Seat-operated Ignition Switch
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ACONVERSION has been effected on vans in the delivery fleet of the Carnation Co., Los Angeles, U.S.A., whereby the engine ignition is automatically switched off whenever the driver leaves his seat. Not only does this ensure compliance with the law demanding that all unattended vehicles should have their engines switched off, but it has also been shown that approximately 1 m.p.g. has been saved, equivalent to over £26.000 per annum in the case of the Carnation fleet.
The conversion is particularly simple. The standard driving seat—which in the case of the Carnation vehicles is mounted on a pedestal—is arranged to hinge forward slightly under spring pressure. A bracket is attached to the rear of the pedestal, and this bracket actuates a switch mounted in the floor of the driving cab.
Thus, when the driver is sitting on the seat the switch is closed; when he leaves his seat it hinges forward slightly, thereby releasing the switch 'ind breaking the ignition circuit.
The switch is known as the Save-NSafety unit and is made by the Creative Metals Corp. It costs less than £3 10s,