CA1218441A - School bus warning lamp sequencer circuit - Google Patents
School bus warning lamp sequencer circuitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1218441A CA1218441A CA000430553A CA430553A CA1218441A CA 1218441 A CA1218441 A CA 1218441A CA 000430553 A CA000430553 A CA 000430553A CA 430553 A CA430553 A CA 430553A CA 1218441 A CA1218441 A CA 1218441A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- coil
- stop arm
- relay
- warning lamp
- school bus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Audible And Visible Signals (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Warning Lamp sequencer circuits for school buses of the type employing both a warning light flasher and a stop arm, operably connected to the school bus door. The warning lamp flashers are activated and the stop arm pivoted to horizontal position, either by throwing a single "initiate" switch or by opening of the school bus door. The circuit employs a series of relays and associated coils, such that a single initiate switch may be employed to activate the warning light flasher and stop arm components, as the school bus door is opened. In a modified circuit, the warning light and stop arm components may be activated automatically, as the school bus door is opened.
Warning Lamp sequencer circuits for school buses of the type employing both a warning light flasher and a stop arm, operably connected to the school bus door. The warning lamp flashers are activated and the stop arm pivoted to horizontal position, either by throwing a single "initiate" switch or by opening of the school bus door. The circuit employs a series of relays and associated coils, such that a single initiate switch may be employed to activate the warning light flasher and stop arm components, as the school bus door is opened. In a modified circuit, the warning light and stop arm components may be activated automatically, as the school bus door is opened.
Description
4~
SCHOOL BUS WARNING LAMP SEQUENCER CIRCUIT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
1. Field of the Invention:
Warnin~ lamp sequencer systems for school buses of the type lZ18441 employing a warning lamp flasher and a stop arm, operably con-nected to the school bus door. The warning lamp flashers are activated and the stop arm pivoted to horizontal position either by throwing a single "initiate" switch or by opening of the school bus door.
SCHOOL BUS WARNING LAMP SEQUENCER CIRCUIT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
1. Field of the Invention:
Warnin~ lamp sequencer systems for school buses of the type lZ18441 employing a warning lamp flasher and a stop arm, operably con-nected to the school bus door. The warning lamp flashers are activated and the stop arm pivoted to horizontal position either by throwing a single "initiate" switch or by opening of the school bus door.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
BAADER 3,863,216 concerns the sequencing of am~er lights to red lights in an eight lamp f~asher circuit. The circuit is con-structed such that the stop arm can be extended, only as the red lights are activated through the eight lamp circuit.
XRATOCHV.L 3,444,'13 is directed to a warning light flasher circuit, embodying amber and red lights and without reference to a pivoted stop arm. , SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to the present invention, a school bus warning lamp sequencer circuit is supplied with a source of DC power, such that the warning light flashers and the pivoted stop arm may be activated either upon pressing a single initiate switch or i upon opening of the school bus door. The sequencer circuit may be modified, so that the w~rning lamp flashers and stop arm are activated, whenever the school bus door is opened, such as at -i, railroad crossings and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: ~ ¦
FIG. l is a perspective view of a proposed sequencer circuit array, including relays (Nos. l, 2, 3 and 4), interconnected so as to activate the warning light flasher and stop arm components;
FIG. 2 is a top plan of the circuit array with the connect-ing wires re~oved;
; FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the basic circuit, wherein ~ the warning light flasher and stop ar~ components are activated ~__~ .1 .
44~.
upon closing of the initiate switch 66;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of sequence circuit array, appearing with Fig. 2; and FIG~ 5 is a circuit diagram of the modified circuit, wherein the warning light flashers and stop arm are activated, as the school bus door is opened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
In FIG. 3 the basic circuit is illustrated as including relay Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a source of 12 volt DC power energizing these relays through switches 70, 72 and 74, an initiate switch 66 closing unit contact 40 to the warning light flasher, a stop arm coil switch 68, closing with contact 46 and a school bus door switch 64, closing with contact 38. Coils 1, 2 and 3 may be coupled wi-thin the respective relays 1, 2 and 3 and energized by switches 70, 72 and 74. A capacitor element 54 may be positioned intermediate coils 2 and 3.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the mounting angle support 62 may include a series of apertures 52 for positionment with stove bolts 48 or the like~ Individual relay mounting brackets 34, 50, 64 and 66 may be positioned via means of bolts 36 and 48 and suitable nut and washer assemblies. Similarly, stove bolts 32 or the like may be used to engage contact plate 30, so as to support individual contact 36 for 12 volt DC source, contact 38 for the door switch, contacts 40, 42 for initiate switch 66, contact 44 for the warning lamp flasher and contact 46 for the stop arm.
