Integrated step for a vehicle cargo area
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorRussell C Fielding
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle closure member with an integrated step is provided for improving access to a vehicle cargo area. The vehicle closure member also includes an internal cavity, an orifice positioned in the internal cavity, and a track mechanism disposed in the internal cavity that is in alignment with the orifice. The track mechanism engages the step member which slideably extends through the orifice and pivots to a deployed position to provide a step for access to the vehicle cargo area. An interlock assembly can be provided to prevent closing of the vehicle closure member when the step member is in the deployed position.
Claims16
A vehicle closure member hingeably connected to a vehicle and arranged to pivot to a generally open horizontal position, the closure member comprising:
- an internal cavity formed therein;
- at least one orifice positioned in an external surface of the closure member;
- a track mechanism disposed in the internal cavity in alignment with the at least one orifice;
- a step member engaged with the track mechanism and arranged to slideably extend through the orifice and pivot to a deployed position to provide a vehicle step when the closure member is in the generally open horizontal position;
- and
- an interlock assembly engageable by the step member and arranged to prevent closing of the vehicle closure member when the step member is in the deployed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.