US3682477A - Rodent racing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The rodent racing device comprises a circular cage having treads or rungs mounted for rotation. A perch of semicircular form is in the cage and a rodent such as a mouse may rest upon the perch or move from the perch onto the cage for the purpose of climbing the rungs of the cage to cause rotation thereof. In one adaptation the cage and perch are supported on a wheeled vehicle having a small electric motor and a battery for driving the motor. The motor drives the vehicle on a path at a slow rate and means is provided whereby the vehicle is accellerated in movement when the rodent contacts the rungs of the cage and rotates the same. Two matched rodent racing devices can be utilized on a circular track and are diametrically positioned on said track. The relative speed of movement of one vehicle over the other vehicle determines the winner of the race.

Description

United States Patent Harkins 51 Aug; 8, 1972 [54] RODENT RACING DEVICE Filed: April 16, 1971 Appl. No.: 134,757

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 320,960 6/1885 Peirano ..273/86RX 3,513,928 5/1970 Emmons ..l80/65R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 521,115 7/1953 Belgium ..273/86 R Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-J. Calvin Brown ABSTRACT The rodent racing device comprises a circular cage having treads or rungs mounted for rotation. A perch of semicircular form is in the cage and a rodent such as a mouse may rest upon the perch or move from the perch onto the cage for the purpose of climbing the rungs of the cage to cause rotation thereof. In one adaptation the cage and perch are supported on a wheeled vehicle having a small electric motor and a battery for driving the motor. The motor drives the vehicle on a path at a slow rate and means is provided whereby the vehicle is accellerated in movement when the rodent contacts the rungs of the cage and rotates the same. Two matched rodent racing devices can be utilized on a circular track and are diametrically positioned on said track. The relative speed of movement of one vehicle over the other vehicle determines the winner of the race.

13 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUB' a 1912 3,682,477 gum 1BF 3 INVENTOR. WILLIAM JOSEPH M (MAHON HARKINS ATTORNEYPATENTEDAUB 8m2 SHEET 20F 3 Fla/2.

c INVENTOR. WILLIAM JOSEPH M MAHON HARK/Ns ATTORNEY PATENTEDMJB 8l972 3,682,477,

1 I I III I I I III I 11E] III a v r INVENTOR. WILLIAM JOSEPH M MAHON HARKINS AT TORNEY 1 1:00am" RACING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is directed to rodent racing devices wherein the rodent is confined in a rotary cage and movement of the rodent within the cage to rotate the cage causes movement on a given path of the device.

2. Description of the Prior Art So far as the inventor is aware, there is no prior art relating to the sport of rodent racing and wherein the racing is competitive between the rodents. The device of the invention is not an exerciser such as contemplated by a small cage, but the sport of the present invention is competitive and inexpensive, as well as interesting particularly in view of the fact that the rodents may be trained to perform in the present device.

SUMMARY In the several adaptations of the invention a cage having transverse rungs is utilized, the sides of the cage being enclosed preferably by transparent plastic disks. The cage is provided with a door to permit access within the cage and the placement of the rodent on a perch within the cage. The perch may be semi-circular in form and eccentrically mounted for balance and easy access on a central axle for the cage. Supports are provided at sides of the cage and support the axle. In one embodiment the supports are secured to a wheeled vehicle provided with an electric motor and a battery. The motor drives the vehicle along a selected path and when the rodent moves from the perch on to the cage, movement of the wheeled vehicle is accelerated by shorting out a resistor and allowing full battery power to drive the motor. In another adaptation of the invention, a small wheeled vehicle is provided with a battery and a motor which drives the vehicle at a constant speed and, likewise, drives the cage at a certain speed of rotation. The rodent when engaging the rungs of the cage and running thereon will accelerate movement of the wheeled vehicle through a ratchet and pawl arrangement. In this form the car is in constant motion and the cage is moved by action of the rodent running upon the rungs thereof. Another adaption utilizes a clutch device in place of the ratchet and pawl and a third adaptation utilizes a fixed drive from the rear axle of the car to the shaft which is integral with the side of the cage. This is the only adaptation in which the cage initially revolves without the assistance of the rodent. Upon leaving the perch, the rodent will run on the rungs of the cage to increase the speed of the vehicle. Conversely, when the rodent returns to the perch, the vehicle will revert to its initial speed. A fourth adaptation embodies a pair of wheels on opposite sides of a cage with a perch within the cage. Extending between the sides of the cage and connected to the wheels is an axle upon which is mounted a rotor or armature. Surrounding the rotor is a stator and the perch carries therein a battery and a switch leading from the battery to a contact arm engaging a contact disk which has connection with the stator. A further contact arm engages a disk on the opposite end of the stator and leads to the battery. The armature or rotor is attached to the wheels through the axle while the stator is attached to the cage. When the switch is closed the electrical circuit is completed and the wheels will constantly turn or rotate. When the rodent runs on the treads or rungs of the cage, the cage is rotated, the cage otherwise being stopped and this rotation varies the flux and causes the stator to increase in the speed of rotation. Hence, the speed with which the rodent causes the cage to rotate will control the acceleration and speed of rotation of the wheels.

