Retractable vehicle step
First Claim
1. A retractable vehicle step mountable onto a vehicle having a longitudinal axis, the retractable vehicle step comprising:
- a first component connected to the frame of a vehicle;
a second component having a first set of apertures and a second set of apertures, the second component connected to a surface of the first component at either the first set of apertures or the second set of apertures; and
a stepping component connected to a bottom surface of the second component, the stepping component having a stepping surface configured to move between a deployed position and a retracted position and a longitudinal mid-point;
wherein when the first component is connected to the second component at the first set of apertures locates the stepping surface at a first position;
wherein when the first component is connected to the second component at the second set of apertures locates the stepping surface at a second position different from the first position; and
wherein the longitudinal mid-point of the stepping component is at a different longitudinal position from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the first position as compared to the longitudinal mid-point in the second position.
12 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retractable vehicle step is attachable to a vehicle or truck. The vehicle step facilitates access to a cargo hold, interior, or roof of the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle step may provide clearance space relative to a tailgate of the vehicle by displacing a stepping member of the vehicle step in a generally lateral direction. The vehicle step desirably has a covered and protected biasing mechanism for transitioning between retracted and extended positions of the stepping member. Advantageously, the vehicle step may be pulled out from under the vehicle by the foot of a user. Another advantage is that the vehicle step is readily attachable to the vehicle using already existing connection members, thereby generally eliminating or mitigating the need for customized retrofitting and avoiding undesirable installation cost and time. Finally, the vehicle step may be configured into at least two different arrangements for attachment to a vehicle utilizing the same components.
305 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A retractable vehicle step mountable onto a vehicle having a longitudinal axis, the retractable vehicle step comprising:
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a first component connected to the frame of a vehicle; a second component having a first set of apertures and a second set of apertures, the second component connected to a surface of the first component at either the first set of apertures or the second set of apertures; and a stepping component connected to a bottom surface of the second component, the stepping component having a stepping surface configured to move between a deployed position and a retracted position and a longitudinal mid-point; wherein when the first component is connected to the second component at the first set of apertures locates the stepping surface at a first position; wherein when the first component is connected to the second component at the second set of apertures locates the stepping surface at a second position different from the first position; and wherein the longitudinal mid-point of the stepping component is at a different longitudinal position from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the first position as compared to the longitudinal mid-point in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification