WO2018039140A1

WO2018039140A1 - Kneeling bus safety guard

Info

Publication number: WO2018039140A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/047850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Macklin
Original assignee: Michael Macklin
Priority date: 2016-08-26
Filing date: 2017-08-21
Publication date: 2018-03-01

Abstract

A safety guard for the prevention of crushing a rider's foot and other body parts by a kneeling bus. The safety guard utilizes a holder mounted to the floor of the bus and a flexible portion mounted to the holder or utilizes a flexible portion mounted to the floor without a holder. The flexible portion alerts users to the danger without damaging their feet.

Description

KNEELING BUS SAFETY GUARD

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a guard for buses, and more specifically to a guard located on the perimeter of a bus that lowers to aid riders during entry onto the bus and exiting from the bus. Description of the Prior Art

Buses for transporting people have been improved by allowing the bus to kneel or lower the floor near the bus entrance. Lowering the entrance reduces the force necessary for riders to enter the bus. However a pinch point is created by reducing the distance between the floor of the bus and the ground. Users can have their feet or other appendages crushed by inadvertently placing a portion of their foot under the bus before the floor of the bus drops. Conventional protection systems utilize stickers and signage located near the entrance warning individuals to not partially place their feet under the kneeling bus. While there are many warning systems for kneeling bus riders well known in the art, considerable room for improvement remains. Brief Description of the Drawings

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood with reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an end view of a conventional kneeling bus without a guard;

Figures 2A-2B are end views of kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application; Figure 3 is a side view of kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 4A-4D are various views of a kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 5A-5C are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 6A-6C are various views of a kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 8A-8B are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 9A-9H are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 10A-10F are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 1 1A-1 1 E are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 12A-12E are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application; Figures 13A-13E are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application;

Figures 14A-14E are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application; and Figures 15A-15E are various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application.

While the system of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The system of the present application will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments may be specifically illustrated in each figure.

Illustrative embodiments of the kneeling bus safety guard are provided below. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with assembly-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to Figure 1 in the drawings, an end view of a conventional kneeling bus 101 without a guard illustrated according to the present application. The floor of the bus as it kneels or lowers creates a region just underneath the perimeter of the bus capable of inflicting great damage to the rider's feet. The dangerous condition is created because of a lack of material to prevent the user's foot from being located underneath the bus.

Referring now to Figures 2A-3 in the drawings, various views of a kneeling bus safety guard installed on a kneeling bus illustrated according to the present application. The improved safety guard 201 prevents user's feet and other body parts from being placed underneath the kneeling bus 203 and being crushed or sheared by a curb. Furthermore, the improved safety guard prevents belongings from inadvertently rolling under the bus if dropped during boarding or deboarding of the vehicle. The guard located underneath the bus adjacent the entrances to the bus. The guard is preferably attached to the underside of the floor of the bus. Preferably the guard is flexible such that the guard bends and flexes while the bus is in transit. Referring now to Figures 4A-4D in the drawings, various views of a kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Guard 401 is comprised of at least a brush 403 and possibly a holder 405. Holder is typically fabricated from metal and utilizes a channel 407 to receive the brush. Brush is preferably comprised of plastic bristles of sufficient length to preclude a user's foot from entering underneath the bus. The brush is retained in the channel by at least one fastener through the holder. Alternatively the brush is retained in the channel without fasteners by crimping the ends of the channel for example. Alternatively the brush is retained in the channel with a fastener by crimping one end of the channel for example and using one screw. Furthermore, additional fasteners are utilized through the both the holder and the brush to secure the brush into the holder. Alternatively the brush is retained in the holder by adhesive. Over time the guard can be replaced by removing the holder from underneath the bus and replacing the entire system. Brush is preferably fabricated by folding bristles over a member to form a brush as shown in Figure 1 -8. Some brushes are made by stapling groups of bristles into a hole, as shown in Figures 12-15. It should be apparent that both types of brushes can be utilized in systems illustrated in Figures 1-8 & 12-15.

