US 4,053,172 A · Step assembly for construction vehicles

Abstract

A construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided with at least one step assembly to facilitate access to the operator's station thereof. The step assembly comprises a mounting bracket secured to a frame of the vehicle and a support bracket pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket. A spring-loaded and releasable detent is provided between the mounting and support brackets for permitting swinging movements of the support bracket and a first step attached on a lower end thereof, relative to the mounting bracket. The support bracket preferably comprises a first member pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket, a second member pivotally mounted on a lower end of the first member for swinging movements perpendicular to the swinging movements of the first member relative to the mounting bracket. The first step is secured on a lower end of the second member whereas a second step is preferably attached to the second member and disposed vertically thereabove.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A step assembly for construction vehicles and the like comprising

a mounting bracket,
a support bracket comprising first and second members,
first pivot means pivotally mounting an upper end of the first member of said support bracket on said mounting bracket for permitting swinging movement of said first member relative to said mounting bracket,
second pivot means pivotally mounting an upper end of said second member on a lower end of said first member for permitting said second member to swing in a plane disposed transversely relative to a plane of swinging movement of said first member relative to said support bracket,
a first step mounted on a lower end of said second member,
a second step disposed vertically above said first step and attached to said second member, and
releasable detent means for normally holding said support bracket in a vertically disposed position and releasable upon application of a predetermined force imposed on said support bracket for swinging said support bracket relative to said mounting bracket.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Step assembly for construction vehicles

Life of this patent

Step assembly for construction vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16