US4688656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-07-05
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Granted: 1987-08-25
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Expires: 2005-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A safety device attachable to a motor vehicle for preventing the motor vehicle from running over an object, the device including a plate assembly, a safety bar assembly slidably connected to the plate assembly, a first mechanism for raising and lowering the safety bar assembly with respect to the plate assembly, at least one switch assembly and a second mechanism for turning off the motor vehicle. The plate assembly includes first and second plate members which are spaced apart in parallel. The second plate member is pivotably connected to the first plate member. The second plate member pivots around a horizontal axis. The first mechanism is attached to the second plate member. The safety bar assembly is attached to the second plate such that it can only slide relative to the second plate in a direction towards and away from the second plate. The switch assembly is attached to the first plate and extends to contact the second plate. The switch assembly is connected to the second mechanism. When the safety bar assembly is contacted by an object, the second plate member pivots relative to the first plate member about its horizontal axis and causes the switch assembly and the second mechanism to turn off the motor vehicle. In addition, the safety device may include an audio device for emitting an audio signal when the second plate pivots relative to the first plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Erma W. Kent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R21/00; B60R21/34; B60R19/48; B60R19/483; B60R19/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A safety device for preventing a motor vehicle from running over an object, said safety device being attachable to said vehicle, said safety device comprising: a first assembly including first and second members, said members being spaced apart, said second member being pivotably connected to said first member; a safety bar assembly slidably connected to said second member of said first assembly; first means for raising and lowering said safety bar assembly with respect to said first assembly; at least one switch assembly extending between said members; and second means for turning off the motor vehicle, said switch assembly being connected to said second means; wherein when the safety bar assembly is contacted by an object, the second member pivots relative to the first member and causes said switch assembly and said second means to turn off the motor vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A safety device for preventing a motor vehicle from running over an object, said safety device being attachable to said vehicle, said safety device comprising: a first assembly including first and second members, said members being spaced apart, said second member being pivotably connected to said first member; a safety bar assembly slidably connected to said second member of said first assembly; first means for raising and lowering said safety bar assembly with respect to said first assembly; at least one switch assembly extending between said members; and second means for turning off the motor vehicle, said switch assembly being connected to said second means; wherein when the safety bar assembly is contacted by an object, the second member pivots relative to the first member and causes said switch assembly and said second means to turn off the motor vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said members are flat plates positioned in parallel planes when the safety device is not in contact with an object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A safety device according to claim 2 wherein said plates are vertically oriented when said safety device is attached to the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A safety device according to claim 3 wherein said plates are rectangular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said first member is attached to said motor vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said second member is rotatable about a horizontal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A safety device according to claim 6 wherein said horizontal axis is located at an approximate mid-line of said second member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A safety device according to claim 1 further comprising spring means extending between and connected to said first and said second members, said spring means functioning to maintain said members in parallel positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said first assembly includes at least two pivot arm assemblies attached on their ends to said plates, said second member being rotatable about said pivot arm assemblies, and a line connecting the points of connection of the pivot arm assemblies to the second member bisects said second member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said safety bar assembly includes at least one railing that extends across the front of the motor vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety device according to claim 3 wherein said safety bar assembly extends below said first assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A safety device according to claim 11 wherein said safety bar assembly is connected to said second member such that said safety bar assembly can only move away from or towards said second member, relative to said second member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said first means is attached to said second member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A safety device according to claim 13 wherein said first means is a fluid-operated power cylinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said safety bar assembly has at least two positions, an up position and a down position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A safety device according to claim 1 wherein said safety bar assembly is in the down position when the door of the motor vehicle is opened and is in the up position at all other times.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A safety device according to claim 1 further comprising an alarm audio means, said alarm audio means being activated when the safety bar assembly strikes an object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
