Linkage-driven power step
AssigneeActuant Corporation
InventorBorivoj Krobot
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A movable step apparatus that includes a mounting frame, at least one step, and a rotary drive mechanism is provided. The movable step apparatus also includes a drive link and a follower link. The drive link is operatively connected to the drive mechanism to move the at least one step between retracted and extended positions. The follower link is pivotally connected to the drive link and pivotally connected to the at least one step. The follower link drives the at least one step to extend and retract the at least one step. The movable step apparatus further includes at least one link pivotally connecting the at least one step to the mounting frame to move between the retracted and extended positions.
Claims20
A movable step apparatus, comprising:
- a mounting frame;
- at least a first step;
- a rotary drive mechanism;
- a drive link driven by the rotary drive mechanism;
- a follower link pivotally connected to the first step;
- a pin-in-slot connection defined by the drive link and the follower link, one of the follower link and the drive link having a slot of the pin-in-slot connection, the slot being elongated in a plane in a direction of motion of the one of the follower link and the drive link, and the other of the follower link and the drive link supporting a pin of the pin-in-slot connection, the pin being received in the slot and translatable within the slot in the plane in the direction of motion of the one of the follower link and the drive link;
- a second pin pivotally connecting the drive link and the follower link;
- at least one link pivotally connecting the first step to the mounting frame to permit the first step to move between a retracted and an extended position;
- and
- wherein the drive link drives the first step through the pin-in-slot connection and the follower link to extend and retract the first step.
A movable step apparatus, comprising:
- a mounting frame including a cylindrical stop that is pivotally connected to the mounting frame;
- at least a first step;
- a drive motor;
- a drive link rotated by the drive motor to move the first step between retracted and extended positions;
- a follower link pivotally connected to the drive link and pivotally connected to a rear end of the first step, and the follower link including a free end with a guide surface that disengages the cylindrical stop in the retracted position and engages the cylindrical stop as the first step approaches the extended position;
- at least one link pivotally connecting the first step to the frame to permit the first step to move between the retracted and extended positions;
- and
- wherein the follower link drives the rear end of the first step so as to extend and retract the first step.
A movable step apparatus, comprising:
- a mounting frame including a cylindrical stop pivotally connected to the mounting frame;
- at least a first step;
- a rotary drive mechanism;
- a drive link driven by the rotary drive mechanism;
- a follower link pivotally connected to and driven by the drive link and pivotally connected to the first step, the follower link including a free end with a convex guide surface and an adjacent concave locking surface;
- at least one link pivotally connecting the first step to the mounting frame to permit the first step to move between the retracted and extended positions;
- and
- wherein the drive link drives the first step through the follower link to extend and retract the first step, and wherein the convex guide surface of the follower link engages the cylindrical stop as the first step approaches the extended position and the concave locking surface engages the cylindrical stop in the extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.