School bus and trailer systems tester

• US 6,043,661 A
• Filed: 02/11/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alejandro Gutierrez
• Original Assignee: Alejandro Gutierrez
• Inventors: Gutierrez, Alejandro
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Solis, Jose M.
• Application Number:
  US08/798,057
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 324/504, 324/503, 324/133, 324/556, 73/129, 340/431, 340/458
• US Class Current: 324/504
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/28 for testing brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00

Abstract

A portable diagnostic device for checking electrical signalling systems of school buses and/or tractor trailers. The device has several receptacles for connection to a corresponding receptacle or pin connector of a school bus and most types of trailers. One electrical circuit includes switches for energizing individual signalling or illumination circuits of the trailer individually, and indicating lamps for annunciating circuit operability. Another electrical circuit includes switches for energizing individual signalling or illumination circuits of the school bus individually, and indicating lamps for annunciating circuit operability. The device, which is contained on a wheeled cart, has its own power supply and circuit overcurrent protective devices, and is thus independent of a school bus and a tractor, both of which normally generate the signals. The device enables a shop to perform a safety check for many varieties of school buses and trailers.

Claims

1. A school bus systems tester for performing safety checks on a school bus having illumination and signal lighting circuits, the systems tester comprising:

electrical circuitry connectable to and selectively energizing and annunciating illumination and signalling lighting circuits of the school bus;

said electrical circuitry having subcircuits, each serving a selected illumination and signalling lighting circuit;

each said subcircuit having a switch for selectively controlling its respective subcircuit;

an annunciator selected from a lamp and an audible element responsive to successful energization of each said subcircuit;

a housing enclosing said electrical circuitry; and

a plurality of dissimilar modular wiring connectors each having a plurality of conductors, each individual conductor corresponding to one illumination and signalling function of the bus, individual conductors for each like illumination and signalling function of each said modular wiring connector being connected in parallel by said electrical circuitry to a predetermined said subcircuit, whereby like functions are energized and tested on buses having different modular wiring connectors by a designated one said subcircuit.

2. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mating modular connector, said mating modular connector being permanently connected to the illumination and signal lighting circuits of the school bus, said mating modular connector being configured to receive one of said plurality of dissimilar modular wiring connectors.

3. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cart supporting said housing;

wheels supporting said cart; and

a handle attached to a rear portion of said cart, for maneuvering said cart.

4. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, wherein said annunciators are comprised of lamps mounted on said housing.

5. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, wherein each said subcircuit further comprises an overcurrent protective device operably connected thereto.

6. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises:

at least one flasher operably connected to said at least one subcircuit connected to a conductor corresponding to a turning signal circuit of the school bus, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester.

7. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, further comprising:

a four-way indicator operably connected to a said subcircuit connected to a conductor corresponding to both turning signal circuits of the school bus, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to corresponding said subcircuits of said school bus systems tester.

8. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of modular wiring connectors includes a seven-conductor modular wiring connector, whereby said school bus systems tester is compatible with a plurality of school buses.

9. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises:

an initiate subcircuit operably connected to an eight-light warning system of the school bus, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester.

10. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises:

a beacon subcircuit operably connected to beacon lights of the school bus, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester.

11. The school bus systems tester according to claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises:

a caution light subcircuit operably connected to caution lights of the school bus, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester.

12. A school bus systems tester for performing safety checks on a school bus having illumination and signalling lighting circuits, the systems tester comprising:

a cart having a housing attached thereto,

electrical circuitry enclosed within said housing, and connectable to and selectively energizing and annunciating illumination and signalling lighting circuits of the school bus;

said electrical circuitry having an electrical power supply and subcircuits, each serving a selected illumination and signalling lighting circuit;

each said subcircuit having a switch for selectively controlling its respective subcircuit, an overcurrent protective device, and an annunciator selected from a lamp and an audible element responsive to successful energization of each said subcircuit;

each said switch, said overcurrent protective device, and said annunciator being mounted on the exterior of said housing; and

a seven-conductor modular wiring connector, whereby said school bus systems tester is compatible with a plurality of school buses, said modular wiring connector having a plurality of conductors, each individual conductor corresponding to one illumination and signalling function of said school bus, individual conductors for each like illumination and signalling function of each said modular wiring connector being connected in parallel by said electrical circuitry to a predetermined said subcircuit.

