Help!!!!

[trickyvic3]

First let me say a big thank you to all who are helping us in this quest. I got an E-mail this afternoon from Jeff of Jaygee. He has gotten a hold of a guy that makes controls for the handycap to be able to play playstation 2s. Joe already has one of his set ups, and this guy is good at what he does. To make a long story short, He is interested in working with Jeff on this. He also thinks he can come up with something that will work. GREAT NEWS HUH?? Jeff is sending one of his trollers to him this weekend and we,ll see what he can come up with. A BIG THANK YOU TO JEFF for getting the ball rolling on this. You all are saints for helping us with this. PS. WE SURE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO MADE THE DONATION TO GARY GERDING FOR JOE,S TRACK. We think you deserve some recognition for what you are doing for this family. Joe has had very little sleep. He is just gleaming from ear to ear. I have to say that dad is pretty happy too! It,s been a long time since any of us have had anything to be happy about. We,ll keep u posted - - - Vic,Joe+Jennie

[Phil I.]

Where ya located so maybe we can come & race....And maybe beat ya...

hehehehe....
PHIL I.

[trickyvic3]

PHILL,, We are located in Raymond NH. About 15min from hampton beach. Or about 20min from Need for speed in Manchester NH. Very easy to find! We,d love to have ya!!! any time.

[Lambert]

Just an observation, but has anyone given any thought of contacting the News Media about this.
I would think that this type of activity is worthy of local if not national attention. Not only showing the type of people involved in this hobby and the care that they have for someone less fortunate, plus it could give a boost in the arm for the Slot Car industry as a whole.
Any thoughts?

[trickyvic3]

Just an observation, but has anyone given any thought of contacting the News Media about this.
I would think that this type of activity is worthy of local if not national attention. Not only showing the type of people involved in this hobby and the care that they have for someone less fortunate, plus it could give a boost in the arm for the Slot Car industry as a whole.
Any thoughts?

Yes this is a great idea, We were just talking about the same thing. The big problem is that we dont know how to go about it. I just got off the phone with ralph from, need for speed raceway in Manchester NH. He seems to know anybody whos anybody. He,s going to make a few calls to see what we can do to get the attention this so deserves. I,m going to stay in close contact with him to see if he can help, and how. He agrees that this should get some media attention, and not only help the slot industry, but help us as a family show our appreciation to the slot famly/industry. If anyone has any ideas please post. We welcome all input.-Vic/Joe+Jennie

[RollinI]

Speed TV is showing the 24-Hours of Daytona, someone should contact one of their producers. They have hours and hours and hours to cover and fill. They might just be looking for a human interest story.

[trickyvic3]

That is a real good idea, but do you think it should be done by someone other than the family? Sometimes it seems to carry more weight?

[oldweirdherald]

This will definitely make a great story, and one that will be great publicity for the slot car hobby. There are many aspects of this project that make it a story, just one of which is the help and support that has been offered from the online slot car community as a group who share the same interest.

It has been a couple days now since Gary posted and emailed me about the anonymous donor, and I still can't find words that come close to how it makes me feel.

Whoever this person is, they have demonstrated that their heart is much bigger then their wallet. It must be someone who truly GETS what this can mean to this family and this former fellow racer beyond simply being able to play with toy cars. But to actually have the heart to step forward and contribute by sharing the results of their hard work and good fortune to enhance the lives of others - is truly a blessing. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is struggling through the emotions to find words...

This just shows that there is so much more to our lives then just this hobby - and there is so much more to this hobby then just toy cars.

There are also aspects of this project that could contribute HUGE progress towards assisted controls, that could result in being utilized for other game devices as well as for more practical and life enhancing applications.

I do think it is a bit early to contact the media, however. I will continue to gather info for putting together a media / press release - but I don't think the story will have as much impact until we can see footage of Joe taking a lap with his own controller on his new track. With all the background information about how it came to be - seeing Joe's face when he actually operates the specially fitted controller will be simply priceless and beyond words.

Let's give Jeff some time to brainstorm with the other electronics guys, while Gary gets to work on the track, before going "mainstream" on this.

I'll be setting up a special photo gallery on OWH, so that Gary & Jeff can post photos to share the progress of the controller & track as they develop.

