Vehicle entry and exit assistance

An assist device providing a stable support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe having a striker mounted on a side portion of the doorframe, the striker being adapted to engage a door latch to thereby secure the door to the doorframe in a closed position, the assist device comprising:

• means for removably engaging the striker;
• and
• means for supporting at least a portion of a user's weight upon either entry into or exit from the vehicle, the means for supporting being pivotable relative to the means for engaging whereby a clamping force is applied to the striker when the user's weight is supported by the means for supporting.

A method of providing support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe having a striker mounted on a side portion of the doorframe, the striker being adapted to engage a door latch to thereby secure the door to the doorframe in a closed position, the method comprising:

• placing at least a portion of a retainer member between the doorframe the striker to thereby define a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the side portion of the doorframe;
• and
• rotating a support member, that is pivotably attached to the retainer member, about the pivot axis until the support member engages the striker whereby a clamping force will be applied to the striker.