Instead of making a new post for each question that was about the same mechanical component, I decided to make one post for all.
1) Can we use a clevis and control horn like the ones used in RC Airplanes to Open/Close the hinge mechanism to hold the minibot to the pole?
2) Since coiled metal springs are not allowed on the minibot (
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=16517), and our team was planning to use compression springs to keep the "jaws" open until the minibot reached the pole, what substitution with surgical tubing could we use to keep the "jaws" open until the minibot reaches the pole.
3)Could we use polycarbonate pulleys for our closing plunger mechanism. They won't be contributing to any vertical movement, only to guide cable so they can pull the "jaws" close.
Overall, I thought FIRST did a great job with the rules this year - very simple and very clear for the most part. However, something is always going to fall through the cracks (and I don't mean that in a bad way - people need to know that it's practically impossible to do something perfectly). - Chris Hibner [more] 
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