Patent ID: 6830257
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A retractable vehicle step, comprising:a step member having a stepping deck and a support bracket portion extending inboard from said stepping deck; a first support arm; and a second support arm; said first support arm and said second support arm connectable with respect to an underside of a vehicle so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, respectively; said first support arm and said second support arm connected to said step member so that said first support arm and said second support arm are pivotable with respect to said step member about a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis, respectively, said fourth pivot axis located inboard from said third pivot axis; said first support arm and said second support arm allowing said step member to move between a retracted position and a deployed position downward and outboard from said retracted position; at least one of said first support arm and said second support arm extending downward and outboard from said first and second pivot axes, respectively, when said step member is in said deployed position; wherein said stepping deck is substantially wider than said support bracket portion; wherein said support bracket portion provides a recessed area into which said first support arm is inserted at said third pivot axis.