Retractable vehicle step
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A retractable vehicle step comprising:
- a frame configured to connect to a vehicle;
a pair of support arms rotatably connected at a first end of the pair of support arms to the frame at a first pair of rotation axes;
a support bracket rotatably connected to a second end of the pair of arms at a second pair of rotation axes; and
a step member connected to the support bracket;
wherein the pair of support arms are configured to pivotably move the support bracket and the step member between a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position located outboard of the retracted position;
wherein a force is applied between a first support arm of the pair of support arms and a second support arm of the pair of support arms at a location between the first pair of rotation axes and the second pair of rotation axes when in the extended position; and
wherein the retractable vehicle step is self-energizing in the retracted position.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having an upper stepping surface, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The first and second arms can be generally planar linkages.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A retractable vehicle step comprising:
-
a frame configured to connect to a vehicle; a pair of support arms rotatably connected at a first end of the pair of support arms to the frame at a first pair of rotation axes; a support bracket rotatably connected to a second end of the pair of arms at a second pair of rotation axes; and a step member connected to the support bracket; wherein the pair of support arms are configured to pivotably move the support bracket and the step member between a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position located outboard of the retracted position; wherein a force is applied between a first support arm of the pair of support arms and a second support arm of the pair of support arms at a location between the first pair of rotation axes and the second pair of rotation axes when in the extended position; and wherein the retractable vehicle step is self-energizing in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
15. A vehicle having a retractable vehicle step, the vehicle comprising:
-
a retractable vehicle step comprising; a frame configured to connect to a vehicle; a pair of support arms rotatably connected at a first end of the pair of support arms to the frame at a first pair of rotation axes; a support bracket rotatably connected to a second end of the pair of arms at a second pair of rotation axes; and a step member connected to the support bracket; wherein the pair of support arms are configured to pivotably move the support bracket and the step member between a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position located outboard of the retracted position; wherein a force is exerted on a first support arm of the pair of support arms and a second support arm of the pair of support arms at a location between the first pair of rotation axes and the second pair of rotation axes when in the extended position; and wherein the retractable vehicle step is self-energizing in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification