Light Vans.
Page 7
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The vehicle illustrated below is a type of light delivery van applicable to many businesses, and with which the manufacturers, De Dion-Bouton, Ltd., to, Great Marlborough Street, London, W., have achieved considerable success. Those who are acquainted with the history of the motor movement are aware that the firm mentioned has been in the forefront for many years past, as the Count de Dion was one of the pioneers of the industry. Their experiences of mechanical traction work, both for steam and internal combustion engines, have been unique, and by a coincidence both types happen to be illustrated in the present issue. Two of the special points in the De DionBouton chassis are the .cloption of patents of particular importance where commercial work is under consideration. The first is the De Dion patent change-speed gear, actuated by a lever below the steering wheel. Two speeds and a reverse are found sufficient, and the usual method of changing gear (by means of sliding spur wheels) is attained in a simple and ingenious manner by means of the De Dion patent expanding hbre clutches. Proper description would need a drawing to elucidate the clever construction, but it will suffice for our present purpose to say that it is almost a fool-proof gear; it is impossible to get into one gear before the other is absolutely cleared, and arrangements are provided for taking up any wear in the clutches from the exterior of the gear box. The other special feature is the transmission from engine to road wheels by means of the patented cardan axles. The weight is supported at the rear upon a solid axle from which the wheels are suspended. The actual driving is performed by subsidiary side axles, which depend at a slight angle from the gear box and have universal joints at either end. These joints permit the wheels to give vertically to road shocks and yet in no way to cause binding at the bearings. It must be understood that the axle thus described is in no sense a "live " axle, but simply serves to convey the engine power to the wheels without having to take any weight. We attach peculiar importance to this axle system, because, in spite of all instructions to the contrary, drivers will often persist in carrying a larger load than the stated capacity of the chassis by the makers, and may thereby cause deflection of the rear axle, if of the normal type. A figure of under ...,300 would cover the cost of the vehicle herewith.