Abstract: A safety unit for use on vehicles such as school buses. In one embodiment, a housing is provided for the drive motor and related elements for moving a stop sign on the side of the bus between its retracted and extended positions. The housing has a removable cover to provide access to the drive motor and related elements, and the stop sign is mounted on a driveshaft that extends through a single opening in the bottom wall of the housing. In a second embodiment the safety unit is integrated with an access panel on the school bus.

Abstract: A ventilating unit for mounting in the top wall of a vehicle that includes a frame and a panel movable between an open and a closed position in the frame. An operating mechanism is provided which includes linkages connected to opposite sides of the panel, and two electric motors connected to the linkages and independently operable to selectively raise either one, or both of the sides of the panel. At least one latching member may be included in the operating mechanism to assist in maintaining the panel in its closed position.

Abstract: A school bus crossing or a mounting system that more fully integrates the crossing arm and the bumper. To achieve this, the primary mounting brackets for the crossing arm drive system may be mounted to the bus chassis and an opening is formed in the bumper itself. The crossing arm is mounted to the drive system such that the arm projects through the opening in the bumper. Alternatively, the primary mounting brackets may be mounted to an inner surface of the bumper. A recess may be formed into an outer surface of the bumper such that the crossing arm is at least partially tucked into the recess when retracted. In one embodiment, there is no recess in the bumper. The crossing arm is contoured to follow the outer surface of the bumper.

Abstract: An actuating device for operating a safety unit mounted on a vehicle which includes a motor having an output shaft, a movable support for supporting the safety unit and moving it between its retracted and extended positions, and a non-mechanical switch arrangement that includes a pair of beam generators and sensors located in the path of the beams, and a plate for interrupting the beam and generating one control signal, and permitting passage of the beam to the sensor to generate another control signal. A control circuit is provided to operate the motor and movable support between its retracted and extended positions in response to the sensor's signals.