13. The school bus systems tester according to claim 12, further comprising:

a mating modular connector, said mating modular connector being permanently connected to the illumination and signal lighting circuits of the school bus, said mating modular connector being configured to receive said seven-connector modular wiring connector.

14. The school bus systems tester according to claim 12, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises:

at least one flasher operably connected to at least one said subcircuit connected to a conductor corresponding to a turning signal circuit of the school bus, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester; and

a four-way indicator operably connected to a said subcircuit connected to a conductor corresponding to both turning signal circuits of the school bus, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to corresponding said subcircuits of said school bus systems tester.

15. The school bus systems tester according to claim 12, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises at least one subcircuit selected from the group consisting of:

an initiate subcircuit operably connected to an eight-light warning system of the school bus, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester;

a beacon subcircuit operably connected to beacon lights of the school bus, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester; and

a caution light subcircuit operably connected to caution lights of the school bus, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said school bus systems tester.

16. A systems tester for performing safety checks on trailers and school buses of the type having illumination and signalling lighting circuits, the system tester comprising:

a cart having a housing, wheels supporting said cart, and a handle for maneuvering said cart;

electrical circuitry enclosed within said housing, and connectable to and selectively energizing and annunciating illumination and signalling lighting circuits;

said electrical circuitry having subcircuits, each serving a selected illumination and signalling lighting circuit;

each said subcircuit having a switch for selectively controlling its respective subcircuit;

an annunciator selected from a lamp and an audible element responsive to successful energization of each said subcircuit; and

at least one seven-conductor modular wiring connector;

wherein each of said modular wiring connectors has a plurality of conductors, each individual conductor corresponding to one illumination and signalling function, individual conductors for each like illumination and signalling function of each said modular wiring connector being connected in parallel by said electrical circuitry to a predetermined said subcircuit;

whereby illumination and signalling functions are energized and tested on trailers or school buses having different modular wiring connectors by a designated one said subcircuit.

17. The school bus systems tester according to claim 16, further comprising:

a mating modular connector, said mating modular connector being permanently connected to the illumination and signal lighting circuits of the school bus, said mating modular connector being configured to receive said at least one seven-conductor modular wiring connector.

18. The school bus systems tester according to claim 16, wherein:

said electrical circuitry comprises first and second electrical circuits;

said first electrical circuit being operative to perform said safety checks on said trailers; and

said second electrical circuit being operative to perform said safety checks on said school buses.

19. The school bus systems tester according to claim 16, wherein:

said at least one seven-conductor modular wiring connector comprises a first seven-conductor modular wiring connector and a second seven-conductor modular wiring connector;

said first seven-conductor modular wiring connector being operable connected to said first electrical circuit for performing said safety checks on said trailers; and

said second seven-conductor modular wiring connector being operable connected to said second electrical circuit for performing said safety checks on said school buses.

20. The school bus systems tester according to claim 16, wherein:

said at least one seven-conductor modular wiring connector comprises a single seven-conductor modular wiring connector;

said tester further comprises a seven-pole switch having first and second operative positions;

said seven-pole switch in said first operative position connects said first electrical circuit to said single seven-conductor modular wiring connector; and

said seven-pole switch in said second operative position connects said second electrical circuit to said single seven-conductor modular wiring connector.

21. The systems tester according to claim 16, further comprising:

at least one pneumatic hose connected to a pressurized air source and terminating in a glad hand, whereby a pneumatic system of said trailers or school buses can be connected to and pressurized from said systems tester.

22. The systems tester according to claim 16, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises:

at least one flasher operably connected to at least one said subcircuit connected to a conductor corresponding to a turning signal circuit of said trailers or school buses, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said systems tester; and

a four-way indicator operably connected to a said subcircuit connected to a conductor corresponding to both turning signal circuits of said trailers or school buses, for transmitting an intermittent power signal to corresponding said subcircuits of said systems tester.

23. The systems tester according to claim 16, wherein said electrical circuitry further comprises at least one subcircuit selected from the group consisting of:

an initiate subcircuit operably connected to an eight-light warning system of the school bus, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said systems tester;

a beacon subcircuit operably connected to beacon lights of said school buses, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said systems tester; and

a caution light subcircuit operably connected to caution lights of said school buses, for transmitting a power signal to a corresponding said subcircuit of said systems tester.