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PARTITIONS

14th May 1929, Page 65
14th May 1929
Page 65
Page 66
Page 67
Page 65, 14th May 1929 — PARTITIONS
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

and

BULKHEADS

of

Motorbus Bodies

TN bus and coach construc

tion the term "partition" or "bulkhead" is used to describe almost any kind of transverse framework and panelling which divides he body into compartments. The partition which separates the driver's seat from those for the use of the passengers in a rear-entrance bus an the rear bulkhead of the lo,&er saloon of a double-decker are important features of the general construction of the body. There are other instances, however, in which the partition may be regarded as a member which can be inserted across the vehicle at any convenient point and, although it stiffens and braces the structure of the body, it is not an essential feature.

When the front-entrance bus was first introduced the partition which divided the driver's scat from the main saloon was really the front framework of the body, and as there was often no door at the top of the steps a hinged or sliding door was provided in the partition. Now that the typical driver's compartment is fully enclosed the protection afforded by the partition becomes less iinportont.

Owing to the disposition of the driver's seat, that portion of the partition immediately behind it is twice the width of that part of the bulkhead situated at the side of the steps. Full use may be made of this inequality by placing a seat for three passengers with its back against the off-side partition and a corresponding single seat on the near side. The majority of modern frontentrance single-deckers, however, has the front rows of seats all facing forwards.

The bulkhead situated behind the driver's seat isolates the driver from the paSsengers and constitutes a means for assisting him to concentrate upon the work of controlling the vehicle. The partition usually forms a framework for retaining a blind in position when travelling after dark. As the partition is not an important part of the construction of the body, the smaller near-side portion need not be in line with the other part, but placed in such a position as to facilitate the arrangement of the steps, or it may even be dispensed with altogether.

'Partitioning in the Rear-entrance Single-decker.

The partition at the back of a rear-entrance single-decker has undergone developments similar to those of the front-entrance vehicle which has just been described. The early types of rear-entrance single-decker had partitions unpanelled above the waist-line and, consequently, the rear bulkhead was similar in design to that of a double-decker with an entrance which was centrally disposed. Now that the rear entrance is vestibuled, framework and panelling are required on both sides of the steps.

The left-hand partition is in the same position as the old-type rear bulkhead, but it is not necessarily carried across to the other side of the bus. It may be omitted in order to give more freedom in the arrangement of the seats on the off side. A partition does not interfere with a longitudinal seating arrangement, but a few inches in either direction may easily upset any proposed planning of cross-Wise seats.

The front bulkhead of a rear-entrance bus varies considerably according to the number of windows with which it is provided above the waist-level. If a single-decker has no small, hinged ventilating frames above the main windows, none is fitted at the top of the bulkhead. As no extra roof load has to be carried, a central pillar only may be employed, so that the front bulkhead has but two windows, affording the maximum of visibility and natural lighting.

As a means for ventilation should always be incorporated in the front bulkhead, this may be effected, if there be DO upper -ventilating frames, by means of louvres inserted in the top crossrail. Sometimes a sliding panel or revolving disc is preferred to effect this end.

If the bus be a double-decker, the bulkhead must have at least two intermediate pillars to support the roof at this point. Should the main windows of the bus be fixed, it is necessary to employ ventilating frames above the lights, and although many double-deckers now have adjustable windows in the lower saloon, the small upper windows are still retained, because the rail which divides them from the maip lights strengthens the framework. This rail is then carried across the front bulkhead, so that, in contrast with the bulkhead of the single-decker previously mentioned, the double-decker has six windows instead of two.

Forward-bulkhead Ventilators.

The three ventilating frames situated in the bulkhead are, as a rule, hinged on their bottom edges and fall inwards; also they are supported by end guards. These not only retain the frames in their open position, but also enclose the ends, thus minimizing the risk of unpleasant draughts.

The central, lower window of the bulkhead may be the same size as that on each side of it. If it be smaller, it enables the fare-board to be raised to a more convenient height. The window is then reduced to the size of a ventilating frame and it is usually binged and guarded in the same manner as the other three frames.

The forward-control cabin is usually half the width of c36 the main saloon; consequently, the bulkhead requires a central pillar to form one corner of the cabin. If the bus be a double-decker it may be considered necessary to construct an intermediate pillar on each side of it, but with'a single-decker two windows only are often employed. This is particularly advantageous in the case of the near side, as the natural lighting is comparatively unimpaired and it may further be improved by finishing the roof flush with the bulkhead, instead of continuing it forward to the windscreen.

Middle partitions are sometimes provided in singledeckers so that the rear part of the saloon can be used as a smokers' compartment. The position of this partition is decided by the seating plan adopted, whilst, in turn, it controls the position of one of the side pillars, because the partition must coincide with one of these.

• The middle partition is lightly constructed, because it acts chiefly as a dividing panel. It is glazed above the waist-line and it is sometimes left open above the ventilator-rail level. If space be limited the panelling below the seat level may be omitted, so that, with a row of seats facing forwards immediately behind it, the passengers may place their feet under the partition. The central opening in the partition should be at least 2 ft. wide. A vertical commode handle is often fastened to it on each side of the gangway.

Central partitions are also required for the middleentrance bus. The bulkheads may be carried across to the off side and a central opening employed. Half partitions only are. also used on each side of the step.

The middle partition may be used to form an end to a longitudinal seat, or to divide a seat of this pattern into two portions. A longitudinal seat once divided ensures that it shall be used as intended, without Incurring the expense of an arm-rest for each passenger.

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