As will be apparent, lead 19 extends from contact 36 to relay 1. Lead 21 extends from door switch contact 38 to relay 4, leads 29 and 18 extend, respectively, from initiate contact plates 40, 42, leads 27 extend from flasher contact 44 and lead 22 extends from stop arm 46 to relay 4~
!
34~L
' .
As illustrated in FIG. 4, capacitor 54 may have lead~ 56 and 58 extending, respectively, to relays 3 and 2. Lead 60 may ex-tend from relay 3 to ground.
The present invention is directed to enhancing the safety environment during school bus operation, particularly reducing the number of tasks required of the school bus driver.
As a general rule, one may increase the safety of transport-- ing children in school buses by eliminating unnecessary motions - of the driver and, ~hereby, permitting the driver to pay closer ' attention to the road and surrounding areas. The most critical time occurs as school bus passengers are being loaded or dis-charged. The present invention assists the driver in operating both the school bus warning lights and the pivoted stop arm. In the past the driver had to be responsible for individual actions, as follcws: turning on the red warning lights, opening the door to allow~the children into the bus, making sure that the stop arm is pivoted outwardly, closing the door, making sure the stop arm is returned, and then turning off the red warning light flashers.
The present circuit is designed to sequence the warning lights 2~ and stop arm by means of a single initiate switch and, thereby, free the bus driver for his other duties. This circuit consists of ~4) relays, the fourth relay being optional and used only on buses that have stop arms.
As illustrated in FIG 3, the circuit may operate as follows:
With 12 volt DC applied continuously to the wiper of relay No. 1, all the driver has to do when approaching a stop is momen-tarily depress initiate switch 66, which is a spring return norm-ally open switch. Power is thus applied through relay No. 1 to coils No. 2 & ~o. 3. When coil No. 2 is energized, power is fed through relay No. 2 to the warning light flasher, while power fed i ~Pl 1 '' through relay No. 1 and No. 3 is used to maintain the power to coils NO. 2 and No. 3, whenever the initiate switch 66 may be released.
When the bus has sto~ped, the driver will open the school S bus door which will close the door switch 64, grounding relays No. 1 and NO. 4 and making them pull in. Capacitor 54, which is connected to coil Nos. 2 and NO. 3 and ground, assures that power i8 supplied through relay No. 2 ~o coil No. 1, long enough for relay NO. 1 to complete ,he transition. Once relay No. 1 is energized, power is fed to the warning light flasher, as well as coil NO. 1 and coil No. 4. With coil NO. 1 energized, coil No. 2 and coil No. 3 lose their power and relax. In the relaxed state, relay No. 2 feeds power through relay No. 4, when used, to the stop arm, causing the stop arm to pivot outwardly, as the warning light flashes. When the door is closed, relays NQ. 1 and No 4 relax. No power is fed to the flasher or the stop arm and the system returns to its initial state until the sequence is repeat- 1 ed by the school bus driver, depressing initiate switch 66 at the !, next stop. With this system the school bus driver controls the warning lights and stop arm by pushing a single switch. The warning lights and stop arm will function, only as initiate switch 66 is thrown.
For those school districts which require the red warning ~
lights and stop arm to be activated whenever the school bus door J
, is opened, such as at a ~ailroad crossing, yet ma;ntain the norm-al sequence, one small modification is necessary. By connecting coil No. 1 and NO. 4 directly to +12 volt DC, instead of the DC
contact on relay No. 1, whenever the driver opens the school bus door, the warning lights and stop arm will be activated without driver intervention.
~5 ~Z~4~L
Manifestly, this circuit frees the school bus driver, allowing him to concentrate on the world around the school bus rather than the switch panel.
BAADER 3,863,216 concerns the sequencing of am~er lights to red lights in an eight lamp f~asher circuit. The circuit is con-structed such that the stop arm can be extended, only as the red lights are activated through the eight lamp circuit.
XRATOCHV.L 3,444,'13 is directed to a warning light flasher circuit, embodying amber and red lights and without reference to a pivoted stop arm. , SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to the present invention, a school bus warning lamp sequencer circuit is supplied with a source of DC power, such that the warning light flashers and the pivoted stop arm may be activated either upon pressing a single initiate switch or i upon opening of the school bus door. The sequencer circuit may be modified, so that the w~rning lamp flashers and stop arm are activated, whenever the school bus door is opened, such as at -i, railroad crossings and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: ~ ¦
FIG. l is a perspective view of a proposed sequencer circuit array, including relays (Nos. l, 2, 3 and 4), interconnected so as to activate the warning light flasher and stop arm components;
FIG. 2 is a top plan of the circuit array with the connect-ing wires re~oved;
; FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the basic circuit, wherein ~ the warning light flasher and stop ar~ components are activated ~__~ .1 .
