New Equipment and Processes
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Braced Headboard for Drop-sided Bodies
.1—k A BRACED headboard to prevent
forward movement of a load into the cab under violent braking, or in the event of an accident, has been designed and provisionally patented by Mr. W. S. Russell, 42 Linden Avenue, Prestbury, Cheltenham: Triangulated bracing on the front corner pillars supports the headboard. The body front cross-member is of T section, with the stem of the T attached to the body longitudinale, whilst part of the vertical face of the T section extends below the level of these members.
Body corner pillars are of wide-flange angle, the flanges on the body sides being cut to an angle of 450 which mates with a corresponding angled face at the forward ends of the front two half drop sides.
The other flanges of the corner pillars carrying the headboard are left square and extend to the bottom of the transverse T section. The consequent extension of the pillar side flanges is cut off at a slight upward angle to clean up the design and mate with the lower edge of the body side members. Additional support for the headboard is provided by two vertical channel-section members extending the full death, being located at points between the two corner pillars.
The method of construction is said to provide minimum obstruction to loading and unloading, and is such that the upper part of the corner pillars is subject to tensile strain under load movement, whereas the lower portion offers resistance under compression.
Pedestrian-handled Shovel ASMALL pedestrian controlled mechanical shovel, known as the Microloda, has been introduced by F. E. Weatherill, Ltd., Tewin Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts.
Little larger than a domestic motormower and as easy to handle, the new machine is claimed to be capable of doing the work of four men with wheelbarrows. Loads of up to 31 cwt. can be handled, Scoop crowding and elevation are controlled hydraulically whilst the front wheels are driven through a fluid coupling. The trailing rear wheel is castor-mounted.
Recording Speedometers A RANGE of recording speedometers .1—% has been introduced by Specdograph, Ltd., 75 Temple Road, Cowley, Oxford,
and three models are available. The model 51 operates on the centrifugal principle and works three stylus points giving a mileage trace, stop and run trace, and speed trace against a time base on a 5-in, diameter circular chart. A 4-in, diameter chart is employed on the model 55, which is actuated magnetically. On the model 55S, which has similar dimensions to the 55, the chart is not rotated by a clock movement, but is driven round as mileage is covered. Thus the chart shows speed changes against trip mileage and does not indicate inter mediate stops. This should help to overcome the difficulty of securing driver co-operation.
Prices are as follows: Model 51, 12hour and 24-hour, £39 including 100 chins, 7-day, £42 with seven packs of weekly charts; model 55, 24-hour, £35 including 100 charts; 'and model 55S, 500 miles, £31 including 100 charts.
Improved Plain Bearings BETTER and cheaper plain bearings should result from the introduction of a new type of bearing alloy announced jointly by the Tin Research Institute and the Glacier Metal Co., Ltd., Alperton, Wembley, Middx. The alloy contains about 20 per cent, of tin,. the remainder being aluminium hardened with 1-3 per cent. of copper.
When supplied in the form of steelbacked bearings, the alloy is said to provide a better balance between opposing demands of high fatigue strength and low rates of wear than any other known material. Furthermore, unlike copperlead bearings, it requires no lead-based overlay plating to keep shaft wear in check.
Heater for Steering Wheels PRINCIPAI benefit claimed for the Fulham steering-wheel heater now available from Messrs. Pears and Boote,
The Square Engineering Works, Kenilworth, Warwicks, is that ungloved hands may be kept warm when dutside temperatures are below freezing point.
The heaters are made to suit steering wheels of . various diameters. Price, including switch, is £3 12s.
Warning Notice A WARNING to unauthorized pas
sengers on commercial vehicles, intimating that they travel at their own risk, has beet\introduced in the form of a plastics plague costing 3s. each, by Messrs. Clarke and Co., Roschill Avenue, Sutton, Surrey.
New Safety Equipment A SAFETY belt for drivers, r-k developed for their own staff by the Swedish State Power Board, is now being made commercially under licence. It consists of a chest strap made of a material which provides an amount of stretch sufficient to cushion the forward lurch of a driver in a collision, but not so strong at to pull him hard back against
the seat and cause him injury on the rebound.
Cable Connecting Kit SAID to provide everything needed to 1.--) make quick and firm cable connections, a kit has been introduced by Ripaults, Ltd., Enfield, Middx. Contents include single, double, three-way and fiveway connectors, cable terminations and a special closing tool.
This tool is basically a pair of pliers with slotted jaws. Cable terminations fit into the slots and can be pushed firmly into the connector in one movement.
Neoprene Sales Changes WITH effect from January 1, 1958, sales YV of Neoprene in this country and European markets will be made in the name of Du Pont Co. (United Kingdom), Ltd., 5 Charles II Street, London, S.W.!, and Durhain Raw Materials, Ltd., London, will act as sales agents.
As from January 1, 1959, Durham Raw Materials, Ltd., will surrender the agency and Du Pont Co. (United Kingdom), Ltd., will control all Neoprene sales.