Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/53

 Popular Science Monthly

��Register for left rear

��spaced along its length on telescoping journals. Each journal carries a hub to which are attached curved radial arms or spiders of similar contour but of varying sizes. At their outer ends each set of spiders carries a con- centric ring in the same plane and these together constitute the face of the registering dial.

These rings are moved to the left or right of an assumed zero load line drawn from the center stud to the circumference of the casing by means of spur gears on the end of each' flexible shaft which extends through the back of the casing. The spur gears are within the casing and are arranged as Register tor planets around the central ,eft * rorTt stud and in mesh with the corresponding gears carried on it. This gearing is so arranged that the movement of the rings clockwise in reference to the zero line refers to the loads carried on the two right wheels of the truck, looking toward the front, and the counter clockwise turning of the alternate rings refers to the loads on the left wheels. Calibrations on each ring enable the load on the corresponding wheel to be read directly in multiples of ioo pounds or fractions of tons as desired.

With the dial mechanism remaining the same, the movement of the registering rings may be accom- plished in two other ways in one of which a piston attached to the vehicle frame works in a cylinder substituted in place of the vertical rack on the axle to force a fluid to a second cylin- der having a piston whose rod carries a rack turning the end of the flexible shaft leading to the measur- ing dial. The latter cylinder may be pro- vided with a small

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fluid well with a screw-in piston by means of which the compression of the fluid may be varied for calibration purposes.

Still another method employs a steel tape attached to the top of the axle near each wheel and carried over a roller on the vehicle frame and thence to a take-up wheel with a spring coiled around its axle and its outer end made fast to the frame.

��Not Even the Space Under This Desk Is Wasted

HENRY J. WILLIAMS, of Brookline, Massa- chusetts, has patented a filing rack which utilizes the

R e 9' 5 t er ^? r space under the desk beyond riqrvt front .1 u~c*.u~u tu~

��rig Register for right rear

��The load carried on each wheel is given on the dial. Above: How the revolution of the shaft is transmitted

���A sliding letter rack utilizes the waste space under the desk. This is locked into place

��the reach of the knees. The rack slides forward when the letters are being filed; then a push by the hand sends it back out of the way. The desk is thus as comfort- able as before, while expen- sive floor space otherwise wasted is made use of.

The rack consists of a platform which is supported upon waxed strips for guides. The platform can always be reached by the foot and drawn forward when wanted. A light chain on the platform is attached to the rear of the desk so that th« rack can- not be pushed too far forward and the letter files be spilled.

Two bars are provided in front, which when brought together and locked, prevent the files from being removed. The most popular office desk of the pres- ent day is the flat-top style. Under it there is an unusual amount of space which could easily be utilized to advantage by the in- stallation of such a cabinet or rack as the one described. The material or books are kept free from <lu«t.

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