TOOLS AND DEVICES AT RECENT SHOWS.
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Some Improved Appliances Shown at the Motor Show, and Interesting Ideas at the Inventions Exhibition.
WE are usually able to find some novelties at the Motor Show at Olympia for, although essentially a show intended for the private car, there are often new things to be seen which apply equally to the commercial motor and are, therefore, of interest to our readers. We were somewhat disappointed this year to find so few departures from what had been shown before and had therefore been described in The Commercial Motor.
One of the few novel accessories which might be equally useful on the commercial vehicle as on the private car was the clear vision windscreen. This invention was noticed and illustrated last year when shown at the Exhibition of Inventions, where it attracted our attention, as we then formed the 'opinion that it may prove even more useful on the commercial vehicle than on the private car. When we called attention to this invention it was in an embryonic state, but it is now in the hands of a firm of manufacturers and is called the Marvulc clear vision screen, and is handled by Marvulc, Ltd., of 109, Marsham Street, London, S.W.1.
The main feature of the screen lies in the fact that there is no glass in the direct line of sight of the driver ; yet, in' spite of the clear space opposite his eyes, no draught can reach him, and no matter how hard rain or even snow may drive towards the vehicle, he Is able to see his course clearly. Our illustration makes the construction clear, and represents the screen applied to a forward-control type of bus. We understand, however, that it is equally applicable to other types.
It will be seen that the screen is divided, the lower half being a single glass, whilst the upper one is double, the two panes being parallel to each other and separated by a few inches only. Both screens slant at an angle of 45 degrees. The air which im
pinges on the lower screen is driven upwards, but, instead of being forced through the opening in front of the driver's eyes, it is drawn up between the two upper screens, a keen draught being induced between them by the front upper screen being slightly higher at the top than the one behind it. Thus, a vacuum is induced which in turn causes an upward draught, and it is this which prevents the wind from passing towards the driver. Apart from the advantage of a clear view without glass being interposed, the screen acts to an extent as a ventilator, as a slight current of air is induced from the cab, the air rising between the two upper screens.
Circulation of the air in this manner should also do much to prevent the formation of mist on the interior and exterior faces of the glass panes. The device is shown in Fig. 3.
A Cutter for Brake Materials.
A cutter for brake lining material was shown by Joseph Bradbury and Sons, Ltd., of Braintree, Essex. The use of this cutter produces a clean edge on bonded asbestos sheets when cut and renders the strip much better to handle than when they are cut off with a hacksaw (see Fig. 6). A New Straightening Tool.
The same firm showed a new tool for straightening the edges of domed wings. The tool is used in pairs, one for bending and one for resisting. An adjustable block of fibre bears against the domed portion, whilst the edge is being straightened. (Fig. 4.) A New High Lift Jack.
The same enterprising firm showed for the first time a new high lift jack, which will lift a vehicle sufficiently to allow a man to work underneath it. It is a soundly made tool and, like all the products of J. Bradbury and Sons, Ltd., it is all-British. (Fig. 7.)
The Exhibition of Inventions.
At the luncheon which preceded the official opening of the International Exhibition of Inventions in London a few days ago we were struck by the very able speeches made by Lord Burnham • and Lord Askwith. Both speakers pointed out in plain language the debt the commuaity at large owes to invention, but we can hardly agree with Lord Askwith when he says that the country which acts as a pioneer with regard to an epoch-making invention often does so to its own detriment. When we look round at the great inventions which have altered the whole course of human existence and endeavour, we cannot avoid theconclusion that, in most instances, they have benefited the country of their origin.
Minor and detail inventions in an industry keep the country which develops them to the front, and a country which neglects even minor inventions and their development will certainly find that it is inevitably slipping back. We are, therefore, glad to see the Institute of Patentees making efforts (at present certainly only on a moderate scale') which we hope will lead to a more general appreciation of the importance, not only to England but to mankind generally, of the art and science of invention. Among the various inventions shown we came across some of interest to designers, makers and users of commercial motors and we have selected for consideration those which appear to possess some merit.
An Adjustable Spring.
A spring illustrated by us, which is adjustable for load, consists of a double set of leaves, one set beneath the other, the lower set being adjustable to suit the load. The device is simple and calls for no further description. (Fig. 2.) _ A Floatless Carburetter.
A carburetter was exhibited that had no float to control the supply of fuel, the petrol being brought directly to a tube which takes the place of the jet. Along this tube are holes of one-hundredth of an inch in diameter, spaced as shown in the sectional view. A plunger, which acts as the throttle, slides over these holes and, when the throttle is entirely closed, the holes are all covered. As the throttle is gradually opened fresh holes are uncovered. The inventor claims that by this arrangement a correct mixture for all conditions is obtained. The sleeve that covers the holes is split and made a tight fit by means of spring rings. (Fig. 10.) A Petrol Cut-off.
An automatic cut-off for petrol in case of accident is extremely simple, consisting of a small weighted valve which closes the petrol supply when a vehicle is tilted beyond a predetermined angle. This valve can control petrol leaving a tank, and it can also be applied to a vent hole where air enters a tank. (Fig. 9.) A Food Warmer.
With a kettle made to stand on the exhaust pipe a driver of an internal-combustion engine can enjoy all the comforts that have hitherto been the privilege • of the steam driver, as he can now warm his tea or coffee whenever he likes. He cannot expect to boil water, so his tea or coffee should be prepared. beforehand and the kettle be used for warming it. A thumbscrew secures the kettle to a hinged plate. (Fig. 5.) An Auxiliary Carburetter. A device which assists the starting of engines has been on the market for some time and has been exhibited before, but has recently been much improved. It consists of a miniature carburetter upon which the engine draws when starting or idling. It is placed beside the 3347 normal carburetter and petrol is fed to it and the mixture taken through small pipes to the manifold close to the valve ports and not into the induction pipe, where it would expand and recondense. (Fig. 8.) For Loading Heavy Goods.
A gantry for lifting heavy articles on to lorries consists of two Ashaped frames fixed to the sides of the body and a cross-member of sufficient height to allow a beam to be run out, and supported by legs which rest on the ground. This beam is provided with a running and lifting tackle, so that a heavy weight can be moved from the ground
and run right on to the platform-. It should be useful for such articles as trunks, heavy pipes, etc. (Fig. 11.)
Boring a Square Hole.
In body building it is sometimes -necessary to use a bolt which has a square head and to sink the head so that it is flush with the woodwork. This plan has been found to afford a better means for securing a bolt than the usual square under the head, which, when a nut has become rusted and has to be removed, usually fails to hold the bolt from turning with the nut. For making the square recess for the head of a bolt the boring bit here shown appears to be very useful. A square
stem is provided which can be used in a machine or in an ordinary brace. The pilot point, which is tapered and in the form of a screw, enters the wood and feeds the bit inwards. The three cutting edges are formed on a sleeve which, by means of an eccentric and a pair of gears, describe a wobbling course, thus producing a clean square hole, with a slight rounding only at the corners. When the recess for the bolt head has been formed the hole for the bolt can be bored with any ordinary bit. (Fig. 1.) Full particulars of all the above articles can lie had on application to The Institute of Patentees, 39, Victoria Street, S.W.1.