A One-man Hood for Chars-a-banes.
Page 11
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In consequence of the increasing demand for charsh-bancs which are to be utilized tor passenger transport throughout the greater part of the year, the attention of the 'body builder is constantly being directed to the fitting of a satisfactory form of hood, which, although it must not interfere with the convenience Or comfort of the passengers, yet must be substantially built, afford efficient cover when needed, and which can, for preference, be operated singlehanded. Judging from the numerous inquiries which we receive from time to time on this hood question, there is, we feel quite sure, a big market for the right kind of fitting.
We are herewith enabled to place before our readers what has proved to be, from actual experience, quite a satisfactory form of one-man-operated hood. It is being marketed by Messrs. Henry Esmond and Co., Holborn Hall, Gray's Inn Road, W. C.
Recently we were shown one of the hoods fitted on a new 20-seater Napier char-a-banes by Mr. R. P.
Wray, who holds th2 patent and sole selling rights. Upon close inspection of the hood whilst it was extended, we were very favourably impressed by its substantial yet not unduly heavy build and the pleasing outline of the whole construction„ moreover, we found that the equipmentcould be easily manipulated single-handed.
The. main frame of the cover is constructed out e..1 a very ingenious series or cantilever paraflelograrns. These are made of mild steel, and the levers are cut and bent to carefully-made templets to ensure their lining up compactly when the hoed is in a. closed position. The wood of the connecting framework is made
of specially-prepared ash hood sticks, and there is ample bearing surface for all joints. The. two rear supporting struts, constructed of mild steel, are the only portions of the framework which are permanently attached to the body, and these arc capable of swivelling on suitable brackets fixed at the rear end of the vehicle. The eyes of the central struts are slotted, which enables them to be swung out of position from their brackets, for closing the hood.
The front portion of the cover is merely clipped to the driving screen and ma4v very readily be detached. We proceeded to dose the hood, and, by merely loosening the two front clips, unfastening a couple of thumb-screws which hold the central struts in plane, and giving the hood frame a. sharp, short push., it immediately set itself in a closed position at the rear end of the vehicle ; upon examination we found that the levers lay quite close together and in line, tho overhang being but it ins. Without any further attention the hood itself showed a series of remarkably neut. folds.
The covering is constructed of best quality double texturebrown twill ; it is rubber-coated and rendered absolutely water-tight. The measurement of the overall length of the hood when extended is 12 ft. 10 ins. and the width 7 ft. Notwithstanding this extended area., there was no .sag discernible in the covering.
The company inform us that the Esmond hood has been already fitted to several makes of chars-h-bancs, and, in addition, many users are incorporating on their industrial models a special form of driver's canopy made by this company. This addition can be made with but little trouble.