# US 7,607,674 B2 · Retractable sidestep > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,674 B2 - Document ID: US7607674B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/077,587 - Filed: 2008-03-20 - Published: 2008-10-09 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-27 - Assignees: Magna International Inc. - Inventors: Brad E. Watson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607674B2 ## CPC - B60R 3/02: Retractable steps {or ladders, e.g. movable under shock (B60R3/005 takes precedence)} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A manually retractable side step assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable step having a latch mechanism and a spring system that work in concert to rotate the step from a stowed position to a deployed position. In a stowed position, the step is in line with the running board of the vehicle. However, depressing a release button automatically rotates the step 180°, thus exposing an enlarged step area for providing ease of access to a roof rack on a minivan, SUV, or sport wagon, or if used with a pick-up truck, ease of access to a toolbox that is located in the rear of the truck. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A side step assembly comprising: a running board connected to a vehicle; a mounting bracket connectable to said running board; a support tube extending from said mounting bracket beyond one side of said running board; and a rotatable step having a step surface and a streamline surface, wherein said rotatable step selectively rotates about said support tube between a position adjacent said mounting bracket such that said streamline surface of said rotatable step is aligned with said running board, to a deployed position wherein said step surface of said rotatable step is offset from said running board. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The side step assembly of claim 1, wherein said rotatable step is configured to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise with respect to said running board depending on whether the side step assembly is on the left or right side of said vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The side step assembly of claim 1, wherein said rotatable step is configured to rotate 180 degrees or less when moving from a position adjacent said running board to said deployed position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The side step assembly of claim 1 further comprising a latch system that is housed within said rotatable step, the latch system being operable to control the selective deployment of said rotatable step from said position adjacent said mounting bracket to said deployed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The side step assembly of claim 4, wherein said latch system further includes a release button that is depressed to selectively allow deployment of said rotatable step. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The side step assembly of claim 1 further comprising a spring deployment system housed within said support tube, the spring deployment system being operable to bias said rotatable step assembly towards said deployed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The side step assembly of claim 6, wherein the spring deployment system further includes a spring operable for rotatably biasing the rotatable step to the deployed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The side step assembly of claim 1, wherein said rotatable step includes interior channels for receiving said support tube and an inner end cap and outer end cap operable to prevent contaminants from entering said interior channels of said rotatable step. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The side step assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated support tube includes a stop member that is operable to engage an internal wall of said rotatable step when said rotatable step is moved to said deployed position. ### Claim 10 A side step assembly for a vehicle comprising: a running board connected to a vehicle wherein said running board has an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface; a mounting bracket connectable to said downwardly facing surface of said running board; a support tube extending from said mounting bracket beyond at least one side of said running board; and a rotatable step having a streamline surface and a step surface, wherein said rotatable step is rotatably connected to said support tube such that said rotatable step rotates about said support tube, wherein said rotatable step rotates between a position adjacent said running board where said streamline surface is contiguous with said upwardly facing surface of said running board, to a deployed position where said step surface of said rotatable step faces upward and is offset with respect to said upwardly facing surface of said running board. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The side step assembly for a vehicle of claim 10, wherein said rotatable step is configured to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise with respect to said mounting bracket depending upon whether the side step assembly is on the left side or right side of said vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The side step assembly for a vehicle of claim 10, wherein said rotatable step is configured to rotate 180 degrees or less. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The side step assembly of claim 10 further comprising a latch system that is housed within said rotatable step, the latch system being operable to control the selective deployment of said rotatable step from said position adjacent said mounting bracket to said deployed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The side step assembly of claim 10 further comprising a spring deployment system housed within said support tube, the spring deployment system being operable to bias said rotatable step assembly towards said deployed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The side step assembly of claim 14, wherein the spring deployment system further includes a spring operable for rotatably biasing the rotatable step to the deployed position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The side step assembly of claim 10, wherein said rotatable step includes interior channels for receiving said support tube and an inner end cap and outer end cap operable to prevent contaminants from entering said interior channels of said rotatable step. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The side step assembly of claim 10, wherein the elongated support tube includes a stop member that is operable to engage an internal wall of said rotatable step when said rotatable step is moved to said deployed position.