TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to safety systems for use with a vehicle. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to deployable safety arms for use with a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Cargo carrying vehicles, including tanker trucks, must stop at various destinations in order to unload their cargo. Typically, after arriving at a destination, a driver must exit the cab of the truck in order to begin the unloading process. During the unloading process, the driver typically stands next to the truck. Often, the unloading process is at a high traffic location, like a gas station. As a result, when the driver is at risk of being struck by another vehicle while unloading cargo. Furthermore, the unloading process may be performed at night when the driver may be less visible to other drivers. The unloading process may require the driver's full attention, making the driver unaware of potential hazards.

SUMMARY

Currently, truck drivers must leave their vehicle to perform tasks that may divert their attention away from their surroundings. These tasks may be performed in high traffic areas putting the driver at risk from being struck by another vehicle. Thus, there is a continuous need for safety systems that protect drivers outside of their vehicle. In order to address this continuous need, the present disclosure provides safety arms for protecting drivers outside of their vehicle. As such, aspects of the present disclosure relate to safety arms for use with a vehicle.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further provide a vehicle. The vehicle may include a charging dock carried by the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a first safety arm carried by the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a first battery carried by the first safety arm. The first battery may be in electrical communication with the charging dock. The charging dock may charge the first battery. The vehicle may further include a first light source on the first safety arm. The first light source may be in electrical communication with the first battery. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the charging dock charges the first battery while the vehicle is moving. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a power source in electrical communication with the charging dock, wherein the power source charges the first battery. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the charging dock receives a portion of the first safety arm. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the charging dock includes a charging connector and the first safety arm includes a charging receptacle that is connected to an in electrical communication with the charging connector.

This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a receiver connected to the vehicle; and a coupler on the first safety arm, wherein the coupler couples the first safety arm to the receiver. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a second safety arm carried by the vehicle; a second battery carried by the second safety arm and in electrical communication with the charging dock, wherein the charging dock charges the second battery; and a second light source on the second safety arm and in electrical communication with the second battery. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a first receiver connected to the vehicle; a second receiver connected to the vehicle; a first coupler on the first safety arm, wherein the first coupler couples the first safety arm to the first receiver; and a second coupler on the second safety arm, wherein the second coupler couples the second safety arm to the second receiver. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the charging dock receives a portion of the first safety arm and a portion of the second safety arm simultaneously. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the charging dock includes a first charging connector and a second charging connector, the first safety arm includes a first charging receptacle that is connected to and in electrical communication with the first charging connector, and the second safety arm includes a second charging receptacle that is connected to and in electrical communication with the second charging connector.

This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the charging dock charges the first battery and the second battery of the second safety arm simultaneously. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a trailer that carries the first safety arm, the second safety arm, and the charging dock; and a cab connected to the trailer. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a power source carried by the cab and in electrical communication with the charging dock, wherein the power source charges the first battery and the second battery. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide an arm holder carried by the trailer and adjacent to the charging dock, wherein the arm holder carries the first safety arm and the second safety arm. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the trailer is a cylindrical tank including a nozzle assembly and the arm holder is adjacent to the nozzle assembly.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further provide a method for charging a battery of a safety arm. The method may include decoupling a first safety arm from a vehicle. The first safety arm may include a light source and a battery in electrical communication with the light source. The method may further include returning the first safety arm to a charging dock. The charging dock may be carried by the vehicle. The method may further include charging the battery with the charging dock. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide removing the first safety arm from the charging dock; and coupling the first safety arm to the vehicle. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide decoupling a second safety arm from the vehicle, wherein the second safety arm includes a light source and a battery in electrical communication with the light source; returning the second to the charging dock; and charging the battery of the second safety arm with the charging dock. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide charging the battery of the first safety arm and the battery of the second safety arm with a power source carried by the vehicle. This embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide moving the vehicle; and charging the battery of the first safety arm and charging the battery of the second safety arm simultaneously while the vehicle is moving.

