bascule
Seesaw bridge mechanism
A bascule is a device balanced so that when one end is lowered, the other rises—the principle behind seesaws and drawbridges.
A bascule bridge has a counterweighted section that pivots upward to allow boats to pass: The bascule bridge over the Chicago River lifted for the freighter.
Point of rotation
- fulcrumLever's balance point
- trunnionCylindrical mounting pivot
- hingeMovable connecting joint
- articulationClear vocal expression
rotation · lever · hydraulic · gear · pinion · rack · actuator · bearing
Distance between endpoints
- drawbridgeHinged castle entrance span
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
- navigationDetermining position and course
- roadwayPaved surface for traffic
waterway · channel · Tower Bridge · movable · deck · traffic · shipping · boats
Lift or increase
- hoistRaise with tackle
- elevationHeight above reference point
- tiltAngular deviation from level
- ascendMove upward
lowering · opening · closing · upward · heave · jack · crane · winch
Ship stability material
- massQuantity of matter
- counterbalanceOffsetting force or weight
- equilibriumState of balance
- gravityMutual mass attraction
concrete · lead · steel · tonnage · pit · chamber · heavy · load
Hinged castle entrance span
- moatDefensive water ditch
- castleFortified medieval residence
- gatehouseStructure over an entrance
- portcullisVertical sliding castle gate
medieval · rampart · keep · turret · battlement · defense · fortress · stronghold
pivot
Point of rotation
articulation · rotation · lever · hydraulic · gear · pinion · rack · actuator · bearing · axis
span
Distance between endpoints
- drawbridgeHinged castle entrance span
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
- navigationDetermining position and course
roadway · waterway · channel · Tower Bridge · movable · deck · traffic · shipping · boats · pedestrian
raise
Lift or increase
ascend · lowering · opening · closing · upward · heave · jack · crane · winch · rigging
ballast
Ship stability material
- massQuantity of matter
- counterbalanceOffsetting force or weight
- equilibriumState of balance
gravity · concrete · lead · steel · tonnage · pit · chamber · heavy · load · stabilize
drawbridge
Hinged castle entrance span
portcullis · medieval · rampart · keep · turret · battlement · defense · fortress · stronghold · entrance
basculesuspension bridge
Span hung from overhead cables
arch bridge · truss bridge · swing bridge · lift bridge · drawbridge