Vehicle bumper step

• US 4,785,910 A
• Filed: 08/24/1987
• Issued: 11/22/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth E. Tonkovich
• Original Assignee: Kenneth E. Tonkovich
• Inventors: Tonkovich, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Machado, Reinaldo P.
• Application Number:
  US07/088,859
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 182/150, 182/92, 182/55, 182/61, 280/163
• US Class Current: 182/92
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/007 Removable steps or ladders, e.g. foldable as access means for vehicle tops B60R3/005

Abstract

A bumper step includes a rigid base, a pair of first and second elongated hook members adapted to be mounted on an upper portion of a bumper in spaced apart relationship, and a pair of first and second brackets with which to support the base from the hook members. The lower end portion of each one of the brackets is mounted on a respective one of the end portions of the base so that each one of the brackets can be pivoted approximately ninety degrees between a folded position in which the bracket lies generally flat against the upper base surface and an extended position in which the bracket extends generally perpendicular to the upper base surface. An opposite end portion of each one of the hook members is mounted on the upper end portion of a respective one of the first and second brackets so that with the hook members engaging the upper portion of the bumper and the brackets in the extended position, the brackets extend downwardly from the hook members toward the base, the longitudinal edge portion of the base is disposed toward the bumper, the base extends outwardly from the bumper, and the upper base surface is disposed in a position facing generally upwardly to provide a surface upon which to stand.

Claims

1. A bumper step, comprising:

a rigid base having an upper base surface and a longitudinal edge portion extending between opposite first and second end portions of the base;

a pair of first and second elongated hook members adapted to be mounted on an upper portion of a bumper in spaced apart relationship, each one of the hook members extending between a hook-shaped end portion and an opposite end portion of the hook member, which hook-shaped end portion is adapted to removably engage the upper portion of the bumper with the elongated portion extending outwardly from the bumper;

a pair of first and second brackets with which to support the base from the hook members, each one of the brackets having opposite upper and lower end portions;

the lower end portion of each one of which brackets is mounted on a respective one of the first and second end portions of the base to enable each one of the brackets to be pivoted approximately ninety degrees between a folded position in which the bracket lies generally flat against the upper base surface and

an extended position in which the bracket extends generally perpendicular to the upper base surface; and

the opposite end portion of each one of which hook members is mounted on the upper end portion of a respective one of the first and second brackets in a fixed position relative to the respective one of the first and second brackets such that with the hook members engaging the upper portion of the bumper and the brackets in the extended position, the brackets extend downwardly from the hook members toward the base, the longitudinal edge portion of the base is disposed toward the bumper, the base extends outwardly from the bumper, and the upper base surface is disposed in a position facing generally upwardly to provide a surface upon which to stand;

the bumper step further comprising;

a pair of protruding members, each of which protruding members is attached to a respective one of the first and second end portions of the base to extend an adjustable distance from the longitudinal edge portion toward the bumper and bear against the bumper to enable adjustment of the position of the upper base surface;

wherein;

the protruding members are a pair of bolt members utilized to mount the lower end portions of the brackets on the base;

each one of the bolt members includes a head adapted to bear against the bumper; and

the head of each one of the bolt members is covered with a material that is more compliant than the metal alloy in order to inhibit damage to the bumper.

2. A bumper step as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the hook members are composed of a metal alloy; and

the hook-shaped end portion of each one of the hook members is coated with a material that is more compliant than the metal alloy.

3. A bumper step as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

means for enhancing frictional engagement of the upper base surface by a user.

4. A bumper step as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for enhancing frictional engagement includes:

a sheet of nonskid tape attached to the upper base surface.

5. A bumper step as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the opposite end portion of each one of the hook members is mounted adjustably on the upper end portion of a respective one of the first and second brackets to thereby enable the hook members to be adjusted in order to fit a particular bumper.

6. A bumper step, comprising:

a rigid base having an upper base surface and a longitudinal edge portion extending between opposite first and second end portions of the base;

a pair of first and second elongated hook members adapted to be mounted on an upper portion of a bumper in spaced apart relationship, each one of the hook members extending between a hook-shaped end portion and an opposite end portion of the hook member, which hook-shaped end portion is adapted to removably engage the upper portion of the bumper with the elongated portion extending outwardly from the bumper;

a pair of first and second brackets with which to support the base from the hook members, each one of the brackets having opposite upper and lower end portions;

the lower end portion of each one of which brackets is mounted on a respective one of the first and second end portions of the base to enable each one of the brackets to be pivoted approximately ninety degrees between a folded position in which the bracket lies generally flat against the upper base surface and an extended position in which the bracket extends generally perpendicular to the upper base surface;

the opposite end portion of each one of which hook members is mounted on the upper end portion of a respective one of the first and second brackets in a position such that with the hook members engaging the upper portion of the bumper and the brackets in the extended position, the brackets extend downwardly from the hook members toward the base, the longitudinal edge portion of the base is disposed toward the bumper, the base extends outwardly from the bumper, and the upper base surface is disposed in a position facing generally upwardly to provide a surface upon which to stand;

a pair of protruding members, each of which protruding members is attached to a respective one of the first and second end portions of the base to extend an adjustable distance from the longitudinal edge portion toward the bumper and bear against the bumper to enable adjustment of the position of the upper base surface; and

means for enhancing frictional engagement of the upper base surface by a user;

wherein the protruding members are composed of a pair of bolt members utilized to mount the lower end portions of the brackets on the base, each one of the bolt members includes a head adapted to bear against the bumper, and the head of each one of the bolt members is covered with a material that is more compliant than the metal alloy in order to inhibit damage to the bumper;

wherein the hook members are composed of a metal alloy, and the hook-shaped end portion of each one of the hook members is coated with a material that is more compliant than the metal alloy; and

wherein the opposite end portion of each one of the hook members is mounted adjustably on the upper end portion of a respective one of the first and second brackets to thereby enable the hook members to be adjusted in order to fit a particular bumper.