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EQUIPMENT for BUSES and COACHES Amongst Important -Recent Developments are the Increasing Popularity of Radio and Sliding Doors, and Improvements in Ven
tilation and Heatmg
DURING recent years the progress in the design and manufacture of equipment for the public service vehicle has been as marked as that in connection with bodywork and chassis construction, and the standard of comfort provided by the modem coach and bus can justifiably •be claimed to equal that of a high-class private car.
Improvements have been effected in seats, new seating materials have been introduced, greater efficiency has been secured in window-operating gear, ventilation has become a minor science and the success of wirelessreceiving equipment on coaches has become an established fact. We mention only a few directions in which advances have been made in connection with the equipment of the public service vehicle.
Seating Developments.
Much could be written on the important subject of seats and seating alone, an outstanding development of recent date being the steel-tube seat, which has become popular for bus work. This type of frame lends itself to orthodox upholstery without sacrificing flexibility, whilst it is light and easy to clean. Suppliers of this class of equipment include the Accles and Pollock, Cox, and Equipment and Engineering. concerns, the last-named dealing with the Nests. seat, Lamplugh Spring Seats, Ltd., has also entered this market.
Excellent examples of the more orthodox ' patterns of seat or seat frame are • produced by the E. G. Brown, Lace Web, Lamplugh, Nests, G. D. Peters:, Quicktho, and Siddall and Hilton companies.
The Lamplugh equipment incorporates a special form of spring for use in combination with Dunlop, Hair 10k or other padding materials. A high degree of luxury is provided by some of the coach seats in the Peters range. Of a special type is the Q.T. reclining armchair, the angle of inclination of which may be altered while the passenger is Seated, and the Chapman Leveroll Leverex seat giving 'vertical and horizontal -adjustment.
D50 Particular attention to the comfort of the driver has been given by the Accles and Pollock, Cox, Chapman, Albert Jagger and Samuel Parkes companies, which all market adjustable Seats. One of the best-known types is the Chapman Leveroll Busella, which is easily operated.
So far as seat padding is concerned, there are several classes available, one of the latest developments being the Dunlop latex material of cellular formation moulded in one piece. Pneumatic upholstery is represented by the product of David Moseley and Sons, Ltd. Ilairlok is another interesting product, it being of light weight and great resilience, and formed by impregnating curled hair with latex. Rapido padding is a curled-hair material which can well be used in conjunction with patent springing systems. Finally, the merits of Sorbo sponge-robber upholstery are receiving attention.
Inquiries regarding the moquette style of seat covering might well be directed to John Holds-worth and Co., Ltd., and Pile Fabric Manufacturing Co. (Bradford), Ltd. For hides and similar materials of various colours and grains we would refer our readers to Bryant and Co., john Cameron and Sons, Connolly Bros. (Curriers), Ltd.; Greenwich Leathercloth Co., Ltd. ; John T. Hart and Sons; I.C.I. (Rexine), Ltd., and the loco Rubber and Waterproofing Co., Ltd.
Adequate ventilation is, of course, a statutory requirement. The opening roof has a direct bearing on this question and might well be considered in conjunction with other ventilation devices, including adjustable windows.
Amongst the makers or suppliers of opening roofs are the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd. (coachbuilding department), Hemming Bros., Wilfred Overton, Quicktho (1928), Ltd. Sunsaloon Bodies, Ltd.; and Weathershields, Ltd.
The Quicktho concern is now handling the laterally folding head previously marketed by Comfort-Travel Patents Co., Ltd., and it is known as the Q.T. Easiway opening roof. The Sunsaloon head is available in types suitable for double-deck buses, being concealed when in the open position, and for coaches with and without rear domes. There is, in addition, a folding head for drivers' cabs, The Weathershields sliding roof incorporates ball-race runners made by Beckett, Laycock and Watkinson, Ltd., stalls easily operated. The Weathershields concern also. markets an open ing roof for drivers' cabs. Wilfred Overton is responsible for the wellknown Walman head.
One of the best-known types of ventilating device is the Airvac acredynamically designed fitting incorporating slotted vanes, the performance of which has recently been much improved. Another popular item of equipment is the neat Beclawat Continuous Ventilouvre (Beckett, Laycock and Watkinson, Ltd.), which is easily fitted, whilst the Q.T. continuous louvre is designed on the same principle.
The Peters concern handles the Colt ventilator, a device giving excellent results, whilst the British Flettner revolving fitting has been well tried at home and abroad. Other concerns handling ventilators are E. G. Brown and Co., Ltd.; Cooper Webb-Jones and Co.; Cox and Co.: Equipment and En
gineering Co.. Ltd.; Thos. P. Headland, Wilmot-Breeden, Ltd., and Auster, Ltd.
Reference should also be made to the low-voltage fans for coaches and buses marketed by Peony and Johnson, Ltd.
Turning now to the third aspect of the subject of ventilation, namely, the use of adjustable windows, the halfdrop light .11aS established itself as a practical and popular item of equipment for coaches and buses. It is low in weight, is easily operated, is
inexpensive and requires no complicated mechanism, whilst it provides an adequate opening without admitting an excessive current of air.
This type of window figures in the ranges of most makers, a notable example being the improved Beclawat Typhoon light, which is positively locked in any desired position" by means of a full-length rack on each side. The Q.T. range is comprehen sive, including full-drop lights, as well as the half-drop pattern.
The merits of the Rawlings types of adjustable window are too well known to call for comment, but we would refer our readers to a new halfdrop light, incorporating a safety device to prevent damage through overwinding, described elsewhere in this issue. An interesting new drop pattern has been introduced by Wilmot-Breeden, Ltd. In this design, provision is made for sliding the. closedwindow backwards for a few inches into the pillar, so that an aperture is 'formed at the front of the light, through which adequate, draughtless ventilation may be afforded.
The Young window is handled by the Beaton concern, whilst windows or fittings for them may also be obtained from Auster, Ltd.; Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd., ; Hallam, Sleigh and Cheston, and Albert Jagger.
Securing Adequate Warmth.
Whilst the importance of adequate ventilation cannot be overrated, the subject of heating is one which should also receive close attention and, in fact, many new coaches are equipped with heaters. There are several makes available and one which immediately comes to mind is the Clayton-Dewandre, a neat circular fitting incorporating an electric fan and thermostatic control of the temperature.
The Smith-Eastern heating system (S. Smith and Sons [Motor Accessories], Ltd.) has been evolved after considerable experimental work and in conjunction with the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd. It incorporates radiators, control of temperature being by thermostat. A device of recent introduction is the Benwat heater, which makes use of the heat from the exhaust manifold. Two types of heater are marketed by the Cooper-Stewart concern, whilst other makers include A. W. Chapman, Ltd.
Sliding doors are becoming increasingly popular for public service vehicles, possessing, as they do, several advantages over the orthodox coach type, particularly for vehicles making frequent stops. Fittings of this nature are obtainable from the Beckett, Laycock and Watkinson, Beaton, Cooper, Webb-Jones, Hallam, Sleigh and Cheston, and Jagger concerns, whilst the National Pneumatic-Peters pneumatically operated door is of especial note.
The power equipment may be adapted to single or double sliding doors, or to the single or double "jackknife" types, and various systems of operation are available.
The Sunsaloon sliding door is an interesting pattern rolling on two British Hoffmann ball bearings, the weight of the door, when fully open or closed, resting entirely on resilient fabric pads. The lock possesses several valuable feature* and the whole equipment weighs only 22i lb. The Sunsaloon company is also one of those manufacturing folding doors.
An important item of equipment which is of direct interest to the public, as well as to the operator, is the destination indicator, for much time and trouble can be saved by the clear marking of the route and destination upon a vehicle. One of the most popular makes is the Eco Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd.) and a special feature is the facility with which the magazine can be changed.
The Samuel Parkes indicator can be fitted for operation from either the right-hand or left-hand side, whilst the handle can be attached in any convenient position. The Keibus device (Transport Engineering and Equipment Co.) incorporates constant-mesh gears and is quick-winding; the Whitlay indicator also possesses several attractive features.
Efficient lighting is another factor of importance to passengers, and undoubtedly has some bearing upon the popularity of a service. Highly attractive designs of lamp are now available and the suppliers include the Equipment and Engineering, Hailwood and Achroyd, and Oldfield companies.
Bulkhead clocks have become almost standard items of equipment and comprehensive ranges are stocked by A. Arnold and Co., Cooper-Stewart Engineering Co., Ltd.; North and Sons, Ltd., and S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd.
The carrying of a fire-extinguisher on a public-service vehicle is a statutory obligation and the demand for this type of equipment is -ably Met by a number of concerns, including the Desmo, Merryweather, Nnswift, Pyrene,
D52 Romac, 'Smith, Valor and Winhams companies. Various sizes are marketed and, in some cases, such as the Nuswift, steps are taken to guard against the possibility of replacing an empty extinguisher in its clip or bracket.
Finally, one of the most striking recent developments in the equipment of the coach is the rapid rise to popularity of radio. The subject was ably discussed at length in the issue of The Commercial Motor dated August 25, 1933, since which date much progress has been made. There is a con siderable demand for Phiko apparatus, which is available at attractive prices, and further developments may be expected shortly. Another popular set is the Lissen six-valve receiver arranged for remote tuning and covering medium and long wave ranges. An important feature of the apparatils is automatic volume control. Other suppliers are Page Car Radio and Eben Products Co.
