Mounted, multi-angle, extendable step

• US 7,775,536 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2008
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Megaware Keelguard Reacquisition LLC
• Original Assignee: David L. Shumway
• Inventors: Shumway, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano; S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSZEWSKI, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US12/006,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20090014978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 280/164.1, 280/164.2, 280/166, 280/169, 280/163, 182/14, 182/15, 182/2.2, 182/91, 105/447, 105/444, 105/445
• US Class Current: 280/164.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence

Abstract

This invention relates to mounted, adjustable steps for vehicles and, in particular, to a multi-angle, extendable, and selectively height-adjustable step that can be mounted to a trailer such as a boat trailer, a camping trailer, trailers for all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles, and the like. The adjustable step assembly of the present invention includes a mounting bracket, an extension member, and a step. The extension member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the extension member being pivotably connect to the mounting bracket to facilitate selective pivoting with respect to the mounting bracket through a range of motion including a first position and a second position being higher than the first position. The step may be connected to the second end of the extension member and configured to provide at least a first stepping area and a second stepping area when the extension member is selectively positioned in the first and second positions, respectively. In one embodiment, the first and second stepping areas are substantially equivalent in surface area and aspect ratio.

Claims

1. An adjustable step assembly, said assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket;

an extension member configured to be extensible and comprising a first end and a second end, said first end pivotably connected to said mounting bracket, said extension member selectively pivoting with respect to the mounting bracket through a range of motion comprising at least a first position and a second position, wherein said second position being relatively higher than said first position;

said extension member comprising a housing and a slide, wherein said slide selectively translates within said housing;

a step connected to said second end of said extension member; and

said step configured to provide a first stepping area and a second stepping area when said extension member is selectively positioned in said first and second positions, respectively, and wherein said first and second stepping areas being substantially equivalent in surface area and aspect ratio.

2. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first lock selectively fixing a position of the slide with respect to said housing.

3. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 2, further comprising a second lock selectively fixing a relative position of said extension member with respect to said mounting bracket.

4. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said slide having a length comprising an array of spaced apart locking apertures formed along said length, each of said locking apertures selectively fixing a different position of the slide with respect to said housing.

5. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said slide comprises a first side length including said locking apertures.

6. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said slide comprises a second side length adjacent said first side length and including a second array of spaced apart locking apertures.

7. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said step comprises a cross member secured to the slide.

8. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said cross member comprises a cylinder having an exterior surface.

9. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said step further comprises a non-slip material applied to substantially completely cover said exterior surface.

10. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said range of motion is bounded at one end by a first extreme position and bounded at an opposing end by a second extreme position.

11. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein said first extreme position is said first position and said second extreme position is said second position.

12. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said range of motion further comprises at least one position between said first extreme position and said second extreme position.

13. An adjustable step assembly, said assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket;

an extension member configured to be extensible and comprising a first end and a second end, said first end pivotably connected to said mounting bracket, said extension member selectively pivoting with respect to the mounting bracket through a range of motion comprising at least a first position and a second position, wherein said second position being relatively higher than said first position;

a step connected to said second end of said extension member; and

said step configured to provide a first stepping area and a second stepping area when said extension member is selectively positioned in said first and second positions, respectively, and wherein said first and second stepping areas being substantially equivalent in surface area and aspect ratio.

14. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said extension member comprises a housing and a slide, wherein said slide selectively translates within said housing.

15. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 14, further comprising a first lock selectively fixing a position of the slide with respect to said housing.

16. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 15, further comprising a second lock selectively fixing a relative position of said extension member with respect to said mounting bracket.

17. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein said slide having a length comprising an array of spaced apart locking apertures formed along said length, each of said locking apertures selectively fixing a different position of the slide with respect to said housing.

18. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 17, wherein said slide comprises a first side having a length including said spaced apart locking apertures.

19. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said step further comprises a non-slip material applied to substantially completely cover said exterior surface.

20. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 13, wherein said range of motion is bounded at one end by a first extreme position and bounded at an opposing end by a second extreme position.

21. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 20, wherein said first extreme position is said first position and said second extreme position is said second position.

22. The adjustable step assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein said range of motion further comprises at least one position between said first extreme position and said second extreme position.