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).
Safety interlock for the electric starter to prevent operation unless the vehicle is in neutral.
| Identifier | Morton\M3.6\ img031 | |
| Date | 1st July 1919 | |
| To BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to C.J. " " " EH. (crossed out) " " " DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} " " " EFC. ORIGINAL. R1/G23/7/19. 4 D RE ELECTRIC STARTER. X. 308 JUL 1919 X.2641 33/Y It is my impression that with an electric starter it is highly desirable that this shall be arranged so as to be impossible to operate unless the change speed lever is in the centre, (neutral) I should be glad to know if it is the opinion of yourself and others at the Works whether it is worth while adding a switch to enable this security to be obtained. You will notice in our case, by the use of our relay circuit we are able to do this more easily than most other people. With the Buick, for instance, it is hardly possible. Moreover, the gear is very liable to be knocked in either the reverse or any of the forward gears. The suggestion made by me of operating the press button with the foot, ensures the clutch being in, which is a decided advantage, and we only need now ensure that the gears are out to have a perfect system. in this respect R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||