Fig. 157. [↑]
Fig. 158. [↑]
The steamboat kite, Figs. [156] and [157], is another application of the moving wheel but this construction is simpler and the attachment of wheel is better. In this model a part of the wheel is shielded from the breeze, so the uneven pressure causes it to revolve. This is a very feasible and interesting problem. [Fig. 158] shows a kite with a wagging head above it. When we understand this device, we should be able to plan many others. The windmill is set in the open part of the kite. Two cross-sticks are used so it is quite easy to attach a vertical piece to the two for support of the aluminum wheel. A little hub has a groove in it that a cord belt runs in, and from that to another grooved wheel to the back of the kite, [Fig. 159]. A lath nail cut off for a small crank pin, j, is located near the outer edge of this grooved wheel. A vertical lever, h, with axis at i, has an elongated hole at the lower end that works over the crank-pin and as k revolves, the lever operates from side to side. The hole must be long enough for the crank-pin to reach its highest and lowest point easily. The elongated hole can be effected by extending a wire loop down from the end of the vertical lever to work on the crank-pin. The wire should be lashed with linen thread to the vertical lever and coated over with glue. An object can be used on the upper end, such as a head, a flag, etc. In the same manner, hands and feet may be extended and withdrawn, a turtle might be made to draw in head and feet and many other interesting operations, but in all of these the machinery must work easily, must not lop over against anything else and above all we must remember not to load down our kite with weight or overbalance it with undue leverage at any part of the kite.
Fig. 159. [↑]