An object of the invention is to create a new sport; to wit, the sport of racing rodents in separate vehicles and upon a given path.

A further object is to provide a sport which is inexpensive and will permit the training to race of rodents such as white mice. The invention is adaptable to competitively small boats and to model railroading, and flying devices fixed horizontally to a perpendicular rod. In brief, the invention contemplates a pair of matched vehicles each propelled by an electric motor and which move at the same pace while minus rodents which supply the competitive element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a table top provided with a trackway for the racing of devices of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, partially sectional view and in side elevation of one form of rodent racing device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partially sectional view on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partially sectional view of a cage and perch used in the practice of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged, sectional view and wiring diagram used in that form of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 inclusive;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of a contact member and arm used in the showing of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of the contact member of FIG. 7 in a moved position;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a further modification of the invention shown in side elevation;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, sectional view, on an enlarged scale; taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a racing table top and a circular trackway for accommodating a different type of vehicle for movement in said trackway from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, partly sectional, side elevation of a modified form of the invention of the type used in the trackway of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, partly sectional view, and in end elevation of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 14 and 15; and,

FIG. 17 is a plan view, partly in section, and in fragment of a clutch means which may be utilized in the practice of the invention shown in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT It may be noted to begin with the difference in operation of the several rodent racing devices illustrated in the drawings. As an example, the construction shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 inclusive comprises a wheeled vehicle supporting a cage and a perch, the vehicle provided with a source of power such as a small electric motor driven by a battery, the motor in turn driving one of the wheels or the axle for two wheels, In this form of the invention, the cage is not being rotated while the vehicle is moving along a given path such as the trackway shown in FIG. 1. When the rodent turns the cage by climbing on the rungs thereof, movement of the vehicle is accelerated by the electrical arrangement shown in FIG. 6. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 9, the cage is stopped and the vehicle is driven by an electric motor carried by the vehicle and rotation of the cage by the rodent, if the rotation is of a speed greater than the speed of movement of the vehicle, brings the ratchet and pawl into action to move a continuous belt which is passed over a pulley carried by the axle of the vehicle. This is a mechanical arrangement for increasing the speed of movement of the vehicle.

FIG. 11 utilizes a four wheel vehicle driven by an electric motor, together with a pulley attached to either the axle or to a wheel of the vehicle and a pulley carried by the axle of the cage. Whether the rodent is in the cage running or not, the cage will rotate as the vehicle traverses a path. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 inclusive, two wheels are used in place of a vehicle, as shown in the figures just mentioned. The cage is stopped while the rodent is resting on the perch while the wheels rotate, but when the rodent is climbing the rungs of the cage, rotation of the vehicle wheels is accelerated. Thus, to recapitulate, the vehicle moves while the cage is stopped in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the wheels are turned while the cage is stopped in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 14 and the cage is stopped while the vehicle moves in the form shown in FIG. 9, while in FIG. 11 both the cage is turned and the vehicle moved simultaneously.

Also, it is to be pointed out that the character of the cages in the same in all forms of the rodent racing devices and the perches are of like construction for all forms but that shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 inclusive. Accordingly, the same reference numbers will be applied to identical cages in construction in all figures and the same will be true of the perches, as well as to identical vehicles.

Referring first to the construction shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 inclusive, the cage is designated as 1 and the perch as 2. The four wheeled vehicle as 3 and a pair of supports on opposite sides of the cage and secured to thevehicle 3, as 4 and 5.

