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KEEPING IN STEP

INNOVATIONS and improvements in accessories at Earls Court reveal that . manufacturers arc keeping pace with the Modern vehicle as it gradually becomes more sophisticated. In particular, there are numerous new products and a drive towards weightreduction and the saving of operative's time underlines other novel exhibits.

Filter manufacturers have improved their products, not only to achieve better removal of dirt but also to make servicing -eaSier. The resin-impregnated paper-element waterrepellent fuel filter for diesel engines made by Simms Motor Units, Ltd., can be quickly. replaced by removing a. cap from the filter body and lifting out the old element. This new unit is claimed to give 98 per cent. filtration at a rate of 5 gal. of oil per hour.

Fram filters for petrol and diesel engines made by Simmonds Aerocessories, Ltd., also extract any water from fuel. The two-stage diesel filters are designed for mounting on either the suction or delivery side of the fuel pump, and models arc available for engines up to * 700 b,h.p.. The petrolengined filters are made of nylon and waterresistant paper, and will operate for 5,000 miles without replacement. Disposable paper air filters which need to be replaced on a regular mileage basis are being shown by the AC-Delco Division of General Motors, Ltd.

Another new engine component is a fluorocarbon-surfaced bearing manufactured by the Mintex Division of British Belting and Asbestos, Ltd. The advent of P.T.F.E. fibre, with its extremely high load-bearing capacity without cold flow (60,000 p.s.i.) and very low static coefficient of friction, has resulted in the development of a range of Mintex reinforced-resin bearing materials capable of performing satisfactorily over long periods with little lubrication.

For fuel injection Simms are also exhibiting the Minipump, which is designed for engines having a capacity of up to I+ litres

per cylinder. This in-line pump is light

and compact and incorporates a mechanical governor. Models are ai,ailable for three-, fourand six-cylinder engines.

For use on hydraulic fuel lines carrying pressures up to 3,000 psi., Super Oil Seals and Gaskets, Ltd., have made the Golden Flow quick-release coupling, each half being self-sealing on disconnection. A compact belt-driven exhauster for fitting to small diesel-engined vehicles is being shown by Feeny and Johnson, Ltd. Weighing only 11 lb. without pulley and silencer, this unit has a capacity of 240 cu. ft. per hour.

Powered by compressed air, the TricoFolberth windscreen twin-arm wiper motor is fitted with automatic parking and speed controL A wiper is also being shown by AC-Delco. Fitted to the TK range of Bedford vehicles, it drives 17-in.-long blades mounted on 18-in. arms.

The latest switchboard from •Simms is the BK model, which is offered with 12 or 16 switches. The dimensions are 8+ in. by 7 in., with a depth of 2+ in. Other new electrical fittings from SimmS are a concentric-type high-speed starter, a twocylinder, 7-cu-ft. compressor and an A.C. generator (described in The Commercial Motor. September 16).

Examples of sealed-beam -headlamp units are exhibited by the A.E.1. Lamp and Light lug Co:, Ltd., and Joseph Lucas, Ltd. The A.E.L. model, which costs 29s. 6c1., is interchangeable with most 7-in., right-hand-drive headlight units. The Lucas Model is similar and is rated at 60/45 watts at 12.8 v.

Lucas are also showing a four-headlamp system with two light units recessed on each side of the vehicle. One unit contains a single 37f-watt bulb for the main driving beam and the other unit has a 50,37,l-watt double filament. The 50-watt filament is designed to give the best possible meeting beam, whilst the 37.;-watt filament is iluinimated when the driving beam is on to give a wide, deep light. Other new Lucas accessories include the 2-AC alternator set. additions to their. range of batteries,and flashing indicator set priced at 30s. per lamp.

Quick-connect Terminal For fast, efficient vehicle wiring Ripaults, Ltd., have marketed a quick-connection terminal kit which costs £6 10s., and consists of a-special pair of crimping pliers and an assortment of terminals and connectors.

A combined heating, ventilating and demisting scheme for coaches is shown by Clayton Dcwandre Co., Ltd. It eliminates electric motors and separate heat exchangers. Air which has been heated by passing through the vehicle radiator is used to warns the passenger compartment. Provision is also made to draw cold air into the saloon. Adequate engine cooling is obtained and

unheated air is prevented from entering the coach in cold weather.

Smiths Motor Accessories, Ltd.. feature a canopy beater and a cab heater. Designed for double-deck passenger vehicles, the canopy unit drives warm air to louvres within the upper and lower saloons. It is 8i in. high, 181 in. wide and 151 in. long, and two blower 'units deliver air at the rate of 400 cu. ft. per minute.

Cab Heater

The Smiths cab heater, which is available in kit form from £12 5s., is fitted with a detachable motor plate enabling motor and fan servicing to he carried out without dismantling the complete unit. Also shown is a thermostatically operated metering watervalve kit for controlling the heat output of Smiths heaters.

The latest type of cab heater made by the Key-Leather Co., Ltd., is the Norway, which has been redesigned to provide adjustable demister ports. Various other K-L

heaters have been improved to afford better heat capacity. For defrosting and demisting, the company are introducing a fouror six-way unit, which allows one or more adjustable ports to he used for ducting hot air to the driver's feet. A battery booster cable to.eriable an engine to be started from another vehicle's battery, an anti-mist screen, a pliable grab-handle, and a vacuum gauge are other. K-L exhibits.

An air outlet control suitable for coach heating and ventilating is made by Smiths. Known as the Speriverst, it can be mounted either horizontally or vertically and has a built-in deflection vane allowing complete air direction. Also being shown is the company's fan coupling, which is dependent upon a silicone fluid to transmit the torque necessary to drive the fan.

The Kwikvent is the latest development in coach roof ventilators from Weathershields. Ltd. Supplied as a complete unit ready for screwing into position, the ventilator is hinged and provides for three positional openings to meet all weather conditions. A special locking mechanism allows for fresh air intake and extraction of stale air, even when in the closed position.

Another interesting fitting is the Ferodo Poly-V belt, which is a flat belt with a series of parallel V-shape grooves moulded on its inner side.

Several Winches Two new winches can be seen on the stands of Thompson Bros. (Engineers); Ltd., and Turner Manufacturing Co., Ltd. The Turner model is for use with the Austin Gipsy or Land-Rover and is capable of pulling loads of up to 2,500 lb. The Thompson Model. 44 2-ton winch is driven from the battery of the vehicle. The winch of this model is fitted with 100 ft. of 4-in.-diameter wire rope.

A rubber-metal ball joint of rugged construction is the latest product from Silentbloc, Ltd. Having a high load capacity it is designed to accommodate conical and torsional movement for applications such as radius rods on heavy vehicles. The company are also exhibiting a new type, of flexible couPling, which will be produced in a range of sizes.

Addresses and stand numbers of exhibitors mentioned in this article are as follows:

AC-Delco Division of Genera/ Motors, Ltd.. Wailing Street, Dunstable. Stand 322FM.

A.E.T. Lamp and Lighting Co., Ltd., Melton Road, Leicester. Stand 285CL.

British Betting and Asbestos, Ltd., Ceckheaton, Yorks. Stand 246A.

Clayton Dewandre CO.. Ltd., Titanic Works, Lincoln. Stand 417P0.

Feeny and Johnson. Ltd.. 134-136 Eating Road. Wembley. Middlesex. Stand 375KL.

Ferodo. Ltd.. Chapel-en-le-Frith, Stockport. Stand 2740.

1:lobourn-Eaton Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Strood. Rochester, Kent. Stand 311E.

Key-Leather Co.. Ltd., 5 thswick Road, London, E.9. stand 371LM.

loser'!" Lucas, Ltd.. Lucas T-TOuse, 46 Park Street. London, W.I. Stand 2320.

Ripaults, Ltd., Southbury Road, Enfield, Middlesex. Stand -2230.

Silentbloc. Ltd., Manor Royal., Crai,:vley, Sussex. Siand 3553M.

Sirnmonds Acrocessories, Ltd., Treforest, Pouts, pridd, Glamorgan. &URI 302E.

Simms Motor Units, Ltd., Oak Lane, Fast Finchley, London. N.2: Stand 2250.

Smiths Motor Accessories. Ltd,. Witney, 0;011. Stand 312E.

Super Oil Seats and Gaskets, Ltd., Birmingham Factory Centre, King's Norton, Birmingham, 30. Stand 338G.

Thompson Bros. (Engineers), Ltd., Archery Works. Archery Road. Flamm, London, S.E.9. Stand 31.8F0.

Trico-Folberth. Ltd.. Great West Road; &cotford, Middlesex. Stand 2FISCD.

Turner Manufacturing Co:. Ltd., Wulfruna Works: 1,/illiers Street. Wolverhampton. Stand 278CD.

Weathershields, Ltd., Bishop Street, Rirminnam, 5. Stand 2020.