Has anyone added springs to a rubber band car?

If so, how did you add them? Did you add it to the stationary point? Will this addition help with the distance of the car?

This is the goal:

"1. your car must be powered by no more than 2 rubber bands. may be any size.
2. body of car may be made out of most common household materials. wheels may be previously manufactured, but body can not be.
3. may not launch or catapult car. must be self propelled." 

12 answers
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Mar 12, 2010. 6:42 AMjeff-o says:
It would seem to me that you can't use springs as a extra source of power.  I suggest you use two of the biggest, baddest rubber bands you can get your hands on.  Maybe pull some from a slingshot or one of those gimmicky strength training gadgets.
Mar 12, 2010. 12:14 AMKoosie says:

Wouldn't that violate number 3?  Or are you talking about suspension springs?

Or do I have the cat by the tail?!

Mar 12, 2010. 4:37 AMRe-design says:
Doesn't understand what launch or catapult means.
Mar 12, 2010. 5:50 AMorksecurity says:
The car's motive mechanism must ride the car; you can't build an external launcher to "leave the engine behind" and thus reduce weight.

(Homework problem...)
Mar 12, 2010. 9:15 PMorksecurity says:
Almost certainly it means "rubber bands", period. Ask whoever's running the contest, but I'd bet dollars to donuts on that.
Mar 13, 2010. 12:51 PMRavingMadStudios says:
+1
It means only rubber bands AND two or fewer of them, not OR.
Mar 11, 2010. 11:40 PMlemonie says:
Springs aren't allowed by rules 1 & 3.

L
Mar 12, 2010. 7:45 AMRavingMadStudios says:
Sorry, it'll violate the rules. The spring would be supplying energy in addition to the rubber bands, which is in clear violation of Rule #1. The spring would, in effect, be funtctioning as an additional rubber band, just not made of rubber.
If your intent is to play rules lawyer and argue that the rules state "no more than two rubber bands", but fail to exclude non-rubber power sources, then go for broke and put a lawn mower engine on it.
Mar 12, 2010. 8:33 AMorksecurity says:
+1. Sorry.

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