US PATENT SUBCLASS 463 / 58
PROPELLED RACING

Current as of: June, 1999
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463 /   HD   AMUSEMENT DEVICES: GAMES

58PROPELLED RACING {9}
59  DF  .~> Having contest condition indicator (e.g., lap counter, timer, start indicator, etc.) {1}
61  DF  .~> Magnetically propelled object
62  DF  .~> Electrically self-propelled object {1}
64  DF  .~> Object propelled by impact, projection, or reaction force (e.g., spring, fluid jet, wind, etc.)
65  DF  .~> Object propelled along reciprocating or vibrating surface
66  DF  .~> Object pulled by reelable cord
67  DF  .~> Object propelled by rotatable arm or disk
68  DF  .~> Object propelled by endless loop
69  DF  .~> Gravity propelled object

DEFINITION

Classification: 463/58

PROPELLED RACING:

(under the class definition) Subject matter including an object to be placed in motion, and means, other than that directly provided by a human or animal, to apply mechanical force to the object to place it in motion over or through a predetermined distance or defined course in a competition of speed (i.e., a race), wherein the outcome of the race is determined by which one of a plurality of concurrently propelled objects takes the least amount of time to complete, or is first to complete, the distance or course.

(1) Note. This subclass requires that there be a recitation of structure that creates an element of competition such as, for example, means to determine a winner of a competition (e.g., a lap counter, clock, etc); means to simultaneously start a plurality of objects in motion; or a course that enables a plurality of cars to travel concurrently or a plurality of individual controls for respective objects to be raced, together with a disclosed intent to competitively race said objects.

(2) Note. It is not a requirement, for placement in this subclass, that participants in the competition have direct or continuous control over objects to be raced. For example, chance alone can govern the outcome of a race when, for example, gravity is the sole source of propulsion, so long as other aspects of competition are involved (e.g., simultaneous start, concurrent travel, etc).

(3) Note. When there are means for propelling an object in more than one direction, original placement is made in the first occurring subclass providing for a means for propelling the object in a direction toward the completion of the distance or course, as opposed to a force applied laterally, to overcome inertia, or to return the object to the starting position, etc.

(4) Note. Excluded from this subclass is a race game that utilizes mechanical force directly applied to the object by a human or animal as the sole means to place an object to be

raced in motion. However, this should be distinguished from human or animal forces utilized to affect control of a means for applying mechanical force to an object, for example, where a human throws or shoots a projectile at a target with the intent to either control a mechanical force applied to an indicator representing an object to be raced, or transfer the momentum of the projectile to the object to place it in motion; or where a human powers a stationary bicycle to control power to a movable object that indicates a race position with respect to others in a simulated race, etc.

(5) Note. Propelled racing is an exception to the requirement under the class definition that a game which uses a physical projectile be excluded from this class. See the projectile example in Note (3), above.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 6, for a race or time determinative contest that includes electronic data processing.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

104, Railways, for railway rolling stock and track, each of which is modified for interrelation and cooperation with each other; for railway track other than normal surface track, and for railway fixtures and appliances for use with railway track, especially

60, for amusement-park-type racing where a participant is carried by a propelled object and subclasses 295+ for a car-carried electric propulsion system with external car control (e.g., slot car, etc.) which lacks a competitive feature (e.g., lap counter, clock, etc.). See the (1) Note, above.

119, Animal Husbandry,

701, for a roundabout for a live animal and subclasses 702+ for an exercise or amusement device for a live animal.

198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, appropriate subclass for a conveyor for moving an object.

238, Railways: Surface Track,

10+, for a portable railway track structure, per se.

273, Amusement Devices: Games,

236+, especially subclass 246, for a board game that simulates a race and subclasses 445+ for a game involving physical skill or ability that includes a timed reaction or race to a finish.

404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus, particularly

17+, and 71 for pavement or road structure.

434, Education and Demonstration,

29+, for vehicle operator instruction or testing using a simulated model of a vehicle.

446, Amusement Devices: Toys, for a toy vehicle of that class powered by an infant or child, or otherwise powered for amusement other than in a competitive game, especially

313, for a figure toy that simulates an animal and rider; subclasses 444+ for a toy railway; subclasses 454+ for a remotely controlled rolling or tumbling toy; and subclasses 465+ for a wheeled toy vehicle.

472, Amusement Devices,

1+, for a roundabout, subclasses 85+ for a racetrack, and subclasses 92+ (a) for structure or composition of a playing surface, per se; (b) for structure or composition of a peripheral boundary marking or enclosure, per se, of such a playing surface; or (c) for the combination of only a playing surface and a peripheral boundary marking or enclosure--where the above [i.e.,( a)-(c)] are limited to use for an athletic or exhibition event such as, for example, for playing a game or sport thereon or therein. Also, see the search notes appended thereto.

482, Exercise Devices, for structure utilized for exercise purposes that may involve body motion found in a typical race between humans (e.g., swimming, running, bicycling, etc.).