Ambulance by Ashley Taylor, AMIRTE, Assoc. lost, T

13th September 1968, Page 179

13th September 1968

Page 179

Page 179, 13th September 1968 — Ambulance by Ashley Taylor, AMIRTE, Assoc. lost, T

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Advances

A MOBILE research laboratory and new ambulance designs to be seen at the Show will claim the attention of all concerned in the medical side.

A brief reference to the Dennis frontwheel drive ambulance, which appeared in the August 23 issue of Commercial Motor, aroused wide interest. This model has been evolved with the intention of providing a smooth and quiet ride, easy loading and the good stability that is desirable if patients are to travel under the most satisfactory conditions.

The power unit is a Jaguar six-cylinder petrol engine with fully automatic BorgWarner Type 35 transmission, there being a silent chain and short shaft to carry the drive to the front axle. The turning circle is 40ft and, as an anti-skid device, a pressure limit valve is incorporated in the rear supply line of the hydraulic braking system. Overall length is 18ft with internal body measurements of 9ft 9in. long, 6ft 2in. wide and 6ft high. There are no floor traps. The rear door encloses a three-step unit that fits flush with the main body when closed. A sliding door in the front bulkhead gives access to the cab. Heating is by a 5-1--kW recirculatory system.

Displayed by permission of the Medical Research Department, City of Edinburgh, the mobile research laboratory will be seen on a Morrison Electricar standard F36-40 chassis which includes a Powermiser controller to give infinitely graduated speed control and a 36-cell tubular battery of 292 Ah capacity. The saloon, internal length 12ft, is lined throughout in 2in. polystyrene faced with Parfonit acoustic panelling. The quarter rear doors enclose a Hipope hydraulic platform for use with wheel chairs.

One of the research aims here is the use of quantitative laboratory methods in the study of different types of speech disorder. such as those produced by damage or disease of the brain. This requires work to be carried out on patients in various Edinburgh hospitals. These establishments often lack space for fresh research while psychological experiments require uniform material surroundings in which the apparatus can be deployed. This mobile laboratory has been designed to deal with this specific situation.

Of the various ambulances that will be shown by Wadbams (Coachbuilders) Ltd., attention is likely to be concentrated on the Series P which uses the BMC 250 JU chassis. This model has been designed mainly for light semi-sitting case use and is of glass-fibre construction. Payload capacity is ample for general-purpose employment in cities and for local hospital duties. The new Wadham Multi-Posture stretcher trolley will be seen here. This is a Wadham production which can, of course, be used in varieties of transport other than ambulances. At least six different positions can be arranged for the patients.

Three bodies will be shown by Herbert Lomas Ltd. These have been developed in accordance with the Working Party Report on ambulance design and they iinclude a Lomas J-type carried on a Bedford-Hawson easy-access chassis. The specification provides for two Lomas L10 trolleys, rescueequipment lockers, and a front near-side entrance for out-patients.

From Appleyard Coachbunders Ltd. will come a Statesman body on the BMC-LD 5W chassis. Bodywork is of composite construction, mounted on outriggers, to give a lower floorline and centre of gravity. From the Rootes organization there will be an ambulance based on the Walk Thru van. This design offers various combinations of accommodation—for wheelchairs, sitting cases or stretchers. At the rear of the body an electro-hydraulic platform is provided for wheelchair loading; it folds away and is enclosed by the rear doors when not in use.

As usual the Land-Rover exhibits will offer considerable variety, the 10 models that will be seen including a Lomas ambulance with glass-fibre body of increased height to permit the carriage of four stretchers. An HCB-Angus Firefly appliance will be displayed which incorporates a rearmounted fire pump of 350-400 g.p.m. capacity. A police vehicle will be shown and a military half-ton model made to British Army specification.