The Supply Department.
Page 19
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Selected Information which is likely to be of Interest to Makers, Owners, and their Buyers.
Midland Rubber Co.'s Method of Fixing Solid Tires.
We have received particulars from the Midland Rubber Co., Ltd., of Ryland Street, Birmingham, W.C., of the latest form of " Midland-Ajax" detachable solid-band tire. This maker claims that its special type of renewable band embodies one of the most, simple and effective methods that has yet been evolved for the rapid replacement of solid rubber tires. The "Midland-Ajax" device has been thoroughly tested on high-powered pleasure and industrial vehicles of various kinds, and we are informed by the maker that thorough confidence is now felt in this special form of fixing.
The illustrations accompanying this notice are separately of an Ajax band tire and of an ordinary road-wheel with the special felloe adapted for the
reception of such a tire. The method of construction is plainly shown in these two rep r oduc tions. The inner surface of the steel band which forms the base of the tire is fitted with four keys which are dovetailed and of a slightlytaper section. The keyways in the steel bands round the wheel felloe are similarly shaped ; the felloe bands are machined very accurately to such a diameter that the tires themselves may be fitted or removed without the aid of anything in the nature of a press or cramp. When the tires are put on the wheel and the keys are pushed home in the keyways as far as possible, the two loose side flanges are placed in position, one on each side, and are there fixed by bolts passing through the wooden felloe of the wheel.
It is claimed that creeping or shifting is entirely The grooved feline band.
obviated by means of this new method of a t fa c hment, and that "Midland Ajax"
tires a r e rapidly and readily interchangeable o n the road.
Like other forms of tire fitting which do not call for the aid of a tire press, this Ajax method is of particular interest to the users of solidtired motor vehicles in the Colonies. Petrol-tank Filters.
In the issue of this journal for the 15th of last month, we published a communication from one of the contributors to our Drivers' and Mechanics' " columns with regard to a simple and effective form of petrol-tank filter. It may be remembered that we awarded one of the weekly 10s. prizes for this contribution. We have since -received communications from the Parsons Motor Co., Ltd., of Town Quay, Southampton, and from Mr. Conrad T. New, of Winchcombe, Gloucester, and in each of these a claim is made that the device which was described in letter No, 880, on page 319 of the above-mentioned issue was not original. In each of these subsequent letters a claim is made that not only had the same idea been adopted by the writer some bug time ago, but that the complete filter had since then been on the market. in much the same form as that described by our original correspondent.
We are• satisfied from correspondence which we have had with the writer of the first letter that he was entirely unaware of the existence of similar devices at the time of his writing.
We also have to remind our other correspondents that. we do not necessarily claim definite originality for the contributions which we publish on our drivers' page, although that characteristic carries considerable weight when we are awarding bonuses or selecting suitable letters for publication. Nevertheless, we are happy to give publicity to the claims made by the Parsons Motor Co., Ltd., and by Mr. Conrad New.
The Parsons Motor Co. slates that it has been selling a filter of similar construction for some years. It may interest many of our readers to know that the complete fittings may be obtained from stock from the works at Town Quay, Southampton_
Mr. Conrad T. New informs us that he patented a similar arrangement in 1909, and that he used it for something like two years prior to that year. He has produced a model which is particularly suitable for application to motor-bicycle petrol tanks. J. and R. Oldfield, Ltd., of the Refulgent Lamp Works, Birmingham, marketed this speciality under the name of the " New Dependance " Petrol Filter. The patent is numbered 25,626-1909.
About Worms.
We have received from David Brown and Sons (Huddersfield), Ltd., Park Gear Works, Lockwood, Huddersfield, a copy of its latest booklet dealing with the various forms of worm gearirw which are produced by this maker in such quantities, for embodiment in commercial-motor-vehicle chassis, in addition to the many other forms of employment on all classes of high-grade modern machinery. The introductory note to this booklet makes mention of the traditional prejudice which had so long existed with regard to the employment of worm-gearing for many purposes. The claims which are specifically set forward on behalf of worm-gear as a type of design are : its absolute quietness, even when worn ; the increased strength and reliability owing to the form of tooth adopted by this maker ; and the large range of reduction ratios that can be obtained with constant centres. This handy little publication includes several useful sectional illustrations and a page; of useful formulse for standard worm-gear.