Retractable step and side bar assembly for raised vehicle

A combination side bar and vehicle step assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a side bar configured to be mounted to a vehicle by at least one mounting bracket defining a mounting surface configured to mate with the vehicle;
• and
• an extendable vehicle step having a distal end, the extendable step comprising a stepping platform connected to at least one pair of arms, the stepping platform defining a stepping surface configured to receive at least the forefoot portion of a user's foot, the at least one pair of arms connected to a frame, the frame being connected to the at least one mounting bracket;
• wherein the extendable vehicle step is movable between a stored and a deployed position, and the vehicle step is in the deployed position below and outboard of the side bar;
• and
• the side bar comprising a front wall, an end facing wall, a connecting wall extending between the front wall and the end facing wall and a stepping surface facing wall, the end facing wall and the stepping surface facing wall at least partially defining a channel on a lower surface, the channel sized and configured to at least partially enclose the extendable vehicle step in the stored position, so that the end facing wall faces the distal end of the step and the stepping surface facing wall faces the stepping surface and the vehicle step is not positioned below the connecting wall.

A vehicle assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a vehicle having a first door and a side bar connected to the vehicle by at least one mounting bracket, the side bar positioned external to the first door;
• and
• an extendable vehicle step, the extendable step comprising a stepping platform connected to at least one pair of arms, the stepping platform defining a stepping surface configured to receive at least the forefoot portion of a user's foot, the at least one pair of arms connected to a frame, the frame being connected to the at least one mounting bracket such that the extendable vehicle step is positioned external to the at first door, the vehicle step defining a distal end;
• wherein the extendable vehicle step is movable between a stored and a deployed position, and the vehicle step is in the deployed position below and outboard of the side bar;
• and
• the side bar comprising a front wall, an end facing wall, a connecting wall extending between the front wall and the end facing wall and a stepping surface facing wall, the end facing wall and the stepping surface facing wall at least partially defining a channel, the channel sized and configured to at least partially enclose the extendable vehicle step in the stored position, so that the end facing wall faces the distal end of the step, the stepping surface facing wall faces the stepping surface of the stepping platform and the vehicle step is not positioned below the connecting wall.

A vehicle assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a vehicle having a first door and a side bar connected to the vehicle by at least one mounting bracket, the side bar positioned external to the first door and configured to be longitudinally slidable with respect to the at least one mounting bracket;
• and
• an extendable vehicle step, the extendable step comprising a stepping platform connected to at least one pair of arms, the stepping in platform defining a stepping surface configured to receive at least the forefoot portion of a user's foot, the at least one pair of arms connected to a frame, the frame being connected to the at least one mounting bracket such that the extendable vehicle step is positioned external to the at first door;
• wherein the extendable vehicle step is movable between a stored and a deployed position, where the vehicle step is in the deployed position below and outboard of the side bar;
• wherein the frame is configured to be located at least partially below a body of the vehicle;
• and
• the side bar comprising a front wall, an end facing wall, a connecting wall extending between the front wall and the end facing wall and a stepping surface facing wall, the end facing wall and the stepping surface facing wall at least partially defining a channel, the channel sized and configured to at least partially enclose the extendable vehicle step in the stored position, so that the stepping surface facing wall faces the stepping surface of the stepping platform and the vehicle step is not positioned below the connecting wall.

A vehicle assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a vehicle having a first door and a side bar, the side bar comprising a longitudinal opening generally facing towards the vehicle;
• at least one mounting bracket, the at least one mounting bracket having a first end configured to attached to a body of the vehicle a second end configured to attach to the side bar;
• a fastener coupling the at least one mounting bracket to the side bar, the fastener configured to extend into and be retained within the longitudinal opening;
• and
• an extendable vehicle step, the extendable step comprising a stepping platform connected to at least one pair of arms, the at least one pair of arms connected to a frame, the frame being connected to the at least one mounting bracket such that the extendable vehicle step is positioned external of the at first door;
• wherein the extendable vehicle step is movable between a stored and a deployed position, where the vehicle step is in the deployed position below and in front of the side bar;
• and
• wherein the side bar is configured to be translatable in a lengthwise direction of a vehicle with respect to the at least one mounting bracket by sliding the fastener through the longitudinal opening.