Abstract: A retainer arrangement that includes a retainer for retaining a hinged arm on a vehicle in a stored position positively so that the hinged arm does not move away from the vehicle unintentionally. The arrangements may be used in connection with a hinged stop arm that is attached to the side of a school bus that is deployed when the school bus stops to pick-up or drop off passengers.

Abstract: A school bus has a hinged stop arm, a bidirectional electric motor operatively connected to the hinged stop arm for pivoting the hinged stop arm between a stored position adjacent the school bus and a deployed position extending outwardly of the school bus, and a motor control module for controlling the bidirectional electric motor. A retainer arrangement is attached to the school bus for retaining the hinged stop arm in the stored position positively and a second control module is operatively connected to the motor control module. The retainer arrangement includes a servo motor and a lock member that is moved by the servo motor between a lock position retaining the hinged arm in the stored position and a release position allowing the hinged stop arm to be pivoted outwardly by the motor. The motor and the servo motor are operated by a common switch.

Abstract: A retainer arrangement that includes a retainer for retaining a hinged arm on a vehicle in a stored position positively so that the hinged arm does not move away from the vehicle unintentionally. The arrangements may be used in connection with a hinged stop arm that is attached to the side of a school bus that is deployed when the school bus stops to pick-up or drop off passengers.

Abstract: A school bus has a hinged stop arm, a bidirectional electric motor operatively connected to the hinged stop arm for pivoting the hinged stop arm between a stored position adjacent the school bus and a deployed position extending outwardly of the school bus, and a motor control module for controlling the bidirectional electric motor. A retainer arrangement is attached to the school bus for retaining the hinged stop arm in the stored position positively and a second control module is operatively connected to the motor control module. The retainer arrangement includes a servo motor and a lock member that is moved by the servo motor between a lock position retaining the hinged arm in the stored position and a release position allowing the hinged stop arm to be pivoted outwardly by the motor. The motor and the servo motor are operated by a common switch.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position and an electrical control unit that includes Hall effect sensors for controlling the electric motor. These and other components are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries the electric motor and the electric control unit and that provides additional protection for these two components. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger doors.

Abstract: A school bus has a front bumper equipped with a crossing control arm assembly. The assembly includes an actuator that is attached behind the bumper and a control arm that is moved by the actuator from a stored position atop the bumper to a deployed position generally perpendicular to the bumper. The control arm is attached to the actuator by a hinge bracket that includes a cross-over link that extends across the top of the bumper.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position and an electrical control unit that includes Hall effect sensors for controlling the electric motor. These and other components are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries the electric motor and the electric control unit and that provides additional protection for these two components. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger doors.

Abstract: A school bus has a front bumper equipped with a crossing control arm assembly. The assembly includes an actuator that is attached behind the bumper and a control arm that is moved by the actuator from a stored position atop the bumper to a deployed position generally perpendicular to the bumper. The control arm is attached to the actuator by a hinge bracket that includes a cross-over link that extends across the top of the bumper.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position and an electrical control unit that includes Hall effect sensors for controlling the electric motor. These and other components are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries the electric motor and the electric control unit and that provides additional protection for these two components. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger doors.

Abstract: A fluid actuator attaches a hinged safety device to a vehicle and pivots the hinged safety device between retracted and extended positions. The housing of the actuator has a base and a removable cover. A sub-assembly is attached to the base. The subassembly includes a generally planar base member with integral right cylinder, lever arm pivot support and stop posts. A piston slides in the right cylinder and forms a fluid chamber between the piston and a closed end of the right cylinder that is fed through a passage through the closed end of the cylinder. A lever arm is pivotally attached to the lever arm pivot support at one end for pivotal movement between retracted and extended positions, the lever arm extending over the cylinder and having a lip at an opposite end that is spaced from the right cylinder. A pivot arm engages the top of the piston at one end and the lever arm at an opposite end to transfer motion from the piston to the lever arm.

Abstract: A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extending outwardly of the bus in perpendicular fashion and back to the stored position and an electrical control unit that includes Hall effect sensors for controlling the electric motor. These and other components are protected in an outer sealed housing that has a removable cover to facilitate installation and repair. Installation and repair is further enhanced by a removable inner housing sub-assembly that carries the electric motor and the electric control unit and that provides additional protection for these two components. The school bus also has a crossing arm hinged on an identical electrical actuator assembly, that is attached to the front bumper of the bus near the passenger doors.