An Easily Attached
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Drawbar for Trailers
.A Résumé of Recently Published Patent Specifications
"ElpATENT No. 351,475, L. R. Doran, 66, Galveston Road, Putney, London, describes a drawbar which can be hinged to a trailer in the ordinary manner, but has a central tube which is so constructed that another -tube can slide within it. The purpose of this inner tube is to facilitate connection between the trailer and any towing vehicle that is in front of it, but not at any given distance. The inner tube (0) is provided with a cross-hole through which a cross-pin (B) can be passed by spring pressure when the hole is brought to the right position. A plunger (G) is forced forward by a spring (F) until the end of the cross-pin finds its way into the groove in it, thus holding all in readiness for the central tube to be pushed home by backing the towing vehicle.
When G is pressed 'backwards the cross-pin automatically forms a connection.
An Hydraulically Operated EpicyclicGear.
THE name of P. M. Salami appears in patent No. 351,505, • which relates to a means for operating the various clutches, brakes, etc., of epicyclic gears, by utilizing fluid pressure, this being controllable by means of a lever which may be situated in some convenient place, such as near the steering • Iii the drawing, 1 represents diagrammatically a gearbox of the epicyclic type, whilst 4 is a sliding sleeve which operates the slidable clutch member within the gearing.• A sliding cylinder (5) is provided with a stationary piston, and arrangements are made by which fluid can be introduced to either side of the piston through the Follow piston rod. As the piston slides it moves the sleeve (4) by means of the link and lever shown ; it also operates the locking members (2 and 3) by means Of the notches and rollers.
Lever 18, as it is moved from notch to notch, alters the position of a block (13), which exposes a port, but when the cylinder has moved to a predetermined place it closes the port by operating an internal valve through lever 19.
The device appears to he especially designed to act in connection with the epicyclic gear designed by Mr. Salami.
The Detection of Cracks.
pATENT No. 251,767, by W. L. Lorkin and H. P. Swift,
both of 8, Norfolk Street, Strand, London, relattes to means for detecting cracks in parts such as those of motor vehicles. • The specification mints out.-thai -hitherto a fluid, such as paraffin, has been mixed with iron filings and used to detect cracks, the article being magnetized p r eviously so that the iron' filings will be magnetically held by the cracks, thus forming a visible means for detecting. them.
It also mentions the fact that there is a defect in this system, which the
present invention is claimed to overcome. Owing to the weight of the filings they are liable to settle down, unless the mixture be well stirred, thus presenting' a risk of failure.
The object of the present -invention is to provide some lighter substance than iron filings, the substance employed being what is commercially known as black magnetic oxide of iron. The main claim reads as follows:—
• A detecting fluid for the magnetic detection of surface_ defects or cracks in iron, 'Steel or like magnetizable 'or magnetic materials, eompriSing' a Ilydrocarbon oil. such as paraffin oil having mixed therewith. finely -divided ere commercially known as black magnetic oxide of iron ani. having approximately the composition ferrous oxide .23.92per cent., ferric oxide 55.92 per cent., silica 6.93 per cent., sulphate oflime 3.09 per cent, with traces of phosphorous pentoxide, alumina, manganese, free lime, magnesia and an appreciable percentage of organic matter.
Relating to Change-speed Gearing.
THE name Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft, of Stutt
gart, appears in patent No. 351,762, describing a gearbox in Which the main shaft is formed of three separate parts, the centre portion being in the -form of a sleeve which has a gearwheel formed integral with it, and runs in bearings situated on each side of the gearwheel.
This sleeve portion has dogs formed on each end, those on the left being .arranged to engage with Those of a sliding sleeve, whilst those on the right can engage with other dogs on a sliding gearwheel.
The helical gears are so arranged that they will produce a higher speed than the direct. Direct gear is obtained by engaging the sliding sleeve with the dogs on the right of the hallow central shaft, and engaging the sliding gearwheel with the dogs on its left. Top speed is secured by meshing the sliding sleeve with the dogs on the hollow ihaft on its left, and the sliding gearwheel with the dogs on the right of the central sleeve.
The two lower gears are obtained by sliding the gears.