MINIATURE RACING COURSE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a miniature racing course for model car racing games, or more precisely racing courses for toy cars with boxes or garages for cars, which are activated automatically against advance payment and where the interim and end results of the race are evident from the information board.

[0002] There are several known solutions of miniature racing courses but their common characteristics or deficiency is that they are intended exclusively for home usage, that they do not include parking boxes for model cars, that they do not include an automatic activating device and an information board, that the number of circles covered and the time spent are measured by mechanical measuring instruments, that model cars and wire remote controls are not secured against theft and that they do not include a device which would allow the activation of the racing course and the performance of the race against advance payment.

[0003] US-A-3,970,309 discloses a racing course for home use. The racing course comprises two parallel oval racing lanes connected by a switching section controlled pneumatically by bellows as well as a counting and recording station counting mechanically the number of times a model car has passed the counting and recording station. The inner racing lane has two "pit-stop" recharging stations comprising equipment for recharging a storage cell within the model car. The recharging stations also comprise manually operatable switching means for diverting a model car from the racing course into the recharging area and for freeing the model car to move outwardly from the recharging area to re-enter the racing course.

[0004] The problem which is solved by this invention is the construction of such a miniature racing course which will allow its use primarily in public places, gambling casinos and other premises against advance payment.

[0005] This problem is solved by a miniature racing course with the features of claim 1.

[0006] The whole construction of the miniature racing course according to the invention is compact and simple and allows garaging of remotely controlled model cars and a simultaneous visual and sound monitoring of the race, of intermediate results as well as of final results of model cars or competitors on a special information board.

[0007] The miniature racing course of the invention suits the conditions of the usage in public places against advance payment; which would allow the race of one, two, three or more model cars; which would furthermore allow the garaging of model cars in safe parking boxes as well as giving regular and exact information on the situation on the course during and after the race; and which performs accurate measuring of the time spent and the circles covered, which mechanical measuring instruments do not allow.

[0008] The parking box for safe parking of the model cars is provided for on the side lane or on the racing course itself and can be activated by means of an automatic activating device against advance payment. The speed and the number of circles covered are measured by measuring instruments, intermediate and final results are visible on a separate information board.

[0009] The invention will be described in more detail in an example of operation and in pictures demonstrating:

Fig. 1:

miniature racing course with a side lane in the ground plan,

Fig. 2:

longitudinal section of the parking box in the first example of operation, and

Fig. 3:

longitudinal section of the parking box in the second example of operation.

[0010] In a preferred example of operation, the miniature racing course is constituted by a racing course 1, a side lane 2, an automatic activating device 8 and an information board 9.

[0011] The racing course 1 comprises one, two, three, or more racing lanes 4, with one model car 6 on each, at least two pairs of optical measuring instruments 7 and at least two, three or more remote controls 10, the number of which equals the number of the racing lanes 4.

[0012] The side lane 2 comprises two, three or more side tracks 5. The side lane 2 has the same number of side tracks 5 as the racing course 1 has racing lanes 4. It is furthermore constituted by a parking box 3 for parking model cars 6.

[0013] Fig. 1 demonstrates a example of operation of a miniature racing course where there is along the racing course 1 in the same level a side lane 2, which has side tracks 5 linked or connected with corresponding racing lanes 4 on the racing course 1. The side lane 2 can be on or along whatever part of the racing course 1 depending on its design.

[0014] On the racing course 1 START and FINISH are indicated, and on each there is a pair of optical measuring devices 7 placed on the transverse plane intended for measuring the speed of model cars 6, for measuring the number of circles covered and for measuring the time each individual model car 6 has spent. On each individual racing lane 4 one model car 6 is placed, and each is operated by one remote control 10 which is primarily wireless, in another example of operation also of wire construction. In a different example of operation the side lane 2, the start and the finish as well as the optical measuring instruments 7 can be constructed and placed in a different way, as demonstrated in picture 1.

[0015] In fig. 1 it is also evident that the miniature racing course is connected with the automatic activating device 8 in such a way that the device is linked to or with the parking box 3 on the side lane 2. In a different example of operation it can be linked to or with the racing course 1 in which case the automatic activating device 8 is constructed in such a way that it can be activated only after previous payment either with coins, tokens, payment cards and similar, which is not separately demonstrated in picture 1.

[0016] From fig. 1 it is also evident that the racing course 1 is connected with the information board 9, which is placed above or next to the course in a conspicuous place. The information board 9 can be constructed in the analogue or digital form and shows intermediate as well as final results of measurings of optical measuring instruments 7.

[0017] Fig. 2 shows an example of operation of a parking box 3, placed on the side lane 2, as is evident from fig. 1. The parking box 3 is in this example of operation constructed from a safety housing 15 which is made up of a roof and of two side and front walls of optional shapes which are not described and depicted herein. In one front wall single lifting entrance door 16 is constructed and in the opposite front wall single exit door 17 is constructed. Both doors are being opened by rotating them outwards round the hinge 11, each in the opposite direction. In a different example of operation the door 16,17 can also be opened inwards or in a combined manner and can in another example of operation be constructed as vertically lifting or vertically dropping. After arrival of a model car 6 into the parking box 3 only the entrance lifting door 16 opens and when the car is inside the door closes. When the model car 6 leaves the parking box 3 the lifting exit door 17 opens and closes after the exit of the car. In a different example of operation the doors 16,17 can also be opened or closed simultaneously. The parking box 3 is made of a transparent material so that model cars 6 parked in it are visible. In a different example of operation the parking box 3 can also be made of a non-transparent material.

[0018] In fig. 3 the second example of operation of the parking box 3 for parking model cars 6 is shown which is placed in the system of the racing course 1. In a different example of operation the parking box can in the same way be placed in the system of the side lane 2. In this example of operation the parking box 3 is constructed of two complexes. The first complex is made up of a roof safety housing 14 which is placed above the racing course 1 and can be constructed without or with doors 16,17 which are shown in picture 2 and have previously been described. The second complex is made up of a supporting safety bottom 12 which is placed below the racing course 1 and is inaccessibly closed from all sides.

[0019] In the area inside the parking box 3 is according to the second example of operation the racing course 1 together with the racing lanes 4 constructed separably in the transverse direction in such a manner that it can be with the help of two hinges 11 and in two dropping parts 1' dropped downwards into the supporting safety bottom 12. Each end of the dropping parts 1'. is frontally put on each front end of the track section 13 which is fixed to the inner wall of the supporting bottom 12. When the model cars 6 leave the parking box 3, both dropping parts 1' of the racing course 1 are again being lifted to its level and so a seemingly inseparable racing course 1 is formed on its whole length.

[0020] After payment of the entry fee the automatic activating device 8 activates the miniature racing course according to one of the previously described methods and hooks it up to the electric power. Model cars 6 from the parking box 3 constructed in line with one of the two previously described methods, shown in pictures 2 and 3, drive up to the starting line and stop in front of it. After a certain signal competitors start the model cars 6 with the help of remote controls 10 along the racing lanes 4 on the racing course 1 and regulate their speed with the remote controls. If it is necessary model cars 6 can in the bends of the racing course 1 be secured from dropping out of the racing lane 4, with a special safety device which is not depicted neither described. Optical measuring instruments 7 installed at the start and the finish measure accurately the speed of individual model cars 6, their average speed in the race, the number of circles covered in the race and the time spent in each circle and the total time spent after the race is finished. Intermediate results achieved can constantly be monitored by the competitors on an information board 9 of an analogue or digital form on which the final results are shown at the end of the race as well as the order individual model cars 6 have reached in the race. When the race is finished model cars 6 drive into the parking box 3 and the miniature racing course is ready for a new race. The previously described embodiment of the the racing course allows the use in public places because its functioning is completely automated and a theft of its constituent parts is practically impossible without the use of physical power. The supervision of a public gambling place in which there is a larger number of miniature racing courses is simple and cheap. With this racing course races at all levels are possible.

Claims

1. Miniature racing course (1) comprising at least one racing lane (4), model cars (6) placed on the racing lane (4) and operated by means of remote controls (10), an automatic activating device (8) constructed such that it can be activated exclusively against advance payment, a measuring instrument (7), an information board (9) showing intermediate and final results and a parking box (3) for safe parking of the model cars the parking box (3) being provided for on the racing lane (4) or a side lane (2).

2. Miniature racing course according to claim 1, wherein the parking box is constructed as a safety housing (15) or a safety bottom (12) inaccessibly closable from all sides

3. Miniature racing course according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring instuments (7) measure the speed of the model cars (6), the number of circles made by each model car (6) and the time each model car (6) has spent.

4. Miniature racing course according to claim 3, wherein the results of the measurings of the measuring instruments are shown by the information board (9).