Referring now to Figures 5A-5D in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Guard 501 is comprised of a holder 503 and a beveled brush 505. Beveled brush reduces the wear on the brush from contact with the ground as the brush portion of the system contacts the ground. Typically the end of the guard with the reduced height is located away from the tire. Referring now to Figures 6A-7 in the drawings, various views of a kneeling bus safety guard 601 during installation illustrated according to the present application. Figure 6A and 6B are similar to each other and illustrate the threaded screw 603, the washer 605, and the nut 607 in various distances from the guard. Guard 601 is typically fastened directly to the floor of the bus with a fastener system. Fastener system is configured that the interior surface of the floor of the bus remains flat. The improved guard can be installed in newly fabricated busses and/or retrofitted into existing buses. Jigs can be utilized to aid in locating the fasteners in retrofit installations.

Referring now to Figures 8A-8B in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Guard 801 is comprised of a holder 803 and a brush 805. Holder is typically fabricated from metal and utilizes a channel to receive the brush. Brush is preferably comprised of plastic bristles of sufficient length to preclude a user's foot from entering underneath the bus. The brush is retained in the channel by at least one fastener 807 through the holder. Brush is preferably fabricated by molding bristles in a member to form a brush.

Referring now to Figures 9A-9H in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Safety guard 901 is comprised of a holder 903 and a flexible bellow 905. Holder is configured to be mounted to the floor of the kneeling bus and to retain the flexible bellow. Flexible bellow is preferably a rubber molded member having a series of channels running basically parallel to the floor of the bus. As the bus kneels, the flexible bellow folds up and continues to prevent user's feet from being placed underneath the bus.

Referring now to Figures 10A-10F in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Safety guard 1001 is comprised of a holder 1003, a fixed panel 1005 attached to the holder and at least one hinged panel coupled to the fixed panel. Holder is configured to be mounted to the floor of the kneeling bus and to retain the panels. Each of the hinged panels is retained by at least one hinge pin. The hinge pin allow each section of the hinged panels to move up and down as the panels nest and un-nest. As the bus kneels, the hinged panels stack and continues to prevent user's feet from being placed underneath the bus.

Referring now to Figures 1 1A-1 1 E in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Safety guard 1 101 is comprised of a holder 103 and a flexible panel 1 105. While illustrated as a single flexible panel, it should be apparent that multiple flexible panels can be utilized instead of a single panel. Holder is configured to be mounted to the floor of the kneeling bus and to retain the flexible panel. The flexible panel is retained to the holder by a plurality of fasteners located through the panel and the holder paced along the guard. Preferably the flexible panel is fabricated from rubber and can be twisted and bend during use. As the bus kneels, the flexible panel bends to prevent user's feet from being placed underneath the bus.

Safety guards protrude from the bus and potentially can damage the bus by transferring forces into the floor of the bus during impacts. Impacts may result from the safety guard hitting objects, such as a curb or debris in the roadway. An improved safety guard at least partially detaches from the bus to mitigate the transfer of damaging forces into the structure of the bus.

Referring now to Figures 12A-12E in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Safety guard 1201 is configured to be detached from the bus resulting from an impact to the safety guard. Safety guard is preferably coupled directly to the underside of the floor of the bus without a holder. Alternatively a holder in conjunction with the detachable safety guard can be coupled to the underside of the floor of the bus. The safety guard is coupled to the floor 1203 of the bus through at least one pin 1205. The guard is configured to be sheared at a selected point and under a selected load. For example, the force of kicking the guard with a foot would not shear the guard. However, the guard hitting an object would shear the guard in the weakened region. The pin/spacer bushing is retained in the guard by a bolt held under tension. As illustrated the guard is retained by a first pin and a second pin at either end of the guard. As shown in Figure 12E the guard has sheared into two pieces and allowed the guard to rotate around the second pin. Therefore no substantial force from the curb was transferred to the structure of the bus. It should be apparent that one or two of the pins can also be configured for shearing in addition to or in place of the shearing weakened guard, and therefore one pin could merely be a pivot point or hinge point. Also the shear force required to shear the guard may be selectively different. For example, the second shear pin could require 50% more force to shear as compared to the first shear pin and or the weakened shear region of the guard itself. Once the guard itself is sheared, then other systems are contemplated to act as the re-attachable mounting point such as a shear pin, a spring-loaded pin, Velcro, a lanyard to retain the guard in place of the mechanical stops, and/or magnets. Alternatively the user may replace the sheared guard with an un-sheared guard. Referring now to Figures 13A-13E in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Safety guard 1301 is configured to be partially detached from the bus resulting from an impact to the safety guard. Safety guard is coupled directly to the underside of the floor of the bus without a holder as illustrated in Figure 1 -8. Alternatively a holder in conjunction with the detachable safety guard can be coupled to the underside of the floor of the bus with the safety guard coupled to the holder. The safety guard is coupled to the floor of the bus through at least one pin 303 and a re-attachable mounting point 1305. The re-attachable mounting point is configured to be decoupled under a selected load. For example, the force of kicking the guard with a foot would not decouple the guard. However, the guard hitting an object would decouple the guard. A detent bracket 1307 is illustrated as comprising the re-attachable mounting point. Typically detent bracket features a raised portion configured to secure a dimple in the guard itself. As illustrated the guard is retained by a re-attachable mounting point and a first pin at either end of the guard. As an alternative to being hinged the guard may slide in response to striking an object. As shown in Figure 13E the guard has slipped away from the detent bracket and allowed the guard to rotate around the first pin. Therefore no substantial force from the object was transferred to the structure of the bus. The user can slide the guard back under the detent bracket and restore the guard to an original position. Other systems are contemplated to act as the re-attachable mounting point such as a shear pin, a spring-loaded pin, Velcro, a lanyard to retain the guard in place of the mechanical stops, and/or magnets.