208 words
A safety device for preventing a motor vehicle from running over an object, said safety device being attached to said motor vehicle, said safety device comprising: a plate assembly including a front and a back plate, said plates being spaced apart in parallel planes and oriented vertically when the device is not in contact with an object, said back plate being connected to said motor vehicle, said front plate being pivotably connected to said back plate; a safety bar assembly slidably connected by rods to said front plate, said safety bar assembly being connected to said front plate such that it can slide towards and away from said front plate, said safety bar assembly having at least up and down positions; a fluid motor assembly for raising and lowering said safety bar assembly, said fluid motor assembly being attached to said front plate; at least one switch assembly attached to said back plate and extending to contact said front plate; and means for turning off the motor vehicle, said switch assembly being connected to said means; wherein when the safety bar assembly is contacted by an object, said front plate pivots relative to said back plate and causes said switch assembly and means to turn off the motor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
208 words
A safety device for preventing a motor vehicle from running over an object, said safety device being attached to said motor vehicle, said safety device comprising: a plate assembly including a front and a back plate, said plates being spaced apart in parallel planes and oriented vertically when the device is not in contact with an object, said back plate being connected to said motor vehicle, said front plate being pivotably connected to said back plate; a safety bar assembly slidably connected by rods to said front plate, said safety bar assembly being connected to said front plate such that it can slide towards and away from said front plate, said safety bar assembly having at least up and down positions; a fluid motor assembly for raising and lowering said safety bar assembly, said fluid motor assembly being attached to said front plate; at least one switch assembly attached to said back plate and extending to contact said front plate; and means for turning off the motor vehicle, said switch assembly being connected to said means; wherein when the safety bar assembly is contacted by an object, said front plate pivots relative to said back plate and causes said switch assembly and means to turn off the motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A safety device according to claim 18 wherein one of said rods extends from the fluid motor assembly and slides in and out of said fluid motor assembly as the fluid motor assembly operates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
257 words
A safety device attached to the front of a school bus to prevent the bus from running over an object, said safety device comprising: a plate assembly including a front plate and a back plate, said back plate being attached to said front of said bus, said plates being positioned in spaced parallel planes and oriented vertically when said device is not in contact with an object, said front plate being pivotably connected to said back plate; a safety bar assembly slidably connected to said front plate, said safety bar assembly extending downward from said front plate, said safety bar assembly being connected to said front plate such that said safety bar assembly can only slide towards and away from said front plate relative to said front plate, said safety bar assembly having at least up and down positions; first means for raising and lowering said safety bar assembly between said up and down positions, said first means being attached to said front plate; at least one switch assembly attached to said back plate and extending to said front plate; and second means for turning off the motor vehicle, said switch assembly being connected to said second means; wherein when the said safety bar assembly contacts an object, said front plate pivots relative to said back plate and causes said switch assembly and said second means to turn off the motor vehicle; said safety bar assembly being in said down position whenever the school bus door is open and in said up position at all other times.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
257 words
A safety device attached to the front of a school bus to prevent the bus from running over an object, said safety device comprising: a plate assembly including a front plate and a back plate, said back plate being attached to said front of said bus, said plates being positioned in spaced parallel planes and oriented vertically when said device is not in contact with an object, said front plate being pivotably connected to said back plate; a safety bar assembly slidably connected to said front plate, said safety bar assembly extending downward from said front plate, said safety bar assembly being connected to said front plate such that said safety bar assembly can only slide towards and away from said front plate relative to said front plate, said safety bar assembly having at least up and down positions; first means for raising and lowering said safety bar assembly between said up and down positions, said first means being attached to said front plate; at least one switch assembly attached to said back plate and extending to said front plate; and second means for turning off the motor vehicle, said switch assembly being connected to said second means; wherein when the said safety bar assembly contacts an object, said front plate pivots relative to said back plate and causes said switch assembly and said second means to turn off the motor vehicle; said safety bar assembly being in said down position whenever the school bus door is open and in said up position at all other times.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-24 | 1991-02-23 | 1991-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-24 | 1995-02-23 | 1995-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-24 | 1999-02-23 | 1999-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |