Wheel well step assembly of vehicle
First Claim
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1. A step assembly of a vehicle comprising:
- a step pad pivotally coupled to a quarter panel of the vehicle and movable between a stowed position and deployed position; and
at least one light source provided in the step pad, wherein the step pad transmits light emitted by the at least one light source in an outward direction, and wherein the at least one light source is operated based on whether someone is detected to be standing on a step area of the step pad through the use of a strain gauge.
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Abstract
A step assembly of a vehicle is provided herein. A step pad is pivotally coupled to a quarter panel of the vehicle and is movable between a stowed position and deployed position. At least one light source is provided in the step pad and the step pad transmits light emitted by the at least one light source in an outward direction.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A step assembly of a vehicle comprising:
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a step pad pivotally coupled to a quarter panel of the vehicle and movable between a stowed position and deployed position; and at least one light source provided in the step pad, wherein the step pad transmits light emitted by the at least one light source in an outward direction, and wherein the at least one light source is operated based on whether someone is detected to be standing on a step area of the step pad through the use of a strain gauge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A step assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
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an arched step pad pivotally coupled to a rear quarter panel of the vehicle and movable between a stowed position covering a wheel well trim member and a deployed position substantially parallel with a ground surface; at least one light source provided in the step pad, wherein the step pad transmits light emitted by the at least one light source in an outward direction; and a plurality of contacts that are mated to one another when the step pad is in the stowed position and are configured to inductively charge an energy storage device disposed inside the step pad and operably connected to the at least one light source. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A step assembly of a vehicle comprising:
a step pad pivotally coupled to a quarter panel of the vehicle and movable between a stowed and deployed position, the step pad including at least one portion configured to luminesce in response to excitation light by at least one light source, wherein the at least one light source is provided on a printed circuit board disposed inside the step pad. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification