This is a pneumatic effect, powered by compressed air (controlled by HAM), and remotely triggered via X-10.

• Skeleton
• Mechanism
• Action
• Notes

• Related Pages

Skeleton

The key to this easily-built effect is a cheesie cheap blow-molded plastic skeleton.

Here we show the cheap blow-molded skeleton next to a much nicer and more authentic Bucky. Although Bucky is beautiful, he is also very heavy, while the cheesie skeleton weighs under a pound. Light weight is a definite benefit when you come to flinging stuff around.

Besides, few trick-or-treaters will be checking out the details of the skeleton as it slams up at them.

Mechanism

This is the most important picture on this web page!

It shows all the important parts of the mechanism

The mechanism is quite simple. It consists of:

• a flat wooden base
• a chunk of scrap wood firmly attached to the base as a spacer
• with a piece of 1x2 lumber serving as a lever, attached to the spacer with a hinge

The pneumatic activation is provided by an

When air is let into the screen door closer, it pushes out the piston, levering the 1x2 upright.

It's really hard to describe how the cylinder is attached to the hinged board! We attached the screen door closer using the same parts that come with it to mount to doors (with a modification at the end where we pump in the air). Take a careful look at a real screen door and see how the closer is mounted.

The wooden lever is attached with a plain "T" hinge.

The screen door closer (acting as a pneumatic piston) is attached to the wood with the same hardware that would normally be used to mount the door closer to a door!

The lightweight skeleton is attached to the 1x2 with black cable ties.

A small slit is cut in each side of the spine; the tie pushed through; and fastened around the wood.

The skeleton in repose, attached to the wooden lever and pop-up mechanism.

Side view of the completed scare.

Our friend from the back.

Here's the business end of the gadget.

Under combat conditions, the base of the popper is fastened to the ground with four tent stakes that go through holes drilled in the base.

Action

Action!

As we already mentioned, the effect is remotely triggered via X-10. This means that the haunters can wander in and out of the house, up and down the street, and still set it off via radio-controlled Palm Pad. Since the effect is not activated by motion, light, or other automatic trigger, you can wring some unexpected scares out of it. Many of our victims brought friends over to "look at this cool skeleton that pops up". But he wouldn't. "Hey, you! Jump up!" But he wouldn't. And then, just as the second trick-or-treater started razzing the first one, up it flies - getting both of them.

The remote control not only triggered the skeleton to pop up. It also used a trigger relay to turn on a strobe light shining on the skeleton, and triggered a scream box.

The combination of all of these effects packed a big punch, because the flashing strobe highlighted the skeleton as he jumped up, and the sudden scream provided an audio startle.

• compressed air introduction
• Turn the pressure on and off with solenoid valves.
• Turn pressure into motion with pneumatic cylinders.
• compressors

Other projects that go into the popup skeleton:

• our air control assembly: HAM
• improvised pneumatic cylinder made from a screen door closer
• remote control with X-10
• trigger relay
• scream box

Pneumatic props:

• popup skeleton [this page]
• giant spider
• pumpkin popup

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are welcome.
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