Articulated Step System for Automotive Vehicle

An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

• a plurality of opposed cantilever brackets adapted for mounting to a vehicle frame member;
• at least one tension strut adapted to extend generally downwardly from a vehicle body structure to a rail extending between said standoff brackets;
• and
• a step articulated to said cantilever brackets, with said step being movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

An articulated step system adapted for mounting to an automotive vehicle body, comprising:

• a front step mount for permitting rotation of a step about a generally vertical axis;
• at least one standoff bracket attached to a frame member of a vehicle body at a position trailing the position of said front step mount;
• a rear step housing attached to said standoff bracket;
• and
• a step having a leading end mounted rotatably to said front step mount, and a trailing end articulated for translational motion with respect to said rear step housing, with said step having a stowed position generally underlying said body, and a deployed position extending generally outwardly from said body at an acute angle.