ACCESSORIES a FITTINGS for Light Vans.
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The Wood-Milne Pump.
It is undoubtedly a fact that the majority of tire troubles are occasioned by under-inflation. Of ten hints on the care of tires, which appear in a Wood-Milne booklet now before us, five are concerned with the inflation. This, perhaps, is as good an indication as could be had of its relative importance.
The labour involved in this operation, if only the ordinary type of vertical plunger pump is available, is considerable. With the increasing number of women drivers, it becomes mo're than likely that the correct pressure of inflation will seldom be reached. A foot pump of the type we illustrate reduces this labour considerably. The WoodMilne patent foot pump has advantages of simplicity and low first cost. Besides being simply constructed, it also appears to be strong and efficient in use. It is light in weight and costs only 39s. Bd. The owner of several pneumatic-tired vehicles will do well to consider the purchase of one.
An Auxiliary Screen.
Consideration for the driver's oomfort is undeniably essential, both from the point of view of policy and of good taste. On vans the fitting of a i windscreen is fairly common ; it s perhaps less so than it might be, on account of the adniitted disabilities of the glass in foggy or rainy weather. Two of our illustrations this week depict a small auxiliary glass screen, which is placed outside the main screen ; by its use these difficulties are to a certain extent ovescorne. It takes the form of a glass hood, adjustable on rod which can be set to a suitable height by means of a bracket and screw. The glass, which is inclined to the horizontal, is about 9 ins. wide, and its lower part is tinted to counteract the glare fromheadlamps or other strong lights ap proaching. The idea is. that the auxiliary screen keeps the rain off a part of the main screen. To avoid rattling, rubber discs are placed on the mounting or framework. It is quickly dismounted if required, and can be replaced at any time. The inventor is Mr. W. H. Biqhop, and we understand that Messrs. John Hall and Son, Pancras Road, London, N.W., have taken up ti)e, manufacture of the screen and will give any iinformation required concerning t.
e54 The Stepney Flange Wheel.
The Stepney spare wheel is almost as well known to motorists as the pneumatic tire. It certainly cannot be described in anSr sense of the word as a novelty. Less known and more recent is the Stepney flange wheel, which we illustrate on this page. In this design of spare wheel, a special flange is attached to the wood felloe of each car wheel. It is positioned immediately beneath the rim of the wheel, and to this flange the spare wheel is *lipped.
The fastening is such that it allows of rapid and easy attachment and detachment—an important feature in an accessory of this kind, as its utility depends entirely on the time saved.
A particular feature of one type of this flange wheel is that it. can be made with adjustable hooks for utilization on cars on which the rear wheels are larger than the front.. Besides these wheels and the well-known Road Grip Stepney pneumatic tire, the Stepney Spays Motor Wheel, Ltd., of Stepney Works, Llanelly, has also several other accessories for use in connection with motor wheels and tires.
Another Accessory from Rotax, Ltd.
The Rotax Motor Accessories Co., of Rotax Works, Willesden, markets a very useful fitting for use in connection with acetylene lighting outfits. It is in the form of a small receiver, fitted with suitable bracket for attachment to any convenient portion of the chassis or bodywork. At the bottom is a tap, which controls the supply of gas. The main body of the fitting is in the form of a small cylinder, and the gas makes its exit by three branch pipes at the top, say one to each headlight and one to the tail light.
Alternatively, and this seems a, most useful adaptation, the part may serve the dual purposes of reservoir and settling ground for solid particles which would, failing some such provision, be carried over to the lamps and tend the more quickly to clog up the filters which are usually provided. In such a case the tap at the bottom would be utilizable only to allow of, the waste matter being ejected, the three branches serving, one as inlet., the others as outlets to the headlights. In such a case the tail lamp would be oil or electric. Prevents Punctures.
The majority of van owners are users of pneumatic tires. The best of these wears thin in time, and in such a condition all are liable to be pierced and to have their inner tubes punctured. Anything which will render them immune from this trouble and enable the -owner to avoid the consequent delays, is sure to be highly appreciated. Various methods of attaining this desirable end have been tried. Hitherto drawbacks of one sort or another have always been discovered. It remains to be seen whether the latest attempt is destined to be a lasting effort.
Wood-Milne, Ltd., the well-known tire manufacturer of Preston,„ kets a material named Auto:Ville& by the use of which, it is stated, this desirable end is achieved. It is a reddish-brown powder, which requires to be mixed with water to a given consistency. and injected into the inner tube. It is claimed that it then hermetically seals punctures before any air can escape. This material is packed in cases in two sizes at 2s. and as. 6d. The latter is suf. ficient to render one tyre about 30 ins, by ai ins. puncture-proof. We have not yet had an opportunity of testing this material, but hope to do so on an early occasion, when we will report further as to its efficiency.
Sphinx Plugs, When any accessory or fitting of importance to a motor vehicle becomes entitled to the term popular, then generally it will be found that, as the Americans say, "there is a reason." We think this term may safely be said to apply to Sphinx plugs. The reason is perhaps obvious. The popularity is evident to all observant motorists.
The firm, in their new catalogue just issued, draw attention to the fact that Steatite, the porcelain-like material employed as the insulating member upon high-grade sparking plugs, was, prior to the war, made almost entirely in Bavaria, its tom positionkeinga secret. The Sphinx Co., after long research and a number of experiments, have been enabled. to produce their own brand of Steatite, which they claim to be mechanically Btvonger and of a higher insulating efficiency than the German product. Sphinx plugs, therefore, it will be understood, are likely to be better even than before, as a result of this change. The company make in all 16 types -of plugs at prices varying from 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d., the dearest one, curiously enough, being one designed for use upon engines of low compression. It is described as the Warrior plug, Mark Al, and is fitted with mica insulator. Another mica-insulated plug, known as A3, was originally designed for Silent Knight engines ; it has, however, proved a .useful article for general use. Naturally, a special model is made for use on the Fora, and those af our readers who are -users of this van will note with interest that types B20 and B21, as. 6d., are described as being specially suitable for their purpose. For those of our readers who are using heavier vehicles, what is described, as the Sphinx Truck plug, marked D41, D42 and D43, is recommended.
There are several other ignition accessories in which this concern specializes. Of these, perhaps, not the least important is the waterproof terminal cap. This is a neat fitting. It is designed so that the inner • portion is permanently attached to the plug and, the outer takes the form of a rubber-covered spring cap which fits on to the permanent attachment. We have had personal experience of the use of this attachment and can recommend
it. The Sphinx plug cleaner, which we also illustrate, is an accessory which is rapidly 'becoming popular. It embodies a small flask screwed at the top end to receive the plug. This flask should contain a little petrol as a cleaning agent. When not in use it is closed by 71 cap, which also serves to carry a brush to assist in the process of cleaning.