Front bumper slide-out step
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorsJoshua S. Lynch, Jeffrey S. Knutsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extendable and retractable step platform assembly is provided for a front of a vehicle to afford a user with a better view and reach for accessing an engine compartment. The step platform assembly includes a guide rail system coupled to a front frame of the vehicle. A step platform is coupled to the guide rail system. The step platform provides a substantially planar surface configured to support a load for an extended time. The step platform moves in a horizontal direction between a first position that is retracted behind a front bumper of the vehicle, and a second position that is extended beyond the front bumper of the vehicle.
Claims16
A step platform assembly for a front of a vehicle, the step platform assembly comprising:
- a guide rail system including a pair of guide rods configured to be coupled to a front frame of the vehicle;
- and
- a step platform coupled to the guide rods and defining a substantially planar surface configured to support a load and move in a horizontal direction between a first position under an engine compartment, and a second position extending from a front area of the vehicle;
- a movement-limiting system comprising a stopper component coupled to each guide rod that contacts a receiver component when the step platform extends to the second position;
- and
- an electromagnet coupled to one of the stopper component and the receiver component, and configured to selectively maintain the guide rail system in at least one of the first position and the second position.
A vehicle bumper assembly having an extendable step platform, the bumper assembly comprising:
- an impact absorbing component;
- a guide rail system including a pair of guide rods configured to be coupled to a front frame of a vehicle;
- a step platform coupled to the guide rail system and defining a substantially planar surface configured to support a load and move in a horizontal direction between a first position under an engine compartment, and a second position extending a distance from a center section of a front of the vehicle;
- a movement-limiting system comprising a stopper component coupled to each guide rod that contacts a receiver component when the step platform extends to the second position;
- and
- an electromagnet that selectively maintains the guide rail system in at least one of the first position and the second position.
A vehicle having an extendable step platform providing improved access for maintenance, the vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- an engine compartment;
- an engine disposed in the engine compartment;
- a vehicle bumper assembly having a guide rail system including a pair of guide rods and an extendable step platform configured to move in a horizontal direction between a first position adjacent the engine, and a second position extending from a front of the vehicle and configured to support a load of a user for accessing the engine compartment;
- a movement-limiting system comprising a stopper component coupled to each guide rod that contacts a receiver component when the step platform extends to the second position;
- a sensor configured to detect when the step platform is not in the first position;
- and
- a controller configured to prevent vehicle movement when the sensor detects the step platform is not in the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.