Energy absorbing system and method for vehicle
AssigneeRomeo-Rim, Inc.
InventorMatthew Max Exline
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a device that can be used as a step on a vehicle. A vehicle step device and system can provide a vehicle step in a use disposition, and can retract and automatically return to the use disposition when impacted. Such a device and system can comprise a bracket that is fixed to a vehicle, such as at the bumper, and a step component that is slidably engaged with the bracket. A biasing component can be coupled between the step component and bracket, to apply a biasing force between the two, thereby keeping the step component in a sue position. Upon impact, the step can retract into the bracket, such as into the bumper, and after impact, the biasing component can return the step to the use position.
Claims17
A device that can be used as a step on a vehicle, comprising:
- a bracket component to fixedly install on a portion of a vehicle;
- a step component disposed in slidable engagement with the bracket component, the step component for use as a step on the vehicle;
- and
- a biasing component fixedly engaged at a first end with the step component and engaged at a second end with the bracket component, the biasing component comprising a biaser panel comprising a panel deposed substantially horizontally between the step component and the bracket component, the biasing component applying a biasing force to the step component and the bracket component, the biasing force maintaining the step component apart from the bracket component, and the biasing component allowing the step component to retract into the bracket component when a force greater than the biasing force is applied to the step component.
A system that provides a step on a vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle bumper installed on the vehicle, the vehicle bumper comprising an energy absorbing component;
- a bracket component fixedly engaged with the vehicle, the bracket component comprising:
- one or more bracket step couplers;
- a bracket biaser coupler;
- and
- a vehicle coupler coupled with the vehicle;
- a step component comprising:
- a step bracket coupler slidably engaging with the one or more bracket step couplers;
- a step platform disposed in a substantially horizontal plane;
- and
- a step biaser coupler;
- and
- a biasing component that applies a biasing force to the step component and the bracket component to maintain the step component apart from the bracket component, the biasing component comprising:
- a biaser step coupler engaged with the step biaser coupler;
- and
- a biaser bracket coupler selectably engaged with the bracket biaser coupler,
- the biasing component, in conjunction with the energy absorbing component of the vehicle bumper, mitigating impact energy to the system, the biasing component deforming under an applied force greater than the biasing force to allow the step component to retract into the bracket component, and the biasing component returning to a substantially non-deformed status when the applied force is removed.
A method for making a step device for installation and use on a vehicle, comprising:
- coupling a rear portion of a biasing component to a bracket component, the biasing component comprising a panel that foldably deforms under a force greater than a biasing force, and the bracket component being configured to install on the vehicle;
- coupling a rear portion of a step component to a front portion of the biasing component;
- and
- slidably engaging the step component with the bracket component such that the step component is slideable into the bracket component,
- the biasing component applying the biasing force to the step component and the bracket component, the biasing force maintaining the step component and bracket component apart disposed in a use position, and the biasing component allowing the step component to retract into the bracket component when the force greater than the biasing force is applied to the step component, and return to the use position when the force greater than the biasing force is removed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.