Push to Release Retractable Side Step

• US 20090250896A1
• Filed: 08/27/2007
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Inventors: Watson, Bradley E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,070,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/166
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0917 Lever

Abstract

A step assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be fixedly secured to a motor vehicle. A first arm includes one end pivotal with respect to the mounting bracket assembly and an opposing end. A second arm includes one end pivotal with respect to the mounting bracket assembly and an opposing end. A step pad assembly is pivotally coupled to the opposing end of each of the first and second arms. The step pad assembly includes a step movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A push to release mechanism is operably coupled to at least one of the first and second arms to release the step from one of the retracted and extended positions in response to a push action on the step.

Claims

1. A step assembly for a motor vehicle, said step assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a step;

first and second arms each having one end pivotal with respect to said mounting bracket and an opposing end pivotally coupled to said step for pivotally moving said step between a retracted position and an extended position; and

a push to release mechanism operably coupled to at least one of said first and second arms for allowing movement of said step between said retracted and extended positions in response to a push action on said step.

2. A step assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a drive shaft rotatable relative to said mounting bracket and fixedly supporting said second arm therealong.

3. A step assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said push to release mechanism includes an elongated shaft operably coupled to said drive shaft and rotatable therewith.

4. A step assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said push to release mechanism includes a latch hub fixedly secured to said elongated shaft and pivotally movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

5. A step assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said push to release mechanism includes a pawl engageable with said latch hub for selectively retaining said latch hub in said locked position.

6. A step assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said push to release mechanism includes a torsion spring connected to said latch hub for biasing said latch hub into said unlocked position.

7. A step assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said push to release mechanism includes a drive gear fixedly secured to said drive shaft.

8. A step assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said push to release mechanism includes a pinion gear fixedly secured to said elongated shaft and in meshing engagement with said drive gear for transferring rotational motion from said drive shaft to said elongated shaft.

9. A step assembly for a motor vehicle, said step assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a drive shaft rotatable relative to said mounting bracket;

an arm having one end fixedly secured to said drive shaft and an opposing end;

a step pivotally coupled to said opposing end of said arm and movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and

a latch assembly including a latch hub operably coupled to said drive shaft and movable in response to movement thereof, said latch hub movable between a locked position, in which said latch assembly maintains said step in said retracted position, and an unlocked position, in which said latch assembly allows for movement of said step between said retracted and extended positions.

10. A step assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said latch assembly includes a pawl engageable with said latch hub to selectively maintain said latch hub in said locked position.

11. A step assembly as set forth in claim 10 including an elongated shaft operably coupled to said drive shaft and fixedly supporting said latch hub therealong.

12. A step assembly as set forth in claim 11 including a torsion spring connected to said latch hub for biasing said latch hub into said unlocked position.

13. A step assembly as set forth in claim 12 including a drive gear fixedly secured to said drive shaft.

14. A step assembly as set forth in claim 13 including a pinion gear fixedly secured to said elongated shaft and in meshing engagement with said drive gear for transferring rotational motion from said drive shaft to said elongated shaft.

15. A latch assembly for step assembly including a mounting bracket, at least one arm fixedly secured to a rotatable drive shaft, and a step movable between a retracted position and an extended position, said latch assembly including:

a pawl bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the mounting bracket;

a pawl rotatably mounted to said pawl bracket; and

a latch hub operably coupled to the drive shaft for movement between a locked position, in which said pawl engages said latch hub to prevent rotation of the pivot member, and an unlocked position, in which said pawl releases said latch hub to allow rotation of the drive shaft for movement of the step between the retracted position and the extended position.

16. A latch assembly as set forth in claim 15 including a pawl rivet extending through said pawl and said latch bracket to rotatably mount said pawl thereto.

17. A latch assembly as set forth in claim 16 including a wave washer disposed between said pawl bracket and said pawl to ensure interrupted movement of said pawl relative to said pawl bracket.

18. A latch assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said latch hub includes at least one fork member directly engageable with said pawl.

19. A latch assembly as set forth in claim 18 including a torsion spring connected to said latch hub for biasing said latch hub towards said unlocked position.