A Promising Splashguard.
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Following a letter which appeared in our issue of the :30th January, from a correspondent " w.B.H.," who advised everybody who suffered from mud-splashing on the part of motorbuses immediately to write to the owner, in order to force the lattees hand in regard to the adoption of suitable mudsplashing devices, we have received from a correspondent particulars of a simple guard of the continuous type, which he has patented and has entered for the prizes which are being offered by the Paris Municipal Council. He encloses a drawing; we have had this re-drawn, and we reproduce it herewith. The Belgian patent number is 249,128, dated 9th September, 1912.
This guard, which is of British design, is, as will be seen from the sketch to which we have alluded, of extremely simple construction. and it follows the principle of the Menu, which was recently approved in the Faris trials. It will be remembered that that type of guard consisted of the walls of old pneumatic tires, which, after the treads had been cut away, were fixed to the sides of the felloes. In the present design, it will be seen that a special rubber ring is mounted edge on at the side of the urdina.ry rubber tire on the tire band itself. It is held in place by any suitable means, in such a manner that it juts out all round, and allows for the wear and tear of the solid tire and the compression of the same due to the weight of the vehicle. The use of a special light steel flange is perhaps the most suitable method of mounting this rubber ring.
It is claimed on behalf of this splashguard that, during its revolution, it efficaciously prevents side splashing, collisions with the kerbstones do it little harm, as the part of the rim which protects the tire should also protect the splashguard. It is simple and cheap to make, and obviously easily mounted or detached. The rubber should wear down at the same rate as the solid tire. and should. therefore, remain level with it,. The cost of replacement should be low.
It is interesting to note that we
have heard, sir the receipt of these particids • from some friends of ours in th country of an almost similar device, for which they have made application for provisional r rotection,