Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-04-10
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Combined
C293S024000, C116S02800A, C116S03500A, C116S051000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213526
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates broadly to school bus safety equipment and, more particularly, to crossing arms that are mounted on the front portion of a school bus to prevent children from walking beneath the line of sight of the driver. Bus mobile vehicles are for transporting people.
School bus safety crossing arms are known, generally, to include a light weight, frame-like arm member which is pivotally mounted to one front corner of the school bus nearest the door. A control system acts to operate a drive motor to cause the arm to move pivotally from a position parallel with the bus bumper to a position parallel with the side of the bus and projecting forwardly from the front bumper. The school bus provides controls for the driver's selective operation.
In operation, the driver extends the crossing arms when discharging or taking on passengers. As stated above, these arms prevent children from walking so closely to the bus so as to be out of the line of sight of the driver which, in the past, has resulted in injuries.
In order for the crossing arm to be effective, the arm must be mounted so that, in its extended position, it is parallel to both the ground and the side of the bus. This mounting allows the arm to pivot through a horizontal plane, thus reducing wear on the bearings and other drive components. As bus front facias become more streamlined, mounting becomes difficult because the bumpers are becoming more integrated with the front-end components of the bus body. Fuel conservation concerns are leading to more streamlined buses and, consequently, mounting of the crossing arms becomes more difficult when the preferred geometry is to be maintained. Currently, brackets are used which are often bolted to the front, top and sides of a bus bumper. These brackets are used regardless of the actuation method associated with the unit, which could include air, vacuum or electric control. As a result, the crossing arm unit, in its retracted position, is located 4 to 5 inches in front of the bumper itself.
Consequently, there exist a need for a safety crossing arm which more fully integrates with the front end of a school bus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide 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 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 longitudinally with respect to the bumper and is configured for receiving at least a portion of the crossing arm therein. Therefore, the arm can be mounted to the school bus with a modem, streamlined bumper in a more integral fashion. With the arm in its retracted position, the arm itself resides in the recess formed in the bumper while the drive unit and mounting bracket remain at least partially recessed within the opening formed in the bumper. Where there is no recess, the crossing arm is formed to conform to the outer surface of the bumper and in the retracted position the arm is at or immediately adjacent to the outer surface of the bumper. The arm may then be extended in a conventional manner.
The present invention provides several advantages. Initially, the crossing arm is less likely to sustain damage. According to the prior art, by mounting the crossing arm at a position which results in the arm projecting 4 to 5 inches in front of the bumper, any collision will likely destroy the arm and its drive system. Further, it is known that some buses are parked in a front to back relationship wherein the spacing between the buses is judged by bumping the rear bumper of the parked bus ahead. While possibly not destroying the conventional crossing arm, damage would likely result. The present invention offers a measure of protection for the arm and its drive assembly by the bumper itself. Therefore, the present invention enhances reliability of this crossing arm. Further, the life of the crossing arm may be extended due to lessened exposure to the weather since the bumper actually covers the drive system. Additionally, the drive system is protected from road and wheel splash.
In addition, the present invention acts to reduce damage by removing a convenient step for drivers and mechanics seeking access to the engine compartment of the bus.
With the crossing arm fitted into the bumper recess, the possibility of the arm being forced downwardly by air passing there across when the bus is in motion is reduced. This featured results in less likelihood of damage to the crossing arm. The crossing arm also reduces the risk of injury to pedestrians due to the removal of exposure to sharp corners often found on mounting brackets.
From a manufacturing standpoint, the integral crossing arm significantly reduces labor. Since the bumper is designed to fit the crossing arm itself, the crossing arm could be bolted on. The many steps of drilling holes, placing brackets and adjusting brackets would be eliminated.
Finally, safety is enhanced because the crossing arm is positioned correctly and is allowed to move through the preferred horizontal plane.
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Hively Brad A.
Stanhope Frank H.
Swanger Eric D.
Zielinski Andrew J.
Calfa Jeffrey P.
Hernandez Gilberto
Navistar International Transportation Corp.
Pape Joseph D.
Patel Kiran B.
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