Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/451

 �Popular Science Monthly

A Safety Device Which Takes the "Kick" Out of a Ford

TWO Wisconsin inventors have recently ob- tained a patent on a device that effectually prevents back firing and kick ing when cranking a Ford with the spark left ad- vanced. It consists of an arrangement fast- ened to the commuta- tor which automati- cally retards the spark to the point of easiest starting when the crank is turned.

As seen in the smaller photograph at the right, the spark is left ^ advanced, lowering the de- vice so that it comes between the ratchets on the crank and those on the crank shaft. Before the crank can en- gage the shaft, the arm of the device must be pushed out of the ratchets on the crank, as shown in the large photograph. Pushing this arm out automatically retards the spark to what has been found to be the point where the motor starts easiest. After this the crank is free to start the motor.

However, it is impossible to start the motor until the device has been pushed out as far as it will go and the spark re- tarded. Of course this is not necessary where the spark has been retarded before cranking. But in the majority of cases where injuries have been sustained while cranking a car, the spark has been advanced a considerable distance. It is impossible to advance the spark from the seat while anyone is cranking the car. The arrange- ment can be put on the car without remov- ing the timer or chang- ing or altering any parts.

More than fifty dif- ferent models were ex- perimented with be- fore one was found that met all require- ments. With this de- vice ijn operation, practically all danger is eliminated from the cranking up.

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��At left: The safety device between the ratchets. At right above: The shaft pushed out of the ratchets to automatically retard the spark

The Clam-Shell Makes Its Debut as an Interior Decoration

TO make a picture like the farmer boy in the accompanying illustration, you need not be a gifted artist or even a good photographer. All that is needed to secure a perfectly artistic effect is a square of colored cardboard for mounting, a figure cut out of a magazine, fashion sheet or advertisement, and a bit of white cotton or black or brown wool such as is used for crocheting or knitting, and a clam shell. The lines of the face are made with pen and ink. The cut-out figure is first pasted on the mounting board; then the clam-shell head is adjusted and stuck on with mucilage. The placing of the hair affords scope for in- dividuality. The grass and sprigs of flowers are painted in. If you happen to be somewhat of an art- ist, you can paint in the whole figure, but very good effects are obtained with the paper cut-outs.

If the trousers are cut from sandpaper, they will afford a con- venient place on which to scratch matches. The placard can then be hung on the wall near the matchbox.

���The clam-shell farmer boy with paper cut-out body and hair of cotton

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