A Gearbox Power Take-off
Page 42
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A Résumé of Patent Specifications That Have Recently Been Published'
'To reduce a power take-off to its I simplest terms is the object of a design shown in patent No. 570,440, by G. Harper, 19, Commercial Road, Guildford, Surrey. In this scheme the risk of oil leakage is practically eliminated and no rod linkage is necessary, as the control lever projects straight from the box.
Referring to the drawing, the device is contained in a cast box fitted with a flange (1) which is bolted over an opening in the gearbox. A slidable gear (2) can be brought into mesh with one of the gearbox wheels by means of a hand lever. The output shaft is fitted with an off-seal (3) at one end, the other being completely encased. The selector rod (4) is also encased, so that the liability to leakage is practically nil,
NOVEL IDEAS IN TRACTOR DESIGN
ACCORDING to patent No. 568,580, it is desirable in agricultural operations for the driver to have an unobstructed view of the progress of the implement; this means, in practice, that he should be close to the ground and immediately behind the earth-working tool. These conditions are far from satisfied with the conventional outfit, and this patent shows an improved design. in this respect.
.a32 • The patentee is F. McConnel, Old Thorns Farm, Weavers Down, Liphook, Hants. This inventor suggests, also, a novel use for the machine; it can be used for a mobile seat for an operator who is performing some manual operation on the groand, such as picking strawberries. For this purpose a very low-speed range is provided, and the steering can be performed by a rudder-bar worked by the feet, leaving the hands free. The speed of the machine would have to be reduced to a mere crawl.
Referring to the drawing, the machine is provided with a single rear wheel (1), driven by a small power unit and multispeed, gearbox mounted directly above it. There are two front wheels, coupled for steering by the usual links and connected to the rudder-bar (2). The driver's seat consists of a hammock of fabric (3) suspended between bar 4 and another upper one, both of which can
be adjusted to give a wide range of position. The implement (5) is thus completely within reach and sight of the driver, who, as already mentioned, can perform jobs -like picking or planting while the machine is moving at cnly a few feet per minute. Many applications exist for the use of such a machine.
A WINCH FOR FORDSON-TYPE TRACTORS
AN attachment for a Fordson-type tractor, which is capable of being used as either a crane or for cablehauling, forms the subject of patent No. 569,594, from H. C. Roads, 58, Shelford R o a d, Trumpington, Cambs. A feature of the scheme is that the device is easily attached or d i sassembled, so that there is little interference with t h e normal use of the machine.
Referring to the drawing, the baseplate is attached to the tractor by a bolt (1) passing through the drawbar eye, whilst the upper end is sup
ported by a pair of special bolts (2), which replace two of the normal differential -c as e bolts. The wind
ing drum is wormdriven either from the power take-off or from the differential, although no details are given of this. The drum is controlled by a single lever, which works both a dog-clutch and a brake. The jib swivels on a kingpin (3) fitted with a universal cableguide (4) at the top. When required for hauling by cable, it is a simple matter to detach the jib from the rest of the gear.
SEALING SYSTEM FOR ROTARY VALVE
PATENT No. 570,286 comes from a 'pioneer of rotary-valve design; F. Aspin, 149, walm er sle y Road, Bury, Lanes, and discloses improvements in the nieans for sealing the valve. In this inventor's. engine," the valve is a tapered plug, and is sealed by its good fit in its housing; this present invention deals with an additional safeguard against leakage.
In the drawing, 1 is the taper plugmember, which rotates and uncovers ports (2) in the well-understood manner. The improvement consists of the provision of a recessed sealing ring (3) between the plug and the bottom face. Not only does it help to prevent gas leakage, but it also forms a trap for excess oil that may work down the plug under the influence of centrifugal 'action. This is one of the many patents covering the various details of the Aspin rotary-valve engine.