This article constitutes a valuable work of reference and further particulars of the products referred to may be obtained from the manufacturers or agents at the following addresses :—
Arseles and Pollock, Ltd., Oldbury, Birmingham. Airvac Ventilators, Honeypot Works, Darlington, A. Arnold and Co., 122, St. John Street, London, E.C.1, Aster, Ltd., Crown Works, Barford Street, Birmingham, 5. 0. Beaton aud Son. Ltd., Victoria Road, Willesden, London, N.W.10, Beckett, Laycook and Watkinson, Ltd., Acton Lane, London, N.W.10. Benwat Heaters, 127, Hanford Way, Dartford. E. G. Brown anti Co., Ltd., West Road, Tottenham, London, N.17, British Flettner Ventilator and Equipment Co., Ltd., 504-5, Stafford House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.2. Bryant and Co„ 5, Spa Road, Bermondsey,. Loudon, S.E16.
.1ohn Cameron and Sons, Silvesmills, Edinburgh, 3. A. W. Chapman, Ltd., • Ranelagh Gardens, Burlingham, London, S.W.6. Clayton Dewaudre Co., Ltd., Lincoln. ConnollY Bros. (Curriers), Ltd., 101, Chalton Street, London, N.W.1. Cooper-Stewart Engineering Co., Ltd., 136-137, Long Acre, London, W.C.2. Cooper, Webb-Jones and Co., Stockwell Works, Walsall. Cox and C_ Lower Richmond Road, Putney. London, 8.W.15. Desmo, Ltd., Desmo House, Stafford Street, Birmingham, 4. Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., St. James's House, St. James's Street, Loudon, Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., Thorpe Road, Norwich. Men Products Co., 35, Norton Street, Liverpool, 3. Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd., 2-3, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.2,
Feeuy and Johnson, Ltd., 134-136, Ealing Road, Wembley.
Greonwich Leathercloth Co., Ltd., 79, Banning
Street, Greenwich, London; 5.51.10.Hailwood and Ackroyd, Morley, Leeds.
Hairlok Ltd., Magna Works, Bedford. Hallam, Sleigh and Chestom Widney Works, Baca Street, Birmingham. John T. Hart and Sons, Whittimere Street, Walsall. Thomas P. Headland, Pearnaan • Street, Westminster Bridge Road, London, 8.E.1. Hemming Brothers, 233, Highgate Road, Sparkbrook, Br. mingham. John Holdstvorth and Co., Ltd., Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax.
S.W.1. loco Rubber and Waterproafing Co., Ltd., Netherton Works, Anniesland, Glasgow,
Albert Jagger, 5-8. Green Lane, Walsall.
Lace Web Spring Co., Ltd., Sandiacno, neor Nottingham. Larnplugh Spring Seats, Ltd., Bushey Mill Lane, Watford. Linen,Ltd., Worple Road, Isleworth.
Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., Greenwich Road, London, S.E.10. David Moseley and Sons, Ltd., Chapel Field Works, Ardwick, Manchester, 12. Mesta, Ltd., Brunswick Square, High Road, Tottenham; London, 15.17, North and Sane, Ltd., Whippendell Road, Watford. Nuswift Engineering Co., Ltd., Protector Works, Elland, Yorks.
J. and R. Oicifield, Ltd. Refulgent Works, Warn•ieir Street, Birmingham, 12. Wilfrid Overton, Marsh Street, Walsall. Page Car Radio, Ltd.. 55, Windsor Stance, VIntolna 87.nwt., London, 8.W.L &untte.1 Parkes
and Co., Ltd., Pretoria Works, WilIenhall. G. D. Peters and Co., Ltd., Windsor Works, Slough. Pbiloo Radio and Television Corporation of Great Britain, Ltd., Aintree Road, Perivale,
Middlesex. Pile Fabric Manufacturing Co. (Bradford), Ltd., Allerton, Bradford. Pyrene Co., Ltd., Great West Road, Brentiord.
Qnicktho 0.928), Ltd., Point Pleasant, Wandsworth, London, S.W.18. Rapido Padding and Curled Hair Manufacturers, Ltd., Angel Works, Angel Road, Edmonton, London, N.18. Rawlings Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 1-1.1, Larch Road, Balkan, London, S.W.12. Romao Motor Accessories, Ltd., Roma• Works, The Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W.9.
Siddall and Hilton, Ltd., Sowerby Bridge, Yorks, S. Smith and Sons (Aerator Accessories), Ltd., Criekiewood Works, London, N,W.2. Sorho, Ltd., Woking, Surrey. Sunsaloon Bodies, Ltd., Weston Works, Weston Lane, Greet, Birmingham, 11. Transport Engineering and Equipment CO, 24, York Place, Leeds, 1. Valor Co., Ltd., 120, Victoria Street, London, sm.'. Weatherslaielns, Ltd., 48, Moor Street, Birmingham, 4. Whitlay Tool Co., Ltd., 7, Lemuel Street, London, S.W.18. Wilmot-Breeden, Ltd., Eastern Works, Camden Street, Birmingham, 1. Winharos, Ltd., Hammond Works, Victoria Road, London, N.W.10.