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).
Correspondence with S. Smith & Sons regarding the testing and development of car jacks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 139\2\ scan0002 | |
| Date | 1st January 1934 | |
| X 311 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Dwg.10/KW. 1st January, 1934. Messrs. S. Smith & Sons (Motor Accessories) Ltd., Cricklewood Works, London, N.W.2. Dear Sirs, We beg to thank you for your two letters of the 28th and 30th ult. Whilst we are aware that by fitting heavier type Jacks the weight automatically increases, we definitely want a Jack that is capable of safely lifting a car on such gradients as the one on which we tested the lightweight set. We agree that the test to which these Jacks were put was fairly severe, though when the writer collected the car from Cricklewood he was informed that the Jacks were thoroughly tested on a 1 in 8 gradient. However, in your letter of the 28.12.33, you suggest that we should try a medium weight Jack of 4 1/2 lbs. We would much rather do this than the suggestion you put forward of having light Jacks at the front and heavier at the rear. We note that the new pump unit and set of Jacks will take about 3 weeks to complete; also that you can give us the extra 1/2" lift, which will be much more satisfactory. During the meantime we will look into the method of fixing these Jacks to the rear axle, as we may possibly be able to utilise some existing brackets. Also we must be very careful that we in no way decrease the buffer clearance, as we are doing slightly with the present type of clip. | ||