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Year 4

Bell crank and lazy-tong linkages

I can make bell crank and lazy-tong linkages.

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New
New
Year 4

Bell crank and lazy-tong linkages

I can make bell crank and lazy-tong linkages.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A bell crank linkage moves levers at angles from each other.
  2. A lazy-tong linkage is made of levers which lengthen or shorten when one end is pushed or pulled.

Keywords

  • Linkage - A mechanism connecting levers together.

  • Input - The motion used to start a mechanism.

  • Output - The motion created by the input.

  • Loose pivot - A free moving point that connects two levers together.

  • Fixed pivot - A point that connects a lever to one place.

Common misconception

It doesn't matter where you place the pivots on a lazy-tong linkage.

Where the pivots are placed is very important on a lazy-tong linkage. If they are not placed correctly, the mechanism will not function correctly.


To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Bell crank and lazy-tong linkages, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Have a pre-made working example of each of the linkages to show in the lesson.
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Equipment

See additional resources document for a list of materials needed for this lesson.

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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the linkage to the description.
Correct Answer:push pull linkage,The output moves in the same direction as the input.
tick

The output moves in the same direction as the input.

Correct Answer:reverse motion linkage,The output moves in the opposite direction to the input.
tick

The output moves in the opposite direction to the input.

Correct Answer:parallel linkage,Works in the same way as the push pull linkage.
tick

Works in the same way as the push pull linkage.

Q2.
Which of these best describes a mechanism?
A solid, rigid bar.
The point where levers connect.
A movement needed to make something happen.
Correct answer: A set of moving parts.
Q3.
What type of linkage is this?
An image in a quiz
reverse motion
Correct answer: parallel
push pull
slider
Q4.
Which of these would be the most suitable for a pivot point in cardboard?
screw
paper clip
Correct answer: split pin
stapler
Q5.
Fill in the missing word. A simple lever mechanism uses a __________ to reduce the effort needed to lift a load.
box
handle
Correct answer: fulcrum
Q6.
Which of these is NOT an example of a simple lever mechanism?
scissors
Correct answer: bus
wheelbarrow
light switch
Q6 image 2 CC-BY-SA 3.0 Seth Whales

6 Questions

Q1.
Why do the pivot points on the levers of a lazy-tong linkage have to be in the same place on each lever?
so it looks even
so the levers can move on their own
Correct answer: so the levers can all make the same movements
so there is room to fit them all on
Q2.
Which two things do you need to use to safely make a hole for a pivot in cardboard?
Correct answer: pencil
scissors
Correct answer: sticky tack
Q3.
What type of linkage is this?
An image in a quiz
lazy-tong
reverse motion
parallel
Correct answer: bell crank
Q4.
What type of linkage is this?
An image in a quiz
bell crank
push pull
Correct answer: lazy-tong
reverse motion
Q5.
What does a linkage connect together?
mechanisms
pivot points
Correct answer: levers
Q6.
In a bell crank linkage, what connects the levers to the central 'bell' shaped piece?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: loose pivots
fixed pivots
right angle pivots

Additional material

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