Pedal-control Unit on a Turntable
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A Resume of Patent Specifications That Have Recently Been Published. Copies may be Obtained from the Patent Office, Price 11each
PATENT No. 552,045, from E. Boyden and Co., Ltd.. and J. D. ,Coldwell, both of Elsinore Road, Old Trafford, Manchester 16, describes a dumper vehicle in which the driver's `seat is mounted on a turntable so that he can face in either direction. The patent deals specifically with the means for arranging the control pedals, so, that they can operate with the seat in any direction.
The result is achieved by converting all the pedal movements into vertical motion along the axis of the turntable. One pedal (2) operates a central rod (3) which is Connected to the brake mechanism (5), whilst another pedal (6) is trunnioned on to a sliding sleeve (4) which operates the clutch. The accelerator pedal terminates in a roller (1) which lifts a stationary lever (7); when the seat is swivelled, the point of contact, being truly axial, remains unmoved.
It should be noted that the reliability of the control mechanism is in no way impaired by adapting it to this system, which entails no complexities,
AXLE ASSEMBLY FOR IIEAVY TRAILERS 'TO obviate the need for forgings and
• 1 generally to simplify manufacture are the chief objects of a design of trailer axle shown in patent No. 552,041 by 0. D. North, P. G. Hugh and Scammell Lorries, Ltd., Tolpits Lane, Watford. The scheme is applicable to any non-driven axle fitted with braking mechanism.
Referring to the drawing, the axle (6), made from steel tube, is fitted with a welded-on platform to which is bolted a spring (7). Welded also to the tube is a bracket (5) which 'forms a pivot point for the brake-operating 'gear shown, generally, at 4.
The outer end of the tube is upset into a flange (3) to which is bolted a corresponding flange on the stub axle (8). The back-plate (2) of the brake is sandwiched between the to flanges, and after the bolts are tightened, their threads are riveted over the nuts so
• as to make a permanent assembly of the three pieces. A32 " Two taper-roller bearings carry the hub, which is sealed against entry of dirt by a washer (1) housed in a channel-section ring. To bring the hub directly over the stub axle, the brake mechanism is permitted to overhang in an inward direction.
The assembly is equally suitable for either single or twin wheels, mild the drawing shows a half-section of each type.
GAS PRODUCER EMPLOYING CHARCOAL FOR FUEL
AGAS producer intended for use in countries wher6 wood is more easily obtained than coal is shown in patent No. 551,988 by Cia. de Canis, Luz e Forca do Rio de Janeiro Ltda., Rio de Janeiro: Brazil. The fuel used is charcoal of approximately 1-in mesh.
The drawing shows the complete outfit, which operates, generally, on wellknown principles. The engine is atarted on petrol, and a flame applied
to the air intake of the producer: ignition of the fuel is rapid, and goodquality gas is said to be available after about three minutes.
The outlet frnm the producer (2) is fed, via' a T-piede, to a cooling unit divided into two parallel systems (1). The gas divides at the T (3), each stream traversing its cooler unit and being cleaned by passing through one of the two filters (5). The two gas streams re-unite before entering the eng i ne supply pipe (4). This feature appears to be the most novel point in the system. ,
• A detailed account is included of the filter systefn, and constructional materials and dimensions of essential working parts are given. It will be appreciated that filtration and cleansing 'problems associated with charcoal-fed producers,■are more simple than those entailed in plant where anthracite is employed as fuel.