Vehicle step tube
AssigneeSteffens Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsCraig C. Mulder, Charles J. Steffens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle step tube comprising a one-piece elongated extrusion having a plurality of vertical ribs extending from the upper surface, the ribs define a plurality of channels between the ribs. The ribs may be relatively short in a step portion of the extrusion to form a step platform, and may be relatively tall in the flanking portions flanking the step portion. The ribs may further define transverse recesses in the step portion to enhance traction and aesthetics. A pair of end caps may be provided to cover the ends of the extrusion. The ends caps include openings aligned with the channels to allow fluid flow through the channels and the openings and into an environment.
Claims16
A step tube for attachment to a vehicle comprising one-piece, unitary elongated member having a generally uniform cross section throughout its length, said member including a plurality of upwardly extending ribs, each said rib having a height and a thickness, a majority of said ribs having a height at least twice the thickness, said ribs defining a plurality of channels between said ribs, said ribs and said channels together forming an exposed upper surface of the step tube.
A step tube for attachment to a vehicle comprising:
- a one-piece, unitary extrusion including first and second ends, a longitudinal length, an inner surface an outer surface, and an exposed upper surface having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom, said ribs including a first rib adjacent said inner surface, a second rib adjacent said outer surface, and a plurality of central ribs between said first and second ribs, each of said ribs having a height, said ribs defining a plurality of channels between said ribs, said channels each having a width, said height of said central ribs being at least twice said width of said channels between said central ribs, said ribs and said channels together forming said exposed upper surface of said step tube.
A step tube for attachment to a vehicle comprising:
- a one-piece, unitary extrusion including a longitudinal length, first and second ends, an inner surface, an outer surface adapted to receive brackets for attachment to the vehicle, and an exposed upper surface having a plurality of spaced ribs extending from said surface along said longitudinal length, said ribs defining a plurality of channels between said ribs, at least one of said ribs being a central rib, each of said ribs having a height, said height of each sequential rib decreasing from said at least one central rib toward said inner surface and said outer surface, said ribs and said channels together forming said exposed surface of said step tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.