HomeScope Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 I saw this on Friday, and at first, couldn't figure out what the heck it was. It was not until later in the inspection that I discovered what it is used for. Clue...The home was built in 1978, but this feature is not circa 1978. The device was installed in a remote, mostly inaccessible area of the crawl space, near the carport entrance of the house. I'll post the answer in a few days, or you can email me for the answer. David Fogle HomeScope Property Inspections Augusta, Ga. Download Attachment: P1010059.jpg 81.32 KB
Terence McCann Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Well, it looks like it has a rubber tire on the larger sprocket that would be used to friction drive something, so it would appear to move back and forth. Hmm... this requires a little more thought.
RobC Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 OK! I like puzzles There's an electric motor hooked up to a chain. Behind the large sprocket is what appears to be a transmission like transfer case or torque converter. (not a mechanic, may have the terminology wrong) The assembly is hinged to allow movement on start up. From here it's anybody's guess. I'll say it powers: a dumb waiter a small elevator a hydrolic power converter not an escalator OR an ant trap
Gerry Beaumont Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Hi David, Very interesting photograph, I can only guess that it is some kind of electric door opener for a sliding door. Regards Gerry
Terence McCann Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Hi Rob: Off the motor, right in front, is a gear reduction transfer case. I don't think the larger sprocket is attached to a torque converter but it does look like it now doesn't it. BTW, I like ant trap. Or Aunt trap.
RobC Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Looking at this again, There is an angle in the background and a wheel riding on top of it to the left. I can't see enough room for a power converter unless there is an excavation behind. The unit must be related to this wheel that's attached to ??? a door a material handling rack And then, there's those pesky leaves that indicate the unit maybe outdoors. Great puzzle![:-glasses]
Terence McCann Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Rob: Great eyes, upon closer examination I saw the fire ant killer sticker. Amazing powers of observation... It is hinged, with springs, to take up on any movement. It has to be a friction wheel of some sort. Retractable car port cover?
RobC Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Terry, It's really tough to tell without the 3D advantage. I'd like to know what the large wheel behind the sprocket is made of. That would help a bit. OK! David, How about a clue?
Terence McCann Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Yes Dave, how about a clue. You didn't show us what was right above the mousetrap. Man's early attempts at an automatic garage door opener?
Terence McCann Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Also, should the electrical plug be a GFCI?
HomeScope Posted April 17, 2004 Author Report Posted April 17, 2004 Good guesses so far, but no cigar. One of Rob's theories was close, but not specific enough. The device does create movement for the other end of this contraption. Not something that one would come across likely more than once in a lifetime, if at all. I'll leave it at that for now, and see what other guesses come in before I reveal the answer. David
Richard Moore Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Does it move the coffin into the incinerator?
hausdok Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Hi, It looks very much like the unloader used to drive the continuous cleanout chain for the drops in a dairy barn or the the heavy rubber dolly used under large sliding doors and gates. My guess is that the carport has, or once had a large sliding door and that the wheel protrudes through the surface beneath the bottom edge of the door and the door slid opened and closed by riding back and forth on top of that wheel. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
Rob Amaral Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Flywheel gizmo? For a well or for the garage door if the power fails? Photo is difficult..
Jim Katen Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 I've built several of those over the years to drive large turntables. The largest was 40 feet in diameter and could move thousands of pounds. Did the carport have a turntable in the floor so that you could drive straight in, then turn the car so it was facing out when you were ready to leave? - Jim Katen, Oregon
Brian G Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Originally posted by Jim Katen Did the carport have a turntable in the floor so that you could drive straight in, then turn the car so it was facing out when you were ready to leave? Oh man, wait till I tell the wife what my next project is! [-crzwom] Brian G.
chrisprickett Posted April 17, 2004 Report Posted April 17, 2004 Looks like an old wet saw, Is it some kind of Butcher's saw?
HomeScope Posted April 18, 2004 Author Report Posted April 18, 2004 Congrats to Jim Katen... It was a large wooden turntable in the carport. The story was that the wife or daughter never learned to back the car, so duh, instead of teaching them, have a turntable installed. Jim...for your prize, you can choose what's behind curtain #1, or what Jay is bringing down the isle in the box. Jay!!! Jay!!! Watch out for that mic cord!!! tumble, tumble, tumble. Thanks for playing "Name that Gizmo" David
RobC Posted April 18, 2004 Report Posted April 18, 2004 Would you have any other photos? A turntable...........Never seen the beat of it[:-hypnotized]
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