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US 7,114,736 B2Granted
Vehicle mounted step assembly
AssigneeArctic Fox, Inc.
InventorsCraig S. Stodola, Justin E. Schultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle mounted step assembly for use with trailer hitch. The vehicle mounted step assembly includes a platform portion and a tongue portion. The platform portion is pivotable with respect to the tongue portion between a lowered use position and a raised storage position. The platform portion is also slidable with respect to the tongue portion from a first configuration to a second configuration.
Claims22
A convertible vehicle step assembly for use with trailer hitch, the convertible vehicle step comprising:
- a platform having a top plate and central member attached thereto;
- a main shaft that is slidable with respect to the central member between a first configuration and a second configuration;
- a pivot mount having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted for attachment to a trailer hitch having a square recess, wherein the second end has a pivot aperture extending therethrough, wherein the first end is pivotally mounted to an end of the main shaft that is opposite the central member, and wherein the main shaft is pivotable with respect to the pivot mount between a lowered position and a raised position;
- and
- a pivot arm locking bracket attached to the pivot mount proximate the second end, wherein the pivot arm at least partially extends around the main shaft when the main shaft is in the raised position.
2 more elements
A method of attaching a vehicle mounted step assembly to a receiver hitch, the method comprising:
- providing a platform portion having a top plate and a central member attached thereto;
- attaching a main shaft at a first position on the central member;
- pivotally attaching a pivot mount proximate an end of the main shaft that is opposite the central member;
- attaching a pivot arm mounting bracket to the pivot mount;
- maintaining the main shaft in a raised position by extending a clip through the pivot arm mounting bracket and the main shaft;
- engaging an end of the pivot mount that is opposite the main shaft with a receiver hitch on a vehicle;
- and
- sliding the main shaft with respect to the central member from the first position to a second position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.