PATENTS SUMMARIZED.
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The Latest M.L. Magneto Improvements.
• The patent records of the last year or so have exemplified in a. striking degree tffe activity of British manufacturers of
magnetos. Invention has covered the complete field, and has, engaged almost every individual item of the construction of a high-tension magneto. Not by any means least amongst those who have concerned themselves with the development. of this vital key industry. is the M.L. Magneto Syndicate, and the firm's name appeared again recently in this connection.
In the construction described, the pole shoes of the magneto are built of latninw ; they are, moreover, fosmed with projections which intervene between the
magnets and the base of the ;magneto. Several advantages are claimed,viz., that a better spark is obtainable at low speeds; that the magnets may be shorter, while 'still maintaining the essential clearance between magnets and pole shoes, thus effecting a saving in the.' valuable material of which these magnets must be made; and furthermore, the broad bases of thedisole shoes offer better means for securing them to the baseplate of the machine.
An Interesting Electric Self starter.
• rn the self-starter inwented by Messrs. Brown Boveri and Cie., the usual claw-clutch of the starting handle is utilized) engagement being effected by sliding the loose part of the coupling
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under the influence of an electro-magnet, which receives its current from the same source as does the starter motor. The usual starting handle isestill available, its shaft being carried within the hollow clutch shaft of the starter. The usual preliminary longitudinal motion -of the starting .handle, besides engaging with the engine crankshaft in the usual manner, disengages the starter clutch.
Combination Steering Gear for Tractors.
The relative merits ofoentral pivot and Ackermann-typo steering gear have always been the subject of discussion amongst makers of heavy road tractors. A recent American patent is an attempt to combine the two. The whole "me
chanism strikes us as being rather cumbersome, and we cannot understand the inventor's desire for 90 degrees angular movement of the steering road wheels, bearing ini mind the fact that it is 'seldom possible to. drive without skidding if that movement exceeds 45 degrees from the normal. .
A New and Novel Magneto Distributor.
A. IL and J. H. Boulton, magneto manufacturers, of Old Hall Street, Wolverhampton, have devised a distributor plate, somewhat novel in its construction, which, it is claimed, is less liable to the ills to which this -part of the magneto. is heir, than is the customary type.
. Carbon brushes of the usual description bear on the face of a 'revolving dis
tributer plate. The principal material of which the latter is constructed is glass, of which all but a small portion of the face of the plate is made. The remainder is of metal, and forms the contact piece, to which the high-tension current is led from 'the armature, as in magnetos of ordinary construction. It is claimed that the glass is much lesn liable to wear than is the material 'commonly used for the purpose, and also that the forniation of the distributor as a plain revolving surface LS beneficial.
A Cheap and Simple Tractor Drawbar Coupling.
Patterson's towing coupling is simply made, and has most of the . essential characteristics Of such a coupling a's is very desirable on an agricultural tractor. The springs arc cheap and easily replaceable. The necessary means of adjustment for their tension is provided, and the hook of the coupling is so designed that it will not be likely to slip out of engagementaccidentally.
The fact that the complete coupling Can he cheaply and readily manufactured should open a wide field, for its application.