Vehicle side step

• US 8,448,967 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2010
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industria Disenadora de Autopartes, S.A. de C.V.
• Original Assignee: Xtreme Metal Fab
• Inventors: Storer, Ron
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US12/692,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20110181012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/164.1, 280/164.2, 280/166, 280/169, 180/90.6, 296/193.05
• 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

Abstract

A step assembly for a vehicle comprising an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions; a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion parallel to the main body and two bent portions, the bent portions welded to the main body and a step surface having a plurality of apertures that is affixed to the step bar to provide traction to the user. The main body is preferably welded to at least one support bracket. The installation of the step assembly is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching at least one mounting bracket to a vehicle and then engagably attaching the support bracket, which is preferably welded to the main body, to the mounting bracket.

Claims

1. A step assembly for mounting to a vehicle, the step assembly comprising:

an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions;

a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion that is parallel to the main body and two bent portions welded to the main body;

a step surface affixed to the step bar, the step surface having a plurality of apertures for providing traction for the user;

at least one support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes a base portion having at least one aperture and two arm portions extending therefrom, the support bracket being welded to the main body along the edge of each arm distal from the base;

at least one mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket includes a base having a first and second arm extending therefrom, a flange welded to the base and having at least one aperture for attachment to the vehicle and at least one aperture in the portion of the base defined by the flange and the second arm far attachment to the support bracket, the second arm being sized and configured to receive the support bracket and support a load applied by the support bracket;

wherein installation of the step assembly is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching the mounting bracket to the vehicle by the flange and then engagably attaching the support bracket to the mounting bracket.

2. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the end portions are bent at substantially a 90 degree angle.

3. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body has a circular cross-section.

4. The step assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one end cap engaged with an end portion of the main body.

5. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body extends along the length of a passenger cab of the vehicle and at least one portion extends underneath the vehicle.

6. The step assembly of claim 1, where the main body is constructed from one of aluminum, steel and titanium.

7. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the step bar is constructed from one of aluminum, steel and titanium.

8. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the bent portions of the step bar are at different angles.

9. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the bent portions are welded to the main body at an angle relative to the horizontal.

10. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the step surface is constructed from aluminum.

11. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the apertures of the step surface have one of a circular, oval, square and rectangular shape.

12. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the step surface includes raised surface features.

13. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange is welded at an angle to the base of the mounting bracket.

14. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the first arm is sized and configured to be disposed in contact with a portion of an underside of the vehicle when the mounting bracket is connected to the vehicle.

15. The step assembly of claim 14, wherein the second arm is disposed in spaced relation to the vehicle when the mounting bracket is attached to the vehicle.

16. The step assembly of claim 15, wherein the second arm extends substantially orthogonally front the base.

17. A step assembly for mounting to a vehicle, the step assembly comprising:

an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions;

at least one support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes a base portion having at least one aperture and two arm portions extending therefrom, the support bracket being welded to the main body along the edge of each arm distal from the base;

at least one mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket includes a base having a first and second arm extending therefrom, a flange welded to the base and having at least one aperture for attachment to the vehicle and at least one aperture in the portion of the base defined by the flange and the second arm for attachment to the support bracket, the second arm being sized and configured to receive the support bracket and support a load applied by the support bracket;

wherein installation of the step assembly is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching the mounting bracket to the vehicle by the flange and then engagably attaching the support bracket to the mounting bracket.

18. The step assembly of claim 17, wherein the first arm is sized and configured to be disposed in contact with a portion of an underside of the vehicle when the mounting bracket is connected to the vehicle.

19. The step assembly of claim 17, further comprising a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion that is parallel to the main body and two bent portions welded to the main body.