US 6,746,033 B1Granted

Motorized vehicle step assembly

OwnerPatrick K. McDanielinventor

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Abstract

An step assembly (10) is described having a step (12) that moves between down and up positions by pivoting about a longitudinal axis connected to a vehicle chassis (24). One or more link assemblies (22) move the step between these positions. A support bracket (20) connects to the chassis and pivotally supports the step. The link assembly includes a first link (32) having one end fixedly attached to a drive shaft (14) in a radial manner and another end rotatably connected to a second link (34). The connection between the first and second links is located outward of the pivotal connection between the step and the support bracket. In one embodiment, in the up position, the point of rotation between the first and second links is located outward of the drive shaft axis of rotation. A stop is available to limit further rotational travel by the first link.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A step assembly for use with a vehicle chassis, the assembly comprising:

(a) a step having at least one support arm;
(b) at least one support bracket adapted to attach to the vehicle chassis;
the at least one support arm being pivotally connected to the support bracket about a first axis;
(c) a motor and drive shaft operationally connected to the motor, the drive shaft capable of axial rotation;
the drive shaft being supported by the at least one support bracket whereby the axis of rotation of the drive shaft is at a location outward of the location of the first axis and oriented such that its axis of rotation is parallel to the first axis;
and
(d) at least one link assembly including a first link having a proximal end fixedly attached to the drive shaft in a radial manner and a distal end;
the link assembly further including a second link with a proximal end rotatably connected to the first link distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the at least one support arm at a location outward of the first axis;
wherein the step includes an up position in which the first and second links are located generally adjacent one another in an upright orientation and a down position in which the first and second links arc located generally in line with one another in an upright orientation;
the first link being made to rotate by rotation of the drive shaft about its longitudinal axis.

7 more elements

A step assembly for use with a vehicle chassis, the assembly comprising:

(a) a U-shaped step having first and second transverse support arms extending from ends of a longitudinal member;
(b) first and second support brackets adapted to attach to the vehicle chassis;
each transverse support arm being pivotally connected to the corresponding support bracket about a first axis;
(c) a motor and drive shaft operationally connected to the motor, the drive shaft capable of axial rotation and extending between the first and second support brackets at locations outward of the first axis and oriented such that its axis of rotation is parallel to the first axis;
and
(d) first and second link assemblies, each including a first link having a proximal end fixedly attached to one end of the drive shaft in a radial manner and a distal end;
each link assembly further including a second link with a proximal end rotatably connected to the first link distal end and a distal end rotatably connected to the transverse support arm at a location outward of the first axis;
wherein the step includes an up position in which the first and second links of each link assembly are located generally adjacent one another in an upright orientation and a down position in which the first and second links of each link assembly are located generally in line with one another in an upright orientation;
the first link being made to rotate by rotation of the drive shaft about its longitudinal axis.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.