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).
Steering wheel for the Bentley V and hand brake ratchet protection.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\3\ scan0193 | |
| Date | 3rd June 1939 | |
| B.V. Contd. - 6 - STEERING WHEEL. For first series Bentley V.{VIENNA} we have introduced the present type of Bentley ll. 'M' series wheel, that is, with three spokes, but with a thinner rim, the rim being the same dimensions as the four spoked Bentley II steering wheel. It will be remembered that on the three spoked wheel for 'M' series by some fault of the makers the rim was increased in sectional dimensions. The ultimate position of the steering wheel will be that we will produce a design of wheel suitable for Cellulose Acetate construction, and that ROY{Sir Henry Royce}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} has inviewed Wilmot Breedon, who agree that there is no intrinsic difficulty in producing a wheel with flexible spokes, that is to say, that the amount of cellulose on the spokes will be such as not to interfere with their flexibility. We are preparing a design to cover this requirement, which will not have the large boss necessary for the inclusion of the traffic indicator switch, which we do not intend to incorporate in the steering column head. HAND BRAKE RATCHET PROTECTION AGAINST FLYING STONES. It was found that jamming was principally due to mud, sand etc. lodging in the mechanism at the lowest point of the lever and the shield was tending to accentuate this. At Experimental Department's recommendation the shield has therefore been removed. A new scheme with more complete protection has been designed, and will shortly be tried. Other experimental devices for increased simplicity and economy are also being tried. | ||