Patent Application
20070267842
Certain exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed here will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
The figures referred to above should be understood to provide a representation of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. In some cases the same reference numbers may be used in drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Suitable configurations, dimensions, orientations and the like for any particular embodiment of the stowable access step assemblies will typically be determined, at least in part, by the intended application, including the configuration, dimensions and materials of the pick-up truck with which the assembly is to be used.
It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, that there are numerous alternative embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed here. For purposes of convenience, the discussion below will focus primarily on certain exemplary embodiments of the pick-up truck stowable access step assemblies disclosed here. It should be understood that the principles of operation, system details, optional and alternative features, etc. are generally applicable as well to other embodiments.
The pick-up truck stowable access step assemblies in accordance with certain advantageous embodiments can be designed to be sufficiently robust even to support an individual holding one or more heavy items to be placed into (or removed from) the cargo bay. For example, certain exemplary embodiments of the pick-up truck stowable access step assembly employ first and second mounting structures, each in the form of a rigid frame, the second mounting structure carrying the access step and being mounted for movement relative to the first mounting structure. Numerous suitable designs for such embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. For example, the framework of the first mounting structure can comprise a first stationary longitudinal tube, a second stationary longitudinal tube spaced from and parallel to the first stationary longitudinal tube, and optionally cross-members interconnecting the first and second stationary longitudinal tubes. Similarly, the framework of the second mounting structure can comprise a first extendable longitudinal tube, and a second extendable longitudinal tube spaced from and parallel to the first extendable longitudinal tube and, optionally, cross-members interconnecting them. The first and second extendable longitudinal tubes in such embodiments can be slidably mounted to the first and second stationary longitudinal tubes, respectively, for longitudinal movement of the first and second extendable longitudinal tubes relative to the first and second stationary longitudinal tubes during deployment and stowing of the access step. It should be understood that the “stationary” tubes are referred to as stationary because they are (or are designed and intended to be) integrated to the frame or body of the pick-up truck in a stationary position, e.g., mounted under the cargo bay, etc. In embodiments of this general type, the extendable longitudinal tubes can telescope in and out of the stationary longitudinal tubes or can be otherwise received longitudinally by (e.g., into, onto, under, etc.) the stationary longitudinal tubes, for deployment and stowing of the access step. In certain exemplary embodiments the stationary longitudinal tubes of the first mounting structure can be square cross-section tubes, and the extendable longitudinal tubes can comprise square cross-section tubes of slightly smaller cross-sectional dimensions, which are slidably received longitudinally into the stationary longitudinal tubes, respectively. For laterally deployable access steps (i.e., access steps that come out to the right or left side of the pick-up truck) the longitudinal tubes typically are positioned horizontally under the cargo bay and oriented laterally, i.e., perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction of the pick-up truck.
Numerous alternative locations and designs for integrating the stowable access step in the pick-up truck will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. For example, in embodiments using a moveable mounting frame with a stationary mounting frame, certain alternative embodiments employ just a single centered stationary rail with a corresponding single sliding rail rather than the two pairs of rails described above. Such single rail designs can provide cost, weight, and packaging space reduction.
Optionally, bearings can be operatively interposed between the first mounting structure and the second mounting structure, e.g., in embodiments constructed as just described with longitudinal tube members of the second mounting structure sliding relative to those of the first mounting structure, upper and lower bearings can be used at one or more locations along each pair of tubes. Numerous alternative designs for the bearings will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
As mentioned above, certain exemplary embodiments of the pickup truck stowable access step assemblies disclosed here are powered. That is, they comprise an electric drive mechanism, such as an electric motor or the like to deploy and retract the access step. The unit can be driven from the closed or stowed position to the extended position through the use of a small motor, e.g., a 12 volt electric motor run on the main vehicle power system or a separate, dedicated power system with a battery and/or generator. In addition, such embodiments can also comprise suitable gearing, e.g., a planetary or worm drive gear set, optionally housed in a gearbox. An output member, e.g., a lead screw or the like is connected directly to the access step or, alternatively, to a component of a movable deployment structure. Numerous alternative drive mechanism designs will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
In certain exemplary embodiments of the pick-up truck stowable access step assemblies disclosed here, which employ hollow longitudinal tubes as described above, various components of the assemblies can be packaged in (i.e., mounted or otherwise positioned at least partially inside) such structural tube members. For example, all or portions of a latching mechanism and/or an electric motor drive mechanism can be packaged inside a stationary or moveable center rail. Such packaging provides good space efficiency as well as protection from road debris, inclement weather, etc. Optionally, convoluted rubber boots or the like can be used for exposed areas to protect the sliding rail(s) from dirt, mud, debris and the affects of salt. Numerous alternative packaging and protection designs will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. For example, wiper seals can be used to remove debris from the siding rail(s) and a bottom splash guard can be used for further debris protection.
