Adjustable vehicle step

• US 7,909,344 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Iron Cross Automotive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Iron Cross Automotive Incorporated
• Inventors: Bundy, Troy Don
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II; J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US12/147,641
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/164.1, 280/164.2, 280/166, 280/169, 248/200, 248/229.25, 248/231.71, 248/674, 296/1.07, 296/151, 296/203.1, 296/209, 152/215
• US Class Current: 280/163
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/002 Running boards for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence

Abstract

An adjustable vehicle step that attaches to the vehicle'"'"'s frame or body via a downward facing c-channel that extends longitudinally along the lower edge of the side of the vehicle. One or more step assemblies can be attached to the c-channel so that the step assemblies extend outward and downward from under the vehicle. The step assemblies are attachable along the length of the c-channel, making the step assemblies adjustable longitudinally relative to the vehicle so that they can be positioned below the doors of the vehicle. The supporting c-channel is hidden from view by a decorative side bar that attaches to the exposed side of the c-channel making the step assemblies appear to be supported by the decorative side bar. The step assemblies used with the step can be made of various lengths and heights.

Claims

1. An adjustable vehicle step comprising:

a first c-channel securable to the frame or body of a vehicle in a downwardly facing orientation, said first c-channel extending along the length of the vehicle,

at least one step assembly attached directly to the first c-channel and supported by the first c-channel, and

a decorative side bar attached to the first c-channel at the side of the first c-channel so that the decorative side bar hides the first c-channel from view and appears to support the step assemblies.

2. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second c-channel attached to said first c-channel, and

said first c-channel securable to the frame or body of a vehicle via said second c-channel.

3. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 2 further comprising:

said second c-channel attached to at least two supporting brackets which are securable to the frame or body of a vehicle as a means of securing the first c-channel to the frame or body of a vehicle.

4. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 3 further comprising:

removable fasteners attaching said step assemblies to said first c-channel.

5. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 4 further comprising:

removable fasteners attaching said second c-channel to each of the supporting brackets.

6. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 5 further comprising:

removable fasteners for attaching each of the supporting brackets to the frame or body of a vehicle.

7. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 2 wherein said step assembly further comprises:

a step portion having two ends, each end of the step portion secured to a step bracket, each step bracket secured to the first c-channel.

8. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 1 further comprising:

said first c-channel attached to at least two supporting brackets which are securable to the frame or body of a vehicle as a means of securing the first c-channel to the frame or body of a vehicle.

9. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 8 further comprising:

removable fasteners for attaching each of the supporting brackets to the frame or body of a vehicle.

10. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 8 further comprising:

removable fasteners attaching said step assemblies to said first c-channel.

11. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 1 wherein said step assembly further comprises:

a step portion having two ends, each end of the step portion secured to a step bracket, each step bracket secured to the first c-channel.

12. An adjustable vehicle step comprising:

a first c-channel securable to the frame or body of a vehicle so that the first c-channel is held below and parallel to the side of the vehicle and extends along the length of the vehicle,

at least one step assembly adjustably attached to the first c-channel so that the step assembly can be adjusted horizontally, and

a decorative side bar attached to the first c-channel so that the decorative side bar extends the length of the first c-channel and parallel to it so that it hides the first c-channel from view and appears to support the step assemblies.

19. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 12 further comprising:

said first c-channel attached to at least two supporting brackets which are securable to the frame or body of a vehicle as a means of securing the first c-channel to the frame or body of a vehicle.

20. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 19 further comprising:

removable fasteners for attaching each of the supporting brackets to the frame or body of a vehicle.

21. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 19 further comprising:

removable fasteners adjustably attaching said step assemblies to said first c-channel.

22. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 12 wherein said step assembly further comprises:

a step portion having two ends, each end of the step portion secured to a step bracket, each step bracket secured to the first c-channel.

13. An adjustable vehicle step comprising:

a first c-channel securable to the frame or body of a vehicle so that the first c-channel is held below and parallel to the side of the vehicle and extends along the length of the vehicle,

at least one step assembly adjustably attached to the first c-channel,

a decorative side bar attached to the first c-channel so that the decorative side bar extends the length of the first c-channel and parallel to it so that it hides the first c-channel from view and appears to support the step assemblies,

an second c-channel welded to said first c-channel, and

said first c-channel securable to the frame or body of a vehicle via said second c-channel.

14. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 13 further comprising:

said second c-channel attached to at least two supporting brackets which are securable to the frame or body of a vehicle as a means of securing the first c-channel to the frame or body of a vehicle.

15. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 14 further comprising:

removable fasteners attaching said step assemblies to said first c-channel.

16. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 15 further comprising:

removable fasteners attaching said second c-channel to each of the supporting brackets.

17. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 16 further comprising:

removable fasteners for attaching each of the supporting brackets to the frame or body of a vehicle.

18. An adjustable vehicle step according to claim 13 wherein said step assembly further comprises:

a step portion having two ends, each end of the step portion secured to a step bracket, each step bracket adjustably secured to the first c-channel.