Sliding Roof for Vans to Facilitate Loading
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PIA DRAWBACK to the fixed-roof type of van body for certain spheres of operation, is that the load must be introduced at the rear, making it both difficult and impracticable to take full advantage of mechanical handling. One means of overcoming -this drawback is to provide a sliding roof. This is not difficult in the case of a " square " body, but certain problems are presented when a sliding roof has to be combined with a body having streamlined features or characteristics that differ from the more orthodox type.
These, however, have been solved by Bonallack and Sons, Ltd., 268, Romford Road, London, E.7, in a design conceived by Mr. S. G. Greene of that concern, and incorporated in a body built for Messrs. E. Berry and Sons, the well--known road-transport contractors.
Aluminium Plymax panels are employed on a wood framework, the sliding portion of the roof being in 16gauge aluminium. Leathtr slides are used on each side, the body runners being faced with steel strip and constructed so as to provide a water runway. Raising and lowering are carried out through the agency of a handle which is made detachable so as not to detract from the body lines. A celluloid window in the cab and another in the rear of the body, permits the driver to obtain a vi?.w to the rear, when the load offers no obstruction.
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The wheel-arches are squared-up to provide better loading, and to give an unbroken line to the sweep of the roof, a valance is arranged beneath the floorlevel at the rear. Although the interior is particularly light when the roof is slid back, artificial lighting is provided in the forward part of the body.
An illuminated sign is arranged on the cab roof and whilst the sign box could have been built up separately, in this case it is beaten out of the metal forming the roof. Not the least attractive feature of this body is the finish which is in Keep's special green, with writing in English gold-leaf, shaded in black. As a backing to the lettering parallel lines, in a. lighter shade of green, sweep from the front to the back, conforming with the roof contour.
The; floor space provided is 9 ft. 3 ins. by 5 ft. 6 ins., the body at its highest point being 5 ft. 2 ins. deep. The body we inspected was built on a G.M.C. 1-ton chassis.