Automatic vehicle washing machines were playing havoc with the warning beacons mounted on a telecommunication company's giant vehicle fleet. As well as the £15 replacement for beacons regularly demolished by the brushes, there was also the lost time and inconvenience involved in replacing them.

The inspirational solution from Lamb Engineering's Technical Team led to the development of a completely new product to overcome the problem.

It was clear that the way forward on the client's costly dilemma was a bracket to enable the beacon to flap down out of the way as soon as it came in contact with the cleaning brushes.

The Technical Team recommended updating a simple, proven technique - the old-fashioned door closure system which relies on a spung ball bearing recessed into the door frame.

Modifying the system for the beacon application, Lamb Engineering opted for stainless steel as the most suitable material for the bracket to avoid rusting in the harsh all-weather environment. It also provided a satisfactorily hard running surface for the ball bearing.

After tests were carried out at the client's premises, a new stainless steel spring was designed and produced. It provides exactly the right pressure to hold the bracket up on a windy motorway but is equally balanced to let the beacon flap back when pushed by the brushes. The mechanism was fitted to a welded tubular stainless steel support.

To complete the comprehensive service, even the non-standard sized stainless steel bearings were sourced by Lamb.

Since then, 75,000 of the specially-adapted brackets have been manufactured by Lamb Engineering. They are despatched to the client's centres around the UK along with a fitting kit, enabling the client to carry out the final task of making the beacons damage proof.