WELL-PLANNED EQUIPN
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:4—le NT MAKES THE VAN Our Body-building Expert Outlines Features of Movable Rack Assemblies, Bulkhead Shutters and Doors, Fixed and Folding Shelves THE utility of a van fitted with runners, for sliding trays, is obviously increased if it can be utilized for other purposes, such as carrying goods in bulk, or in cases, o in other instances when loading in trays would be Imsuitable. One or more tiers of -trays may be removed so that more freedom of loading is available between the vacant pairs of runners. If more width be required for the load, thenit. will be an advantage if some of the runner assemblies or racks, consisting of the anglerunners and the stanchions to Which they are fastened; may. be removed, or their position varied..
A caterer's van often has an. equip-. meat . of runners . to accommodate • three tiers of sliding trays and there are intermediate racks which have runners on eaCh side of the stanchions. Usually each rack consists of a unit extending, the full length of the body, but, in this instance, it is more often made up of front and rear units, which are arranged to slide in floor grooves and, at the top, between
pairs of guides.
If the rear half • of the van be required for a special load andthe .empty trays are to becarried, then the rear halves of the racks may be removed and the empty trays piled edgewise between the front racks.
On the other hand if a mixed load is to be carried part of it on trays and the remainder piled on the floor, then the rear halves of the racks can be slid out of the van, as already mentioned, but, in this instance, the front halves of the racks are pulled to the is36 rear, so that a clear space is available in the forward part of the van. Access -is 'afforded by -a -pair of nearside doors.
As a rule, in any schemes of movable-rack assemblies it is unnecessary to disturb the racks, which are secured to the sidee of the van... However, as facilities for side loading are, in this case, provided special mounting of that portion of the rack which crosses the side opening is essential.
The runners could be divided, and attached to the inside of the doors, but this might lead to lack of alignment if any alteration took place in the hanging of the doors. Moreover, a safety device would be necessary, in order to prevent the doors from being opened when the front racks were loaded with trays.
Therefore, the side rack, by the door, should be fastened by thumbnuts, or a similar device, to the body pillars at each side of the door opening, so that the rack is independent of the doors. When the doors are used, the rack is detached.
To ensure that a tray will slide smoothly over the point where the front and rear racks meet, the inner ends of the runners should be
rounded. Also, the forward ends of the front movable-rack assemblies should have stopped ends. These restrict the movement of the trays when these racks are in position at the rear of the van.
Value of a Removable Shelf.
A delivery van often has a midway shelf running the full length and width of the loading portion. Usually this shelf is removable as a whole or in portions, if a load is to be carried which requires the full headroom of the vehicle.
A shelf equipment which allows much variation in the arrangement of the load is in four sections, two being hinged to each side of the body. The shelves, when horizontal, are supported by removable, flitch-plated crossbars, which are kept in position on angle-iron runners.
This method of support provides a clear space both above 'and below the shelf. The two front or two rear sections may be used independently and the operation of any section is quickly effected.
As an alternative, the shelf sections
may be hung from the roof by rods, each .having an eye at one end and a
hook at the other. This method allows any one section to be used alone, or two sections on the same side, without any obstructing cross bars on the other side. As a shelf
section, even in a small van, would be about 2 ft. El ins, wide, it is considered that the plan of hanging from the roof is better than supporting the shelf underneath, on a hinged bracket, apart from the fact that such a bracket would be an obstruction to loading under the shelf.
Reaching the Loading Section.
When the van has a partition
behind the driver's compartment, with a near-.side opening, this opening may extend to the floor, or to the seat level only. With the latter type of opening it is necessary to step over the seat in order to enter the loading portion.
As the seat foundation is the full width of the body the seat-board may he hinged in two portions to form a comparatively large locker. The bottom of the opening being within easy reach, a new use may be found for the roller shutter by fitting one in this position. The near-side seat may have a removable backrest, which
drops into holders on each side of the opening.
For a bulkhead opening reaching to the floor, a sliding door can be hung on a ball-race runner and the near-side half of the seat can lift to the off side.
A casing is usually provided for a sliding door when it is hung at the side of the loading portion, but it is not always fitted for a bulkhead door. Such a casing helps to ensure the free movement of the door and may be utilized as an end-support fot side shelving. Windows are not used to any great extent, for lighting the loading portions of a van. No doubt it is considered that the back doors, when open, give sufficient natural lighting, also that windows, unless guarded, are apt to be broken. Apart from
the fact that toughened glass is now available, it is, nevertheless, suggested that one or two windows, even small ones, would often save switching on -the interior lamps, as well as relieve an expanse of panelling.
There are usually some dark corners in the Luton-type front of a large van. Here the lighting may consist of windows let in at the top of the curved front. The glass may be flat and set at an angle, or bent to shape, as is the case with the cantrail windows of a modern coach.