Driver access system for motor truck tractor

• US 20040178602A1
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kalmar Industries USA LLC (Cargotec Oyj)
• Original Assignee: Kalmar Industries USA LLC (Cargotec Oyj)
• Inventors: Newton, Dean E., Lehman, Gregory J., King, Harold E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,971,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/163
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/00 Arrangements of steps or ladders facilitating access to or on the vehicle, e.g. running-boards construction of steps for railway vehicles B61D23/00 ; ladders E06C

Abstract

An access system, particularly adapted for a terminal or a yard type motor truck tractor, includes three vertically and laterally spaced steps which are mountable on the tractor frame just aft of the tractor cab to provide access between ground level and a deck or platform of the tractor aft of the cab. First and second vertical and laterally spaced steps are mounted on a member supported by one of the tractor frame rails. A third step is separately mounted on the frame rail interposed the second step and the platform and includes handrails disposed adjacent thereto. The access system provides improved access between the tractor rear deck or platform and ground level and reduces user fatigue. A member supporting the first and second steps may form a storage compartment.

Claims

1. An access system for a motor truck tractor to provide for boarding and disembarking from a deck or platform disposed on a frame of said tractor and disposed rearward of a driver'"'"'s cab of said tractor, comprising:

at least a first step supported on said frame between ground level and said platform; and

at least a second step laterally displaced from said first step and disposed vertically between said first step and said platform and supported on said frame.

2. The access system set forth in claim 1 including:

a third step disposed intermediate said first and second steps and disposed laterally in another direction with respect to said first and second steps.

3. The access system set forth in claim 1 including:

at least a first handrail disposed adjacent said second step for grasping by a person standing on said access system between said platform and ground level.

4. The access system set forth in claim 3 including:

a second handrail disposed adjacent said first handrail and said second step and providing for grasping by a person moving between said platform and said second step.

5. The access system set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said first step is disposed on a support member supported by said frame, said support member providing a support for a third step disposed intermediate said first step and said second step.

6. The access system set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said support member includes a storage compartment.

7. The access system set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said support member includes a cover moveable between an open and closed position and latch means for holding said cover in said closed position.

8. The access system set forth in claim 7 wherein:

said first step and said third step include step members which are removably mounted on said support member.

9. The access system set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said second step is mounted on said frame and supports a first handrail.

10. The access system set forth in claim 9 wherein:

said first handrail depends at an incline with respect to the vertical.

11. The access system set forth in claim 9 including:

a second handrail connected to and extending generally normal to said first handrail.

12. An access system for a terminal type motor truck tractor, said tractor including a frame, a driver'"'"'s cab including a back wall and a door opening between said cab and a platform on said frame rearwardly of said cab, said access system comprising:

vertically spaced apart steps mounted on said frame and rearward of said cab including a first step disposed a predetermined height above ground level, a second step disposed a predetermined height above said first step and disposed laterally in a first direction with respect to said first step; and

a third step interposed said second step and said platform and disposed laterally in a second direction generally normal to said lateral displacement of said second step.

13. The access system set forth in claim 12 including:

a first handrail disposed adjacent said third step and adapted to be grasped by a person moving between said platform and ground level using the steps of said access system.

14. The access system set forth in claim 13 including:

a second handrail disposed in a predetermined position with respect to said first handrail and adapted to be grasped by a person moving between said platform and said third step.

15. The access system set forth in claim 14 wherein:

said third step and said handrails are adapted to be supported on said frame

16. The access system set forth in claim 12 wherein:

said first step and said second step are mounted on a member adapted to be mounted on said frame.

17. The access system set forth in claim 12 wherein:

said access system is disposed within an envelope of said tractor defined at least in part by the width thereof.

18. An access system for a terminal type motor truck tractor, said tractor including a frame, a driver'"'"'s cab including a back wall and a door opening between said cab and a platform on said frame rearwardly of said cab, said access system comprising:

vertically spaced apart steps mounted on said frame and rearward of said cab including a first step disposed a predetermined height above ground level;

a second step disposed a predetermined height above said first step and disposed laterally in a first direction with respect to said first step; and

a third step disposed adjacent said platform and interposed said second step and said platform and disposed laterally in a second direction generally normal to said lateral displacement of said second step whereby said access system is disposed within the plan profile of said tractor and does not interfere with the swing area required by a trailer connected to said tractor.

19. The access system set forth in claim 18 including:

a first guardrail disposed adjacent said third step; and

a second guardrail disposed in a predetermined position with respect to said first guardrail and adjacent said third step.

20. The access system set forth in claim 19 wherein:

said third step and said guardrails are supported on a member adapted to be mounted on said frame.

21. The access system set forth in claim 18 wherein:

said first step and said second step are mounted on a member adapted to be mounted on said frame.

22. The access system set forth in claim 18 wherein:

said access system is disposed within an envelope of said tractor defined by the width thereof.