Certain exemplary embodiments of the pick-up truck stowable access step assemblies further comprise an extension control feature to assist or moderate the feel of or required force for deployment or stowing of the access step. Such extension control feature may be used in manual embodiments of the stowable access step assemblies and in power driven embodiments. In certain exemplary embodiments the extension control feature comprises a damper, e.g., a gas strut or the like, and/or a biasing member, such as a compression spring or the like. Optionally, the damper end of biasing member can be combined with integrated into a single component, thereby potentially decreasing complexity, potential failure modes, size and/or cost. For example, a damper strut and a compression spring can be built into one component, thereby decreasing complexity and potential failure modes. In embodiments employing first and second mounting structures such as described above, with a movable frame carrying the access step, struts and/or compression springs or other such components can be connected to the movable frame, e.g., a cross-member of such moveable frame. In certain such embodiments struts and/or compression springs can extend between a cross-member of the second (i.e., movable) mounting structure and the truck body or the first mounting structure. It should be understood that all references here to the truck “body” are intended to mean any or all structural elements of the truck, such as a unibody, a structural member of a body-on-frame design, etc. Numerous alternative designs for this extension control feature will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
As disclosed above, certain exemplary embodiments of the pick-up truck stowable access step assemblies comprise a release mechanism to release the access step from its stowed position. Numerous suitable release mechanisms will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. In addition to the latching and release mechanisms described above, exemplary suitable mechanisms include cable release mechanisms similar to those used for hood latching systems in pickup trucks and other vehicles. Such cable release mechanisms are well-known to those skilled in the art and provide advantages such as flexibility in packaging the release feature, i.e., including flexibility in positioning the release handle remotely from the access step, e.g., at a location inside the passenger compartment or outside the passenger compartment. Additional advantages of such cable release mechanisms include good familiarity amongst repair facilities, readily available parts manufacturers, robust designs, etc. Other suitable alternative latching and release mechanisms include, for example, push-to-release mechanisms, e.g., mechanisms similar to those used in foot-operated manual park brake systems. Such release mechanisms can, in at least certain embodiments, eliminate the need for an external release mechanism.
The durability and strength of the stowable access step assemblies will be a design feature well within the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. In general, the required durability and strength—or robustness—of the stowable access step assemblies will depend largely on the particular application. In certain exemplary embodiments the stowable access step assemblies is sufficiently robust to bear at least a 300 pound load with less than 15 mm vertical deflection and less than 1.5 mm deflection set, i.e., permanent vertical deflection. In certain exemplary embodiments the stowable access step assemblies is sufficiently robust to bear at least a 400 pound load with less than 15 mm vertical deflection and less than 1.5 mm deflection set. In certain exemplary embodiments the stowable access step assemblies is sufficiently robust to bear at least a 500 pound load with less than 15 mm vertical deflection and less than 1.5 mm deflection set. In certain highly robust embodiments the stowable access step assemblies is sufficiently robust to bear at least a 600 pound load with less than 15 mm vertical deflection and less than 1.5 mm deflection set.
Referring now to
It can be seen that the various longitudinal tubes in the illustrated embodiment comprise square cross-section tubes. By way of example, the travel distance of the access step between its deployed and stowed positions may be about 5 inches. By way of example, again, the extendable longitudinal tubes may have an outside dimension of 1¼ inch on each side, with a ⅛ inch wall thickness, and the stationary longitudinal tube is may have an outside dimension of 1½ inch on each side, with a ⅛ inch wall thickness, such that the 1¼ inch inside dimension of the stationary longitudinal tubes is closely sized to receive the extendable longitudinal tubes. The stationary longitudinal tubes can be mounted or otherwise integrated into the body of a pickup truck in any suitable fashion. In the illustrated embodiment in
The illustrated embodiment of
Pick-up truck stowable access step assembly 10 is seen to further comprise latch and release mechanism 70 mounted to stationary longitudinal tubes 24, 26. Mechanism 70 comprises release lever or handle 72 positioned to be convenient for operation by hand or foot to release latch 74. Handle 72 is pivotably mounted at pivot 71 and a corresponding pivot on the opposite side. Release latch 74 is biased to the latching position, e.g., by spring (not shown) at the pivot. In the latching position free end 76 extends through hole 77 in the upper surface 78 of stationary tube 26 into a corresponding recess 79 (e.g., a hole or detent) in (i.e., in or through) the upper surface 80 of extendable tube 32. The release mechanism is pivoted such that pressing release lever 72 downwardly raises latch 74 upwardly out of recess 79 to permit the access step to be deployed to its extended position. Upon the access step being returned to its stowed position, the latch reengages recess 79 through hole 77 to hold the access step in the stowed position. Numerous alternative designs for release mechanisms suitable for this or different embodiments if the stowable access step assemblies will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
As best seen in
Referring now to
It should be understood that this disclosure includes all feasible mix-and-match combinations of the various alternative versions and designs mentioned above for the several components and features of the stowable access step assemblies disclosed here. Although the invention has been described in connection with various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. In general, unless expressly stated otherwise, all words and phrases are used above and in the following claims have all of their various different meanings, including, without limitation, any and all meaning(s) given in general purpose dictionaries, and also any and all meanings given in science, technology, medical or engineering dictionaries, and also any and all meanings known in the relevant industry, technological art or the like. Thus, where a term has more than one possible meaning, all such meanings are intended to be included for that term as used here. In accordance with traditional patent practice, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” and the like, mean “one or more” of that item.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/800,717 filed on May 16, 2006, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60800717 | May 2006 | US |
