Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/279

 Popular Science Monthly

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��A Small Sand Spreader Is Useful All the Year Round

THE small two-wheeled bin device shown below is particularly adapted for spreading sand over small areas such as icy cross walks in the winter or over oily streets, or for scattering fertilizer in the summer. The sand is spread uniformly with no bare spots or large piles, hence this is preferable to the hand method. The device also applicable to the spread- ing of ashes over country walks.

The apparatus con- sists of a funnel-shaped bin mounted on an axle with two wheels and provided with front and rear handles so that it may be pushed along from either end. A vertical rectangular open- ing is provided at the bot- tom of the bin with a slide- door through which the sand or other material to be spread drops upon a circu- lar horizontal plate held in a vertical shaft on a frame attached to the axle. The circular plate is directly beneath the bin opening and is provided with curved radiating fins. The plate is revolved at a speed varying with that at which the cart is pushed by means of a set of bevel gears and a chain driven off a large sprocket on one of the wheels. The sand dropping on the plate is thrown off by centrifugal force when the plate auto- matically revolves as the cart is pushed along. In this way the sand or fertilizer, or whatever may be the contents of the bin, is distributed evenly whether the cart is pushed slowly or rapidly.

��The Newest Child's "Pushmobile." It Is Built on a Novel Principle

A CHILD'S hand -propelled pushmobile has been invented by Charles R. van Horn of Aberdeen, Wash. The lower end of the operating lever is coupled by two connecting rods with the gearing that drives the rear wheels and propels the vehicle. The connecting rods are attached to the lever at different points; they also engage the first gear wheel at different portions. Hence, any dead center is eliminated. Whatever its position, the lever will immedi- ately start the vehicle when any pres- sure is exerted on it.

���A child can drive this ingenious vehicle with one hand. The diagram at the right explains the principle involved

���Platform

��Drive sprocket

��Steering wheel

���The funnel-shaped bin with its circular plate underneath, spreads the sand automatically

��A child can drive this machine with one hand. The steering is controlled by a rotatable handwheel mounted on the pro- pelling lever. Two flexible cords connect this steering-wheel with opposite portions of a cross member attached to the mounting of the front wheel. The propelling lever is not tilted from side to side like a tongue but always moves in a straight forward-and- back direction lengthwise of the platform of the pushmobile. In fact, this steering wheel is operated likethatof an automobile, so that the child in learning to drive the toy. push- mobile is really trained to govern a big car.

For coasting, the gearing can be shifted out of operative connection with the propelling lever, the coasting device being regulated by the child's foot.

As an exerciser, this form of vehicle leaves nothing to be desired. Practically every muscle of the child's body is brought into action — notwithstanding the fact that the operation is smooth and easy. Naturally, the faster one wishes to go the more effort must be expended.

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