TILLINGS ADOPT THE GRAVELEY SPLASHGUARD.
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Our illustrations show what has been proved to be a commerciallypracticable form of splashguard. the device has been evolved after a considerable amount of experimenting on the part of its inventor and patentee, Mr H. V. N. Graveley, ofPenarth, North End Road, Hampstead, N.W. We recently had an opportunity of inspecting a set of these guards fitted to a Tilling-Stevens motorbus, Mr. Graveley himself demonstrating the action of the equipment under working conditions. A guard is mounted on thehub of each roadwheel and, when in position, hangs in a parallel plane to that of the wheel itself and with a reasonable clearan cc.
No machining or other alteration whatever is necessary to the hub of the wheel when fitting the device. The outstanding feature of the construction is that, when the vehicle
sides up to the kerb or strikes an obstacle, the guard is capable of one lateral and two separate endwise movements, so that it is enabled to clear itself. Primarily, the frame of the equipment is located on a plain bearing, suitably lubricated, which horn-es on a ring located on the hub. An adjustment to take up wear is provided. A stirrup-shaped frame swivels an the side trunnions of the bearing-casing, and, in the ease of the rear guard, at its upper end is attached to the wing of the vehicle in such a manner that the deflection of the main suspension springs on the imposition of load does not affect the anchorage of the device. As the tires wear, the effective portion of the guard, which is separately Wriged and is composed of oil-dressed leather, can he quite readily adjusted.
A special form of enclosed rubber shock-absorber is fitted at certain joints to allow for jars or shocks when running over had roads, and under all nuts Thackeray washers are provided to prevent chatter. Special attention has been directed to the guards fitted to the front wheels to enable them to retain their correct relation with the wheels under partial or full lock for this purpose a small .wheel with a concave face attached to the upper end of the stirrup frame rides over a conveniently placed guide. We observed that the guards kent a relative position with the road-wheels, however quickly or often the steering-wheel were turned.
Mr Graveley informs us that he has experimented for over 18
months with the device for the purpose of evolving an efficient and self-contained splashguard to be capable of the adjustments and movements before mentioned. He also tells Us that his latest outfit has satisfactorily passed kerb and route tests by the London police. With regard to the kerb test, a total height of 7 ins, is allowed for, the average height of London kerbs being,, we understand, about 5 ins. The particular guards we inspected had run over 4000 miles without attention. So satisfactory has the arrangement proved that Thos. Tilling, Ltd., is about to fit all its vehicles with the guards. Negotiations are also, we are informed, in progress with the. L.G.O.C. We understand that the device has been protected in seven countries.
Every .assistance has been given by Thos. Tilling, Ltd., during experimenting.