Abstract: A lighting system includes a plurality of lights, and a control mechanism configured to automatically adjust at least a first light of the plurality of lights based on one of a desired position and a desired direction. Each light of the plurality of lights is adjustable to project a light beam.

Abstract: The automotive hazard light system is a signaling system configured for use with a vehicle. The automotive hazard light system mounts on the inferior side of the vehicle. The automotive hazard light system automatically deploys by releasing itself from the vehicle, moving a distance away from the vehicle, and deploying a hazard signal. The automotive hazard light system subsequently retracts to a position underneath the vehicle. The automotive hazard light system comprises a cart, a control circuit, and a power circuit. The cart contains the control circuit and the power circuit. The cart moves the automotive hazard light system away from the vehicle and retracts the automotive hazard light system towards the vehicle. The control circuit controls the movement of the cart and the operation of the hazard signal. The power circuit provides the electrical energy required to operate the automotive hazard light system.

Abstract: A method of monitoring passenger buses includes generating host vehicle information with a navigation unit, the host vehicle information including a host vehicle location and a host vehicle heading, receiving passenger bus information with a receiver, the passenger bus information including an passenger bus status, a passenger bus location and a passenger bus heading, determining with a controller a distance between the host vehicle location and the passenger bus location, determining with the controller whether the distance between host vehicle location and the passenger bus location is decreasing, and performing a mitigation operation, when the distance between host vehicle location and the passenger bus location is decreasing, and the distance between host vehicle location and the passenger bus location is a threshold distance or less.

Abstract: A blowout in which the required exhaling force of for stretching thereof may be precisely set to a suitable level. The blowout may include: a stretchable body having a generally tubular shape; a wire body having elasticity and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the stretchable body; and a mouthpiece connected to an end of the stretchable body. In use, the mouthpiece may be held in the mouth such that air is blown therethrough, whereby the stretchable body is stretched. The stretchable body remains curled into a spiral shape by the wire body when air is not blown thereinto. The elastic force of the wire body may be set to a predetermined value, the mouthpiece may include an air regulator for regulating the quantity of airflow, and the stretchable body may not stretch unless the force of air blown is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electronic flight bag retention device for use within an airborne vehicle. An electronic flight bag includes a tablet computer that can be retained within an airborne vehicle cockpit by configuring a rigid substrate to retain the electronic flight bag. The rigid substrate can include, for example, three clips upon the edges of the rigid substrate, two of which retain the electronic flight bag. A top edge of the rigid substrate can be angled to form a weight supporting member of the retaining device. Two elongated slots can be formed or cut into the rigid substrate to facilitate a clipboard spring clip insertion through one of the two slots in order to retain the retention device to a cockpit side window clipboard.

Abstract: A method of providing a user controllable sign, on the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig. The tractor includes a cab and the trailer is electrically connected to the tractor by way of a jack that provides a set number of electrical connections between the tractor and the trailer. The method begins with the installation of a manual input device in the cab. This device creates a signal that can be overlaid on a jack input without disrupting the input and is electrically connected to a jack input. Also, a signal receiving unit is installed in the trailer, and is connected to a wire electrically connected to the jack input that receives the user signal from the manual input device. This unit is able to determine the presence of the signal from the manual input device. Also installed in the trailer, is a sign deployment controller that is at least in part responsive to the user signal receiving unit. Finally, a sign assembly, controlled by the sign deployment controller, is installed.

Abstract: A brake notification device for notifying an individual whether the brake system is active or inactive includes a housing including a flexible conduit having opposed end portions removably connected thereto and to a pneumatically controlled valve of the vehicle brake system. Such a housing selectively receives air under first and second pressure levels for selectively adapting between active and inactive modes respectively. The conduit has a sufficient length for extending between front and rear portions of the vehicle and the housing is adjustably mountable adjacent to a rear portion of the vehicle, and preferably inside the vehicle, at a selected height so a forklift operator can readily identify whether the vehicle brake system is active or inactive.

Abstract: A turn indication system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position in response to the actuation of a turn signal switch. A door-ajar indication system for a vehicle includes an indicating member movable between a first position and a second position in response to the actuation of a switch so as to indicate an ajar condition of a door of the vehicle. A traffic observation system for a vehicle includes a wave receiving member for mounting to the vehicle such that the wave receiving member is oriented along a line of sight from an object approaching the vehicle from a lateral direction generally perpendicular to a path of motion of the vehicle, permitting a driver of the vehicle to perceive the object via a wave received by the wave receiving member from the object along the line of sight.

Abstract: A flexible structural barrier is provided which is capable of yielding upon application of excessive force and immediately recovering to a rigid state with removal of the force, without either sustaining damage or imparting damage to the source of the force. The flexible structural barrier is made of a flexible material arranged to form a generally tubular structure when an appropriate air flow is establish therethrough. The flexible structural barrier is normally in a retracted or collapsed condition and is extended to an extended condition by the appropriate air flow, either automatically or upon demand. The barrier preferably includes an air flow source which is connected in fluid communication with the flexible material and is adapted to establish the appropriate air flow through the flexible material.

Abstract: A pivoting safety apparatus is adapted for mounting on a motor vehicle. The safety apparatus comprises a housing for mounting on the motor vehicle and a safety device pivotally coupled with the housing for movement about an axis between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator at least partially located within the housing is comprised of an air cylinder having a piston arm extending from a piston and coupled to the safety device for movement of the safety device about the pivot axis in response to variations from atmospheric pressure of air within the air cylinder. An air pressure adjuster comprised of an electrically powered air compressor, a fluid coupling extending between the air compressor and the air cylinder, and an electrically operated valve is employed for altering the air pressure within the air cylinder to move the piston, the piston arm, and the safety device.

Abstract: An electrically operated, air-driven pivotal sign device includes a housing and a sign assembly pivotally mounted to the housing. Within the housing, an electrically driven air compressor is pneumatically coupled through tubing and a three-way, electrically controlled valve, to a spring return type air cylinder coupled with a shaft from the pivotable sign assembly. Current supplied through a single wire to the device activates the compressor and closes the valve to atmosphere permitting pressurization of the air cylinder. The compressor is shut off automatically when the sign assembly is deployed. The sign assembly remains deployed until current is cut off to the valve, which causes the valve to vent the pneumatic coupling to atmosphere. The single wire also supplies current to a flasher device within the housing which flashes lights provided on the sign assembly simultanously with the pivotal deployment of the sign assembly.

Abstract: A compact fuel economy indicator employs illuminated symbols such as colored lenses to indicate relative fuel economy. In one embodiment a series of lenses is moved with respect to a fixed lamp while in a second embodiment a lamp is moved with respect to the series of lenses for increasing the intensity of illumination of the appropriate lens.