Vehicle side step assembly

• US 20020079667A1
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Pohill, John W., Sterling, Shawn A., Pennala, David W., Kargilis, John S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,588,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/163
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/002 Running boards for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02

Abstract

A vehicle step assembly which easily mounts to and removes from a motor vehicle and includes a main body portion and a pair of mounting brackets. The main body portion defines a step surface. The assembly further includes fasteners for attaching the main body portion to the mounting brackets as well as the brackets to the vehicle body or frame. The brackets attach to the vehicle through a downwardly facing tab and removable fasteners. The fasteners secure the bracket to the body or frame. The downwardly facing tabs help to carry and allow for easy installation and removal.

Claims

1. A step assembly for attachment to a structural member of a motor vehicle, the step assembly comprising:

a main body portion having a generally planar step surface; and

a pair of support brackets connected to the main body portion, each support bracket having a first end including a flange portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar step surface and adapted to be removably secured to the structural member of the motor vehicle, each support bracket further including a downwardly facing tab for locating an associated one of the flange portions relative to the structural member of the motor vehicle.

2. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes an underside defining a pair of channels, each channel receiving at least a portion of an associate one of the support bracket.

3. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes an upwardly extending lip along a portion of a perimeter of an upper surface.

4. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 3, wherein the lip extends substantially the entire length of three sides of the perimeter.

5. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 1, wherein each support bracket is integrally formed to include a first portion attached to the main body portion, a second portion for attachment to the structural member, and an intermediate portion connecting the first and second portions.

6. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 1, wherein the first portion of each support bracket is formed to include a pair of mounting flanges each defining an aperture for receiving a fastener.

7. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 5, wherein the first portion of each support bracket includes a pair of downwardly facing tabs.

8. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion of each support brackets has a generally U-shaped cross section and tapers from adjacent the first portion to adjacent the second portion.

9. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 5, wherein the second portion of each of the support brackets includes a pair of rail segments each having a generally U-shaped cross section which opens downwardly.

10. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 9, wherein the second portion of each of the support brackets further includes a horizontal segment interbetween the pair of rail segments, the horizontal segment secured to the main body portion.

11. In combination with a motor vehicle having a structural member, a step assembly removably secured to the structural member, the step assembly comprising:

a main body portion having a step defining a generally planar step surface; and

a pair of support assemblies connected to the main body portion, each support assembly having a distal end including a flange portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar step surface and secured to the structural member, each support assembly further including a downwardly facing tab to locate an associated one of the flange portions relative to the structural member of the motor vehicle.

12. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 11, wherein the main body portion includes an underside defining a pair of channels, each channel receiving at least a portion of an associate one of the support bracket.

13. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 11, wherein the main body portion includes an upwardly extending lip along a portion of a perimeter of an upper surface.

14. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 13, wherein the lip extends substantially the entire length of three sides of the perimeter.

15. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 11,, wherein each support bracket is integrally formed to include a first portion attached to the main body portion, a second portion for attachment to the structural member, and an intermediate portion connecting the first and second portions.

16. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 15, wherein the first portion of each support bracket is formed to include a pair of mounting flanges each defining an aperture for receiving a fastener.

17. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 15, wherein the first portion of each support bracket includes a pair of downwardly facing tabs.

18. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 15, wherein the intermediate portion of each support brackets has a generally U-shaped cross section and tapers from adjacent the first portion to adjacent the second portion.

19. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 15, wherein the second portion of each of the support brackets includes a pair of rail segments each having a generally U-shaped cross section which opens downwardly.

20. The step assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle structural member of claim 19, wherein the second portion of each of the support brackets further includes a horizontal segment interbetween the pair of rail segments, the horizontal segment secured to the main body portion.