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How
does a
flying crank ghost work? |
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first inspection, the FCG contraption
appears to run on carefully controlled
chaos, ready to spin out of control at any moment. If
SpookyBlue engineers had built your
FCG in 2002, I wouldn't disagree with
that description. However
we've figured it out, and it's really a clever and simple
mechanism. |
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A
central 6RPM motor turns the crank
arm. At the end of the arm
is a vertical pin that suspends a
free-spinning disk. Attached
to holes in the disk are three
strings (4 if using a
counterweight) that attach to the
marionette's arms and head.
Notice how the disk always faces
the same direction regardless of
where it is in its rotation. |
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As
demonstrated by the lovely and
talented Flying Crank Theresa,
the movement of the crank
alternately lifts each string as
it moves along the course of its
rotation. You can control
the timing of your spook's rises
and falls by adjusting the
distance between the pulleys. |
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Move
the arm pulleys far away from
each other and you get a very
exaggerated motion.
Note:
No blondes were harmed during
this demonstration. |
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