Referring now to Figures 14A-14E in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Safety guard is configured to rotate relative to the bus resulting from an impact to the safety guard. Safety guard 1401 is coupled directly to the underside of the floor of the bus without a holder like illustrated in Figure 1 -8. The safety guard is coupled to the floor of the bus through at least one pin and a force inducing system 1403. The force inducing system is configured to be allow the guard to rotate under a selected load. For example, the force of kicking the guard with a foot would minimally rotate the guard. However, the guard hitting an object would rotate the guard to allow the object to slide by the guard. A spring-loaded member is illustrated as comprising the force inducing system. As illustrated the guard is retained by the force inducing system and a first pin at either end of the guard. As shown in Figure 14E the guard has rotated and allowed the guard to rotate around the first pin. Therefore no substantial force from the object was transferred to the structure of the bus. The guard can rotate back and restore the guard to an original position once the guard is past the object. Other systems are contemplated to act as the force inducing system such as a shock absorber, a pneumatic cylinder, and/or a rubber band. Additionally the detent bracket can be utilized with the spring loaded member concurrently. Also the detent bracket can be utilized with lanyards, mechanical stops, shear pins, shearable guards.

Referring now to Figures 15A-15E in the drawings, various views of an alternative kneeling bus safety guard illustrated according to the present application. Safety guard 1501 is configured to limit and/or prevent object-to-guard interaction by locating a base of the brush away from an edge of the bus. Therefore, any impact from an object hitting guard is negated as the object passes through the bristles of the guard without damaging the guard. It should be apparent that the sideways brush guard can be combined with the shearing pins, the detent bracket, and/or the spring-loaded member to reduce the potential for the guard to be ripped off the vehicle from an object or transfer damaging force to the structure of the bus. Furthermore, the elements utilized to pivot the guard are able to be utilized with guards retained in holder, for example the guards as shown in Figure 1-1 1 F. The guards described above provide several advantages over the conventional systems to prevent injury to people near kneeling buses. First, the guards work to prevent user's feet and other appendages from being placed underneath the kneeling bus by providing a barrier underneath the bus's perimeter. Second, the guard alerts a top of the user's foot to the downward motion of the bus if the user's foot is placed underneath the guard by applying a flexible pressure. Third, the guard does not require the user to heed the warning or understand the language of the warning to prevent crushing a rider's foot or other body parts.

It is apparent that an assembly and method with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is, therefore, evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1 . A safety guard for a kneeling bus, comprising:

a holder; and

a brush;

wherein the brush is retained by the holder; and

wherein the holder is located on the underside of the kneeling bus.

2. The safety guard according to claim 1 , the holder comprising:

a channel;

wherein the brush is partially located in the channel.

3. The safety guard according to claim 1 , wherein the brush is fastened to the holder by at least one fastener.

4. A safety guard for a kneeling bus, comprising:

a brush;

at least one pin;

wherein the brush is retained by the pin; and

wherein the brush is located on the underside of the kneeling bus.

5. The safety guard according to claim 4, wherein the at least one pin is configured to be a shear pin.

6. The safety guard according to claim 4, further comprising:

a detent bracket.

7. The safety guard according to claim 4, further comprising:

a loaded member;

wherein the loaded member applies a force to the brush.