What are you using to Latch A Kicking Device

[Larrys_Panther]

Other than a common door latch what is being used to latch a kicking divice under pressure and release it when wanted?

[Chris is me]

Just grabbed a picture. Bolted onto the prototype side rail, so just pretend that acrylic is actually aluminum.

[hyperdude]

We don't have it assembled yet, but our plan is to use a gate latch.

The latch part itself is attached to the back side of the kicker (length of chassis frame), cylinder extends, hooks itself into the latch, pulls back. When it gets to a certain point, there will be some obstruction tripping the latch, firing the kicker.

[Chris_Elston]

I am not Mechanical, but we used this on our 2008 robot to launch a giant sling shot, and it never failed once, and we could put a "safety pin" in it to keep it from firing.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/30674

[Nick Lawrence]

Magic.

-Nick

[RRLedford]

Does anyone using this latch scheme plan to kick with variable force too? If so, will it be varable pneumatic, variable bungee/winder, or variable pneumatic-bungee combo?

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by RRLedford

Does anyone using this latch scheme plan to kick with variable force too? If so, will it be varable pneumatic, variable bungee/winder, or variable pneumatic-bungee combo?

We will be using a latch on our variable power surgical tubing kicker. The kicker consists of two carriages on linear rails. The back carriage has the latch and is driven by a lead screw. The front carriage is attached to the surgical tubing and is accelerated forward when the latch is released.

[Alex Cormier]

I know of at least one team that would be using a contraption that grips onto nylon tie-down straps. The easiest way is to use a small pneumatic cylinder. Mount the cylinder on an angle, attach a piece of metal to the cylinder shaft along with a tread like material to the bottom. With a base plate, the cylinder will not let the rope budge at all. If you mount the end of the cylinder to the left and the front to the right on a steep downward angle, you would be able to have the kicker to the right and the winch system to the left of the cylinder. The rope will budge very little if the system is set up in the opposite direction. The force of the cylinder pushing downward and the direction that the strap wants to go, makes the pressure point almost impossible for the strap to move and thus it holds it firmly in place. When you are ready to fire, rewind the winch and the rope will be loose behind the cylinder, retract the cylinder and the kicker fires away if the top is connected to some type of material like surgical tubing or bungee cords to the rear of the system.

Is that clear enough, or should I draw some pictures?

My team, will not be using this method. We have adopted the 842 kicker style with the gate latch. Thanks 842.