5. Miniature racing course according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one side lane (2).

6. Miniature racing course according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at the racing lane (4) is separated in the transverse direction rectangularly or under an angle such that it forms, together with hinges (11), two parts (1') dropping in opposite directions.

7. Miniature racing course according to claim 6, wherein a track section (13) is placed and fixed to the bottom of the supporting safety bottom (12) of the parking box (3) so that when dropping both legs of the dropping parts (1'), it forms a part of the racing course (1) in and out of which model cars (6) can drive.

Ansprüche

1. Miniaturrennbahn (1) mit wenigstens einer Rennspur (4), mit Modellautos (6), die auf die Rennspur (4) gesetzt sind und mittels einer Fernsteuerung (10) betrieben werden, mit einer automatischen Aktivierungseinrichtung (8), die so konstruiert ist, daß sie ausschließlich gegen Vorauszahlung aktiviert werden kann, mit einem Meßinstrument (7), mit einer Anzeigetafel (9), die Zwischen- und Endresultate anzeigt, und mit einer Parkbox (3) zum sicheren Parken der Modellautos, wobei die Parkbox (3) auf der Rennspur (4) oder einer Seitenspur (2) vorgesehen ist.

2. Miniaturrennbahn nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Parkbox als ein Sicherheitsgehäuse (15) oder als ein Sicherheitsboden (12) konstruiert ist, die von allen Seiten unzugänglich verschließbar sind.

3. Miniaturrennbahn nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Meßinstrumente (7) die Geschwindigkeit der Modellautos (6), die Anzahl der von jedem Modellauto (6) zurückgelegten Runden und die von jedem Modellauto (6) verbrauchte Zeit mißt.

4. Miniaturrennbahn nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Meßergebnisse der Meßinstrumente auf der Anzeigetafel (9) angezeigt werden.

5. Miniaturrennbahn nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, mit wenigstens einer Seitenspur (2).

6. Miniaturrennbahn nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Rennspur (4) in Querrichtung rechtwinklig oder unter einem Winkel so getrennt ist, daß sie zusammen mit Schanieren (11) zwei Teile (1') bildet, die in entgegengesetzten Richtungen abfallen.

7. Miniaturrennbahn nach Anspruch 6, wobei ein Spurabschnitt (13) am Boden des abstützenden Sicherheitsbodens (12) der Parkbox (3) angeordnet und an ihm befestigt ist, so daß er einen Teil der Rennbahn (1) bildet, in die und aus der heraus Modellautos (6) gesteuert werden können, wenn beide Schenkel der abfallenden Teile (1') herabgelassen werden.

Revendications

1. Circuit de course miniature (1) comprenant au moins une piste de course (4), des voitures miniatures (6) placées sur la piste de course (4) et actionnées au moyen de commandes à distance sans fil (10), un dispositif d'actionnement automatique (8) construit de manière à pouvoir être actionné exclusivement en échange d'un paiement préalable, un instrument de mesure (7), un panneau d'informations (9) présentant les résultats intermédiaires et finaux et un box de stationnement (3) pour assurer un stationnement sûr des voitures miniatures, le box de stationnement (3) étant prévu sur la piste de course (4) ou une piste auxiliaire (2).

2. Circuit de course miniature selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le box de stationnement est construit sous la forme d'un boîtier de sécurité (15) ou d'un fond de sécurité (12) pouvant être fermé de tous côtés de manière inaccessible.

3. Circuit de course miniature selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les instruments de mesure (7) mesurent la vitesse des voitures miniatures (6), le nombre de tours effectués par chaque voiture miniature (6) et le temps qu'a mis chaque voiture miniature (6).

4. Circuit de course miniature selon la revendication 3, dans lequel les résultats des mesures provenant des instruments de mesure sont affichés par le panneau d'informations (9).

5. Circuit de course miniature selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant au moins une piste auxiliaire (2).

6. Circuit de course miniature selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la piste de course (4) est séparée dans la direction transversale de manière rectangulaire ou selon un certain angle, de telle sorte qu'elle forme, conjointement avec des charnières (11), deux parties (1') s'inclinant dans des directions opposées.

7. Circuit de course miniature selon la revendication 6, dans lequel un tronçon de piste (13) est placé et fixé au bas du fond de sécurité de support (12) du box de stationnement (3), de telle sorte que, lors de l'inclinaison des deux branches des parties qui s'inclinent (1'), il forme une partie du circuit de course (1) à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur de laquelle peuvent rouler les voitures miniatures (6).

Drawing