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Build A Better Mousetrap — Parallax Forums

Build A Better Mousetrap

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-05-06 00:25 in General Discussion
That is what was proposed I do after a situation last summer, and
that is just what I did, using a BS2, and a servo. Of course, this
clunky prototype has some bells & whistles like an LCD display, but
it IS just a prototype. You can see it at:

http://www.lightlink.com/dream/chris/stamps.htm

Comments are welcome...

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-05-03 21:37
    A good hi-tech adaptation of a low-tech mechanical device. A suggested
    modification is to use a spring-loaded door activated with a solenoid
    (and ULN2003A driver) to save the cost of a servo.
    Dennis

    Original Message
    From: knight_designs [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=sJNHUOgSiUUK9FVOXGdS4o1QomQjVoSCAmJbPI369PzEkoRNCMeiqKrItPGHM3CIgwcseWyG3D8mg0-EQUML_Svn]knight_designs@y...[/url
    Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2003 1:14 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Build A Better Mousetrap


    That is what was proposed I do after a situation last summer, and
    that is just what I did, using a BS2, and a servo. Of course, this
    clunky prototype has some bells & whistles like an LCD display, but
    it IS just a prototype. You can see it at:

    http://www.lightlink.com/dream/chris/stamps.htm

    Comments are welcome...



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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-05-03 22:20
    --- Dennis O'Leary <doleary@e...> wrote:
    > A good hi-tech adaptation of a low-tech mechanical
    > device. A suggested
    > modification is to use a spring-loaded door
    > activated with a solenoid
    > (and ULN2003A driver) to save the cost of a servo.
    > Dennis

    Yeah, I actually considered that first, but I simply
    had 5 or 6 servos around and no solenoids...LOL In
    any case...I am still trying to find a simpler design
    that still works basically the same, since alot of
    people that have seen this want one already! =)




    =====
    Chris Savage
    Knight Designs
    324 West Main Street
    Montour Falls, NY 14865
    (607) 535-6777

    http://www.knightdesigns.com

    __________________________________
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    The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-05-04 01:03
    For commercial purposes, you might consider getting UL, or other
    regulatory agencies, to look at and approve your future product. They
    will be concerned about hazards to humans due to electrical or
    mechanical features. Then there are certain other organizations (of
    which I disapprove) that will be more concerned about what happens to
    the captured rodents.

    Dennis

    Original Message
    From: Chris Savage [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=ajmaQyLr9iiFWMyRSCzuiFKyfXPLaue2FBwNBXWUhzqErnl-212h_8IWw_cyT4EyF5eXYSHJMYdcTQ2RRQ4THcGq]knight_designs@y...[/url
    Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2003 2:21 PM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Build A Better Mousetrap


    --- Dennis O'Leary <doleary@e...> wrote:
    > A good hi-tech adaptation of a low-tech mechanical
    > device. A suggested
    > modification is to use a spring-loaded door
    > activated with a solenoid
    > (and ULN2003A driver) to save the cost of a servo.
    > Dennis

    Yeah, I actually considered that first, but I simply
    had 5 or 6 servos around and no solenoids...LOL In
    any case...I am still trying to find a simpler design
    that still works basically the same, since alot of
    people that have seen this want one already! =)




    =====
    Chris Savage
    Knight Designs
    324 West Main Street
    Montour Falls, NY 14865
    (607) 535-6777

    http://www.knightdesigns.com

    __________________________________
    Do you Yahoo!?
    The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com

    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-05-05 04:39
    How about scaling up the design where the control board monitors
    multiple traps? They could be hooked up with standard phone cords
    with the small 4 wire plugs, RJ11 I think. BS2 should have no trouble
    keeping track of 5 or 6 units, maybe more.
    Another thought would be to add a clock module so that the time of
    each capture is recorded, thereby allowing you to place the traps
    more effectively.

    Very nice presentation.

    What happens to the P.O.W.'s? Intensive interrogation? Summary Court
    Martial? Kangaroo court? Repatriation or expatriation? Perhaps
    mouse-sized cement shoes and a trip to the pond?

    Hal


    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "knight_designs"
    <knight_designs@y...> wrote:
    > That is what was proposed I do after a situation last summer, and
    > that is just what I did, using a BS2, and a servo. Of course, this
    > clunky prototype has some bells & whistles like an LCD display, but
    > it IS just a prototype. You can see it at:
    >
    > http://www.lightlink.com/dream/chris/stamps.htm
    >
    > Comments are welcome...
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-05-06 00:25
    --- Hal ALbach <halbach@f...> wrote:
    > How about scaling up the design where the control
    > board monitors
    > multiple traps? They could be hooked up with
    > standard phone cords
    > with the small 4 wire plugs, RJ11 I think. BS2

    Interesting idea...Alot of wire to run around my house
    though, especially considering the places these little
    buggers frequent.

    > Very nice presentation.

    Thank you! I've always though presentation is 50% of
    the equation! =)

    > What happens to the P.O.W.'s? Intensive
    > interrogation? Summary Court
    > Martial? Kangaroo court? Repatriation or
    > expatriation? Perhaps
    > mouse-sized cement shoes and a trip to the pond?

    Well, I'll be the first to admit that I'd rather see
    the little S.O.B.'s get their neck broke in the
    snap-trap, or even the little cement shoes thing
    sounds good after what I've gone through. But for
    every negative thought I have towards these creatures
    my wife is always there to set me right. Both mice
    were release about 3 miles from here in Montour Falls,
    NY. I figure if they can't get back to my house, so
    be it. In fact, they're miles from anyone's house.
    Mind you, they don't get the royal treatment either.
    When caught, they're dumped into a 1 gallon water jug,
    and there they sit until the next morning when I go to
    work and can drop them off at the Wildlife Preserve
    spot near the falls. But at least they live.

    Side-Note: Knowing my attitude towards Rats & mice,
    my own mother saw the trap, and before I could even
    explain how it worked, she accused me of build a
    mouse-zapper...You know, the equivalent to one of
    those bug zappers, but for mice...Sheesh!



    =====
    Chris Savage
    Knight Designs
    324 West Main Street
    Montour Falls, NY 14865
    (607) 535-6777

    http://www.knightdesigns.com

    __________________________________
    Do you Yahoo!?
    The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
    http://search.yahoo.com
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