Slide of a Flat Body on Elastic Supports Under the Action of a Small Lateral Force

A plane-parallel motion of a dynamically asymmetric body with two elastic supports on a plane with dry friction is considered in the presence of a lateral pulling force. The mechanical system is somewhat analogous to the sliding of a body along an inclined plane. The equations of motion compose a dynamic system of variable structure. The motion is considered, during which one or both supports slide, depending on the value of the coefficient of friction. An estimate is given for the value of the friction coefficient at which only one support slides. It is shown that during the transition from rest to the equilibrium position, the center of mass of the system acquires a nonzero horizontal velocity even if the pulling force is less than the force required to start sliding of a rigid inelastic body.