Air Tricycle toy

Air consists of approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other components. The atoms and molecules in air are in constant random motion. When they collide against the walls of a container, they exert a pressure against the walls. If the particles increase in concentration, the pressure will increase.

This can be observed when inflating a rubber balloon. As the balloon fills with air, the increasing air pressure inside the balloon causes it to expand. Eventually the pressure may become so great that it causes the balloon to burst.

The Air Tricycle uses a pump to compress the air trapped inside the reservoir system. The reservoir allows the tricycle to store a greater amount of compressed air. Unlike a rubber balloon, the reservoir is rigid so it does not expand. Initially, the syringe piston is held in place so the increase in air pressure does not move it prematurely. When the pumping is finished and the piston is released, the compressed air that has been pushing against the piston can now force it backward unimpeded. The piston pulls the attached rack backward, and the rack spins the rear wheels through a series of gears.