Thread: Leaping Loafer Air Cylinder Size

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I tried the search feature, but couldn't find any posts on a leaping loafer. I'd like to build one for this year's haunt using a purchased air cylinder. All of my animated props to this point use homemade pvc cylinders.

Here's a pictorial from Lawrence Lund's website

My Leaping Loafer Pictures Page


This one looks pretty cool with the arms raising simultaneous to the standing action

[ame=http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y220/indianaholmes/?action=view&current=100_2086.flv]Leaping Loafer video by indianaholmes - Photobucket[/ame]

Anyone have experience making one of these? I'm looking for

(1) the recommended bore size and throw length for the cylinder that pushes the loafer out of the chair

(2) clarification on how the arm action is achieved

If the prop weighs less then 40lb a bore of 3/4 will do fine. It's a single acting cylinder because the spring retracts slowly. The throw is probably 6 inches just play with it on the base or back of the chair. The cylinder is attached to a simple linkage that when activated throws the arms up. It's a little hard to explain but you should get the idea looking at the "guts" of some other props and improvise.