Novel Features in a New Parcelcar A GENERAL layout for a three
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wheeled, light goods vehicle forms the subject of patent No. 432,829, by S. T. Brightman, 29, St. John's Street, Bedford. The drawing shows a plan of the chassis, in which several novel features are incorporated. The engine is preferably offset from the centre, and transmits the drive, via a gearbox, to a propeller shaft terminating in a worm and wormwheel in the wheel axle. The iear wheel is easily detachable by the removal of the usual ring of nuts (which also carry the brake drum) and a portion of the back axle, which is made in two pieces.
The rear suspension system calls for mention, being formed by hinging the last foot or so of. the chassis, the load being taken by a quarter-elliptic spring bolted to the rigid part of the frame. The hinged portion carries also the mudguard, so that it moves with the wheel, a small point, but one which makes for cleanliness.
All details are fully described in the specification, including the cooling system, a bevel-and-quadrant steering %And bodywork.
Bus-body Improvements by the L.P.T.B.
ABUS body designed with the object of preventing the ingress of draughts from an open entrance forms the subject of patent No. 432,608, by E. C. Ottaway, 5, Lyndhurst Avenue, Tolworth, and the London Passenger Transport Board, 55, Broadway, London, S.W.1. The main feature of the design is the provision of an angular deflecting wall (1) slightly ahead' of the entrance, coupled with a second angular wall (2) at the rear of the opening. The interaction of these two faces is claimed to act as a baffle, substantially preventing draughts front entering the vehicle.
Increasing the Control of Injection Pumps.
SPECIFICATION No. 432,839 states that a simple speed-quantitygovernor gives insufficient control of an injection
pump, principally on account of the fact that the maximum possible injection does not necessarily coincide with the maximum quantity of air in the cylinder. The inventor, Dr. A. Schntirle, of Moltkestrasse 91, Bad 1348 Cannstatt, Germany, proposes the addition of a second governor, which limits the maximum quantity injected by means of an arbitrarily shaped cam. The scheme is shown in the drawing in a purely diagrammatic form, comprising the additional governor (3) controlling a cam-face (2), against which the pump rack-rod (1) abuts in its fully open position, all other parts being of conventional design.
By suitably forming this cam-face, a limited maximum output may be obtained at both low and high speeds, in both of which circumstances the volume of cylinder air may be less than normal. A claim made for the scheme is that it will increase the torque of the engine at medium speeds, a very desirable feature.
Torque-converter Modifications.
THE object of the design shown in patent No. 432,807 is to incorporate in an hydraulic gear of the Fottinger type a supplementary clutch which may supersede the hydraulic drive, particularly in circumstances in which it is desired to drive the engine from the transmission. The patentee is J. G. Swan, 14, Old Square, London, W.C.2.
The accompanying drawing shows one of several designs; in this case the power input shaft (7) drives the outer casing, while the output shaft (4) carries, in addition to the secondary runner (1), the reaction member (5) which is limited to oneway movement by a free wheel (6).
So much is more or less usual practice, and the improvement consists of the inclusion of a dog or plate clutch (2) in Conjunction with a second free wheel (3).
In a sense, these are arranged so that whcn the clutch is in engagement the reaction member (5) is bidirectionally coupled to the input shaft.
A Trailer with a Low Load-line.
A SUSPENSION system for twotl.wheeled trailers, the chief feature of which is the absence of any form of axle, is dealt with in patent No. 432,291 by G. J. Kennett, Aide House, Stoke-by-Na,yland, Colchester, Essex. The system comprises a pair of stub
axles (2) carrying the wheels, attached to a bar (1) slidably mounted between springs on rods (3) fixed to the side of the body. The absence of any axle means that the body floor may be carried very close to the ground, there being no other limiting factor.