Step for entering and exiting a vehicle and method of making same

• US 6,481,733 B1
• Filed: 07/20/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Patent Holding Company
• Inventors: Shellabarger, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RESTIFO, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US09/620,169
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/164.1, 280/164.2, 280/169, 182/90, 182/91, 182/92, 182/150
• 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

A step for entering and exiting a vehicle. The step is a unitary one piece mold having at least two hollow U-shaped portions wherein each portion has a receding body section and first and second legs extending from the body section to first and second distal ends respectively. Each distal end has a flange configured to be mounted to a vehicle. The one piece mold further has a plate portion on the respective receiving body section for supporting weight placed thereon and integrally bridging and joining the at least two U-shaped portions together.

Claims

1. A step for entering and exiting a vehicle comprising:

a unitary, one-piece molding made of plastic having;

at least two hollow U-shaped portions, each portion having a receiving body section and first and second legs extending from the body section to first and second distal ends respectively, each distal end having a flange configured to be mounted to the vehicle; and

a plate portion on the respective receiving body section between the first and second legs for supporting weight placed thereon and integrally bridging and joining the at least two U-shaped portions together.

2. The step for entering and exiting a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first and second legs of each U-shaped portion extend from the body section substantially parallel with each other and with the other respective first and second legs, the legs configured to slant a first direction when mounted to the vehicle, thereby providing the plate portion to support weight placed thereon.

3. The step for entering and exiting a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first and second legs of each U-shaped portion extend from the body section to define inner and outer portions of the body section, the plate portion disposed on the inner portion of the body section.

4. The step for entering and exiting a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the plate portion has treads formed thereon for user traction.

5. The step for entering and exiting a vehicle of claim 1 wherein each flange includes an aperture formed therethrough for mounting the step to the vehicle.

6. A step mounted to a vehicle for entering and exiting the vehicle comprising:

a unitary, one-piece molding made of plastic having;

at least two hollow U-shaped portions, each portion having a receiving body section and first and second legs extending from the body section to first and second distal ends respectively, each distal end having a flange configured to be mounted to the vehicle; and

a plate portion on the respective receiving body section between the first and second legs for supporting weight placed thereon and integrally bridging and joining the at least two U-shaped portions together wherein the step is manufactured by gas assist injection molding.