Thixomold hinge assembly

A hinge assembly for moving a step between a stowed position generally adjacent a motor vehicle and a deployed position spaced apart from the motor vehicle, said hinge assembly comprising:

• a rail bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle, said rail bracket including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein;
• a step bracket including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein, the step fixedly secured to said step bracket;
• an inner arm including upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein and protruding therefrom, wherein said upper pivot shaft is pivotally disposed in said inner bushing of said rail bracket and said lower pivot shaft is pivotally disposed in said inner bushing of said step bracket;
• and
• an outer arm including upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein and protruding therefrom, wherein said upper pivot shaft is pivotally disposed in said outer bushing of said rail bracket and said lower pivot shaft is pivotally disposed in said outer bushing of said step bracket.