Distressed Nerd: Collapsible Arm Ideas 1

[DistressedNerd]

IF you can solve this problem I will write you a witty poem based off your username.

I am completely stumped on how to make a collapsible arms for this product. Best case scenario if it could be foot operated open and close. The attached visual shows you what the gist of it (except it will be operated on floor not on desk).

To make it foot pedal operated I was considering same mechanism in a foot operated trash can (opening the lid), however it needs to lock into the open position. Worst case scenario you have to bend down and open and close the arms with your hands.

An existing products that accomplishes similar action that is cost effective is what I am looking for. Thanks!

 

[EmmanuelTop]

I am male so I don't think it would be a good idea to receive a poem from another male specimen. People might start to look at us in a weird way on these forums.

If you want a foot-operated system, you would probably have to design it with a spring that will get released upon acting pressure.

Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[EmmanuelTop]

Or something on the "fishing chair" principle (the "X" motion).

Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[ornerynorsk]

If I solve your problem what I really need is your billing address

It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.

 

[DistressedNerd]

Anyone know how the mechanism behind these flip open calculators (see link):

Link

Link

I think the same mechanism would work well, assuming it can be scaled up to moving a collapsible arm many times the weight of the plastic housing on these calculators.

 

[zeusfaber]

I'm sure I remember a toy made from a line of cotton reels with a cord threaded through the middle that would erect when you pulled the cord tight. For pedal operation, tie the end of the string to your pedal. Simplest way to lock it into position is to run the pedal in a stepped slot (like the middle pedal in the pictures on this page)

A.

 

[DistressedNerd]

Zeusfaber that is ironic - that is what I originally thought would be the best idea. The product actually already has cords running through it exactly as you described, but they serve another purpose. I was planning on using them to serve 2 purposes , (1) make the collapsible arms work as you described, however the other purpose (2) requires a specific tension in the cord and to achieve the amount of force to lift the arm (assuming arm weighs ~ 0 lbs, which is impossible) would require a rather large moment arm (4.4" diameter pulley) which is too big for my product.

Zeusfaber I am a military too, sent you a pm.

 

[IRstuff]

May be a mechanism similar to ball point pens; they use the same finger-actuation to deploy and retract the pen tip.

TTFN
faq731-376

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529


Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
There is a homework forum hosted by engineering.com:

http://www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx

 

[Dougt115]

The flip open calculator that you show is using a simple spring hinge with a viscous dampening gel to slow it down. You will have to manually close the calculator.