A Vehicle with a Three-way Stretch !
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AVEHICLE with an extensible body has a number of practical applications, such as for workshops, cinemas, operating theatres, dental surgeries, and Army field headquarters.
A body of this type will shortly be available in this country. The basic design is extremely simple. Secured to the underside of the floor of each moving section is one or more girders, each of which has a length of rack gear secured to one of its vertical faces.
The racks are so arranged on the respective girders that a pinion can engage any pair, and when the pinion is turned the two girders concerned travel inwards or outwards. Rollers support the girders and reduce the effort required to turn the pinion.
Motion can be given to the pinion either by manual means or by an electric motor. It should be possible to use for this purpose the power take-off from the gearbox.
Where it is desirable that one section should not slide over the other, the floor can be hinged at any given point. When the sections are being closed, the hinged portion can he raised and cnitsed to stand vertically.
The design incorporates sealing strips at all points where rain would otherwise find an entry when the body is extended. It can be extended at the rear as well as at the sides.
Prototypes under the name Deplirex have already been built in France. Inquiries should be addressed to Mr, J. Duke, care of Rice Trailers, Ltd., Cosby. Leicester, the concern responsible for the special girders.