MAKING THE BEST USE OF A BOXVAN
Page 52
Page 53
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Designing Goods Vehicles with art Eye to Attractive Appearance and Utility Arrangements of Shelves and Doorways THE attractiveness of the boxvan is increased by devising a novel colour scheme or a display of writing. The most conventional type of vehicle compels more than a passing glance if its panels be the work both of the signwriter and the poster artist. The owner who has several vans may adopt the same display scheme for all of them, or have a different one for each vehicle, but retain in each instance a trade mark, a certain colour combination, or other device, so that a connecting link is formed between the various displays.
In addition to describing and illustrating on the panels the article sold, it is sometimes possible to show the actual commodity or package concerned. This is effected by means of a showcase let into the sides of the body. It is not intended that the an should be a travelling showroom or shop, but the showcase is of sufficient size to display a few samples which will enhance the vehicle's publicity value without detracting unduly from its loading capacity.
The length of the showcase is de• termined by the 'distance between three or four side pillars. With some vans it will be convenient to build the case on top of the wheel-arch enclosure and to make it the same size from back to front.
The case may extend at each end beyond the wheel-arch, without the necessity of any special support from the floor, which would form an obstruction to the load. Any lack of strength caused by the absence of the centre portion of some of the side pillars is compensated by corner plates at the ends of the case.
Reaching the Showcase.
Samples, or dummy cartons, which can be fixed to the shelves with concealed or unobtrusive fastenings, are selected. Access to the showcase for cleaning it, or introducing a fresh display, may be by means of panels arranged to hinge or slide, or retained with screws and cups. The back of the case may be plain or fitted with a mirror.
If the showcase be designed as a unit and the front glass held by a fillet, the whole may be removed and a panel substituted for the glass. Thus extra space is provided. in an emergency.
A boxvan sometimes carries goods in sacks and large cases, whilst, at other times, the load consists _ of many small packages. When the load is varied, it is an advantage if shelves he available. A scheme which should appeal to many operators incorporates a central gangway with a pair of hinged shelves on each side.
Each shelf slopes downwards from front to back and, as an additional precaution to ensure the safety of the packages, each shelf has front and end fillets. The shelves are supported at the back by their hinges and in front by stanchions, the feet of which engage with holes in the floor and bottom framework. The shelf is attached to the stanchion by a pin on its underside, which passes through a lug. an ttie stanchion. When the shelves are not required, they are folded up wards against the side of the body and held there by straps and turnbuttons.
One or two shelves may be brought into use, according to the exigencies of t h load: If, at any time, only the bottom shelf be required, then the upper part of the stanchions may be folded on it, for which purpose a knuckle joint is provided in the centre. When no shelves are wanted, the stanchions are lifted and laid on the floor.
With this arrangement the stanchions extend only to the upper shelf, and not to the roof, so that this shelf is unobstructed, As the shelves fold upwards, the width of the lower shelf is not restricted by the height of the wheel-arch, but by the headroom between the shelves. A similar assembly of shelves may be placed across the front of the van, or in one compartment of a large van with a crosspartition.
In view of the fact that the sliding roof has been highly developed for
the coach and private car, it is surprising-that few vans are equipped for loading or unloading by a crane. This advantage is obtained without detracting in any way from the full protection of the load during transit.
A sliding roof is easier to operate than the loose sheet of a .lorry. A sliding roof panel is a means for temporarily increasing the capacity of the van, because articles higher than the normal headroom of the body may be carried.
Sliding Roof Panel for Luton Vans.
If the van has a Luton-type front, there is the advantage that the extra length of roof affords more length for the travel of the moving panel. It will be remembered that one of the earliest types of opening roof fitted to coaches consisted of shutters operating transversely and rolling up in a housing along the centre of the roof. This arrangement could he modified for a van, in order to provide two large roof openings with a bridge pi ece between them. The shutters would not roll up as with the coach, but travel downwards into a casing on each side of the body. If the van has side doors, a large roof opening may be afforded by a 'flexible panel which travels into a casing at the back.
Lengthy items, such as piping, poles and ladders, are usually carded in an open lorry with a front gantry, so that the front of the load may extend over the cab roof. But the boxvan may be used for similar work if the front has openings in it, through which poles or ladders may pass. These openings may have hinged or sliding panels, so that there is full weather protection when the van has a normal load. To support the load the front of the van has a transverse reinforced rail.
The rear end of the load may rest on the open or closed tailboard, or on a removable bolster specially provided to take the wear. Back doors are unsuitable for a load which projects at the rear. As the van may be carrying other goods which should be protected from the weather, there are usually waterproof curtains above the tailboard.
When a van has hack doors or a roller shutter, there is the op■-portunity of fitting a safe and convenient folding step, which will not be obstructed by an open tailboard. The step has angle irons at each end, which are pivoted to stays of similar material, The foot of each stay is designed to form a stop, which keeps the step horizontal.