A Clacker of some sort?

[Kevo_DFX]

My Dad found this about 5 inches down with his older WHITE'S machine and was wondering what it is... (Penny in last pic for size)

Any ideas?

 

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[ivan salis]

part of a spring set up

 

[trikikiwi]

Kevo , That has to be one of the best 'pics display' I have seen here for some time

Mike

Could it be the release mechanism for one of those 'wind them up' toys?

 

[AKiwi]

A spring for those old Western saloon, batwing doors?

 

[AU24K]

A part of an early "suspeneion" system for wooden wagons? My WAG.
Scott

 

[72cheyenne]

You're correct. It must be a clacker. Wait. What the hell is a clacker?

Definitions of Clacker on the Web:

The term clackers refers to a vintage toy which was briefly popular in the early 1970s. Its name refers to the fact that its point was to have the two balls of which the toy consisted of clicking against each other. It was similar to the actual Argentine weapon known as bolas.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clacker

A 19th centure device, often used in Europe, but in North America as well, that was used as a fire signal.
www.firefightingvideos.org/index.php

(Fishing) A metal device added to certain brand buzzbait in order to make additional noise.
www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage

A large insect-like creature found mainly in the Arena and the dungeon.
www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/PlaneShift-(game)

anus (apparently). On my favorite TV program, Harry's Practice, a dog sniffed Dr. Harry in the crotch from the front, and then quite up his arse, as it were, from the rear. Dr. Harry said the dog was "right up me clacker. ...
www.stensrude.com/Australia/Oz.html

LOL!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

A part of an early "suspeneion" system for wooden wagons? My WAG.
Scott

I was afraid to say but the first thing I thought of was shocks. But I dunno. Part of suspension sounds good. Are there rubber bushings inside? I just found the penny. Yes, very good pics.

 

[jopher]

The guts out of a bicycle bell....cha ching

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Recycled clackers? http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71994296.tip.html

 

[silverswede]

Chinese Saltines?

 

[Monty]

My guess is that it is part of some sort of suspension? I agree with several others but don't really know. monty

 

[Kevo_DFX]

This thing is very flimsy for any sort of suspension. I cannot bend the round "housing" part by hand, but the interior part, what I am calling the clacker (attached to the coil) moves very freely.

When I say clacker, I mean it reminds me f the part in a bell that bangs up against the side to produce the sound. However, I don't believe that this clacker made a sound. I believe that when it was forced to make contact with the housing, it conducted an electrical charge. That is my WAG, but I have no idea what it would be used for.

 

[AU24K]

That part of a bell would be called the "clapper". Not to be confused with an automatic light switch.
Scott

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

This thing is very flimsy for any sort of suspension. I cannot bend the round "housing" part by hand, but the interior part, what I am calling the clacker (attached to the coil) moves very freely.

When I say clacker, I mean it reminds me f the part in a bell that bangs up against the side to produce the sound. However, I don't believe that this clacker made a sound. I believe that when it was forced to make contact with the housing, it conducted an electrical charge. That is my WAG, but I have no idea what it would be used for.

I was wondering what you were talking about. I think the part you call a clapper that now moves freely is supposed to be secured with the dowel pin going through the two side holes.(pic) Maybe trying straighten out the smashed housing would help. Also what makes you think this is electrical related? Do you have a wire or a coil?

 

[Kevo_DFX]

Ah. A clapper. And here I thought that that was just a silly electronical gizmo that turns lights on and off.

OK, I will try to straighten this thing out when I get back to PA. And I don't know why I say electrical, it just sort of has that feel to me. I'm probably wrong, but in my head my process goes something like this:

Too flimsy to be suspension,
Not for sound, unless you're keen on dull metallic rappings,

So, why else would I touch metal to metal?

 

[One mans trash...]

I'm thinking automatic damper. The "spring" looks like it's made of two layers, which could be bimetalic. When hot, the thing wants to unwind, which pushes the damper closed. The damper is made to fit close, so it would effectively cut off most of the air flow. Or the other way around, depending on how the dissimilar metals are bonded. I seem to see a small hole in the damper disc that could have connected to the coil.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

So, why else would I touch metal to metal?

It doesnt. The pin goes through it and keeps it from clapping. There is nothing that moves like a clapper. Its smashed. It makes a door that can open or shut like a carburetor or damper. (pic). I like Trash's damper idea. I didnt realize it was a bimetal spring. I see that now.

 

[SkyPirate]

Looks like an old caster wheel for a bed leg or table leg.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I'm thinking automatic damper. The "spring" looks like it's made of two layers, which could be bimetalic. When hot, the thing wants to unwind, which pushes the damper closed. The damper is made to fit close, so it would effectively cut off most of the air flow. Or the other way around, depending on how the dissimilar metals are bonded. I seem to see a small hole in the damper disc that could have connected to the coil.

I agree. Self-choking butterfly valve for an air inlet for something. Stove or furnace, maybe. I don't think it is in the exhaust line (i.e. flue damper) of whatever because the coil effectivelty plugs the flow as much as the half-open gate would and would also be likely to crud up. We had a similar concept in a fireplace insert except it was a flap that allowed air past once the trapped air around the insert was hot. When the fire cooled they closed to prevent cold air coming down the chimney and entering the room. That was a pair of rectangular gates, however.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Looks like an old caster wheel for a bed leg or table leg.

The part that looks like a wheel is actually a bimetal coil we believe. Test it with a magnet. Bend it back so the butterfly turns, drop it in hot water or ice and see what happens. (open or close)