndications simulating the conditions encountered in actual racing such as bumping,

swerving, proximity to the rails, and the like,

one card in said pack/bearing an indication denoting the posltion of the Winning post, a chart marked in the form of a course and -upon which said horses are moved in accordance with the instructions on said cards, and a movable plece representlng a winning post,

be made by Lerares substantially as and for the purpose hereinbeforeset forth.

, Apparatus for playing race games comprising in combination playingrpleces representlng horses, a pack of cards bearing indications corresponding to the `horses and instructions for the moves to be made by the particular horses indicated some of said cards also bearin penalty and privilege indications simulating the conditions encountered in vactual racing such as bumping, swerving, falling, proximity to the rails and the like, some of the cards bearing the instruction Fall, a chart marked in the form of a course, and movable hurdles to be' placed on said chart, substantially as and for the purpose4 hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I. have signed my name to this specication.

WILLMM JAMES PARSUNS.

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