T1 TIRING the past 18 JJ month's great strides have
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been made in the production of sliding roofs for saloon cars, and builders of motor coaches have studied many methods of adapting to their products this necessary feature. There are, of course, greater difficulties to be contended with in the fitting of such roofs to the present-day vehicles having large seating capacities than to private cars, which are seldom designed to accommodate more than seven people.
It will readily be appreciated that It is no easy matter to construct a sliding top which will, at the same time, alio* half or more than half the roof to be open and yet remain rattleproof when open or shut and waterproof when dosed,. Furthermore, warping and weight are obstacles to be contended with, so that designers have had a big problem to face in the production of satisfactory forms of all-Weather head for the large passenger vehicle.
One of the many concerns to tackle the problem is the firm of Messrs. William Dickens, motor body builders, of Pinfold Gate, Loughborough. This firm have built and patented a type of roof which opens for nearly half the head area, remaining, in all positions, rattleproof, and, when closed, withstands the heaviest rainstorms.
The construction and operation of this novel roof are as follow
Sliding panel, which is built up of mahogany, carries on its lateral edges plates which are some 3 ins. wide. These plates slide on runners of strip steel, which are screwed to the fixed portion of the bodywork. In order to keep the sliding portion in place, an ingenious clamping arrangement is provided. Movable links, which are operated by a lever on each side, bring further strips down tight upon the upper surfaces of the sliding plates. That is to say, when one of the levers is pulled downward the upper strip is clamped
down tight upon the sliding plates, parallel motion being provided by the links, so that the plates are pressed firmly upon the lower runners.
The position of the clamping strips is determined by the quadrants, each provided with two positions for the operating levers. The levers are, of course, at the forward end of the roof and can easily be reached by the driver or his attendant.
The linking device is supported on angle members running the whole length of the body and secured to mahogany fillets which are fixed direct to the main bodywork. All the movable parts are covered by strips of steel mounted along the lateral and top-side edges of the sliding portion of the roof, and in order to prevent water percolating through to the inside of the roof rubber strips are interposed, making a practically watertight joint, whatever be the position of the roof.
In order to dispose of water that may find its way in, as well as water which may accumulate when the roof is open, drain holes are drilled through the supports, conveying moisture away from the movable parts and dispersing it into troughs, along which it runs to the rear of the vehicle.
At the forward end of the roof opening there is provided a housing into which the head snugly fits. Sheetrubber pads on the sliding portion ensure waterproof and draughtproof joints. '
The roof is fitted with a handle to facilitate its movement and it can be slid with ease into any position, where it may be locked securely.
On the vehicle inspected the entire job was carried out in a most thorough manner, and, in addition to the fact that the woodwork throughout was of mahogany, the sliding roof was veneered and panelled to match.
When fully opened, the area exposed on a Commer Car 26-seater coach was 6 ft 6 ins. by 5 ft. It is also ;interesting to note that this yebide has been in service by C. Shaw and Son, of Coalville, onthe Coalville-Loughborough Road and has been subjected to the recent severe thunderstorms. The owner, Mr. Shaw, is highly pleased with the service it has given over had roads and in the inclement weather, whilst his passengersappreciate, on summer days, the open roof,