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A MISCELLANY OF IDEAS.

10th March 1925, Page 27
10th March 1925
Page 27
Page 27, 10th March 1925 — A MISCELLANY OF IDEAS.
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Some Practical Suggestions by Our Driver and Mechanic Readers.

THIS week's selection of ideas is varied in nature, but none the less interesting on that account. One is a "safety-first " idea ; another relates to a repair the necessity for which arises at Occasional intervals, and the remainder

concern hints in connection with bodywork on commercial vehicles.

Several cases have recently occurred of children and others releasing the hand brakes of vehicles, thus causing them to run away when the driver is absent. "F.G.M.," of Bow, E.3, puts forward a simple suggestion which is applicable to the majority of petrol and steam vehicles for preventing the possibility referred to. This week's prize of 15s. is awarded to him in this connection.

As will be seen from the illustration, the pawl release rod is countersunk at one point to receive the pointed end of a bolt. A mild-steel bend is made in the shape of a U, each side of which is drilled in two places in order that it may be bolted or riveted on to the brake lever. The closed end of the U is drilled and tapped either in. or in. to take a suitable bolt. The operation of the device is exceedingly simple, as all that has to be done is to apply the hanl brake when coming to rest and insert the bolt, screwing it home until the end fits into the countersunk portion of the pawl rod. So long as the bolt remains in position the ratchet cannot be released and the hand brake stays on.

The driver may either carry the bolt In his pocket when it is not required, or it may be slacked off and held out of action by a lock-nut. The latter is an important point as, should vibration cause the bolt to move in towards the brake lever it might hold the rod in such a manner that the brake could not be applied. Another method, of course, is to drill the head of the bolt, fasten a

short length of chain to it and allow the bolt to hang on the end of the chain when it is not in use, but this may cause a rattle.

Por. a steam wagon, of course, a similar procedure may be adopted with the reversing lever. In this case the bolt is screwed home when the lever is put into the neutral position before leaving the wagon.

CATCHES for lorry tailboards form the subject of a suggestion of HAD ," of Rotherham. He has not found the common type of pin fixing satisfactory, and recommends a device on the following lines :—

On the tailboard is fastened a piece of strip iron on each side, held in position by two bolts. The strip projects beyond the end of the tailboard and is held by a claw-shaped latch. On each side of the lorry is fixed a plate which carries the latch. The plate is about 9 ins, by 2i ins, and held in position by two bolts. Tha catch itself consists of a metal strip filed to shape, one end of which pivots on a stud screwed into the plate. In the centre of the catch a slot is made about in, long, through which passes a I-in. peg to limit the upward and downward travel of the catch. The free end of the catch is radiused so that.

when the board is raised the catches operate automatically.

Coil springs are fixed to the upper bolts of each plate on. the side of the lorry to pull the catches upwards so that they are always held in position. On the other hand, if preferred, the device may be so arranged that the catches work in a downward direction, and it would appear that this is a safer method, as the weight of the catches will tend to retain them in position when travelling on bumpy roads, which would not occur with the former method of fitting.

CLOSED bodies, such as are used by country carriers, frequently utilize roof space for the transport of goods, and consequently a ladder to obtain access thereto is necessary. of Downhian Market, considers that the fixed vertical ladder generally used is inconvenient, and in some cases dangerous, particularly when ascending with a fairly heavy package. He suggests that the metal ladder be fixed at its upper end on a pivot bar and held against the back of the vehicle by wingnuts screwed into recessed lugs at the lower end when not required.

In order that the ladder may be fixed in an inclined position when the driver is ascending or descending, a hinged "gate," having two hooks which drop into eyes on the back of the ladder, is fixed on to the body.

UNNECESSARY wear and noise are sometimes caused by the vertical screws of tipping bodies swaying about when the vehicle is in motion. "P.O.," of Basford, overcomes this by the use of retaining clips. The fiat portion of the clip is fixed to the back of the driver's cab and the curved section is binged at one end. The free end is slotted to fit over a projecting eye on the back plate.

a chained cotter pin passing through the eye. The clips may be lined with a piece of scrap brake-lining, felt or some such material.

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