A NOVELTY IN SPANNERS.

Northland Age, Volume VIII, Issue 10, 27 October 1911, Page 8

A NOVELTY IN SPANNERS.

A novel spanner, adapted for cyclists and others, which is being introduced by Messrs. Herbert Terry and Sons, Redditch, England is shown in the accompanying cut. The jaws of the spanner are fitted with a series of tempered steel blades which hinge over, producing the size required, yet preserving rigidity. It is made in sizes adapted both for cyclists and motorists.

PROPELLER ■ DRIVEN BICYCLE. f With a view to securing exact data for a ped’al-driven aeroplane with which he has been experimenting, Marius Michel, in France, equipped an ordinary bicycle with an aerial propeller, as shown in the illustration. Instead of the drive being taken to the rear wheel, it is transmitted by chain to an intermediate t sprocket just back of the bicycle head, and by a second chain to bevel gears driving the propeller shaft. Trials on a track on the level road have shown that the propeller-driven bicycle was superior in speed to one with chain drive to the rear wheel. This, however, has already been proved by the experiments made with motor cycles several years ago by Ernest Archdeacon, Anzani and the late Captain Ferber, all notable aeroplanists. Since then, progress has been made in propeller design and construction, ifml much higher relative efficiency has been obtained by Michel with his one-man power than was secured by Anzani with hi* twin-cylinder racing motor-cycle. Having discovered by practical axperiments the most efficient form oi propeller and the most satisfactory gear ratios, Marius Michel is having these fitted to a propeller-driven glider. It is not expected that anyone will be able to make prolonged flights with this, but that the addition of tho pedal-driven propeller will lengthen the gliding flights over suitable hillsides. Although of no practical utility in itself, the propeller-driven bicycle offers interest as a machine for use on race tracks, for it will afford a now form of competition against tho ordinary type of bicycle and an opportunity for the exercise of the skill of the designer and constructor of tho propeller.