Patent ID: 8177247
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A retractable, pull-out step for a vehicle, comprising, in combination: a frame member having: each of said side walls having a flange member extending outwardly from said top edge in directions away from said base plate, and each of said flange members lying in a second plane substantially parallel to said first plane; a pair of guides mounded on said base plate, a first of said pair of guides in regions adjacent a first of said side walls and the second of said pair of guides in regions adjacent the second of said pair of side walls, and said guides extending from regions adjacent said front edge of said base plate to regions adjacent said back edge of base plate said and substantially parallel to said side walls of said base plate; said first of said pair of guides having first walls defining a guide aperture therethrough; a pair of rails, each of said pair of rails having an outer end and an inner end, a first of said pair of rails mounted for reciprocal movement adjacent a first of said pair of guides for movement of said outer end towards and away from said front edge of said base plate and the second of said rails mounted for reciprocal movement with said first rail and adjacent the second of said pair of guide for reciprocal movement towards and away from said front edge of said base plate, said pair of rails moveable between a first retracted position wherein said inner ends thereof are in regions adjacent said back edge of said base plate and a second, step position wherein said outer end of said pair of rails extends beyond said front edge of said base plate to regions external said base plate; said first of said pair of rails having second walls defining a pair of spaced apart rail apertures therethrough; a tread member rigidly mounted on said pair of rails in regions adjacent said outer ends thereof for reciprocal movement therewith; a pivot pin on said base plate adjacent said first of said pair of guides; a lever pivotally mounted on said pivot pin for pivotal movement in a plane substantially parallel to said plane of said base member and said lever having a first arm extending on a first side of said pivot pin and a second arm extending on a second side of said pivot pin; a latch member on said first arm of said lever and said latch member adapted to fit through said first guide aperture and through a first of said pair of spaced apart rail apertures for said latch member in a first position for the condition of said rails in said first position thereof and said latch member adapted to fit through said guide aperture and through the second of said pair of rail apertures for said latch member in said first position for the condition of said rails in said second position thereof, and said latch member pivotally movable between said first position thereof and a second position wherein said latch member is free of said guide apertures and free of said rail apertures; a flexible cable having a first end connected to said second arm of said lever and a second end spaced from said first end and said second end having a handle thereon, said handle mounted on an outer surface of said first of said side members and in regions under a first of said flanges and adjacent said first end of said base plate; a spring stop mounted on said base plate in a spaced relationship to said first arm of said lever; a spring means between said spring stop and said second arm of said lever for yieldingly resisting movement of said first arm of said lever out of said first position thereof.