Cage l is cylindrical in form having two spaced apart sides 6 and 7 which are preferably formed from transparent plastic so that the interior of the cage may be observed. Spaced apartrungs 8 transversely extend between thesides 6 and 7. The rungs are slightly spaced apart so that the rodent may run upon the same without injury to cause rotation of the cage. The rungs may be circular in cross section. An axlefof dielectric material such as aplastic rod 9, extends between thesupports 4 and 5 and passes through the center of the cage; that is, the center of thesides 6 and 7. Surrounding theaxle 9 is a metal sleeve ortube 10 which also functions as an axle and theperch 2 is freely supported on thetubular axle 10. Thevehicle 3 may be of any configuration or form an in the present instance resembles an automobile body having two pairs of wheels, both front and rear, as shown for one side of the vehicle at 11 and 12.

Theperch 2 is semi-circular inform having sides 13 and 14 between which sides extendrungs 15 of the type used in the cage. Thediametric edge 16 of eachside 13 and 14 is provided with ahub portion 17 and the perch is mounted eccentrically on themetal axle 10. Thus there is a weight difference between ends of the perch which allows the perch to normally be in the position shown in FIG. 2. In addition, counterbalances 18 are provided comprisingheads 19 andarms 20, forming extensions for each perch side for normally counterbalancing the perch and maintaining the same in the position shown in FIG. 2. i

In order to have access within the cage and the placement of a rodent either in the cage or on the perch, the cage is provided with a door designated generally as 21 and of segmental form. Thus, the door hassegmental sides 22 and 23 between which rungs 24 extend and when the door is closed as shown in FIG. 2, the cage is round in appearance, the door sides 22 and 23 being flush. That is to say, the chords of the door and the chords of thesides 6 and 7 of the remaining portion of the cage being in contact. Strap type hinges 25 secure the door to the side 7 of the cage and asnap catch 26 secured to theside 23 of the door engages aprojection 27 on thecage side 6 to hold the door closed to thesides 6 and 7 of the cage. The catch may take various forms, such as a hole in a strap which engageselement 27.

The rear portion of thevehicle 3 carries a smallflashlight type battery 30 and a smallelectric motor 31 to be driven by said battery. The outer sides of thesides 6 and 7 of the cage 1 are provided with metal washers ordisks 32 and 33 and these disks are secured to the metal tube oraxle 10, as shown in FIG. 6 at 34 and 35. Thedisk 33 for thecage side 6 is provided with a small segment ofinsulation material 36. Contactarms 37 and 38 are provided for each side of the cage, thearms 37 and 38 being both secured to the inner sides of thesupports 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. 3.Arm 37 is in constant contact with the contact washer ordisk 32 whilecontact arm 38 has intermittent contact with the metal surface of the washer ordisk 33. Referring to FIG. 6,contact arm 37 connects with the positive pole ofbattery 30 by means of awire lead 40 and bylead 41 from the negative side of the battery to a terminal of themotor 31. The opposite terminal of the motor is connected bylead 42 withcontact arm 38 and aresistor 43 has one end connected bylead 44 withlead 40 and its opposite end is connected to lead 42 which connects with a terminal of themotor 31. It will be observed that whencontact arm 38 engages theinsulation segment 36 that no current will flow from contact arm through metal washer ordisk 33, themetal tubular axle 10 to themetal disk 32 to thecontact arm 37. When the rodent is in the perch,contact arm 38 will normally engage theinsulation 36 because of the gravitational pull on the door. When thecontact arm 38 engages theinsulation 36, as shown in both FIGS. 6 and 7, current will flow from the battery to the motor through theresistor 43 to thelead 40. Thus, themotor 31 will turn at a reduced speed and will drive the vehicle forwardly by means of the gearing shown in FIG. 3, it being observed that the motor shaft carries a small gear orpinion 45 which meshes with agear 46 and turns pinion orgear 47 to drive alarger gear 48 on therear vehicle axle 49. This arrangement will rotate the wheel or wheels of the vehicle to drive the vehicle at a reduced speed.

When the rodent moves from the perch on to the rungs of the cage, and starts climbing the rungs to rotate the cage, thecontact arm 38 moves from theinsulation 36 on to the surface of the metal washer ordisk 33. Thus, the electrical circuit is completed through thearms 37 and 38 and when this occurs the resistance is out of the circuit and the motor will be driven directly by the battery at increased speed. Each time the cage rotates, thecontact arm 38 will engage theinsulation segment 36 so that there is an interruption in the circuit. However, the interruption is only momentary while the rodentis rotating the cage. It will be observed that in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 inclusive, that no mechanical power movement is utilized but that all movement is controlled by variation of movement of the electric motor.

