SOME RECENT INVENTIONS.
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For Replacing Valve Springs.
The replacing of valve springs after their removal is sometimes a difficult operation owing to the fact that they have to be compressed to a considerable extent, and it is difficult to do this and to insertthe cotter at the same time..
A neat little tool to facilitate this task has been protected by Mr. J. Symonds, of 419, Cleveland Street, Birk
enhead. The main details of this device can he seen from the illustration appended. It will be seen that the spring is held in a semi-circular housing made in two parts, one of which-can slide on the other, except when locked by means of a thumbscrew. Thus the valve spring can be compressed with one band or in the vice until it is short enough, when it is locked by means of the thumbscrew.
Mr. Symonds will be pleased to receive inquiries from manufacturers' and others who will be willing to take up the manufacture and sale of this device.
A New Tyre Press.
The standard form of tyre press is not always entirely satisfactory when employed on steam-wagon work, as, in the case of these wagons, it is often easier to detach the axle complete with its wheels rather than to removo-the wheels separately. This applies to such steam
vehicles as theFoden. '
Hollings and Guest, Ltd., Thimble Mill Lane, Birmingham, have, therefore, devised a hydraulic press in which the head is provided with an open slot which facilitates dealing with wheels whilst these are still on their axles. Of course, the press is equally suitable for removing or replacing tyres on ordinary wheels. A new runway and lifting gear is fitted to meet the needs of the slot, head, and this is arranged so that the wheel and aide can he carried right into the centre of the press table.
This new pattern press is made in various sizes to correspond with the larger types already existing. The construction follows the company's wellknown four-column steel-girder type of frame, which gives lightness combined with the masiimum strength. .The prices range from £230 to £312, whilst the runway with a set of 1 ton blocks costs £12 extra.
Reducing Dazzle.
A simple little device known as Kent's Glare Guard, is being marketed by. Brown Bros., Ltd., Gt. Eastern Street, London, and is for the purpose of minimizing the risks attached to the dazzling of the driver's eyes. The Glare Guard consists of a sheet of tinted glass, 5 ins. by 3 ins., fitted into a metal frame and provided with screwed clamps for bolding it in position on the windscreen. It is made in four patterns for different types of screens and is retailed at, the remarkably moderate price of 21s. It must, of course; be ordered through a retailer.
When the driver meets a car fitted with dazzling headlights, he drives by looking through the painted glass, and his eyes are thus protected from the direct dazzling effect. The device earl be moved from the line of vision when not required.
A New Type of Petrol Pipe Joint.
A very interesting novelty in the shape of a " solderless petrol or oil pipe union has just been brought out by Rotherham and Sons, Ltd., Coventry. The union can be made by an unskilled man in a few moments, and by duplicating the fitting a broken petrol pipe can be repaired in a similar manner.
The device consists of a union and a copper and asbestos washer, which fits snugly over the pipe and lies inside the nut, the hole in which is cut rather larger than the circumference of the pipe. On the face of the union there is a• small spigot. The washer is gripped between the nut and the union its flat side bearing against the union Where the spigot establishes a line joint on the face of the washer. The other sitle of the washer is made slightly convex, and When pressure is applied in the course of tightening up the nut this convex face attempts to force its way through the enlarged hole between the pipe and the nut, and is thereby squeezed tight against the pipe and so makes a petrolproof joint.
By using a double-ended union and against the pipe and so makes a petrol. or oil pipe can be made good in the same manner. The advantages claimed for this system are that the pipes have only to be cut to length, do not require shaping, there is no chance of the washer falling off the pipe, the joint can be broken as often as desired, and airy little power is required for tightening up. This device is really a development cf the method of repairing a pipe-laymak
ing a string gland. This joint will shortly be obtainable at all garages and repair depots, and is being made by Rotherham and Suns, Ltd., Coventry.