Patent ID: 7168523
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A suspended step device that is configured for attachment over and support by a motor vehicle tire secured in place by wheel nuts and which can be used to support a mechanic needing an elevated position to work in the vehicle's engine compartment and other users needing access to the upper portions of high-profile vehicles, said step device comprising: two upright tubular side frame members each having a top end, a bottom end, a right angle bend near said top end, and a right angle bend near said bottom end, with said two right angle bends on the same one of said side frame members being formed in opposite directions to one another, so that when each said bottom end is oriented in a forwardly-extending direction each said top end becomes oriented in a rearwardly-extending direction, said side frame members each further having at least one pair of adjustment bores therethrough positioned between each said right angle bend and a respective end closest thereto; a tubular top frame member and a tubular bottom frame member each having opposite ends spaced apart from one another at a defined distance, a horseshoe-shaped center, and an additional right angle bend near to each of said opposite ends, said top frame member and said bottom frame member each further having at least one pair of adjustment bores therethrough positioned between each said right angle bend and the one of said opposite ends closest thereto; a step platform having a length dimension greater that its width dimension and two rearwardly positioned oblong slots in perpendicular orientation to said length dimension, each of said oblong slots having a radius at both of its ends, each of said oblong slots also laterally spaced apart from one another at a distance equivalent to said defined distance between said opposite ends of said bottom frame member; and at least four fasteners configured and dimensioned for engaging said adjustment bores through said side frame members, said top frame member, and said bottom frame member, so that when said fasteners are used to achieve interlocking connection between each of said opposite ends of said top frame member to said top end of a different one of said side frame members, when said bottom ends of said side frame members are each threaded through a different one of said oblong holes in said step platform, and when additional ones of said fasteners are used to achieve interlocking connection between each of said bottom ends of said side frame members and a different one of said opposite ends of said bottom frame member, a closed-loop frame is thereby formed wherein said horseshoe-shaped center of said bottom frame member extends in a downwardly direction for use as a stirrup, and when said horseshoe-shaped center of said top frame member is positioned behind a motor vehicle tire and said step platform is in a horizontally-extending orientation against said closed-loop frame, said step platform engages the motor vehicle tire while said side frame members remain spaced apart from the motor vehicle tire, whereby said step platform is able to provide a secure surface upon which a mechanic and other users can stand, with the insertion of said side frame members through said oblong slots in said step platform being the only means of connection between said step platform and said closed loop tubular frame.