A NEAT DIRECTION INDICATOR.
Page 15
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ANEAT and intereaing indicating device for motor vehicles has been :invented by Metiers. 1-.): W. Scott, 46, "Newlands Road, High West. jeemond, Newcasile-on-Tyne, and T. Crow.
The device consists of an attachment which can be fitted to the front of the rear lamp on a vehicle, or it can take the place of the front glass or lens. It consists -of two discs, one of which is fitted With a red glass and the other with a green glass. Each disc is cut . -with teeth somewhat similar to those of an ordinery bevel wheel. The discs are BO arranged that when placed in position the teeth of each mesh with two small bevel pinions carried by a single 'vertical shaft.
The upper of these two pinions rides freely on the shaft, but the lower is attached by a pin, and to the shaft is attached a flexible connection by which it is driven.
Conveniently situated to the diiver's hand is a.small lever attached to a bevel wheel which drives a, bevel pinion fixed to the front end of the flexible shaft. The effect of moving this lever is to rotate the two discs in opposite directions, so that the red and green lights can be shown side by side, the red light at the side to which the vehicle is about to tarn, or the red light, only can be
shown when the lever is in the midway position. •
To enable both lights to be . seen at the BMW time when required a portion of the outer disc is cut, away, as can be seen in the illustration. Attached to the outer disc is a signal arm, which is, of course, more useful in the day time than
the system of red and green lights.
It is too' early yet to say exactly what the retail price of this useful little accessory will be, but we understand that, it will be quite reasonable and in the neighbeurhood. of Ll 15s.., which, considering the useful function such an .instrument. fulfils, cannot be thought excessive -when the prices of even the small accessories are taken into consideration. The question as to the necessity or otherwir of fitting devices of this ,description has already caused a certain ,amount, of controversy, and as to whether they Will come into general 1..1,e or otherwise depends to a great extent upon the official view that may be taken of the Matter in the near future.
On some machines, particulady on those where the bodies are of such a type P8 to prevent the drivers from giving any indication of their route to the drivers of following vehicles, some foirm of signalling device is urgently called .for ; need also applies to those vehicles fitted with left-hand drive. At present remarkably few motors are provided with any auxiliary signalling device, and even if so fitted in the future it is a matter of doubt as to whether the drivers will utilize them except under compul sion.