The invention shown in FIGS. 9 and utilizes, as before, a cage 1, aperch 2 andvehicle 3, the vehicle being provided with front and rear pairs ofwheels 11 and 12, the rear of the vehicle carrying a battery and an electric motor '31. The rear wheel axle is driven in the same manner as described for FIG. 3, the cage and the perch having a construction similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 inclusive. Both the cage and the perch are mounted freely uponaxle 50, which axle is supported by support members like those shown in FIG. 3 at 4 and 5. Interposed betweenside 6 of the cage and thesupport 4 and carried freely on theaxle 50 is aratchet 51. Integral with the ratchet is apulley 52. Pivotally secured to thesides 6 at 53 is apawl arm 54, this pawl arm engages the teeth of theratchet 51. Abackstop 55 secured to theside 6 overlies the pawl arm so that the pawl arm will at all times engage the ratchet teeth. The axle forwheel 12 is provided withpulley 56 and in the showing thepulleys 52 and 56 are of identical size. Acontinuous belt 57 is passed between the two pulleys. In this type of device, the car is in constant motion, being driven by themotor 31 which is energized by thebattery 30. When the rodent leaves the perch and starts to climb upon the rungs of the cage to rotate the same, the pawl by its engagement with the teeth of the ratchet will move thecontinuous belt 57 to either increase or decrease the speed of movement of the vehicle. If the rodent turns the cage very rapidly, the pulleys will be driven at an increased speed over the normal rotation of the wheel, as driven by the battery motor.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 utilizes, as before the cage 1,perch 2, which cage and perch follow the construction outlined for FIGS. 2 to 5 inclusive with the exception that the contacts and washers of FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive are not utilized. FIGS. 9 9 to 12 inclusive are similar in construction in that thevehicle 3 is driven by an electric motor and that there is no motor control for increasing speed as described for the FIGS. 2 to 8 inclusive. Any increase in speed in the constructions of FIGS. 9 to 12 is mechanical. However, the vehicles are driven at a constant speed by an electric motor. An axle 60 is provided for the cage and the perch, the axle passing through both sides of the cage in the manner shown in FIG. 12 for one side. Apulley 61 is mounted on the axle between oneside 6 of the cage and asupport 4 and secured toside 6 of the cage. The rear wheel axle or therear wheel 12 of the vehicle is provided with apulley 62 of smaller diameter than thepulley 61 and acontinuous belt 63 extends between the twopulleys 61 and 62 respectively. In the construction shown, when the car moves forwardly being driven by the electric motor,pulley 62 is rotated, which in turn rotatespulley 61 through the medium of thecontinuous belt 63 so that the cage is in motion while the car is in motion. When the rodent moves from the perch on to the rungs of the cage, the cage is driven at a faster or similar speed dependent upon the running ability of the rodent. In FIG. 11 the rodent on the rungs of the cage must accelerate the vehicle or be forced back on to the perch. The rodent cannot retard the forward speed either of the cage or of the vehicle in any of the applications as the perch is so balanced as to prevent the rodent from running on the back side of the cage.

The device shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 inclusive differs from the devices previously described in that the devices previously described all utilize a vehicle having two pairs of wheels, the vehicle carrying a source of power such as a small battery and an electric motor for driving the wheels. The device of FIG. 14 to 16 inclusive, utilizes a pair of wheels and 71 on opposite sides of the cage and of a greater diameter than the cage so that the cage and associated elements, to be described, are held elevated above the treads of said wheels. The wheels are of identical construction and include in both instances anannular rim 72, ahub 73 andradial spokes 74 extending from the hub to the annular rim. In the present instance three spokes are utilized, the separation being 120 each. The cage 1 follows the construction previously described in that it hassides 6 and 7 with rungs or treads extending between the sides and spaced apart, the one difference in cage constructionbeing that theaccess door 75 is of a different construction from theaccess door 21 shown for the previous cage constructions. Thus, the door of FIG. 14, as shown in FIG. 16 includes twosegmental members 76 and 77 between which rungs 78 extend, each segmental member being notched at each end thereof, as shown at 79 and 80, and functioning as clips for snap engagement withpins 81 and 82 carried interially of bothsides 6 and 7 of the cage. Thus, the door is easily removed from the cage proper by being lifted upwardly and on by replacing the door for snap engagement with the clips. Thus the cage and its door presents a smooth periphery of circular form.

