| CPC B60Q 1/2657 (2013.01) [B60Q 1/0088 (2013.01); B60Q 1/32 (2013.01); B60Q 1/503 (2013.01); B60Q 1/547 (2022.05); B60Q 2800/30 (2022.05)] | 14 Claims |
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1. An indicator arm apparatus comprising:
a mount unit comprising a first base plate and a second base plate, wherein each of the first base plate and second base plate are configured to be secured directly to a vehicle;
a first pivotal arm assembly comprising:
a first indicator,
a first hinge unit comprising
a fixed portion affixed directly to the first base plate, and
a swing portion pivotally affixed at a first end to the fixed portion and an opposed second end affixed to the first indicator, wherein the swing portion is configured to pivot relative to the first base plate and the fixed portion,
wherein the first hinge unit is configured to pivot the first indicator from a retracted position to a deployed position such that a portion of the first indicator is disposed further from the mount unit in the deployed position thereof;
a second pivotal arm assembly comprising:
a second indicator,
a second hinge unit comprising
an anchor portion affixed directly to the second base plate, and
a moving portion pivotally affixed at a first end to the anchor portion and an opposed second end affixed to the second indicator, wherein the moving portion is configured to pivot relative to the second base plate and the anchor portion,
wherein the second hinge unit is configured to pivot the second indicator from a stored position to an extended position such that a portion of the second indicator is disposed a distance from the mount unit in the extended position greater than the distance associated with the first indicator and the mount unit in the deployed position thereof;
a first drive unit affixed to the first base plate and operably linked to the first pivotal arm assembly to move the first indicator between the retracted position and the deployed position;
a second drive unit affixed to the second base plate and operably linked to the second pivotal arm assembly to move the second indicator between the stored position and the extended position; and
a control unit in operable communication with the first drive unit and the second drive unit configured to provide signals to the first drive unit to selectively move the first indicator and configured to provide signals to the second drive unit to selectively move the second indicator;
wherein the apparatus is configured allow operation in a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode,
wherein the first indicator is disposed in the deployed position and the second indicator is disposed in the stored position in the first mode,
wherein the first indicator is disposed in the deployed position and the second indicator is disposed in the extended position in the second mode, and
wherein the first indicator is disposed in the retracted position and the second indicator is disposed in the stored position in the third mode.
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