Paul K
OWH - an extremely proud "mom"

[trickyvic3]

Good point! I think we need to slow down and take our time with this,in order to do this so we get the max exposure. We want to make a big impact. I know,I want to make sure everyone gets the recognition they deserve. And I know this will be a big shot in the arm for all of slot racing. We want to do all we can to promote the industry, and keep slot racing alive and well for many years to come. Thank you for all your help on this paul . --- Vic/Joe+ Jennie Poulin

[trickyvic3]

I ment to ask, If there is anything we can do to help ? pm me. besides I,ll bet you misplaced my phone# didnt you?? haha thanx--Vic

[JayGee]

The consultant and I spoke at length yesterday and he suggested that we take a mechanical approach to solving the problem instead of an electrical/electronic one. I noodled on that for a while, then this morning a possible solution dawned on me. I need to explore this more with him, but wanted to get everyone thinking of this as well.

We could possibly use the mechanical apparatus from one of his lip operated switches and connect a servo cable to it (kinda like the brake cables on a bike but for model airplanes). The other end of the cable would be connected to the plastic trigger on the controller. That would allow us to make adjustments for the amount of lip movement required to go from full throttle to brake by simply changing attachment points on the trigger...and adjustments for lip pressure required to move the trigger could be made by changing trigger springs.

Since the cable is flexible, the controller handle can be mounted on a fixture that clips to Joe's wheelchair...out of the way so it doesn't disturb his vision. We'd then use the USB cable to connect to the power module which would be resting on the track's driver's panel.

I did try one of his suggestions...operating the controller with my mouth. I took the guts out of a handle and bit down on the trigger and frame. We're in the ballpark. The required travel from brake to full throttle is a bit too long, but that can be resolved with the cable attachment point on the trigger. The spring tension also seemed to be managable...didn't have to bite down too hard to work the trigger.

If any custom machine work or metal fabrication is needed to fabricate any of the bit and pieces, we'll need help with that.

[trickyvic3]

The consultant and I spoke at length yesterday and he suggested that we take a mechanical approach to solving the problem instead of an electrical/electronic one. I noodled on that for a while, then this morning a possible solution dawned on me. I need to explore this more with him, but wanted to get everyone thinking of this as well.

We could possibly use the mechanical apparatus from one of his lip operated switches and connect a servo cable to it (kinda like the brake cables on a bike but for model airplanes). The other end of the cable would be connected to the plastic trigger on the controller. That would allow us to make adjustments for the amount of lip movement required to go from full throttle to brake by simply changing attachment points on the trigger...and adjustments for lip pressure required to move the trigger could be made by changing trigger springs.

Since the cable is flexible, the controller handle can be mounted on a fixture that clips to Joe's wheelchair...out of the way so it doesn't disturb his vision. We'd then use the USB cable to connect to the power module which would be resting on the track's driver's panel.

I did try one of his suggestions...operating the controller with my mouth. I took the guts out of a handle and bit down on the trigger and frame. We're in the ballpark. The required travel from brake to full throttle is a bit too long, but that can be resolved with the cable attachment point on the trigger. The spring tension also seemed to be managable...didn't have to bite down too hard to work the trigger.

If any custom machine work or metal fabrication is needed to fabricate any of the bit and pieces, we'll need help with that.

Sounds like the way to go to me Jeff. That way Joe doesnt have to many things to do at once,and can keep an eye on his car. Once again, Joe and I would like to thank you and Ken for all your hard work on this. ps. Joe has one hell of a smile on his face right now. Thank you - - Vic/Joe/Jennie poulin

[RomanK]

In order that Joe be able to follow his car on the track, would it not make sense to create some sort of a body mount for the controller so that it would follow his head thus eye movements? Possibly something that mounts around the neck? just brain storming here. Thought is that if the device is hard mounted or clipped to his chair, at some point he may have to lose sight of the car in order to maintain contact with the controller. thoughts?

[trickyvic3]

In order that Joe be able to follow his car on the track, would it not make sense to create some sort of a body mount for the controller so that it would follow his head thus eye movements? Possibly something that mounts around the neck? just brain storming here. Thought is that if the device is hard mounted or clipped to his chair, at some point he may have to lose sight of the car in order to maintain contact with the controller. thoughts?

Hi Roman, Just got e-mail from Jeff. He said that they are going to try a type of chest plate. The controller would then be mounted to the chest plate and controlled by mouth and or chin movements. Jeff is giong to try one out at the track to see if it could work under racing conditions. The plan sounds good, lets see if it works. You have to remember that joe can not move his head at all. This could be a good plan. when racing, Joe will have to sit so he can see the whole track if possible. We will adapt by hook or by crook. thanks for your input. Vic/Joe/Jennie Poulin

[bobo]

Jeff;
The extra trigger travel can be reduced by using a sinple bell crank with the piviot point off center I E a reducing type bell crank.

Bob Oaks