The perch for the rodent is designated as 83 and differs in construction from the perches previously described for the other forms of the invention. The spaced sides 84 and 85 of the perch are sectors of substantially 260 in the showing of FIG. 14. However, other degrees of sector may be utilized. The perch from the upperback end thereof 86 has an arcuate floor extending from the rear end of the perch forwardly for a given degree of arc. This portion of the arcuate flooring is provided withtransverse slats 87 which act as foot holds forthe rodent. At the termination of theforward slat the 'arcuate sides of the perch are open therebetween. That is, they are not provided with either rungs, slats, or an arcuate flooring. The sides of this forward portion indicated at 88 acts as counter weights to balance the perch and hold the perch in substantially the position shown in FIG. 14 with the rodent resting upon the perch in the position shown in said Figure. I I

Extending between and secured to thehubs 73 of thewheels 70 and 71, is anaxle 90. Mounted upon the axle is a rotor orarmature 91 of a small electric motor, and surrounding the rotor or armature isastator 92, this stator is carried at its ends bya pair ofmetal spool members 93 and 94. The metal spools are of identical construction and thespool 93 will be described. The spool includes atubular part 95 provided at each end with an annular flange orwasher 96 and 97. Positioned within each tubular portion of the spool members and surrounding the axle aretubular gaskets 98. Thus the shaft or axle is insulated from the metallic spool members at each end of the stator and as the wheels are spaced from the sides of the cage, there is no electrical connection therebetween. Within the perch and positioned between the sides thereof, at the end of the perch opposite the counter weight portion is anelectric battery 100. Acontact arm 101 is connected by a lead 102 with oneterminal 103 of the battery. The opposite terminal 1040f the battery is connected by a lead 105 with aswitch 106 having a contact arm l07,contact arm 101 being in wiping contact with the metal disk orwasher 97 whilecontact arm 107 is wiping contact with a like washer on the opposite spool as indicated at 108. As shown in FIG. 14, theswitch 106 includes, in'addition to thecontact arm 107, anarm 109 at an angle to the contact arm and which is pivoted at 110 to one side of the perch. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the perch sides are carried upon the tubular members of each spool, the perch sides being provided with holes for this purpose.

.Contact arm 101 which is in wiping engagement withwasher 97 is in electrical connection with the coil of the stator while thecontact arm 107 only has wiping contact with the washer or flange of the opposite spool perch and extends rearwardly to protect the switch mechanism and the battery as shown at 116.

The device shown in FIG. 17 is a clutch arrangement spaced apartsegmental slots 121, themember 120 each of triangular form and the same construction and being'confined within anannulus 122.Rollers 123 are within the severalsegmental slots 121. In the showing, themember 120 is secured to a pulley such as shown at 52 in FIG. 9. It is assumed that thecontinuous belt 57 is passed around said pulley and thepulley 56. Theannulus 122 is secured to a side of the cage. Thus, while the vehicle is being driven forwardly, by the electric motor, the cage-is stopped as the rollers are free within the segmental slots. When the rodent starts climbing the cage rungs, the rollers will move within the'segmental slots to grip the annulus with the result that the cage is rotated and if the cage is rotated faster than the electric motor initially drives the same, acceleration of the vehicle will result. 1

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 13 which illustrate a flattop member 130 which is provided with a circular raceway or track 131 in the form of a circular groove having a width to accommodate the wheel track width of thevehicle 3. Areas of this top may be colored in the manner shown in FIG. 1 at and by way of illustration at 132, 133, 134 and 135 The colored areas are both vehicles are so constructed'as to travel at the same speed, the diametric position will be maintained throughout track movement. However, if one rodent leaps from the perch on to the rungs of the cage to rotate the cage, the speed of the, vehicle will be increased and thereby catch up with the other vehicle, if

when it is moved to such contact by actuation of thev arm 109 which actuation of the arm is accomplished by means of an elongated stick such as shown in FIG. 14 at 1 10. The stick is passed between the rungs of the cage,

as shown. The stick has a hook end whereby the'arm may be engaged to move the same and disengage thecontact arm 107 from the washer orflange 97. When the battery is energizing the stator by the switch contact arm being closed, the rotor is turned and drives the wheels so that the device moves in a given path in accordance with a trackway, as shown in FIG. 13. When the rodent moves from the perch, as shown in FIG. 14, and starts climbing the rungs of the cage, the stator is rotated which varies the flux in the rotor or armature and increases its speed of rotation so that the wheels move the device at a greater speed. The flux, of course, is varied in accordance with the rotated speed of the cage. A

To protect the rodent from injury, a shield is provided at 115 which surrounds the hub portion of the the rodent has not jumped from the perch on to the rungs of the other cage. On the other hand, both rodents may be driving their respective cages but one rodent may be revolving the cage at a faster rate than the other rodent. The vehicle that catches up behind the slower moving vehicle is, of course, the winner, and this can be determined by the colored triangles on the top. This arrangement also applies'to FIG. 14 and its racing top andgroove 140.

I claim:

1. A rodent racing device for movement on a trackway of a marked racing area, including: a circular cage housing the rodent, wheels supporting the cage for movement on said trackway, a motor for rotating said wheels at a selected speed and means for increasing said selected speed of wheel rotation when the rodent runs in said cage to rotate the same.

2. The device of claim 1, the cage provided with spaced apart rungs upon which the rodent runs.

3. A rodent racing device which includes a marked racing area provided with a trackway upon which the racing device moves, including: a circular cage having side members between which extend spaced rungs, an

axle central of said cage and extending between the side members thereof, a substantially semi-circular perch for the rodent within the cage and eccentrically carried by the axle, wheels supporting the cage and a motor for rotating the wheels at a selected speed, movement of the rodent from the perch to the rungs of the cage to rotate the cage increasing the speed of wheel rotation beyond the initial selected speed.

4. A rodent racing device which includes a circular cage within which the rodent may run to rotate the cage, supporting wheels for the cage and a motor for rotating the supporting wheels at a preselected speed, and means for rotating the wheels of said wheel support independently of said motor when the rodent causes rotation of the cage.

5. A rodent racing device, including: a circular cage having a pair of side members and spaced rungs upon which a rodent may run extending between said side members, a pair of wheels on opposite sides of said side members and supporting said cage, a central axle extending between the side members of the cage and said wheels, a perch within said cage and an electric motor including a stator and a rotor, the rotor of which is mounted on the axle and the stator of which surrounds the rotor in driving relationship with the sides of the cage, and means for electrically energizing the stator to produce rotation of the rotor and to rotate the wheels.

6. The device as set forth inclaim 5, said rodent when running on the rungs of the cage rotating said stator to increase the speed of rotation of the rotor, to thereby increase the speed of rotation of the wheels.

7. The device as set forth inclaim 6, and aperch for the rodent freely mounted within the cage and the means for energizing the stator comprising a battery carried by the perch.

8. The device of claim 7, spool members for each end of the stator, insulation means between each spool and the axle, and electrical switch means controlling the flow of electricity from the battery between the two spools and the stator.

9. A rodent racing device, including: a wheeled vehicle, a circular cage, an axle for said cage, and means for supporting the cage between the axle and the wheeled vehicle, an electric motor and a battery for driving the wheels of said vehicle, and a pulley carried by the axle and a pulley secured to a wheel of the vehicle, a continuous belt between said pulleys whereby the electric motor drives the vehicle at a determined speed and a rodent within the cage rotates the cage when it runs therein, to increase the speed of the vehicle movement.

10. A rodent racing device, including: a wheeled vehicle, an electric motor for driving the vehicle at a selected speed, a circular cage within which the rodent is placed, an axle for said cage and support means for the cage secured to said wheeled vehicle, a ratchet freely carried on said axle, a pulley secured to said ratchet and a pulley secured to a vehicle wheel, and a continuous belt extending between said pulleys, a pawl secured to the cage for engagement with said ratchet whereby when the rodent runs within the cage the pawl is in driving relationship to the ratchet to rotate the two pulleys through said continuous belt and to increase the speed of movement of said wheeled vehicle over that l i'f 'iit e illhi 'z ii claim 5: said cage having a segmental cut-away portion and a matching segmental door for said cut-away portion and means securing the door to the cage.

12. The device ofclaim 5; and counter balancing means for the perch.

13. A rodent racing device, comprising: a wheeled vehicle, a circular cage having a pair of sides, a dielectric axle extending between said sides and means of support between the axle and the wheeled vehicle, a metal tube carried on the axle, metal contact disks for each side of the cage and secured to the metal tube, one contact disk provided with an insulation segment, and an electrical contact arm for engagement with each contact disk, said wheeled vehicle provided with an electric motor in driving engagement with a wheel of said vehicle, and a battery for energizing said motor, there being wire leads from each contact arm in series with the motor and battery when both contact arms engage the metal contact disks to complete an electrical circuit, and a resistor in series circuit with the motor and the battery when one contact arm engages the segmental insulation on one disk, movement of the rodent upon the interior of the cage rotating the cage to short circuit the resistor and direct full electric current to the motor from the battery.

