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Novelty in Lifeguard Construction

18th November 1930
Page 50
Page 50, 18th November 1930 — Novelty in Lifeguard Construction
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4r, Ingenious Device Incorporating a Rotating Roller, which is Driven by a 1 h.p. Motor IN practically every case in the past it has been part of the Principle of the construction of a front. lifeguard. that it consisted of a rigid, or flexible but .stationary member attached to the vehicle. This is .wrong in principle,according to Dr. Clifford, the inventor of Clifford's Autosaier, a demonstration of which' we recently witnessed, Where a stationary member is employed there is obviously impact,but; in addition, the friction caused by dragging a person along a read. 'white being held by the lifeguard; is likely to cause very serious' injury due to friction, although the crushing effect of being run over is absent.

Dr. Clifford's device is different from the usual, in that the cylindrical member rotates in the direction opposite to that of the 'wheels of the vehicle, and, as the roller is corrugated, it tends to lift the body of the person slightly and, of course, to roll him over in the same direction as that in which the vehicle is

C28 proceeding. There is thus impact when the person is struck, but friction is removed and it will be obvious that consequent damage is minimized.

The bumper is carried on a spindle running in brackets connected to, the frame. These, however, are not flied, but permit a small degree of backward movement when the bar is struck, and the brackets themselves are pivoted so that the Whole bumper can drop from its 'normal height of 10 ins, above the groand to a couple of inches above the surface. The pushing stress upon the bar is taken by radius rods cdtpled to further bracketson the chassis....

The The corrugated roller is .driven by a 1 h.p. electric motor connected to the starter battery ; a flexible shaft couples the motor to the bumper.

In 'practice, the impact. of 'the person or abject striking the roller operates a relay switch which starts the roller rotating and immediately.it drops to the "action" position and continues to

revolve until switched off. It was demonstrated to us both with a live person • and a dummy ; it proved undeniably effective in its rolling action.

The speed of impact during the demonstration with the pedestrian was about 5 m.p.h.; with a dummy the speed was higher. • A rate of revolution of-200 r.p.m. is attained by the roller, which, incidentally, cannot fall under the influence of vibration. The switching on of the bumper can be effected by the driver or by the automatic relay switch, which can be set in action by a blow with a cushion—no great force is required. It is possible to connect the A.utosavee with the ignition switch, so that.impact switches off the engine.

We were informed that the cast of fitting one of these bumpers would be in the neighbourhood of £10 when produced on an ordinary commercial basis. Those interested in the device can obtain further particulars on application to the Institute of Patentees, 39, Victoria street, London, S.W.1.

Tags

People: Clifford
Locations: Victoria, London

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