Linkage assembly for running board and method

A running board assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a deck;
• a linkage assembly configured to guide movement of the deck, wherein the linkage assembly includes a first link and a second link further from the deck than the first link, and wherein the second link is curved such that the second link exhibits a concave contour from a perspective of the deck;
• a first shaft;
• a second shaft arranged substantially parallel to the first shaft and spaced-apart from the first shaft such that the second shaft is further from the deck than the first shaft, wherein the first shaft is fixedly connected to the first link adjacent a first end of the first link, and wherein the second shaft is fixedly connected to the second link adjacent a first end of the second link;
• and
• a deck-mounting bracket connected to the first link adjacent a second end of the first link opposite the first end of the second link, and further connected to the second link adjacent a second end of the second link opposite the first end of the second link, wherein the deck-mounting bracket is connected to the first link such that the deck-mounting bracket is able to rotate relative to the first link without sliding, and wherein the deck-mounting bracket is connected to the second link such that the deck-mounting bracket is able to rotate and slide relative to the second link.