44~.
upon closing of the initiate switch 66;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of sequence circuit array, appearing with Fig. 2; and FIG~ 5 is a circuit diagram of the modified circuit, wherein the warning light flashers and stop arm are activated, as the school bus door is opened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
In FIG. 3 the basic circuit is illustrated as including relay Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a source of 12 volt DC power energizing these relays through switches 70, 72 and 74, an initiate switch 66 closing unit contact 40 to the warning light flasher, a stop arm coil switch 68, closing with contact 46 and a school bus door switch 64, closing with contact 38. Coils 1, 2 and 3 may be coupled wi-thin the respective relays 1, 2 and 3 and energized by switches 70, 72 and 74. A capacitor element 54 may be positioned intermediate coils 2 and 3.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the mounting angle support 62 may include a series of apertures 52 for positionment with stove bolts 48 or the like~ Individual relay mounting brackets 34, 50, 64 and 66 may be positioned via means of bolts 36 and 48 and suitable nut and washer assemblies. Similarly, stove bolts 32 or the like may be used to engage contact plate 30, so as to support individual contact 36 for 12 volt DC source, contact 38 for the door switch, contacts 40, 42 for initiate switch 66, contact 44 for the warning lamp flasher and contact 46 for the stop arm.
As will be apparent, lead 19 extends from contact 36 to relay 1. Lead 21 extends from door switch contact 38 to relay 4, leads 29 and 18 extend, respectively, from initiate contact plates 40, 42, leads 27 extend from flasher contact 44 and lead 22 extends from stop arm 46 to relay 4~
!
34~L
' .
As illustrated in FIG. 4, capacitor 54 may have lead~ 56 and 58 extending, respectively, to relays 3 and 2. Lead 60 may ex-tend from relay 3 to ground.
The present invention is directed to enhancing the safety environment during school bus operation, particularly reducing the number of tasks required of the school bus driver.
As a general rule, one may increase the safety of transport-- ing children in school buses by eliminating unnecessary motions - of the driver and, ~hereby, permitting the driver to pay closer ' attention to the road and surrounding areas. The most critical time occurs as school bus passengers are being loaded or dis-charged. The present invention assists the driver in operating both the school bus warning lights and the pivoted stop arm. In the past the driver had to be responsible for individual actions, as follcws: turning on the red warning lights, opening the door to allow~the children into the bus, making sure that the stop arm is pivoted outwardly, closing the door, making sure the stop arm is returned, and then turning off the red warning light flashers.
The present circuit is designed to sequence the warning lights 2~ and stop arm by means of a single initiate switch and, thereby, free the bus driver for his other duties. This circuit consists of ~4) relays, the fourth relay being optional and used only on buses that have stop arms.
As illustrated in FIG 3, the circuit may operate as follows:
With 12 volt DC applied continuously to the wiper of relay No. 1, all the driver has to do when approaching a stop is momen-tarily depress initiate switch 66, which is a spring return norm-ally open switch. Power is thus applied through relay No. 1 to coils No. 2 & ~o. 3. When coil No. 2 is energized, power is fed through relay No. 2 to the warning light flasher, while power fed i ~Pl 1 '' through relay No. 1 and No. 3 is used to maintain the power to coils NO. 2 and No. 3, whenever the initiate switch 66 may be released.
When the bus has sto~ped, the driver will open the school S bus door which will close the door switch 64, grounding relays No. 1 and NO. 4 and making them pull in. Capacitor 54, which is connected to coil Nos. 2 and NO. 3 and ground, assures that power i8 supplied through relay No. 2 ~o coil No. 1, long enough for relay NO. 1 to complete ,he transition. Once relay No. 1 is energized, power is fed to the warning light flasher, as well as coil NO. 1 and coil No. 4. With coil NO. 1 energized, coil No. 2 and coil No. 3 lose their power and relax. In the relaxed state, relay No. 2 feeds power through relay No. 4, when used, to the stop arm, causing the stop arm to pivot outwardly, as the warning light flashes. When the door is closed, relays NQ. 1 and No 4 relax. No power is fed to the flasher or the stop arm and the system returns to its initial state until the sequence is repeat- 1 ed by the school bus driver, depressing initiate switch 66 at the !, next stop. With this system the school bus driver controls the warning lights and stop arm by pushing a single switch. The warning lights and stop arm will function, only as initiate switch 66 is thrown.
For those school districts which require the red warning ~
lights and stop arm to be activated whenever the school bus door J
, is opened, such as at a ~ailroad crossing, yet ma;ntain the norm-al sequence, one small modification is necessary. By connecting coil No. 1 and NO. 4 directly to +12 volt DC, instead of the DC
contact on relay No. 1, whenever the driver opens the school bus door, the warning lights and stop arm will be activated without driver intervention.
~5 ~Z~4~L
Manifestly, this circuit frees the school bus driver, allowing him to concentrate on the world around the school bus rather than the switch panel.
