Patent ID: 11858596
Assignee: THE NEW SEALIFT, LLC
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 9:
10. A retractable step system for a boat, comprising:
a main frame having a first side member and a second side member;
a linkage movably coupled to the main frame, the linkage including a crank assembly having a torque member, a first bell crank linkage arm disposed toward one end of the torque member and second bell crank linkage arm disposed toward an opposite end of the torque member and a bell crank extending from the torque member, the torque member rotatably mounted between the first side member and the second side member, the linkage including at least one of a first supplemental linkage arm mounted to the main frame and a second supplemental linkage arm mounted to the main frame;
an upper step assembly coupled to the linkage, the upper step assembly including a first upper step bracket operatively coupled to the first bell crank linkage arm and the first supplemental linkage arm and a second upper step bracket operatively coupled to the second bell crank linkage arm and the second supplemental linkage arm, the upper step assembly further including an upper step extending between and supported by the first upper step bracket and the second upper step bracket;, a lower step assembly coupled to the linkage, the lower step assembly including a first lower step bracket operatively coupled to the first bell crank linkage arm and the first supplemental linkage arm and a second lower step bracket operatively coupled to the second bell crank linkage arm and the second supplemental linkage arm, the lower step assembly further including a lower step extending between and supported by the first lower step bracket and the second lower step bracket; and
an actuator connected between the main frame and the bell crank, whereby operation of the actuator rotates the bell crank assembly relative to the main frame and moves the linkage between a retracted position in which the steps and the linkage are disposed beneath the main frame and an extended position in which the steps and at least a portion of the linkage is disposed outwardly from beneath the main frame.