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BUILDING THE Ban TO FIT THE WORK W ELL, Keen," said

7th August 1936, Page 32
7th August 1936
Page 32
Page 33
Page 32, 7th August 1936 — BUILDING THE Ban TO FIT THE WORK W ELL, Keen," said
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Trays, Refrigerator

Smithson, the baker, to his fellow-tradesman, at the club, " how many trays can you get into your new van?"

" Sixty-seven," replied Keen.

"But it was only 63 with the other van you had recently and they are both the same size, aren't they? "inquired Smithson.

"I have a well-floor built in at the back of the latest van, which gives space for another four trays," said Keen. " The only drawback is that the trays for this part of the van are not standard ones, but of two odd sizes. However, they are finished in a different colour, so that they are easily distinguished when they are out of the van."

"DO you load entirely from the back? "inquired Smithson.

"No," said Keen. "The two front tiers are loaded from each side, 14 trays lengthwise on the near side and seven trays crosswise on the off side."

"Ever have accidents with the top row of trays? Even an experienced man may let a tray slip when he has to lift with his arms fully extended upwards."

" Very seldom," replied Keen, "but the new van has a wide folding step at the back, which makes matters easier. Of course, you could have a tailboard and stand on that, but a step would still be required to get on to the tailboard quickly. if it is not easy to reach the upper trays, the men are tempted to use empty trays laid on the ground as temporary platforms."

n22 Smithson signified his assent. Taking a photograph from his pocket, he passed it to his companion, saying : "What do you think of that for a small van to carry bread and smalls?"

His friend examined the picture. It was of a van with a pair of back doors and a tailboard. These were open, showing a row of small trays under the roof.

"What's the idea of having the trays at the top, instead of at the bottom, and do you find the tailboard of much use? " asked Keen.

" Well, I think," replied Smithson, " with the trays at the top, there is more useful space left on the floor. After all, you seldom load up to the roof, so why not use the space for the trays? They are easy to reach and no shelf is necessary.

"You will notice that the tailboard is so arranged that, when closed, it projects only a few inches above the floor. In that position it prevents the bread from falling out at the rear, whilst, when extended, it is a handy shelf for depositing a tray, because, as you know, you often have to pull out a tray to get at the one behind it."

"There's a lot to be said for your line of argument," replied Keen, "but I prefer to have the trays at the bottom, although, like you, I believe in a tailboard for a small van. With my three latest vans, I have four trays below a midway shelf. There are two on floor angle-irons

naming between the wheel-arches and another two trays immediately above, the full width of the van, and just under the shelf."

" But surely the trays are not the full length of the van? " .queried Smithson.

" Oh ! no," replied Keen. " There is a door on each side below the shelf and in front of the wheel-arch. Here a flap lets down and exposes a pair of trays on each side. The hinged flail, like the tailboard, can be used as a support for a tray. There is also the advantage that I have direct access to any of the eight trays.

"-Another point is that the tailboard encloses the tray compartment at the back, so that the trays need not be exposed when opening the van for bread. For one customer who asks for, or has ordered, cakes, at least 10 want only bread, except at the end of the week. Therefore, I believe in extra-easy access to the loaves. On each side there is a sliding window, and at the back a roller shutter, which drops to at the top of the tailboard."

" Sounds good," admitted Smithson. "1 should like to have a look at one of these vans, if I may."

Shortly afterwards, the two tradesmen were standing by the van in question.

" This sliding window of yours works smoothly," said Smithson.

"Ball bearings," explained Keen, "and hung from the top." Rather a large piece of glass. What about breakages? " asked Smithson.

"Well, it is armoured glass and nothing has happened so far. I like a glass panel, because it makes the van look lighter, also more attractive, because the loaves are displayed, although protected from the weather. The roundsman says he likes the van. He describes it as a time-saver."

" Does he keep his basket on the bread shelf'? "

"Yes, but I think there is room for improvement there. Nearly all bakers use a basket large enough for seven or eight loaves, yet often it has only two or three in it when it is carried to the house. I think a shallow basket, more rectangular in shape, would be better and would take up less room.

" I have a sidecar ontfit for one of my rounds and, as space is valuable, the baiket is carried on the roof. • Come and have a look at it."

" That's a smart little turn-out," said Smithson. " I like the sliding roof in the fore part, better than a lid, in which you may trap your fingers. I see you have fixed side windows. What's at the back?"

" Just a mid-way shelf and, of course, a casing for the sliding panel. No back doors, but a roller shutter above a fixed lower panel."

"You certainly appear to believe in having the vehicle designed for the job. I wonder what kind of a van you would have if you did a lot of catering? "

"I could use one, or perhaps two, of my large vans, but if I were having a special body built," said Keen, I should fit it up with a refrigerator across the front, with shelves and drawers on each side of it. Then, leaving space for the doors and drawers to open, I should have shelves and lockers on each side of the remainder of the van for table linen, cutlery, glass and so on, whilst the space in the centre gangway could be used for packing seats, etc.'

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People: Smithson, Keen

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