Claims (5)
1. In a school bus of the type having an exterior, pivoted stop arm, activated as the bus door is opened, a warning lamp sequence circuit comprising:
A. A source of DC power;
B. A warning lamp flasher system and a stop arm operably con-nected to said source of power and the bus door;
C. A series of relays and re-spective coils positioned within said circuit, so as to energize said warning lamp flasher and said stop arm, as follows:
i. Relay No. 1 having an initiate switch, connected to DC power and which closes with said warning lamp flasher via coil No. 1, extending into said initiate switch, and said DC
power, and energizes coil No. 2 and coil No. 3;
ii. Relay No. 2 which feeds power to the warning light flasher via coil No. 1 and the stop arm via coil No. 4;
iii. Relay No. 3 which maintains power to coil No. 2 and coil No. 3 via a capacitor element, as said initiate switch is released; and iv. Relay No. 4 operably connected to the school bus door via coil No. 4 and which energizes the school bus stop arm via Relay No. 2.
A. A source of DC power;
B. A warning lamp flasher system and a stop arm operably con-nected to said source of power and the bus door;
C. A series of relays and re-spective coils positioned within said circuit, so as to energize said warning lamp flasher and said stop arm, as follows:
i. Relay No. 1 having an initiate switch, connected to DC power and which closes with said warning lamp flasher via coil No. 1, extending into said initiate switch, and said DC
power, and energizes coil No. 2 and coil No. 3;
ii. Relay No. 2 which feeds power to the warning light flasher via coil No. 1 and the stop arm via coil No. 4;
iii. Relay No. 3 which maintains power to coil No. 2 and coil No. 3 via a capacitor element, as said initiate switch is released; and iv. Relay No. 4 operably connected to the school bus door via coil No. 4 and which energizes the school bus stop arm via Relay No. 2.
2. In a school bus of the type having an exterior, pivoted stop arm, activated as the bus door is opened, a warning lamp circuit comprising:
A. A source of DC power;
B. A warning lamp flasher system, including a stop arm operably connected to said source of power and the bus door;
C. A series of four relays and re-spective coils positioned within said circuit, so as to energize said warning lamp flasher and said stop arm, as follows:
i. Relay No. 1 having an initiate switch, which closes with said warning lamp flasher and coil No. 1, which extends to said warning lamp flasher system and is connected independently to said DC power and energizes coil No. 2 and coil No. 3;
ii. Relay No. 2 which feeds power to the warning light flasher via coil No. 1 and the stop arm via coil No. 4;
iii. Relay No. 3 which maintains power to coil No. 2 and coil No. 3 via a capacitor element, as said in-itiate switch is released; and iv. Relay No. 4 operably con-nected to the school bus door via coil No. 4 which is connected, also, to said DC power and energizes the school bus stop arm via relay No. 2.
A. A source of DC power;
B. A warning lamp flasher system, including a stop arm operably connected to said source of power and the bus door;
C. A series of four relays and re-spective coils positioned within said circuit, so as to energize said warning lamp flasher and said stop arm, as follows:
i. Relay No. 1 having an initiate switch, which closes with said warning lamp flasher and coil No. 1, which extends to said warning lamp flasher system and is connected independently to said DC power and energizes coil No. 2 and coil No. 3;
ii. Relay No. 2 which feeds power to the warning light flasher via coil No. 1 and the stop arm via coil No. 4;
iii. Relay No. 3 which maintains power to coil No. 2 and coil No. 3 via a capacitor element, as said in-itiate switch is released; and iv. Relay No. 4 operably con-nected to the school bus door via coil No. 4 which is connected, also, to said DC power and energizes the school bus stop arm via relay No. 2.
3. A warning lamp flasher circuit as in claim 1, wherein said stop arm and warning lamp flashers are activated, as the school bus door is opened and deactivated, as said school bus door is closed.
4. A warning flasher lamp circuit as in claim 2, wherein coil number 1 and coil number 4 are independently energized by 12 volt DC such that the warning lights and stop arm are operated whenever the school bus door is opened and independently of said initiate switch.
5. A warning lamp circuit as in claim 2, each said relay being closed, as said coils are energized.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US47041383A | 1983-02-28 | 1983-02-28 | |
| US06/470,413 | 1983-02-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1218441A true CA1218441A (en) | 1987-02-24 |
Family
ID=23867552
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000430553A Expired CA1218441A (en) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-06-16 | School bus warning lamp sequencer circuit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1218441A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU655107B2 (en) * | 1992-04-01 | 1994-12-01 | John Peter Lyons | School bus warning safety system |
-
1983
- 1983-06-16 CA CA000430553A patent/CA1218441A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU655107B2 (en) * | 1992-04-01 | 1994-12-01 | John Peter Lyons | School bus warning safety system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |