** How to Discharge a Toy Cannon by Electricity [59]

A device for discharging a toy cannon by electricity can be easily made by using three or four dry batteries, a switch and a small induction coil

[Illustration:  Electrical Attachment for Discharging Toy Cannon]

capable of giving a 1/8-in. spark.  Fasten a piece of wood, A, to the cannon, by means of machine screws or, if there are no trunnions on the cannon, the wood may be made in the shape of a ring and slipped on over the muzzle.  The fuse hole of the cannon is counterbored as shown and a small hole is drilled at one side to receive a small piece of copper wire, E. The wood screw, C, nearly touches E and is connected to one binding post of the induction coil.  The other binding post is connected with the wood screw, D, which conducts the current into the cannon, and also holds the pieces of wood, A and B, in position.

When the cannon is loaded, a small quantity of powder is placed in the counterbore, and the spark between C and E ignites this and discharges the cannon.  A cannon may be fired from a distance in this way, and as there is no danger of any spark remaining after the current is shut off, it is safer than the ordinary cannon which is fired by means of a fuse.  —­Contributed by Henry Peck, Big Rapids, Mich.

** Simple Electric Lock [60]

The illustration shows an automatic lock operated by electricity, requiring a strong magnet, but no weights or strings, which greatly simplifies the device over many others of the kind.

[Illustration:  Lock Operated by a Magnet]

The weight of the long arm, L, is just a trifle greater than the combined weights of the short arms, A and S. The fulcrum of the lever is at C, where there is a staple.  The lever swings on one arm of the staple and the other arm is so placed that when the lever is in an upright position, with the long arm at L’, it will not fall because of its greater weight but stays in the position shown.  The purpose of this is to leave the short arm, A, when in position at A’, within the reach of the magnet.  Arm L rests on an L-shaped hook, H; in this position the door is locked.

To unlock the door, press the button, B. The momentum acquired from the magnet by the short arms, A and S, is sufficient to move the long arm up to the position of L’.  To lock the door, press the button and the momentum acquired from the magnet by the short arms, now at A’ and S’, is sufficient to move the long arm down from L’ to the position at L.  —­Contributed by Benjamin Kubelsky, Chicago.

** Direct-Connected Reverse for Small Motors [60]

A simple reverse for small motors can be attached directly to the motor as shown in Fig. 1.  Fig. 2 shows the construction of the reverse block:  A is a strip of walnut 5/8 in. square and 3/8 in. thick with strips of brass or copper (BB) attached as shown.  Holes (cc) are drilled for the wire connections and they must be flush with the surface of the block.  A hole for a 1/2 in. screw is bored in the block.  In Fig. 1, D is a thin strip of walnut or other dense, hard wood fitted to the binding posts of the brush holders, to receive the screw in the center.