Abstract: A warning system for vehicles that comprises a transmitter and a receiver for respectively transmitting a signal to an approaching vehicle or receiving a signal from an approaching vehicle. A light actuated upon receiving a signal from another vehicle and visible to the other vehicle indicates to the other vehicle that it is approaching a vehicle.

Abstract: A warning system for vehicles that comprises a transmitter and a receiver for respectively transmitting a signal to an approaching vehicle or receiving a signal from an approaching vehicle. A light actuated upon receiving a signal from another vehicle and visible to the other vehicle indicates to the other vehicle that it is approaching a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a magnetized element for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a magnetized element on the arm and an electromagnet on a vehicle bumper, the magnetized element and electromagnet disposed so as to engage the arm in a retracted position. When the reciprocating arm is moved to an extended position, current is passed through the electromagnet to repel the magnetized element, thereby allowing the arm to move to the extended position by a motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a magnetized element for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a magnetized element on the arm and an electromagnet on a vehicle bumper, the magnetized element and electromagnet disposed so as to engage the arm in a retracted position. When the reciprocating arm is moved to an extended position, current is passed through the electromagnet to repel the magnetized element, thereby allowing the arm to move to the extended position by a motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a lock for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a rotor provided with retaining fingers for engaging the reciprocating, rotatable between locked and unlocked positions. When the reciprocating arm is retracted the rotor rotates to the locked position, and drive circuitry deactivates the device in response to stalling of the rotor drive motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a lock for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a rotor provided with retaining fingers for engaging the reciprocating, rotatable between locked and unlocked positions. When the reciprocating arm is retracted the rotor rotates to the locked position, and drive circuitry deactivates the device in response to stalling of the rotor drive motor.

Abstract: A warning system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus which prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for passengers when shutting down the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment the system is activated when the vehicle safety flasher system is activated. Following activation an alarm sounds when the vehicle electrical system is deactivated by shutting off the engine unless the bus driver activates an alarm delay switch and within a preset time interval activates a disarming switch located near the back of the passenger compartment. Thus, in order to deactivate the warning system of the invention the bus driver must walk through the passenger area of the vehicle at least twice, inspecting the passenger area of the vehicle in the process. The time taken to inspect the vehicle serves as a cool-down period for the vehicle engine, which is desirable in the case of turbo charged vehicle engines.

Abstract: A stop sign and/or crossing arm deployment system is secured to a side and/or the front, respectively of a school bus for deploying a safety stop sign and/or crossing arm between a retracted normal state and a deployed safety state. A dual power circuit is provided for providing maximum power at the instance of deployment and at the instance of final retraction. Otherwise, a lower power is used to operate a bi-directional DC motor which receives power for the entire time period between deploying and retracting the system. The system provides the lower power level while simultaneously heating the circuitry including the motor for use in cold climates. A single ground switch is used for coupling the motor directly to ground both during the deployed state and retracted state to provide maximum power in momentary cycle times to the motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for activating a stop sign on a bus from a retracted to an extended position and vice versa. The apparatus includes a motor coupled, via a rotary-to-reciprocating motion translator, to the stop sign. A rotor is connected to the motor and forms a part of the motion translator. The rotor includes an electrically conductive element at a discrete location on its periphery for sequentially engaging respective ones of a pair of elements located at fixed positions on diametric sides of the rotor. The fixed elements are connected via relays to the motor and an electrical power source to control the operation of the motor so that when the bus door is open the stop sign is extended and when the door is closed the sign is retracted.

Abstract: Apparatus for activating a safety device hingedly mounted on a shool bus to swing it out to an outstretched position when the bus door is opened and to return the device to its retracted position when the bus door is closed. The system includes a control switch which is caused to close when the door is opened and to open when the door is closed. Associated with the control switch is a control circuit for connecting a DC power supply to a unidirectional DC motor operatively coupled through an eccentric drive and a link arm to the safety device whereby in the course of a single cycle of motor rotation, during one half of the cycle the device is caused to swing out to its fully outstretched position, and during the other half, the device is caused to return to its fully retracted position.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with a unidirectional motor operatively coupled to the hinged sign through an eccentric drive by a link arm which incorporates a pre-loaded helical compression spring to prevent damage to the link arm should an attempt be made to forcibly swing the sign. Two normally-closed limit switches are associated with the link arm whereby in the course of a motor operating cycle, the stop sign is caused by the link arm to swing out to its outstretched position, at which point one limit switch opens, and then to return to its retracted position, at which point the other limit switch opens. The limit switches are included in a control circuit which supplies power to the motor. The control circuit is responsive to a door switch associated with the bus door so that when the door is open, the door switch is then closed, and power is supplied to the motor through one limit switch until the sign reaches its outstretched position, at which point this limit switch is opened to cut off the motor.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a hinged stop sign mounted on the side of a school bus to cause the sign to swing out to an outstretched position when the bus door is opened to load or unload passengers and to return the sign to its retracted position when the door closes. The apparatus is provided with a unidirectional motor operatively coupled to the hinged sign through an eccentric drive by a link arm having associated therewith two normally-closed limit switches, whereby in the course of a motor operating cycle, the stop sign is caused to swing out to its outstretched position, at which point one limit switch opens, and then returns to its retracted position, at which point the other limit switch opens. The limit switches are included in a control circuit which supplies power to the motor.