Question: How do I build costume wings which unfurl?

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Question: How do I build costume wings which unfurl?

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Asked by happyengineer on Fri 2 Nov 2007 - 2:04 am UTC:

I'd like to make some costume wings which can lie flat on the wearer's back
but which can be unfurled out to the sides (preferably in a dramatic way,
which I guess means they'd need to be spring loaded).

When unfurled I'm thinking of something like this. (the pic is slightly
NSFW)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/sigma_19/AngelWings_shaded_edit.jpg

The wings I want to make are dragon wings, not angel wings, but the main
point is that they should unfurl.

There are two parts to this. One is that the wings need to somehow be built
so that pushing on one "bone" of the wing will cause the whole wing to
expand out. The other part is to have some sort of spring loaded mechanism
that does the unfurling.

I'll be happy with an answer that answers the first part. I could probably
figure out something for the second part.

Uclue Researcher Comment by Researcher pinkfreud on Fri 2 Nov 2007 - 2:26 am UTC:

This guy (a mechanical engineer) has made some very impressive wings:

http://www.geocities.com/piratebrian/wings.html

His email is in a link at the bottom of this page:

http://www.geocities.com/piratebrian/entre2.html

Uclue Researcher Comment by Researcher pinkfreud on Fri 2 Nov 2007 - 2:35 am UTC:

There's a lot of detail about wing design here (with links to photos and
drawings):

http://forums.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=23650

Comment by User myoarin on Fri 2 Nov 2007 - 12:02 pm UTC:

Hmmm, spring loaded:  would the mechanism of a self-opening umbrella (or
two) be of use?

Might be difficult to refurl the wings, however.

I'm contemplating a batwing-like construction with carbon fiber rods to
spread the fabric.

Uclue Researcher Request for clarification by Researcher answerfinder on Sat 3 Nov 2007 - 10:36 am UTC:

Dear happyengineer,

I do not know if you’ve seen Pinkfreud’s comments above, but do they,
combined with these two, give you any help or inspiration?

'Giant mechanical batwings' made of wood and metal with step by step
photographs as to how they were constructed.
http://www.burningart.com/meico/inventions/wings/index.html


This site sells some rather exotic clothing but has a page on 'cybertech'
wings. They use a pneumatic power source to open the wings. Rather high-tec
but there are plenty of photographs which may inspire you.
http://www.artificeclothing.com/em/shop/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=27

Phil
answerfinder

Uclue Researcher Request for clarification by Researcher angy on Mon 5 Nov 2007 - 2:28 am UTC:

Do you want them to unfurl sideways (flat to the back and displaying
forward) or vertically (displaying when the wearer is side on)? And what
kind of budget do you have for this?

Question clarification by happyengineer on Mon 5 Nov 2007 - 3:54 am UTC:

Answerfinder, the example at:
http://www.burningart.com/meico/inventions/wings/index.html
is pretty good. I could probably make that. I'd just takes some rods and
put them together using the parallelogram arrangement he used.

I'm still not certain about how to apply the force to do the unfurling, but
if I get that far I should be able to figure something out (at least to do
it manually).

Angy, I'm thinking of unfurling sideways. As with all my costumes, I'm
probably willing to spend up to about $500 or so, but something
sufficiently cool always has a chance of breaking the budget boundary.
*smile*

Uclue Researcher Comment by Researcher angy on Mon 5 Nov 2007 - 5:28 am UTC:

I was hoping to find a description of the mechanism used in theatre for
you.

Basically the wings are operated by string which is hidden inside the
costume, and is operated from waist level at the front.The actor looks as
if s/he is fiddling with his belt buckle / dagger  etc. when s/he is
actually pulling the string that opens and closes the wings. No spring
loading necessary. More a pulley system.

They can be made to flap that way, too. Though I saw some kid's discount
store wings with a little motor attached in our local shops (Australia).

What makes wings spectacular is the size and the colour, not the mechanics.

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