Detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer

• US 10,202,080 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2018
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Dwaine Burleson
• Original Assignee: Michael Dwaine Burleson
• Inventors: Burleson, Michael Dwaine
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, James A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Triggs, James J
• Application Number:
  US16/007,766
• Time in Patent Office: 244 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/007 Removable steps or ladders, e.g. foldable as access means for vehicle tops B60R3/005

Abstract

A detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer allows passengers to board and dismount the trailer. The detachable footstep includes a frame, a footstep, a slip-guard, and a connector-locking mechanism. The footstep and the connector-locking mechanism are mounted on opposite ends of the frame. The connector-locking mechanism is a mechanical lock that attaches the frame to the stake pocket. The footstep is a sturdy rigid member capable supporting the passenger'"'"'s weight as the passenger boards the trailer. The slip-guard is made of high-grip materials to help the passenger gain a secure foothold on the footstep.

Claims

1. A detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer comprises:

a frame;

a footstep;

a slip-guard;

a connector-locking mechanism;

the frame comprises an offsetting structure and a pocket connector;

the footstep being terminally mounted to the offsetting structure;

the pocket connector being terminally mounted to the offsetting structure, opposite the footstep;

the slip-guard being mounted onto the footstep;

the connector-locking mechanism being operatively integrated into the frame, wherein the connector-locking mechanism is used to hold the pocket connector in place;

the connector-locking mechanism comprises a securing pin and at least one pin slot;

the at least one pin slot traversing through the offsetting structure;

the at least one pin slot being positioned adjacent to the pocket connector;

the at least one pin slot being engaged by the securing pin;

the at least one pin slot being a plurality of pin slots; and

the plurality of pin slot being positioned along the offsetting structure.

2. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the pocket connector comprises a first hook and a second hook;

the offsetting structure comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

the first sidewall and the second sidewall being positioned parallel and offset to each other;

the footstep being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

the first hook being terminally connected to the first sidewall, opposite to the footstep; and

the second hook being terminally connected to the second sidewall, opposite to the footstep.

3. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the pocket connector comprises a base plate and a tube;

the offsetting structure comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

the first sidewall and the second sidewall being positioned parallel and offset to each other;

the footstep being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

the base plate being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, opposite the footstep;

the tube being connected onto the base plate; and

the tube being oriented towards the footstep.

4. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 3 comprises:

a central axis of the tube being positioned parallel and coincident with a normal axis of the footstep.

5. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 3 comprises:

a central axis of the tube being positioned parallel and offset with a normal axis of the footstep.

6. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the connector-locking mechanism comprises a securing pin and at least one pin slot;

the at least one pin slot traversing through the pocket connector;

the at least one pin slot being positioned offset from the offsetting structure; and

the at least one pin slot being engaged by the securing pin.

7. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the pocket connector comprises a female tube and a flange;

the offsetting structure comprises a male tube and an angled mount;

the flange being terminally connected to the female tube;

the male tube engaging the female tube, opposite the flange;

the angled mount being terminally connected to the male tube, opposite the female tube; and

the footstep being mounted onto the angled mount, offset from the male tube.

8. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 7 comprises:

the connector-locking mechanism comprises a securing pin, at least one pin slot, and a locking slot;

the locking slot laterally traversing through the female tube, offset from the flange;

the at least one pin slot traversing through the male tube, offset from the angled mount; and

the securing pin being engaged through the locking slot and the at least one pin slot.

9. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a spring-loaded actuator;

the footstep being rotatably connected to the offsetting structure; and

the spring-loaded actuator being operatively integrated into the rotatable connection between the footstep and the offsetting structure, wherein the spring-loaded actuator is used to selectively position the footstep perpendicular to the offsetting structure.

10. A detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer comprises:

a frame;

a footstep;

a slip-guard;

a connector-locking mechanism;

a spring-loaded actuator;

the frame comprises an offsetting structure and a pocket connector;

the footstep being terminally mounted to the offsetting structure;

the pocket connector being terminally mounted to the offsetting structure, opposite the footstep;

the slip-guard being mounted onto the footstep;

the connector-locking mechanism being operatively integrated into the frame, wherein the connector-locking mechanism is used to hold the pocket connector in place;

the footstep being rotatably connected to the offsetting structure; and

the spring-loaded actuator being operatively integrated into the rotatable connection between the footstep and the offsetting structure, wherein the spring-loaded actuator is used to selectively position the footstep perpendicular to the offsetting structure.

11. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the pocket connector comprises a first hook and a second hook;

the offsetting structure comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

the first sidewall and the second sidewall being positioned parallel and offset to each other;

the footstep being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

the first hook being terminally connected to the first sidewall, opposite to the footstep; and

the second hook being terminally connected to the second sidewall, opposite to the footstep.

12. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the pocket connector comprises a base plate and a tube;

the offsetting structure comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

the first sidewall and the second sidewall being positioned parallel and offset to each other;

the footstep being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;

the base plate being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, opposite the footstep;

the tube being connected onto the base plate; and

the tube being oriented towards the footstep.

13. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 12 comprises:

a central axis of the tube being positioned parallel and offset with a normal axis of the footstep.

14. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 12 comprises:

a central axis of the tube being positioned parallel and coincident with a normal axis of the footstep.

15. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the connector-locking mechanism comprises a securing pin and at least one pin slot;

the at least one pin slot traversing through the offsetting structure;

the at least one pin slot being positioned adjacent to the pocket connector; and

the at least one pin slot being engaged by the securing pin.

16. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 15 comprises:

the at least one pin slot being a plurality of pin slots; and

the plurality of pin slot being positioned along the offsetting structure.

17. The detachable footstep for stake pockets on a trailer as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the connector-locking mechanism comprises a securing pin and at least one pin slot;

the at least one pin slot traversing through the pocket connector;

the at least one pin slot being positioned offset from the offsetting structure; and

the at least one pin slot being engaged by the securing pin.