Ship’s-Wheel Device for a Radiator Valve
Leaving one’s comfortable bed to open the valve of a radiator in a cold room is an unpleasant task. The device shown in the sketch obviates the necessity for leaving the bed, yet gives as positive control over the valve as if the hand were on the valve wheel.
Draw on the Proper Cord to Open or Close the Valve
The construction of the pulley attached to the top of the valve wheel is shown in the small sketch at the right. It is built up of a center section of wood and flanges of sheet metal, fastened with screws. The pulleys attached to the wall are built in the same way, but are smaller. Any size that is convenient may be used for the larger as well as the smaller pulleys, but the larger pulley must be small enough so that it will not rub against the end of the radiator.
The cord is wound around the pulley at the valve handle, several times, like the steering cord on a motorboat. This gives a positive grip on the pulley. The cord may be conducted directly from the large pulley to the nearer small pulley, the other small one being omitted.
To operate the device draw on the proper cord to open and close the valve. It would be well to mark the cords with tabs so that they may be readily distinguished.—Contributed by P. D. Norton, Chicago, Ill.