Posted by MrTim (205.188.208.10) on January 09, 2003 at 22:28:39:
Hi all!
Just a thought on the 'springs' in Bessler's wheel. On the description of where he was 'pushing down' and something 'snapped up', what if the mech used this as part of it's construction?
(1) at a point on the lever (either along it's length or at the end) two short metal pins extend out from the sides.
(2) on the end of another lever is attached a 'U' shaped piece of flat spring steel, with holes in the upper part of the 'U', which fit over the short metal pins, to form a 'hinge'. This holds the levers together and allows them to pivot freely.
(3) to fit the 'U' over the pins, you would have to pry the 'U' apart slightly, and push it along until the holes snapped over the pins. Being metal, this would be loud...
Again, just a thought...
MrTim