A Mobile Printing Press
Page 60
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to Aid the Rapid Production of Newspapers
Q 0 keen ls the competition in the kjworld of daily and evening newspapers that every second counts. When a large function has taken place people want to know all about it quickly; even those who have been there wish to confirm their own observations. In eonsequence, the first paper on sale is the one which is bought by the majority.
No industry has done more to facilitate the rapid distribution of newspapers than has that which makes commercial motors. The latest example of its enterprise is the supply of a mobile
printing van for stop-press news; it will be operated by the proprietors of The JS'tcu r the concern which prepared the complete machine was
Tomlinson (liarylebone), Ltd., 77, High Street, Loudon, W.1, a well-known agent for Dodge Brothers vehicles.
The strikingly finished van body has a floor length of 12 ft. 6 ins, behind the driver's seat ; the width inside is 6 ft. 6 ins. A clerestory roof is employed; this has ventilating louvres in the sides, instead of windows. This type of roof is important for the work in question, for two reasons: first, it allows extra headroom —at least 5 ins.—for the workers, who must not be hindered in the execution of their duties; and, secondly, the ten
n34 dency for the van interior to become unduly hot owing to several men working at high pressure in a comparatively small area. is overcome.
An entrance door is fitted on each side at the front, and there is a roll-up shutter at the rear which gives a wide opening for the rapid handling of bundles of papers. Wind-up windows are used in both doors and there are three windows on each side of the body, these being forward of the centre line of the wheel-arches. Behind this line are the two serving counters ; each consists of a fixed portion inside the body whick, ii conjunction with a part of the side panel which hinges outward, forms a counter 2 ft. 4 ins. wide. To protect the papers on this counter from the elements, part of the upper-panel immediately over the table swings 'outward and upward ; hinges are provided at the top and the position of the flap is regulated by two pivoted arms with clamping bolts. ;
Access from the front seat to the interior of the van can be gained by swinging back the squab of the near-side half of the front seat ; this is normally held in place by two pivoted hooks. When the rear opening is used a folding step can be let down.
A Dodge Brothers chassis forms the basis of this vehicle; it is the type LER, having a six-cylinderecl engine of 28 h.p. with a seven-bearing crankshaft. The gearbox provides four forward speeds ; hydraulic brake operation is employed. The load capacity is 2 tons.