A NEW SPRING-POST FOR BICYCLES.--This post does not seem to have the
objectionable features that other spring-posts have. It is small, neat,
compact, and at the same time does its work admirably, as we have reason
to know, having had it tested. The illustration shows quite clearly how
it is constructed. To the ordinary observer, when it is attached to a
bicycle it appears to be an common seat-post; the spring, however,
prevents the constant vibration which is so trying to the rider and so
hard on the machine, especially in riding over cobblestones.
Riding a machine with this spring-post, as compared with one without it,
is very much like riding in a spring carriage as compared with the
ordinary springless cart.
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[Illustration: Buoy with light]
A clever invention, which originated in France, is a life-saving buoy
that has been used on the River Seine in Paris. Persons falling into the
water at night often lose their lives because it is impossible to
ascertain their whereabouts; or, if a life-saving apparatus of any kind
is thrown to them in the darkness, they frequently drown before they can
find it. This small apparatus consists of a combination of a buoy with
an electric light; when the buoy is thrown into the water the light is
lighted automatically. In connection with this invention the life-savers
in Paris use a grappling-hook which we illustrate. This has an electric
light near the end in the oval space; this light makes it possible to
grapple for persons who may have gone down beneath the water.
[Illustration: Grappling Hook]
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[Illustration: Acetylene lamp]
We have also received from France the account of an invention in the
shape of a bicycle lamp in which acetylene is burned. The great
difficulty with the use of acetylene has heretofore been that the gas
will not burn unless under high pressure, and the receptacles in which
the gas is generated could not be so made as to insure them against
exploding. Acetylene gas, as generally used, is generated by bringing
water in contact with the calcium carbide. The gas forms so rapidly that
it is extremely difficult to control it, therefore the attention of
inventors has been directed to this question. This lamp seems to be a
very clever arrangement for producing the gas in the right quantity
without danger of explosion.
It is described very clearly by the illustration herewith. The upper
part, "E," is a small reservoir in which water is put; this water is
released in small quantities through the tube at the right, and, flowing
into the lower part of the lamp, comes in contact with the calcium
carbide, which is in the receptacle "P"; the gas thus generated is held
in the reservoir "G," and when sufficient pressure has been created is
forced out through the burner "B."
The lamp is small and compact; it is but four inches high, and yields a
beautiful bright light which will not blow out. When it is desired to
put the light out, the button "R" is pressed down, thus shutting off the
supply of water; this stops the generation of the gas, and the lamp soon
goes out.
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"C. H.," Germantown, Pa., asks if the bicycles used in the Klondike have
rubber tires. We have seen no authentic account of the use of bicycles
there. It is extremely improbable that any kind of a bicycle can be used
to advantage in the Arctic regions, although a bicycle may be ridden
with care safely on smooth snow or ice.