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DETACHABLE RIMS FOR SOLIDS.

1st July 1919, Page 22
1st July 1919
Page 22
Page 22, 1st July 1919 — DETACHABLE RIMS FOR SOLIDS.
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A Résumé of Recently Published Patent Specifications.

There have been many attempts to perfect a suitable detachable rim* for solid tyres. In the United States, saxecently as two or three years ago, nearly all the heavy commercial vehicles were provided with detachable rims, but that is not now nearly so common a feature of American chassis, which seems rather to indicate that the pressed on tyre is, for general purposes, the best. In this country, so exceptionally well provided with tyre presses and depots where tyres can quickly be changed, there is less need for detachable rims than might be the case in the States, and we do not look to see any great change in that direction over here. At the same time, there -will very likely be a considerable demand for such equipment in the Colonies, and no doubt it is with this object in view that the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., have been devoting their attention to the subject. Patent specification No. 126,792, for which that company and one of its engineers are responsible, describes what appears to be a simple and effective loose rim. It is designed to be applicable to any existing vehicle with an ordinary turned rim designed to accommodate a pressed on tyre, but the use of this patented device necessitates the fitting of a tyre a little larger in diameter than that, for which the wheel was turned. The' space in between the wheel rim and the inside of the band of the tyre is filled by an annular ring which is wedged in place, and in that manner secures the tyre in position. The ring will be most conveniently constructed of cast metal, probably steel. The grooves . for the wedges are spaced equally round-it, some being cut in the outer surface of the ring, and others, spaced between them, on the inner surface. These grooves taper in depth across the rim, but their sides are

parallel. Neither the rim of the wheel nor the inner circumference of the band tyre is cut.

The method of fitting hardly needs explaining. The rim is turned internally so that it will slide easily on to the outer surface of the wheel rim. Externally its dimensions are such that' the band tyre will with equal facility slide into place. It only remains, then; to drive the wedges in tightly. For convenience all the wedges are made of the same size, so that they are interchange able, and a. method of positively securing them in place by means of screws or otherwise is also described in the specification.

Other Patents of Interest.

An ingenious mileage indicator is the subject of a patent, No. 122,632, by an American. J. W. Watson. A small

barrel-shaped receptacle of hard material contains a number of comparatively soft balls. After the balls are in place the receptacle is securely sealed, embedded in rubber or some similar material, and disposed inside the tyre between the inner tube and the rim of the wheel. The inside of the receptacle is made perfectly smooth, 'and the idea is that as-the

wheel travels along the road, the soft metal balls are continually being thrown about the inside of the hard casing, and as time goes on, they wear and become smaller. By calibration the mileage required to produce a given amount of wear is determined, and when it is desired to know the mileage which has been run by the tyro in question, the receptacle is removed, the balls taken out, and they are weighed, or their reduction in volume ascertained by discovering the amount of water which they displace, and comparing it with that volume which they occupied when new. It is claimed to be important that the inner surface of the small receptacle be entirely free from any obstruction, as in this manner, any possibility of the balls being flattened by impact is,prevented, as also the risk of one of them lodging against any projection. • Several balls are employed instead of -one, as in that manner, by averaging, the elimination of error is effected. No. 120,737 also emanates from the States, the patentee being E. Holmes, and concerns a rather elaborate form of breakdown truck. Immediately behind the driver's seat is erected a framework, which serves to support a couple of derricks. These can be used independently of one another, as when picking up a damaged vehicle from one side or the other' and, having picked it up, they can then be united so that their extremities become one and take up a position immediately over and slightly to the rear of the breakdown truck. The rope from the derricks then passes through a snit able drawbar arrangement, and the vehicle can be Used to tow home the derelict.

No. 121,112 is interesting, inasmuch as it indicates the attention which is being paid on the Continent to acetylene gas as a fuel. It describes a carburetter for using, in a combined form, acetylene as and petrol vapour. The patentee is A. Silbernagel, (-4 Switzerland.

Vauxhall Motors, Ltd:, in No. 126,662, patent a construction of aeroplane cylinder, the principal. object being to simplify the process of manufacture.

D. Napier and Sons, Ltd., in No. 126,663, describe a governor for aeroplane engines, whereby the volume and, richness of the mixture is controlled in accordance with the pressure of the atmosphere in which the engine is operating. Peter Brotherhood, Ltd.' in No. 126,699, patent an improved operating gear for overheal valves. The tappet rod is in tension.

An arrangement of Ackermann steering gear embodying centrally-pivoted wheels, but with the pivots considerably, in front of the vertical centre line of the, wheel, is described by P. A. Larsen, in No. 126,866.

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Organisations: Peter Brotherhood

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