Extendable/retractable step assembly for a rear assembly of a flatbed trailer
OwnerMiles A. Reitnouerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An extendable/retractable step assembly mounted at the rear assembly of a flatbed trailer to permit access to and from the ground to the flatbed trailer. The extendable/retractable stair assembly includes a pair of steps that are staggered and can be extended out of the rear assembly during use and then retracted therein when not in use. The steps can be manually extended/retracted or they can be automatically controlled. A safety interlock is also disclosed to automatically retract the steps when the trailer emergency brakes are released.
Claims8
An apparatus for extending and retracting steps at the rear assembly of a flatbed trailer, said apparatus comprising:
- an upper step and a lower step that can extend or retract through the rear assembly and wherein said lower step protrudes out farther from the rear assembly than does said upper step when said steps are extended in order to form a staggered pair of steps;
- each step being coupled to a linkage assembly that extends or retracts said upper and lower steps together, each step extending and retracting through a respective aperture in the rear assembly of the flatbed trailer;
- and
- an automatic control system for automatically extending and retracting said upper and lower steps, said automatic control system comprising a switch coupled between an air brake system of the flatbed trailer and a pneumatic actuator connected to said linkage assembly, said switch being controllable to allow an operator to extend said steps and to retract said steps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.