This Spanner Plan, a ball roller, is a Meccano version of the 'Action Contraption' from the well known 'Mousetrap' game but with a few twists and additions.
The next picture shows the re-creation in Meccano.
First we show a couple of video clips to illustrate the working of the model.
Take care, these videos are rather big, 1 MB or more.
If you have a broadband connection to the internet you will probably be able to view them directly. They will start in the browser when about a third of the clip has been downloaded, but otherwise you may want to download them seperately using your favourite method.
For instance, if you are using any of the later versions of Windows and Windows Media Player then it's just a matter of RIGHT clicking on the link, selecting 'Save Target As' from the menu that appears and then selecting a folder to store it in. The Media Player can then be used to view it. MPEG files are quite common on the web these days.
Some clips run at twice the normal size. This has been done to reduce the size of the file. Two sequences are shown, first the catching of the mouse and next the reset of this mousetrap.
Catching Sequence:
The Coolie at the windlass - twice normal speed; 2.15 MB.
The Boot; 1.35 MB.
The Wibbly-Wobbly Stairs; 1.35 MB.
The Trigger; 0.81 MB.
The Thingy_Ma_Jig; 0.8 MB.
The Drop onto the see-saw; 0.81 MB.
The Diver doing a forward flip; 1.07 MB.
The Trap descends - twice normal speed; 1.28 MB.
The Bell rings; 0.54 MB.
Resetting Sequence:
Resetting and locking the Thingy_Ma_Jig above the Bath; 1.57 MB.
Resetting and locking the Bucket; 1.07 MB.
Resetting the Diver1.35 MB.
Resetting the Trap - twice normal speed; 1.08 MB.
Filling the Bucket; 1.58 MB.
Filling the Thingy_Ma_Jig - twice normal speed; 1.74 MB.
Unlocking Thingy and Bucket; 1.61 MB.
The following pages show construction details:
Fig 1 General view
Fig 2 Overhead view
Fig 3 Coolie
Fig 4 Boot
Fig 5 Stairs
Fig 6 Trigger
Fig 7 Thingy Ma Jig 1
Fig 8 Thingy Ma Jig 2
Fig 9 Drop on See Saw Jump 1
Fig 10 Diver Jump 1
Fig 11 Diver Jump 2
Fig 12 Trap Down
Fig 13 Mouse
Fig 14 Bell
Fig 15 Supervisor
Fig 16 Reset
Fig 17 Cage Up
Fig 18 Clock
Fig 19 Arms Down
Fig 20 Bucket Fill
Fig 21 Thingy Fill
Fig 22 Back View
Fig 23 Underneath
Fig 24 Single Rotate 1
Fig 25 Single Rotate 2
Fig 26 Diver Motor
Fig 27 Switch Gang
Fig 28 Cage Circuit
Fig 29 Up 2 & Down 2
Fig 30 Trap Motor
Fig 31 Reset Main
Fig 32 Bucket Reset Motor
Fig 33 Thingy Motor
Fig 34 Reset 1
Fig 35 Arms Motor
Fig 36 Lift
Fig 37 Lift Bottom
Fig 38 Reset 2
Fig 39 Clock Motor
Fig 40 Capstan Motor
© Copyright Les Pattison