An Ingenious
Page 63
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Electric Truck for Roundsmen
NVHILE visiting the British Industries Fair at Olympia we had an opportunity for examining the Gordon electric delivery truck which was on view. This is an interesting little machine, which appears to have been designed especially for the use of roundsmen engaged in the delivery of milk and other goods from house to house and for use in works,warehouses, etc.
One of the special features of its construction is the arrangement of the " deadman's handle." As shown in the accompanying pictures, the steering is of the tiller type. For ordinary steering from the driver's seat the handle normally lies to the right, the raising of the handle making contact, but when the driver wises to make deliveries so close together that it is not worth his while to get into the seat, he can, by throwing the lever over to the left, drive and steer the vehicle while walking by its side. This enables him easily to pass from house to house, thus saving a considerable amount of time.
When driven from the Seat, the vehicle can attain speeds from 8-12 m.p.h., but when controlled from the pavement' the speed cannot exceed 3 m.p.h. Two hand brakes are provided, one operable from the driver's seat and the other from the side of the vehicle, so that the machine can be safely stalled on a hill.
Driving is effected by means of one wheel fitted with a rack ring and a pinion on the shaft of the electric motor. This wheel is mounted in a turntable and does tne double duty of driving and steering.
The body space of the vehicle, which we illustrate, is 6 ft. 6 ins. by 3 ft. 6 ins, i the width overall is 4 ft. The machine is designed to carry half a ton, but the makers say that for a short distance it will stand a considerable overload. With its normal load it is said to be capable of climbing a hill of 1 in 7. The batteries are arranged for a run of 15 miles per charge, with a safe margin. The batteries are supplied by the Edison Swan Electric Co., Ltd., and are backed by fhe company's guarantee and its efficient service arrangements. The sole distributor is Mr. P. W. Taylor, 59, New Oxford Street, London, W.C.1.