Some Practical Inventions
Page 42
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
MLLE International Exhibition of J. Inventions (the seventh of its kind), held at the Central Hall, Westminster, which closes next Saturday, contains some items that may interest our readers. One of the most scientific and interesting exhibits is the Stroboscopic gear-changing indicator, which has been developed by Mr. A. J. Heronimos, of 69, Eaton Rise, Ealing, W.5. This instrument consists of two small cylinders, one inside the other, illuminated by a lamp inside. One of these cylinders is revolved by means of a small flexible shaft driven by the layshaft, whilst the other is driven in a reverse direction, in a similar manner, from the main shaft.
The cylinders are provided with rows of slots—three for a three-speed gear and four for a four-speed gear. In effect, the slots in each row correspond with the ratio of the gear that they represent. By this indication the speed of an engine can be varied until the slots, representing the pair of gears which a driver wishes to engage, appear to stand still; then the gears can be meshed without fear of clashing. This instrument is being demonstrated on stand 204.
On stand 212 is an ingenious illuminated water gauge for steam boilers, by means of which the water in the glass appears as a streak of bright light, whilst the empty part remains dark.
On stand 214 is to be seen a simple means for attaching and detaching in a few minutes sides to a platform body. Another invention, in connection with the transformation of bodies for different classes of load can be seen on stand 215; this device can, in a short time, convert a body into a closed one.
When filling up with petrol at a roadside station, it has been found that man frequently makes its way into the open filler. To prevent this occurrence is the object of the invention shown on stand 230; it provides a rubber cone which completely covers the filler hole while petrol is being introduced. A simple device for bending tubes is 'to be found on stand 254. Unlike most arrangements of the kind it is portable.
A windscreen wiper which is claimed to eliminate the disconcertion caused by a continually moving wiper, can be seen on stand 281. The device shown introduces certain chemicals as it moves across the glass, so that it requires movement only occasionally.
There is a somewhat novel form of plough on stand 282. In this arrangement the shares are arranged in a helix around a rotating axle at the rear of a tractor. The action is practically one of milling the ground.
The usual spring wheel, lifeguards, direction indicators, etc., which always appear at such exhibitions, are to be seen.