Calculator for competitive events

Claim 1

A calculator for competitive events comprising: a. a constant current generator in series with a capacitor and a source of direct current power for generating a voltage which increases in a linear manner with time; b. a plurality of calculator circuits, one for each competitor, each including; 1. three relays representing a first, second, and third place for actuation by said linear voltage generator to indicate a probable order of finish in a competition prior to its occurrence; 2. an indicator means coupled to each relay for showing the results furnished by the calculator circuit; 3. each of said relays including a winding, a pair of latching contacts for retaining the relay in its operated condition after its actuation, a pair of load contacts for applying current to its associated indicating means, a first pair of normally closed contacts for opening a first disabling circuit connected in series with the generator for disabling similar first place relays in the other calculator circuits, and a second pair of normally closed contacts for opening a second disabling circuit connected in series with said generator for disabling other relays in the same calculator circuit; and 4. a plurality of settable voltage dividers connected in series with each other, each of said dividers adjustable by an operator to a value which indicates a known characteristic of a competitor; c. a plurality of dial switches, one for each calculator circuit, for sequentially applying the generator voltage to the first, second, and third place relay windings in series with their associated voltage divider circuits; and d. a manually operable control means coupled to all the dial switches for alternately energizing the constant current generator to determine a probable result and then short circuiting the capacitor.