Recording the Vehicle's Daily Movements
Page 38
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OWING to the regulations regarding %.—/drivers' hours, special interest is being taken by operators in instruments that record the daily movements of the vehicle. An instrument which will provide operators with a complete record of this kind is the Geecen Speedograph and Recorder, which is marketed by the Great Central Motor Services, Ltd., 133-137. Marylebone Road, London, N.W.1.
This instrument has recently been redesigned and improved after some months of experience with the original model, which was known as the Argo Tachograph, and which was described in our issue dated December 8, 1933.
The improvements include a speedometer in which a pointer travels over a fixed scale, instead of the revolvingdrum-type speedometer previously used. Behind this scale is incorporated a tell-tale light which lights up at any pre-set speed. This may be arranged to be the speed at which the vehicle may travel by law, and immediately this speed is exceeded the tell-tale lights up and remains alight until such time as the speed has been decreased below the limit. A trip mileage indicator has been added to the instrument, which can be " zeroized " only when the instrument is open. Another improvement is that in place of the usual second hand, an easily read indicator n24 is used to denote that the clock is working.
The internal mechanism of the instrument has been redesigned and is of more robust construction, giving a greater degree of accuracy with a perfectly steady reading.
An interesting feature of the instrument is that it is proof against tampering. Should the instrument be opened, the fact is recorded on the chart at the exact time of opening. Similarly, whilst the cable drive and adaptor reduction box are sealed, should these be detached the fact is shown on the chart.
The chart records the speed of the vehicle at any given moment throughout -its running period, the duration of the running and idle periods (including the times given over to loading) and the mileage. The charts are supplied in neat cardboard boxes which would well serve the purpose of files. As from October 1 next, it will be necessary to keep correct records of the driver's time spent on a vehicle, the filing of the charts will give all the information necessary. In the centre of the chart is provision for the driver's name, number of the vehicle, date, the total mileage on the instrument when the chart is taken out, and the mileage recorded during the day on the trip.
The instrument is driven through a flexible driving shaft encased in a doubly wound outer casing of adequate strength. The drive from the gearbox is taken through an adaptor. which is provided with one input drive and two output drives.
The Geecen Speedograph recorder is supplied in several models to record over 24 hours or 48 hours, the speed ranges being from 7.5 m.p.h. to 35 m.p.h., and from 10 m.p.h. to 45 m.p.h.