1. A system for controlling the use of an emergency warning light system and for controlling the use of a siren system in a motorized vehicle, said system comprising:
a user control panel for receiving user input and for displaying system status;
one or more processors for controlling operation of the system in response to received user input and for providing system status for display; and
storage media encoded with emergency warning light system instructions for execution by one or more of the processors for controlling the actuation of the emergency warning light system and for controlling light patterns generated by the emergency warning light system;
the storage media further encoded with siren system instructions for execution by one or more of the processors for controlling the actuation of the siren system and for controlling audible sounds generated by the siren system.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an inputoutput (IO) port for exchanging data with an external computer.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the IO port comprises a USB port for providing instructions andor data for configuring one or more of the processors to manage power of the system andor data for configuring one or more of the processors to manage loads of the system.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the storage media is further encoded with operating options instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors causes the system to receive operating options data over the IO port, the operating options data when interpreted by one of the processors executing the operating options instructions causes the system so make available for user selection via the user control panel a subset of available system operating options, the subset of system operating options corresponding so the operating options data.
5. The system of claim 2 further comprising tangible computer readable media encoded with computer executable user-configurable instructions, said user-configurable instructions executable by the external computer to provide monitoring instructions to one or more of the processors via the IO port, said monitoring instructions causing the system to monitor a system setting, detect when the system setting is outside a reference range and provide a warning indication via the user control panel when the system setting is outside the reference range.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the storage media is further encoded with diagnostic instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors causes the system to monitor for one or more system faults from a set of system faults comprising
a configuration failure wherein the system fails to successfully load preselected configuration data at system power up and wherein in response to said configuration failure the system implements a default configuration;
a communication failure involving one or more of the processors wherein in response to said communication failure the user control panel provides a communication failure indication; and
a power failure wherein in response to said power failure the user control panel provides a power failure indication.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the storage media is further encoded with load management instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors causes the system to monitor system input voltage from a vehicle battery, detect when the system input voltage is outside a system input voltage reference range and provide a warning indication via the user control panel when the system input voltage is outside the system input voltage reference range.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the system input voltage reference range is selectable via the user control panel.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said monitoring instructions comprise load management instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors causes the system to monitor system input voltage from a vehicle battery, detect when the system input voltage is outside a system input voltage reference range and provide a warning indication via the user control panel when the system input voltage is outside the system input voltage reference range.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the system input voltage reference range is selectable via the user-configurable instructions.
11. The system of claim 2 wherein one or more of the processors is programmed to reset a PTT function after a preset period of time elapses after a PTT push-button is continuously engaged to activate the PTT function for providing audio via a speaker to prevent the PTT function from remaining activated beyond the preset period.
12. The system of claim 2 further comprising at least one of the following:
wherein one or more of the processors is programmed to implement a configurable power manager function or a configurable load manager function;
wherein one or more of the processors is programmed to implement monitoring voltages or currents of components and includes de-energizing a component having a monitored voltage or a monitored current outside a preset range; and
wherein at least one of the processors is programmed to monitor a power supply voltage level and recognize dropout voltage groups selectable by a use and wherein in response to the monitored voltage level falling below a specified voltage level for a selected dropout voltage group, the processor is programmed to cause the selected dropout voltage group to become de-energized.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the preset range and the specified voltage level are each selectable by the user via a USB port connected to one or more of the processors and wherein a delay period must elapse before a group is de-energized.
14. The system of claim 2 wherein one or more of the processors is programmed to implement a load manager function and a configurable delayed shutoff function wherein the load manager when activated controls the power to other equipment in the vehicle through an external solenoid and wherein the configurable delayed shutoff function when activated includes a sleep delay timer such that the system remains active after the vehicle ignition is turned off for the duration of the sleep delay timer.
15. A system for controlling the use of an emergency warning light and for controlling the use of a siren in a motorized vehicle, said system comprising:
a user control panel for receiving user input and for displaying system status;
one or more processors for controlling operation of the system in response to received user input and for providing system status for display; and
storage media encoded with system instructions for execution by one or more of the processors for controlling the actuation of and the pattern provided through the emergency warning light and for controlling the actuation of and the audible sounds generated by the siren;
wherein one or more of the processors is programmed to reset a PTT function after a preset period of time elapses after a PTT push-button is continuously engaged to activate the PTT function for providing audio via a speaker to prevent the PTT function from remaining activated beyond the preset period.
16. A system for controlling the use of an emergency warning light and for controlling the use of a siren in a motorized vehicle, said system comprising:
a user control panel for receiving user input and for displaying system status;
one or more processors for controlling operation of the system in response to received user input and for providing system status for display; and
storage media encoded with system instructions for execution by one or more of the processors for controlling the actuation of and the pattern provided through the emergency warning light and for controlling the actuation of and the audible sounds generated by the siren;
wherein at least one of the following:
one or more of the processors is programmed to implement a configurable power manager function or a configurable load manager function;
one or more of the processors is programmed to monitor voltages or currents of components and includes de-energizing a component having a monitored voltage or a monitored current outside a preset range; and
one or more of the processors is programmed to monitor a power supply voltage level and recognize dropout voltage groups selectable by a user and wherein in response so the monitored voltage level falling below a specified voltage level for a selected dropout voltage group, the processor is programmed to cause the selected dropout voltage group to become de-energized.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the preset range and the specified voltage level are each selectable by a user via a USB port connected to one or more of the processors and wherein a delay period must elapse before a group is de-energized.
