Moveable step for assisting entry into vehicles

• US 8,985,606 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: N-Fab Inc. (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomas Fichter
• Inventors: Fichter, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLEMMONS, STEVE M
• Application Number:
  US13/411,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20120228848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/164.1, 280/166, 280/32.5, 248/243, 248/250, 248/317, 248/320, 248/323, 248/327, 248/342, 108/144.11, 108/147.12, 108/147.13, 108/147.18, 108/147.17, 182/90
• 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
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/02 at the sides, e.g. on running-board

Abstract

A side bar and steps attached to the side bar attached to a vehicle or to the side of the vehicle by welds, brazing, or bolting to brackets welded to the side bar or vehicle. A step is constructed by attaching a curved or flat member to the top of an L-shaped support bar that is in turn connected to the side bar or vehicle. The steps are movably affixed to a tab that is welded to the side bar or vehicle. The L-shaped supports have a plurality of engagement points so that the step can be adjusted upward and downward using the different attachment points. In this manner steps can be moved for different users depending on the height of the vehicle or user preference. The L-shaped support bars may be flared outward and provided with a plate for mounting the step thereon.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles comprising:

a. A generally elongate side bar adapted for horizontal attachment to a vehicle wherein said bar is fixedly attached to a side of the vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;

b. A step assembly comprising a pair of generally L-shaped supports fixedly attached to opposite sides of a planar tab said supports attached perpendicular to said longitudinal axis to said side bar said assembly attached at one of a plurality of discrete mounting locations on said tab to permit variable axial movement in a generally diagonal direction and a step fixedly attached to said L-shaped supports for stable engagement without engagement of said L-shaped supports directly to said vehicle chassis.

2. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step is generally flat.

3. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a support plate fixedly attached to said L-shaped supports for mounting of said step.

4. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said L-shaped support is comprised of two planar L-shaped members.

5. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of engagement holes in said L-shaped supports each for receipt of a fastener.

6. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said L-shaped supports are mountable to a tab extended from said bar wherein said tab has a plurality of mounting locations.

7. An apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles comprising:

a. A generally cylindrical side bar adapted for horizontal attachment to a vehicle wherein said bar is fixedly attached to a side of the vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;

b. A pair of generally L-shaped planar supports attached to said side bar for generally vertical movement about said bar;

c. A generally flat plate fixedly attached to said L-shaped supports; and

d. A step fixedly attached to said plate wherein said L-shaped supports, said plate and said step are variably attached to said side bar at one of a plurality of mounting locations on a planar tab mounted perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said side bar which move as an assembly in a generally diagonal axial direction relative to said vehicle, wherein said L-shaped supports are not engaged directly to said vehicle.

8. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 7 further comprising mating engagement holes in said plate for insertion of fasteners.

9. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 7 further comprising scoring on said step.

10. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a non-skid surface on said step.

11. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a tab having a plurality of mounting locations on said side bar for engagement of said L-shaped supports.

12. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a plurality of holes on said L-shaped supports for insertion of fasteners to engage said side bar.

13. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 7 wherein said L-shaped support comprises two L-shaped arms having a first generally vertical portion and a second generally horizontal portion and said horizontal portion angles outward relative to the axis of said first vertical portion on each arm.

14. An apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles comprising:

a. A generally cylindrical side bar adapted for horizontal attachment to a vehicle wherein said bar is fixedly attached to a side of the vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;

b. A support and step assembly comprising a pair of planar L-shaped members attached to said side bar on a planar tab mounted perpendicular on said side bar at one of a plurality of mounting locations for variable axial generally vertical movement of said L-shaped members relative to said vehicle without additional support of said L-shaped support and step assembly from said vehicle;

c. Said support and step assembly comprised of two vertical extensions with a plurality of engagement holes for stable engagement to said tab; and

d. A step fixedly mounted to said vertical extensions.

15. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a bracket for engaging said side bar to said vehicle.

16. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a planar tab having a plurality of holes on said generally cylindrical side bar for fixedly attaching said support and step assembly.

17. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 14 wherein said support and step assembly comprises two L-shaped arms having a first upper generally vertical portion and a second generally horizontal portion.

18. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 17 wherein said horizontal portion angles outward relative to the axis of said first vertical portion.

19. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 14 wherein said support and step assembly comprises two L-shaped arms that for a Y-shape upon engagement to said vehicle.

20. The apparatus for assisting entry into vehicles as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a non-skid surface on said step.