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US 8,408,571 B2Granted
Retractable vehicle step
Assignee89908, Inc.
InventorsHorst Leitner, Anthony Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having an upper stepping surface, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The first and second arms can be generally planar linkages.
Claims11
A retractable vehicle step assist comprising:
- a rigid frame configured to attach to an underside of a vehicle;
- a support assembly connectable with respect to the rigid frame so as to be pivotable about a first axis oriented generally parallel to the ground and a second axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, respectively;
- and
- a step member having an upper stepping surface, said support assembly pivotable with respect to said step member about a third axis and a fourth axis, respectively, said second axis located inboard from said first axis;
- said support assembly allowing said step member to move between a retracted position and a deployed position;
- and
- wherein, as said step assist is viewed in a plane perpendicular to said first axis, said support assembly initially moves downward as said step member moves from the deployed position to the retracted position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.