Articulated Step System for Automotive Vehicle

Abstract

An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle includes a step housing attached to the vehicle frame by means of at least one standoff bracket and a tension strut extending generally downwardly from a first end attached to a vehicle body to a second end attached to the step housing. The articulated step has a stowed position generally underlying the body, and a deployed position extending generally outwardly from the body. Movement of the step may be either translational or rotational with respect to the step housing. In one embodiment, the step extends for the full length of the cab of the vehicle, and partially under a load carrying body at the rear of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having an articulated step system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a step system according to the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of the system shown in FIG. 2, including an actuation mechanism.

FIG. 4 a illustrates a single pivot step system according to the present invention, in its stowed position.

FIG. 4 b illustrates the single pivot step system of FIG. 4a in its deployed position.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a system according to the present invention, in which a standoff bracket is attached to a cross member of a pickup truck box.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of tension struts according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 6 is taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a full-length step system according to the present invention.

FIGS. 8 a and 8b illustrate the full-length step FIG. 7 in the stowed and deployed positions, respectfully.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear step housing used with the step system of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front step mount for the step illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 a illustrates a four bar parallelogram linkage step system according to the present invention, in its stowed position.

FIG. 11 b illustrates the four bar parallelogram linkage step system of FIG. 11a in its deployed position.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a four bar parallelogram linkage step system according to the present invention.

Claims

1. An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle, comprising: at least one standoff bracket attached to a frame member of said vehicle;a step housing attached to said standoff bracket;a tension strut extending generally downwardly from a first end attached to a vehicle body to a second end attached to said step housing; anda step articulated to said step housing, with said step having a stowed position generally underlying said body, and a deployed position extending generally outwardly from said body.

2. An articulated step system according to claim 1, wherein said step housing is attached to the frame member by means of a plurality of standoff brackets, with said tension strut being attached to said step housing mediate the positions at which said standoff brackets are attached to the step housing.

3. An articulated step system according to claim 1, wherein said step is articulated to said step housing by means of a four bar linkage.

4. An articulated step system according to claim 1, wherein said step is articulated to said step housing by means of a four bar linkage, such that the motion of said step with respect to said step housing is translational.

5. An articulated step according to claim 1, wherein said step extends longitudinally from said step housing to a second articulation point forward of said step housing, whereby the step will be caused to rotate about the second articulation point when the step articulates with respect to the step housing.

6. An articulated step system according to claim 1, wherein said step is articulated for movement in a direction generally parallel to a surface upon which the vehicle is operating.

7. An articulated step system according to claim 1, wherein said frame member comprises a longitudinally extending frame rail, and said vehicle body comprises an inner panel of a pickup box.

8. An articulated step system according to claim 7, wherein said first end of said tension strut is attached to a fastener extending through said inner panel.

9. An articulated step system according to claim 7, wherein said first end of said tension strut is attached to a fastener extending through said inner panel and through a cargo hold down mounted within said pickup box.

10. An articulated step system according to claim 1, wherein said standoff bracket comprises a cantilever bracket.

11. An articulated step system according to claim 1, further comprising a foot operated means for moving said step from said stowed position to said deployed position.

12. An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a plurality of opposed cantilever brackets adapted for mounting to a vehicle frame member;at least one tension strut adapted to extend generally downwardly from a vehicle body structure to a rail extending between said standoff brackets; anda step articulated to said cantilever brackets, with said step being movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

13. An articulated step system according to claim 12, wherein said at least one tension strut is adapted for mounting by means of a fastener adapted to extend through a sidewall of a cargo box.

14. An articulated step system according to claim 12, wherein said step is articulated to said cantilever brackets by means of a parallelogram linkage.

15. An articulated step system according to claim 12, wherein said at least one tension strut is adapted for mounting by means of at least one fastener adapted to extend through a sidewall of a cargo box so as to fasten a cargo hold down fixture to the cargo box.

16. An articulated step system according to claim 12, wherein movement of said step from said stowed position to said deployed position is accomplished by means of a foot-actuated lever.

17. An articulated step system adapted for mounting to an automotive vehicle body, comprising: a front step mount for permitting rotation of a step about a generally vertical axis;at least one standoff bracket attached to a frame member of a vehicle body at a position trailing the position of said front step mount;a rear step housing attached to said standoff bracket; anda step having a leading end mounted rotatably to said front step mount, and a trailing end articulated for translational motion with respect to said rear step housing, with said step having a stowed position generally underlying said body, and a deployed position extending generally outwardly from said body at an acute angle.

18. An articulated step system according to claim 17, wherein said rear step housing comprises a motor driven self-storing paired link.

19. An articulated step system according to claim 17, further comprising a tension strut extending generally downwardly from a first end attached to said vehicle body to a second end attached to said rear step housing.

20. An articulated step system according to claim 17, wherein said step extends longitudinally along a vehicle from a location proximate a side door of said vehicle body to a location underlying a cargo box mounted to a rear portion of said vehicle.

21. An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle, comprising: at least two cantilever brackets adapted for mounting to a vehicle frame member;a step articulated to said cantilever brackets, with said step being movable between a first lower stowed position wherein the step is stowed against the underside of a vehicle and a second higher deployed position.

22. An articulated step system according to claim 21, wherein said step is mounted to said cantilever brackets by a plurality of parallelogram links.

23. An articulated step system according to claim 22, wherein the parallelogram links are stowed between the at least two cantilever brackets.

24. An articulated step system according to claim 12, wherein the stowed position of said step is lower than the deployed position of said step.

25. An articulated step system according to claim 21, wherein the stowed position of said step is lower than the deployed position of said step.