YUBA COLLEGE
PURPOSE: To design and build an alteration to a computer mouse that will move the mouse
with the energy stored in one or more standard cocked mousetraps. The mouse will compete in a speed race over a 2.5-meter course over
a level floor.
EVENT: The event will take place on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 2:30 PM in room 713 (or alternative room
if necessary for crowd control) on the Marysville Campus. GROUPS: Work alone or in groups. Groups may include any number of members from outside the E4 class, but
no more than 2 people from the E4 class.
Entries from groups not affiliated with this class are also welcome. SCORING: Based on performance and placing in the contest. Special bonus points for aesthetics, clever design,
beauty, using the mouse ball as the power wheel, hiding wheels/traps so that they are not seen,
unusual/innovative methods, wheelies, smoking tires, blazing speed, humor, or other distinguishing characteristics.
WORLD RECORDS: Yuba College Student and Yuba College MESA Record: Raquel Lopez, 1.61 seconds.
RULES:
World College Student and World MESA Record: Lance Thomas (Butte College), 1.51 seconds
World Unlimited Record: Bill Schultz, 1.23 seconds.
For more information on the past contests, see: http://ms.yccd.edu/mousetrap/mouse2001/
Vehicle Configuration - The intent is that the mouse looks like a powered mouse…not like a mouse riding on a vehicle. The insides of the mouse may be removed, but the case, both top and bottom and the buttons must be substantially unaltered. Small holes can be cut to allow wheels or the mousetrap mechanism to pass through the case. It is not required that your mouse-vehicle be a conventional "car" with wheels; It could fly, walk, hop, etc. Aerodynamic surfaces are allowed. The following size restrictions apply: If the vehicle has axles, the forward-most axle can be no farther than 5 inches from the rear-most axle. If it uses axles, one of them must be between the front and the rear of the original mouse (not counting the cord). Nothing (except the cord, the "tail") may extend more than 2 inches from the surfaces of the mouse at any time during the race. For example, the farthest forward point of the front wheels must be no more than 2 inches from some surface of the original mouse; the extreme end of the "power arm" attached to the spring must be no more than 2 inches from the body of the mouse at any time during the race. The "tail" must be at least 8 inches long, made from the unaltered mouse cord. For esthetics, "beautifiers" may be added to the tail. The tail must be unsupported, except at the attachment point, so that it is left to drag freely.
Power - Any number of standard-size mousetraps ("Victor", "McGill" or equivalent) may be used, but the springs must fit inside the mouse and they must travel with the vehicle. The traps must be the sole form of power. No human push, no rubber bands, no chemical or compressed gas rockets, etc. The trap(s) can be stripped of all parts (the wood, latch, etc.) to fit them inside the mouse. Only springs from actual standard mousetraps may be used. While the spring(s) must be inside the mouse, the bale ("power arm") of the trap may be outside the mouse. The bale and any extensions to it must conform to the 2-inch rule.
General - The course will be laid out on a smooth horizontal floor. A vehicle must be released from a location so that it is entirely behind the start line, and is considered past the finish line only when all parts of the vehicle are past the 2.5-meter distance. Any parts or debris discarded during a race or left detached from the vehicle are still considered part of the vehicle. The owner may release his/her own vehicle, but must not give it any extra push. The official judge will decide any controversies. Call Steve Klein, 741-6911, for more information.