Folding step for high ground clearance vehicles

• US 3,980,319 A
• Filed: 07/23/1975
• Issued: 09/14/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: R&S Accessories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: R&S Accessories Incorporated
• Inventors: Kirkpatrick, Elwood L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Forman, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US05/598,420
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 280/166, 280/163, 280/164 R, 280/164 A, 182/89, 182/90, 182/91, 182/92
• US Class Current: 280/166
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A supporting body member is arranged to be secured to a vehicle frame and has a downwardly angled flat wall portion on which one end of an arm carrying a step plate is pivotally attached. The axis of the pivot connection for the step arm extends at right angles to the downwardly angled wall portion so that when the arm is swung out to a use position the step plate is in a lowered position and when swung rearwardly to a non-use position the step plate is elevated. The body member has an upwardly directed front flange forming a stop for the step arm, and a detent is located on the flat wall portion behind the step arm to hold the latter in its use position, the arm being arranged, however, such that it can move rearward over the detent in the event that the arm or step plate is struck from the front or in the event that it is desired to retract the step manually. A tension spring is connected between the step arm and the body member and has over-center positions to assist in holding the step arm forward in its use position and to hold the step arm in a retracted non-use position. Another embodiment utilizes a friction washer to hold the step arm in use and non-use positions.

Claims

1. A step structure for high ground clearance vehicles having a bottom frame, said step comprising,

a. a body member,

b. means on said body member arranged to secure it to a vehicle frame,

c. said body member having a downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion,

d. an arm having inner and outer ends,

e. a step plate supported on the outer end of said arm,

f. means pivotally supporting said arm adjacent its inner end on said downwardly angled laterally extending portion,

g. said pivot means having it axis extending at substantially right angles to said downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion whereby said arm in a pivoted position extending laterally outwardly positions said step plate in a use position lower than said pivot means and in a pivoted position extending rearwardly positions itself and said step plate in a non-use position in a plane higher than said use position so as to be out of the way.

h. and holding means maintaining said arm in the outward use position of said step plate but allowing ready releasable movement of the arm from said use position to permit the arm to swing rearwardly in the event it or the step plate is struck from the front.

2. The step structure of claim 1 wherein said holding means includes a tension spring connected between said arm and said body member and holding said arm in its outwardly projecting position.

3. The step structure of claim 1 wherein said holding means includes an over-center spring connected between said arm and said body and serving in one position to hold said arm in its outwardly projecting position and in its other position to hold said arm in its rearward position.

4. The structure of claim 1 including friction means at said pivot connection arranged to maintain said arm in its outwardly projecting use position or a rearwardly directed non-use position.

5. The step structure of claim 1 including an upright wall portion on said downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion limiting forward pivoting movement of said arm to its outwardly projecting position, and a detent on said downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion disposed on the rear side of said arm for retaining said arm in its outwardly projecting position adjacent said upright wall portion.

6. The step structure of claim 5 wherein said detent is arranged to allow said arm to slide frictionally over it whereby said arm can pivot rearwardly in the event the arm or step plate is struck from the front.