Claims (13)

1. A rodent racing device for movement on a trackway of a marked racing area, including: a circular cage housing the rodent, wheels supporting the cage for movement on said trackway, a motor for rotating said wheels at a selected speed and means for increasing Said selected speed of wheel rotation when the rodent runs in said cage to rotate the same.

2. The device of claim 1, the cage provided with spaced apart rungs upon which the rodent runs.

3. A rodent racing device which includes a marked racing area provided with a trackway upon which the racing device moves, including: a circular cage having side members between which extend spaced rungs, an axle central of said cage and extending between the side members thereof, a substantially semi-circular perch for the rodent within the cage and eccentrically carried by the axle, wheels supporting the cage and a motor for rotating the wheels at a selected speed, movement of the rodent from the perch to the rungs of the cage to rotate the cage increasing the speed of wheel rotation beyond the initial selected speed.

4. A rodent racing device which includes a circular cage within which the rodent may run to rotate the cage, supporting wheels for the cage and a motor for rotating the supporting wheels at a preselected speed, and means for rotating the wheels of said wheel support independently of said motor when the rodent causes rotation of the cage.

5. A rodent racing device, including: a circular cage having a pair of side members and spaced rungs upon which a rodent may run extending between said side members, a pair of wheels on opposite sides of said side members and supporting said cage, a central axle extending between the side members of the cage and said wheels, a perch within said cage and an electric motor including a stator and a rotor, the rotor of which is mounted on the axle and the stator of which surrounds the rotor in driving relationship with the sides of the cage, and means for electrically energizing the stator to produce rotation of the rotor and to rotate the wheels.

6. The device as set forth in claim 5, said rodent when running on the rungs of the cage rotating said stator to increase the speed of rotation of the rotor, to thereby increase the speed of rotation of the wheels.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6, and a perch for the rodent freely mounted within the cage and the means for energizing the stator comprising a battery carried by the perch.

8. The device of claim 7, spool members for each end of the stator, insulation means between each spool and the axle, and electrical switch means controlling the flow of electricity from the battery between the two spools and the stator.

9. A rodent racing device, including: a wheeled vehicle, a circular cage, an axle for said cage, and means for supporting the cage between the axle and the wheeled vehicle, an electric motor and a battery for driving the wheels of said vehicle, and a pulley carried by the axle and a pulley secured to a wheel of the vehicle, a continuous belt between said pulleys whereby the electric motor drives the vehicle at a determined speed and a rodent within the cage rotates the cage when it runs therein, to increase the speed of the vehicle movement.

10. A rodent racing device, including: a wheeled vehicle, an electric motor for driving the vehicle at a selected speed, a circular cage within which the rodent is placed, an axle for said cage and support means for the cage secured to said wheeled vehicle, a ratchet freely carried on said axle, a pulley secured to said ratchet and a pulley secured to a vehicle wheel, and a continuous belt extending between said pulleys, a pawl secured to the cage for engagement with said ratchet whereby when the rodent runs within the cage the pawl is in driving relationship to the ratchet to rotate the two pulleys through said continuous belt and to increase the speed of movement of said wheeled vehicle over that by the electrically driven motor.

11. The device as set forth in claim 5: said cage having a segmental cut-away portion and a matching segmental door for said cut-away portion and means securing the door to the cage.

12. The device of claim 5; and counter balancing means for the perch.

13. A rodent racing device, cOmprising: a wheeled vehicle, a circular cage having a pair of sides, a dielectric axle extending between said sides and means of support between the axle and the wheeled vehicle, a metal tube carried on the axle, metal contact disks for each side of the cage and secured to the metal tube, one contact disk provided with an insulation segment, and an electrical contact arm for engagement with each contact disk, said wheeled vehicle provided with an electric motor in driving engagement with a wheel of said vehicle, and a battery for energizing said motor, there being wire leads from each contact arm in series with the motor and battery when both contact arms engage the metal contact disks to complete an electrical circuit, and a resistor in series circuit with the motor and the battery when one contact arm engages the segmental insulation on one disk, movement of the rodent upon the interior of the cage rotating the cage to short circuit the resistor and direct full electric current to the motor from the battery.

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