Power for Tools at Breakdowns
Page 67
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AN ingenious device for driving power tools on such occasions as vehicle breakdowns when no normal source is available has been evolved by W. J. Boyes and Son, Ltd., Blenheim Grove, London, S.E.15.
Made up from steel channel section, the unit is placed under the rear wheel of a light vehicle, the engine of which is eng6.ged in low gear. There are two free-running supporting rollers, but the centre roller is driven frictionally by the tyre, and the drive is transmitted to the tool by a flexible cable.
The company incorporated a 20-ft. cable supplied by the Flexible Drive and Tool Co., Ltd., Edenbridge, Kent, in the unit, which they made up for purely their own use. The idea is offered to anyone else who may wish to copy the device, which is not being manufactured. •
Valve Standard PRICED at 6s., a new standard issued by the British Standards Institution, 2 Park Street, London, W.1, specifies ranges of principal valve components to provide some measure of rationalization and interchangeability between poppet valves, inserts, guides and collet assemblies.
No Air Loss A LEAK-PROOF coupler which allows air lines to be connected and disconnected without loss of air has been marketed by Tecalemit, Ltd., Plymouth. It comprises two parts—the coupler itself, incorporating a special ball locking device, and the mating connector.
Coupling is achieved by inserting the connector into the coupler and simply pushing home. The steel balls of the coupler then lock the connection. Quick release is effected by sliding the outer sleeve of the coupler along its body to disengage the balls. Two types of connector are provided—fin. 27 N.P.T. thread for air lines and 1-in. 18 N.P.T. for fitting direct to Tecalemit Balcrank jet power pumps.
European Maps f NDIVIDUALLY covering the countries I of Western Europe, and Jugoslavia, a series of maps priced at 3s. 6d. each has been published by Foldex, Ltd., 45 'Mitchell Street, London, E.C.1. There is no gazetteer. Roads are marked with their numbers and distances are shown. Amount of other detail given is comparable with that found. on maps of larger scale, and the Foldex method of folding combines compactness with ease of reference. S am plc s sent to The Commercial Motor were, however, found to contain inaccuracies.
Chargeable Extinguisher AFIRE extinguisher which may be filled and pressurized by means of an air line has been introduced by Foamite, Ltd., 235-241 Regent Street, London,
W.1. It is suitable for dealing with small petrol fires and, having a capacity of 1 qt., may be conveniently carried in the cab of a vehicle.
It may •be filled with carbon tetrachloride or chloeobromomethane up to a certain level, and the nozzle is con
strutted to take a standard air chuck so that any line capable of exerting a pressure of 150 p.s.i. may be used to charge the extinguisher.
Foamite also offer the E5 2-lb. drychemical extinguisher, which is suitable for dealing with fires in buildings as well as to vehicles. Like the liquid type, it is aimed like a pistol and can be recharged with an air line.
Powder Couplings POWDER couplings are now being made by Powder Couplings, Ltd., 20 Black Bull Street, Leeds, 10, a concern owned by Specialloid, Ltd. Manufacture of these products has been taken over from Stone-Wallwork, Ltd., and , the design will be altered.
Ball and roller bearings will be used instead of bronze bushings, and mechanical seals will replace the felt type. One type of coupling can be used for both pulley and in-line drives, and provision has been made for securing the driving components by bolts to the main hub.
Transistor Amplifier APORTABLE amplifier incorporating transistors and which can be used on a 12v. supply has been introduced by•Pye Telecommunications, Ltd., Newmarket Rd., Cambridge. It is intended for use when a loudspeaker system is necessary but the installation of a conventional amplification relay is impracticable.
The unit measures 8 in. by 34 in. by 6 in. and weighs 54 lb. Consumption at full 10w, output is 1.8 amp. It is known as the PTC 1010 transistor amplifier.