IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,624,507
Granted Patent B2
US 12,624,507 · App. 18/661,621 · Granted May 12, 2026

School bus safety devices and systems

Inventor: Daniel F. Thompson (Rochester, IL)
Assignee: Bus Gates, Inc.
E01F9/662B60Q1/2657B60Q1/324G09F7/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,624,507
App. No.
18/661,621
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one instance, a safety device is mounted to an exterior side of a school bus. The safety device includes a mounting bracket configured for coupling to a mounting motor, with the mounting bracket being moveable between a undeployed position and an deployed position by the mounting motor. An arm portion is coupled to the mounting bracket. The arm portion has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being coupled to the mounting bracket.

Claims (39)

1 . A safety device for attachment to a school bus having a mounting motor for moving a stop sign between an undeployed and deployed position, the safety device comprising:

an integral formed member having an arm portion, an angled transition portion, and a mounting bracket;

wherein the safety device has a distal end and a proximal end;

wherein the mounting bracket is formed on the distal end;

wherein the mounting bracket is formed with a plurality of apertures for coupling to the mounting motor;

wherein the mounting bracket is vertical;

wherein the arm portion is substantially perpendicular to the mounting bracket; and

wherein the safety device is sized and configured so that when in an installed position, the mounting bracket corresponds to a first side of the stop sign, the angled transition portion corresponds to a second side of the stop sign, and a portion of the arm portion corresponds to a third side of the stop sign.

2 . The safety device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tabs formed on the arm portion for coupling to the stop sign.

3 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the arm portion has one or more weight reduction cutouts within the interior area of the arm portion.

4 . The safety device of claim 2 , wherein the one or more weight reduction cutouts are triangular in shape.

5 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the arm portion is formed of aluminum.

6 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the arm portion has a longitudinal length greater than two feet.

7 . The safety device of claim 1 , wherein the arm portion includes a plurality of tabs that overlap the stop sign portion along at least one side of the stop sign portion.

8 . A safety device for a school bus, the safety device comprising:

a stop sign portion sized and configured to couple to a motor-driven pivotable mount attached to the school bus on a side;

an arm portion, wherein the arm portion is joined to the stop sign portion;

a mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is joined to the stop sign portion;

wherein the stop sign portion, the arm portion, and the mounting bracket are formed from one piece of material;

and wherein the arm portion has a primary vertical portion in an installed positioned and is formed with a lip on a lower edge that extends perpendicular to the primary vertical portion.

9 . The safety device of claim 8 , wherein the arm portion is formed of aluminum.

10 . The safety device of claim 8 , wherein the arm portion has one or more weight reduction cutouts within an interior area of the arm portion.

11 . The safety device of claim 8 , wherein the lip extends outward 0.25 inch.

12 . The safety device of claim 8 , further comprising:

wherein the arm portion has a distal end and a proximal end;

a stopper tab extending from a portion of the distal end and extending orthogonal to the arm portion; and

an adjustable stopper bracket coupled to the stopper tab.

13 . The safety device of claim 12 , wherein the adjustable stopper bracket comprises at least one magnet for holding the arm portion against the exterior side of the school bus when in a undeployed position, and wherein the adjustable stopper bracket is adjustable to facilitate contact between the at least one magnet and the school bus.

14 . A safety device for a school bus coupled to an exterior side of the school bus, the safety device comprising:

a mounting bracket configured for coupling to the school bus;

a stop sign portion coupled to the mounting bracket;

an arm portion coupled to the mounting bracket, the arm portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the arm portion further comprising a stopper tab extending from a portion of the distal end; and

an adjustable stopper bracket coupled to the stopper tab, the adjustable stopper bracket having a magnet for holding the arm portion against the exterior side of the school bus when in a undeployed position, wherein the adjustable stopper bracket is adjustable to facilitate contact between the magnet and the school bus.

15 . The safety device of claim 14 , further comprising a mounting motor for rotating the safety device from a undeployed position and an deployed position.

16 . The safety device of claim 14 , wherein the adjustable stopper bracket comprises a first arm and a second arm, the second arm extending perpendicular to the first arm, wherein the magnet is positioned on the second arm.

17 . The safety device of claim 14 , wherein the adjustable stopper bracket comprises a plurality of channels configured for sliding the adjustable stopper bracket relative to the stopper tab.

18 . The safety device of claim 14 , wherein the arm portion is formed of aluminum.

19 . The safety device of claim 14 , wherein the arm portion has one or more weight reduction cutouts within an interior area of the arm portion.

20 . The safety device of claim 14 , wherein a first plurality of fasteners connect the arm portion to the mounting bracket and a second plurality of fasteners connect the stop sign portion to the mounting bracket.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2024
From: THOMPSON, DANIEL F.
To: BUS GATES, INC.
Reel/Frame 067416/0316 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 18203019 · May 29, 2023
Provisional Application 63349083 · Jun 4, 2022
Related Publication 20240295091A1 · Sep 5, 2024
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