Modular power running board

#The present invention relates to power retractable running boards used to assist passengers entering and exiting high ground clearance vehicles.

#In recent years, the popularity of sport utility vehicles has risen tremendously. Because of the high ground clearance of these vehicles, the vehicle floor level is higher than that of a typical passenger automobile. Some individuals have experienced difficulty entering and exiting sport utility and similar high ground clearance vehicles.

#Running boards have been used to assist passengers in entering and exiting high ground clearance vehicles. The conventional running boards have typically included a variety of stationary step or bar structures rigidly mounted to the vehicle. Stationary running boards have many disadvantages, however. For example, if a stationary running board is positioned at an optimum height to help most passengers, the stationary running board reduces ground clearance of the vehicle. If the stationary running board is positioned so that desirable ground clearance is maintained, the stationary running board is too high to help most passengers enter or leave the vehicle. Stationary running boards also detract from the vehicle styling, undesirably increase the vehicle width, and may even increase the vehicle width beyond the legal limit. Most stationary running boards are also very narrow in the transverse or cross-vehicle direction and present only a small stepping surface for a passenger's foot.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular power running board assembly according to the present invention including an electronic controller assembly thereof and a motor vehicle door controlled switching device electrically interconnected to the electronic controller assembly;

#FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a drive of the modular power running board assembly of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the drive of the modular power running board assembly of FIG. 2;

#A modular power running board assembly of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The modular power running board assembly 10 includes a housing assembly 12, a pivoting drive arm 14, pivoting idler arms 15, an electronic control unit 16, a running board 17, a motor assembly 18, a worm drive gear assembly 20, and a spring loaded clutch assembly 22.

#The running board 17 has an essentially rectangular top wall 73 providing an upwardly facing treaded surface. The running board 17 is hingedly connected to the pivoting drive arm 14 and idler arms 15 at pivots 55. Pivots 55 generally comprises a trunion shaft extending through bore in the end of arms 15 and retained in place by a retaining ring.

#Idler arm 15 each has a hub structure 63 which pivotally connects the idler arms 15 to bracket 165 which is constructed and arranged to be mounted to the frame of the vehicle.