Patent ID: 9561751
Date: 2017-02-07
CPC Classifications: B60R

Claim:
1. A retractable vehicle step comprising: a stepping platform; a mounting bracket configured to be attached to a vehicle; a plurality of support linkages, the plurality of support linkages configured to pivotably move the stepping platform from a retracted position to an extended position located outboard of the retracted position; and a stepping platform linkage connected to the stepping platform and at least one of the plurality of support linkages, the stepping platform linkage having a straddling segment located on an end opposite the stepping platform, wherein the straddling segment comprises two flanges spaced apart at a width greater than a width of the at least one of the plurality of support linkages, the two flanges being configured to retain and straddle one end of the at least one of the plurality of support linkages; wherein the stepping platform has a width greater than the width of any of the plurality of support linkages and the stepping platform linkage; wherein the retractable vehicle step has at least 4 axes of rotation, two of which are located on the mounting bracket and two of which are located within the straddling segment; wherein the one end of the at least one of the plurality of support linkages is configured to pivot within the straddling segment; wherein the stepping platform is configured to move downwards and outboard when moving from the retracted position to the extended position; and wherein the retractable vehicle step is self-energizing in both the extended position and the retracted position.