Patent Application
20060267308
The present invention is generally related to a lighted step that is quickly and easily interconnected to retractable steps found on many recreational vehicles. One embodiment of the present invention includes at least one motion sensor that activates an integrated light source when an individual approaches the step.
Recreational vehicles are widely used as a means for providing an individual a home away from home on extended cross-country or camping trips. Recreational vehicles used today are equipped with a plurality of appliances and have living and sleeping areas wherein individuals may spend a great deal of time. Many vacationers choose to see the United States or other countries via the open road wherein recreational vehicles are used to provide almost all the comforts of home.
Recreational vehicles often have an increased wheel height to provide adequate ground clearance, to navigate a camp ground with rough terrain, for example. In order to provide access to the entrance of the recreational vehicle, most are equipped with stairs. In addition, stairs of many recreational vehicles include a plurality of selectively deployable steps that are activated manually or automatically. Although recreational vehicles are described herein, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention as described herein will also apply to campers, fifth wheels, travel trailers, pop-up trailers or any vehicle with high ground clearance where steps and/or stairs are required or desired for ingress or egress.
When camping, artificial outside lighting is often scarce making entry into and exit from the recreational vehicle dangerous. Often, one must carry a lamp or a flashlight to ensure safe exit from and entry into the recreational vehicle. Some steps include lighting or reflecting devices to increase safety, thereby substantially preventing dangerous falls. There are several drawbacks of these lights. First, these lighting systems are operated by a switch, which is either on or off. Thus, the lights will usually be off when the trailer is parked. If on when parked, the lights are constantly on and needlessly draw on often limited power supplies. Secondly, OEM lights are often expensive and difficult to replace as they are integrated directly into the factory-supplied step. In addition, they are also prone to damage when the step assembly is folded under the recreational vehicle, perhaps adjacent to the wheels of the recreational vehicle, wherein the odds gravel impingements are increased.
Thus, it is a long felt need in the field of outdoor recreation to provide a step for the ingress and egress of a recreational vehicle that provides a method of indicating the edge of the step to increase safety. The following disclosure describes an improved system for integration onto an existing step assembly generally found on recreational vehicles that increases safety by indicating the edge of the step and by increasing traction on the step as a whole.
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a step assembly with a light source. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention increases safety by providing a light source that is integrated onto a tread plate for interconnection onto a step of a step assembly commonly used on recreational vehicles. Preferably, the light source is a bar that is aligned with a front surface of the step. The light bar may include a plurality of motion sensors such that the light source illuminates when an individual attempts to enter or exit the recreational vehicle. Thus, a system is provided wherein the edge of the step is indicated so that the individual does not skip a step or misstep, actions that may cause injuries. In addition, as an added benefit, the present invention increases the width of the step such that a greater landing surface is provided.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide additional treads to increase traction. One embodiment of the present invention includes a tread plate with a plurality of treads integrated thereon. These treads will generally increase the amount of traction afforded to the user such that slippage is greatly decreased.
It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a lighted step assembly that is quickly and easily interconnected to the existing steps of a recreational vehicle. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is easily interconnected to the existing steps with fasteners. As an ancillary benefit, this quick and easy interconnection allows for the lighted step assembly to be removed prior to transport wherein potential damage from gravel impingement is alleviated. Also, the method of interconnecting the light bar and tread plate to the existing steps of the recreational vehicle provides a system that is easy to replace if damage should occur.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a light source that includes a power source that is easy to replace. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention utilizes six AA batteries that are easily accessed through an end cap of the light bar which allows the user to simply remove the end plate and replace batteries that are required without having to remove the light bar from the tread plate. Alternatively, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other power sources, such as hardlines into the power sources of the recreational vehicle, solar power cells or external generators may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.
It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a tread plate that includes a location for personalization. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a name plate such that the user may personalize their step akin to a welcome mat. Preferably, the user would place their family name or other symbol to provide an aesthetically pleasing step.
It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a step assembly constructed from common materials and thus less expensive to manufacture. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are fabricated of lightweight materials such as aluminum, steel, plastics, or any combination thereof, that are durable yet easy to maintain and clean. The lightweight and durable nature of the materials also allows the present invention to be constructed of a low profile wherein it substantially does not interfere with the retractable nature of many step assemblies commonly found on recreational vehicles. The commonality of the materials also allows the system to be constructed in an inexpensive manner such that replacement parts can be easily obtained and expense to the user will be minimized.
The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.
To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
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The materials of the step lighting assembly are commonly used and thus it is envisioned that the system is inexpensive and less difficult to manufacture. More specifically, the tread plate 6 may be constructed from steel, aluminum, plastic, or any similar material. The treads 26 of the system are simply grooves integrated into the top surface of the tread plate 6. Although horizontal grooves are shown, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any type of groove may be provided that increases the traction and/or the aesthetics of the tread plate 6, such as diamond plating or diagonal grooves. In addition, one skilled in the art will appreciate that surface tread may be alternatively interconnected via fasteners or adhesives to the top surface of the tread plate 6, without departing from the scope of the invention.
The light bar 18 is preferably a mechanism for housing the light source 20, which is generally a light bulb or series of light emitting sources. Indeed, one skilled in the art will appreciate that light emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays or any similar lighting device maybe used without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, commonly used motion detectors are employed. In one embodiment of the present invention motion sensors 22 are integrated onto the front surface and the top surface of the light bar 18 wherein the light 20 will be activated when one approaches the step to enter the recreational vehicle. The light motion sensor 22 on the top surface of the light bar 18 will activate lighting when one begins to exit the recreational vehicle. Thus, no matter which direction an individual is moving, either towards or away from the light bar 18, the lights 20 will illuminate wherein the edge of the step 21 will be clearly defined. Once the individual is out of range from the motion sensor 22, the light 20 will extinguish.
It is a related feature of the invention that it is lightweight. For example, one embodiment of the present invention weighs about 5 pounds such that loads placed on the existing step assembly 10 of the recreational vehicle are minimized, and wherein the lighted step assembly 2 is easy to carry and install.
While various embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
