From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Page from 'The Motor' magazine discussing new automotive features like Rapid Jacks, an unpuncturable tyre, and a hood lifting device.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 76\4\ scan0020 | |
| Date | 18th June 1919 | |
| The Motor 634 June 18, 1919. RAPID JACKS. whatever has been overlooked by the inventor to render the device thoroughly efficient; the mechanism is effectively enclosed rendering it quite immune from the intrusion of road grit and mud, whilst the need for lubrication is practically non-existent. Another important advantage of the system is that should it become necessary to store the car for any length of time all four jacks can be brought into operation and the car entirely raised and left so for any length of time. The question of weight will naturally occur to the reader. The total weight of each jack is only 5 lb. It is manufactured of mild steel castings, the operating mechanism being of phosphor-bronze, and a complete set costs £15, the makers being Messrs. Lake and Elliot, Ltd., Braintree, Essex. It should be mentioned that a large number of orders are already in hand, so that further deliveries cannot be guaranteed before the end of September. After the demonstration of the ease with which the Rapid jack can be manipulated, and considering the manifest advantages of having it embodied as a unit, on large cars, at any rate, we cannot see why it should not be adopted as a standard fitting for all heavy vehicles. Showing all four jacks extended. An Unpuncturable Tyre. We were somewhat impressed, during our conversation with Mr. Rapson by the fact that this versatile inventor is, apparently with some inconsistency, but certainly with great ingenuity, working in the direction of rendering the motorist's task easy in the case of tyre trouble, and at the same time in producing a non-puncturable tyre and a simplified and more efficient form of detachable wheel. It is not possible at this stage to reveal the features of the tyre, though it is permissible to state that we are impressed by its principle, which Mr. Rapson has made known to us. Tests which have already been carried out by Mr. Rapson have proved the need for certain alterations which have to be carried into effect before the R.A.C. trial of the tyre is commenced. Simplifying the Lifting of the Hood. We have already referred to the hood lifting device invented by Mr. Rapson, which embodies his patented anti-friction thread. The key which is used for operating the jack is also used for rotating the screw shaft which either lowers or raises the hood with an ease that is surprising. This device is fitted by Messrs. Barker and Co., Ltd., of South Audley Street, London, W., but a point that should be mentioned is that it must be incorporated in the design of the body. This concern is recommending the fitting of both the hood and the jacks to cars. The particular Rolls-Royce car on which Mr. Rapson is demonstrating his devices has an interesting history, and this is dealt with by "Contact" on another page. R.A.C. BADGES. Owing to the difficulties that the motor factories are experiencing in the period of transition from war to peace production, the Royal Automobile Club reports some delay in obtaining delivery of the badges which associate members display on their cars. The R.A.C. announces that it is particularly anxious... [rest of paragraph illegible] This operating mechanism of the Rapid Jack. On the left is the locking device; in centre is a sectional view... on the right the jack is shown complete with the worm exposed and the clamp as illustrated is for the rear axle casing. 414 | ||