New Ideas

GOODS & SERVICES

Big Lift. The biggest general-purpose forklift truck ever made was demonstrated by Clark Equipment Co. The dramatic-looking Ranger-700 can lift 35 tons (35 times the capacity of smaller truck lifts), has 6-ft.-high tires, and two sets of controls, between which the operator in his air-conditioned cab can swing to keep his view unblocked. It can lift a trailer carrying half a dozen autos, hoist truck trailers on and off flat cars in rail road piggybacking. Ford has ordered five for its steel division. Price: $90,000 each.

Automatic Door Bottom. A gadget that automatically shuts off under-door drafts, dust and noise was put on sale by Minneapolis' Reese Metal Weatherstrip Co. Easily fitted onto wooden doors, the device has a torsion spring that automatically retracts a felt-edged aluminum bar when the door opens, allowing the door to swing freely over carpets or rugs, then forces the bar snugly against the threshold when it closes. Price: $2.75 to $3.45, depending on size and color.

Boat Cover. A lightweight fiberglass cover for small boats was put on the market by Baltimore's Triangle Mfg. Co. Tailored in sizes for boats 12 ft. to 18 ft. long, the cover will not rip or mildew, weighs only 5 Ibs. in the 18-ft. size. Price: $12.99 (12-footer) to $19.99 (18-footer).

Wax Bullets. For fast-draw target practice for policemen or gun buffs, Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co. is introducing a wax bullet in a plastic cartridge case that can be fired from .38-cal. and .45-cal. standard revolvers. The bullets use a chemical primer but no powder, are "reasonably accurate" at 25 ft., can inflict no serious damage on innocent bystanders.

Speech Prompter. For businessmen, teachers and other frequent speechmakers, Chicago's Telit Industries has a scaled-down version of the TV TelePrompTer, called the TelExecutive. The typed speech is held on a roll that moves across an illuminated plastic panel, can be slowed, quickened or reversed by a hand control used by the speaker. Cost: $169.50 v. about $2,300 for the commercial TV prompter.

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