Patent · US Expired

Safety unit actuating device

US4956630A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
7References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 1989
Grant dateSep 11, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 8, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60Q1/52
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved actuating device for school bus safety unit, such as crossing arms and the like, which includes an arrangement for driving and controlling the crossing arm in a continuous predetermined arcuate path of movement, with the safety device being moved continuously back and forth in a sweeping motion that provides a moving barrier in areas adjacent the school bus where children may be placed in an unsafe situation, such as immediately adjacent the front bumper of the bus which is outside of the normal line of vision of the school bus operator. In one embodiment, an extendable line is anchored to the bus at one or both ends, and an intermediate portion of the line is engaged by the moving safety unit, whereby the line itself creates a changing barrier as the safety unit sweeps through its path of movement. A warning arrangement may also be provided to generate a warning signal to the school bus operator whenever the sweeping movement of the crossing arm is stopped or slowed, such as when a child is positioned in the path of movement of the crossing arm.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.