18. A system for controlling the use of an emergency warning light and for controlling the use of a siren in a motorized vehicle, said system comprising:
a user control panel for receiving user input and for displaying system status;
one or more processors for controlling operation of the system in response to received user input and for providing system status for display; and
storage media encoded with system instructions for execution by one or more of the processors for controlling the actuation of and the pattern provided through the emergency warning light and for controlling the actuation of and the audible sounds generated by the siren;
wherein one or more of the processors is programmed to implement a load manager function and a configurable delayed shutoff function wherein the load manager when activated controls the power to other equipment in the vehicle through an external solenoid and wherein the configurable delayed shutoff function when activated includes a sleep delay timer such that the system remains active after the vehicle ignition is turned off for the duration of the sleep delay timer.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A dolly for selectively lifting and transporting a device mounted on a stand, the dolly comprising:
a first platform comprising a first end adapted to be secured to a stand, a second end, and a connecting member extending between said first end and said second end, said first platform including a first wheel system;
a second platform comprising a first end adapted to be secured to the stand, a second end, and a connecting member extending between said first end and said second end of said second platform, said second platform including a second wheel system;
an actuation portion operatively associated with said first and second platforms for reversibly moving said first and second platforms relative to one another between a lowering position and a locked lifting position; and
a latch mechanism for locking said first and second platforms in the lifting position,
wherein a first application of downward pressure to said actuation portion automatically shifts said first and second platforms from the lowering position to the locked lifting position, in which said first and second wheel systems are placed in contact with the ground and the stand is raised in spaced relation to the ground, and
wherein a subsequent second application of downward pressure to said actuation portion automatically shifts said first and second platforms from the locked lifting position into the lowering position, in which the stand rests on the ground and supports said first and second wheel systems in spaced relation to the ground.
2. The dolly of claim 1, wherein said first and second wheel systems collectively comprise at least three wheels.
3. The dolly of claim 1, wherein subsequent to the second application of downward pressure, gravity causes said first and second platforms to automatically shift from the lifting position to the lowering position.
4. The dolly of claim 1, wherein said actuation portion comprises a foot-receiving pedal.
5. The dolly of claim 4, wherein said first platform is slidable over said second platform between the lowering and lifting positions, and wherein said foot-receiving pedal is associated with said first platform.
6. The dolly of claim 5, wherein said foot-receiving pedal is rigidly fixed against rotational and translational movement with respect to said first platform.
7. The dolly of claim 1, wherein said connecting member of said first platform comprises said actuation portion.
8. The dolly of claim 1, further comprising:
first and second mounting members pivotally connected to said first platform and attachable to corresponding first and second legs of the stand; and
third and fourth mounting members pivotally connected to said second platform and attachable to corresponding third and fourth legs of the stand.
9. The dolly of claim 1, wherein said latch mechanism comprises latching means.
10. An assembly comprising:
a stand;
a device mounted on said stand; and
a dolly for selectively lifting and transporting said device mounted on said stand, said dolly comprising
a first platform comprising a first end adapted to be secured to said stand, a second end, and a connecting member extending between said first end and said second end, said first platform including a first wheel system;
a second platform comprising a first end adapted to be secured to said stand, a second end, and a connecting member extending between said first end and said second end of said second platform, said second platform including a second wheel system;
an actuation portion operatively associated with said first and second platforms for reversibly moving said first and second platforms relative to one another between a lowering position and a locked lifting position; and
a latch mechanism for locking said first and second platforms in the lifting position,
wherein a first application of downward pressure to said actuation portion automatically shifts said first and second platforms from the lowering position to the locked lifting position, in which said first and second wheel systems are placed in contact with the ground and said stand is raised in spaced relation to the ground, and
wherein a subsequent second application of downward pressure to said actuation portion automatically shifts said first and second platforms from the locked lifting position into the lowering position, in which said stand rests on the ground and supports said first and second wheel systems in spaced relation to the ground.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said first and second wheel systems collectively comprise at least three wheels.
12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein subsequent to the second application of downward pressure, gravity causes said first and second platforms to automatically shift from the lifting position to the lowering position.
13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said actuation portion comprises a foot-receiving pedal.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said first platform is slidable over said second platform between the lowering and lifting positions, and wherein said foot-receiving pedal is associated with said first platform.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said foot-receiving pedal is rigidly fixed against rotational and translational movement with respect to said first platform.
16. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said connecting member of said first platform comprises said actuation portion.
17. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said dolly further comprises:
first and second mounting members pivotally connected to said first platform and attachable to corresponding first and second legs of said stand; and
third and fourth mounting members pivotally connected to said second platform and attachable to corresponding third and fourth legs of said stand.
18. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said latch mechanism comprises latching means.
19. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said device comprises a power tool.