STOP-ARM WITH CAMERA SYSTEM

• US 20140098231A1
• Filed: 10/22/2013
• Published: 04/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woodstock Transportation Components, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Woodstock Safety Mirror Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Buley, Gloria M., Buley, Wesley A., Buley, Wesley S., Buley, Travis C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,321,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/002 specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle, e.g. for viewing tyres, bumpers or the like integrated in the windows B60R1/001; combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a stop-arm with camera system for a vehicle. The stop-arm with camera system includes a shield, a stop-arm, and a camera assembly. The stop-arm includes a first side and a second side. The stop-arm is deployable between a first position where the first side of the stop-arm is disposed at least partially inside the shield, and a second position where the stop-arm is substantially perpendicular to the shield. The camera assembly is coupled to the first side of the stop-arm. In various embodiments, the stop-arm with camera system is mounted on a rear passenger side of the vehicle, which may be a bus. In certain embodiments, the camera assembly provides a view including an area that is under the vehicle and between a rear wheel of the vehicle and a front wheel of the vehicle when the stop-arm is in the second position.

Claims

1. A stop-arm with camera system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a shield;

a stop-arm comprising a first side and a second side, the stop-arm deployable between a first position wherein the first side of the stop-arm is disposed at least partially inside the shield, and a second position wherein the stop-arm is substantially perpendicular to the shield; and

a camera assembly coupled to the first side of the stop-arm.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the shield comprises a camera recess.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the shield comprises a camera shield box at least partially disposed within the camera recess.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the camera shield box comprises drip holes.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the camera assembly is at least partially disposed in the camera shield box when the stop-arm is in the first position.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein the shield comprises a shock absorber disposed between the camera recess and the camera shield box.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the shock absorber is foam.

8. The system according to claim 1, comprising a motor operable to deploy the stop-arm between the first position and the second position.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stop-arm comprises a stop sign coupled to the second side.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the stop sign comprises lights.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the camera assembly comprises a visor.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the camera assembly comprises lights to illuminate a viewing area.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the camera assembly comprises night vision.

14. The system according to claim 1, comprising a display monitor mounted inside the vehicle and operable to display image data captured by the camera assembly.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the image data is a video feed communicated to the display monitor from the camera assembly.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the image data is communicated from the camera assembly to the display monitor via a wireless connection.

17. The system according to claim 1, comprising a switch operable to deploy the stop-arm and activate the camera assembly.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stop-arm comprises a stop-arm recess at the first side of the stop-arm, and wherein the camera assembly is at least partially disposed within the stop-arm recess.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the camera assembly provides a view including an area that is under the vehicle and between a rear wheel of the vehicle and a front wheel of the vehicle when the stop-arm is in the second position.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is mounted on a rear passenger side of the vehicle.

21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a bus.

22. A deployable stop sign with camera system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a sign comprising a first side facing a front of the vehicle and a second side facing a rear of the vehicle, the sign deployable between a first position wherein the sign is disposed inside or behind the vehicle, and a second position wherein the sign is extended beyond a side of the vehicle and is substantially perpendicular to the side of the vehicle; and

a camera assembly coupled to the first side of the sign, wherein the camera assembly provides a view of an area that is under the vehicle and between a rear wheel of the vehicle and a front wheel of the vehicle when the sign is in the second position.