Retractable truck step with wireless door sensor

• US 8,602,431 B1
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard P. May
• Original Assignee: Richard P. May
• Inventors: May, Richard P
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US13/748,206
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/166, 280/154.1, 280/169, 701/52
• US Class Current: 280/166
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence

Abstract

Improvements using a wireless door sensor in each door to eliminate modifying a vehicle wiring and simplify installation of a retractable step and controller for the step. Up to four magnetic door sensors/transmitter are mounted on the edge of each door jamb. A magnet is mounted in the door jamb in proximity to the transmitter'"'"'s magnetic sensor when the door is closed. Upon door movement the transmitter wakes and sends an open status message to a receiver where the message data is stored and the controller determines the correct responses. If a door on either side is opened the receiver/controller engages the appropriate step motor and lowers the step. The step remains lowered until the receiver stops receiving messages indicating that either door on a vehicle side is open or a transmitter of an open door has timed out and ceased transmissions.

Claims

1. A retractable truck step with wireless door sensor comprising:

at least one motor that extends and retracts at least one automated vehicle entrance and exit step;

at least one sensor that detects the when a door is opened;

said sensor emitting a wireless signal to a receiver when said door is opened;

a receiver that receives said emitted wireless signal to operate said motor, and

wherein said emitted wireless signal transmits a redundant signal to said receiver while said door is opened.

2. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said sensor is a magnetic reed switch.

3. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said emitted wireless signal includes multiple transmission addresses.

4. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said wireless signal is sent at a timed interval to identify that the door is still open.

5. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 4 wherein said timed interval is 0.1 to 5 seconds.

6. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said transmitter stops transmitting door open signal after a finite period of time.

7. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 6 wherein said finite period of time is between one minute and 15 minutes.

8. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 4 wherein said receiver detects an absence of signals from said sensor.

9. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 8 wherein said absence of signals is between 0.5 seconds and five seconds.

10. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein more than one at least one sensor is used.

11. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said separate sensors are placed at a driver door and at a passenger door of said vehicle.

12. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said separate sensors are placed at each driver side door and at each passenger side door of said vehicle.

13. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said wireless signal is at a frequency of 915 MHz.

14. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said wireless signal includes vehicle ID information.

15. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein said sensors are magnetic door sensors.

16. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein sensors are mounted on the edge of a door jamb.

17. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 wherein separate at least one automated vehicle entrance and exit step is placed at a driver side of said vehicle and at a passenger side of said vehicle.

18. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 1 that does not utilize a wired connection between said at least one sensor and a controller.

19. The retractable truck step with wireless door sensor according to claim 18 wherein said controller operates said at least one motor that extends and retracts said at least one automated vehicle entrance and exit step.