Tailgate step
AssigneeScout Motors Inc.
InventorsKenneth Trumble, Jason Scott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tailgate step may include an actuation handle configured to be pivotably coupled to a vehicle tailgate. A tailgate step may include a drive link pivotably coupled to the actuation handle. A tailgate step may include a step support link pivotably coupled to the drive link and configured to support a step skin. A tailgate step may include a step surface coupled to and movable with the step support link between: a stowed position hiding the step surface and configured to align the step skin with a tailgate skin of the vehicle tailgate, and a deployed position with the actuation handle extending from the vehicle tailgate and configured as an assist device.
Claims20
A tailgate step comprising:
- an actuation handle configured to be pivotably coupled to a vehicle tailgate;
- a drive link pivotably coupled to the actuation handle;
- a step support link pivotably coupled to the drive link and configured to support a step skin;
- and
- a step surface coupled to and movable with the step support link between:
- a stowed position in which the step surface is hidden and is configured to align the step skin with a tailgate skin of the vehicle tailgate, and
- a deployed position in which the actuation handle extends from the vehicle tailgate and is configured as an assist device.
A four-bar linkage tailgate step comprising:
- an actuation handle configured to be pivotably mounted to a vehicle tailgate about a first axis and including a grip;
- a rotating drive link rotatably coupled to the actuation handle about the first axis;
- a step support link coupled to the rotating drive link;
- and
- a step surface coupled to the step support link,
- wherein the four-bar linkage tailgate step is arrangeable in a stowed position with the actuation handle and the step surface are within a tailgate skin, and
- wherein the four-bar linkage tailgate step is arrangeable in a deployed position with the actuation handle extending from the tailgate skin and providing an assist device, and the step surface extending from the tailgate skin.
A vehicle tailgate comprising:
- a tailgate frame;
- a tailgate skin covering the tailgate frame;
- and
- a tailgate step including:
- a base frame rigidly coupled to the tailgate frame and including
- a frame pin defining a frame pin axis, and
- a frame slide defining a frame slide axis;
- an actuation handle rotatably coupled to the frame pin;
- a sliding drive link rotatably coupled to the actuation handle about a link-handle axis and including a bearing slidingly engaged with the frame slide and defining a slide pin axis;
- a rotating drive link rotatably coupled to the frame pin;
- and
- a step support link rotatably coupled to the sliding drive link about the slide pin axis, and rotatably coupled to the rotating drive link about a rotation pin axis, the step support link including a step surface and a step skin,
- wherein the tailgate step is actuatable between a stowed position and a deployed position,
- wherein when arranged in the stowed position, the step skin is aligned with the tailgate skin and the actuation handle is recessed within the tailgate frame, and
- wherein when arranged in the deployed position, the actuation handle provides an assist device and the step surface is positioned below and rearward of the tailgate frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.