Signal means for vehicle retractable step

• US 3,883,844 A
• Filed: 02/25/1974
• Issued: 05/13/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George F. Wood II
• Original Assignee: George F. Wood II
• Inventors: Wood, George F. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Waring, Alvin H.
• Application Number:
  US05/445,360
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52R,272,274,278,282 200/61.44,61.43,61.42,86.5,86R,153C,61.7,61.71,61.72,61.73,61.74,61.75
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A remote signal means operably connected between a vehicle retractable step and the dashboard of the vehicle, or the area in the proximity of the operator of the vehicle, for providing a positive indication of the position of the step.

Claims

1. In combination with step means for vehicles, said step means being extendable and retractable between a passenger receiving position and a substantially concealed position, signalling apparatus comprising switch means operable by said step means for closing upon extension of the step means into said passenger receiving position and opening upon retraction of the step means into said concealed position, and a signal means operably connected with said switch means for activation upon closing of said switch means to provide indication of the extended position of the step means.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 and including override switch means operably connected with said signal means for selective deactivation thereof.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the switch means comprises mercurcy switch means secured to the step means and movable therewith to provide said closed position for the switch means in the extended position of the step means and to provide said open position for the switch means in the retracted position of the step means.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step means includes tread means pivotal about its own longitudinal axis during extension and retraction of the step means, and said switch means includes microswitch means secured to said tread means for movement simultaneously therewith during said pivotal movement whereby said microswitch means is closed upon extension of the step means and open upon retraction of the step means.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the signal means comprises a lamp activated upon closing of the switch means to provide a visual indication within the vehicle of the extension position of the step means.

6. In combination with a vehicle retractable and extendable step means, signalling means for providing indication of the extended or retracted position of the step means, said signalling means comprising switch means operable to a closed position by the extension of said step means and operable to an open position by the retraction of said step means, a signal member disposed within the interior of the vehicle and operably connected with the switch means for activation upon closing of the switch means to provide an indication of the extended position of the step means and deactivated upon opening of the switch means to provide an indication of the retracted position of the step means, said switch means and signal member being operably connected with a power source for supply of electrical current thereto.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein overriding switch means is operably connected with said signal member for selective deactivation thereof.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the switch means comprises a mercurcy switch, and the signal member comprises a lamp member.