Patent ID: 6834875
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A retractable vehicle step assist, comprising:a rigid frame; a first linkage pivotably connected to said frame, said first linkage pivotable with respect to said frame about a first axis, said first linkage comprising a first support arm; a second linkage pivotably connected to said frame, said second linkage pivotable with respect to said frame about a second axis located inboard of said first axis, said second linkage comprising a second support arm; and a step member having a stepping deck; said first linkage pivotably connected to said step member along a first lower connection width, said first linkage pivotable with respect to said step member about a third axis; said second linkage pivotably connected to said step member along a second lower connection width, said second linkage pivotable with respect to said step member about a fourth axis located inboard of said third axis; said first linkage and said second linkage allowing said step member to move between a retracted position and a deployed position downward and outboard from said retracted position; wherein said support arms have a range of motion that includes a first position in which said second support arm is at least partly nested within said first support arm, and a second position in which no portion of said second support arm is nested within said first support arm; wherein said first axis is spaced from said third axis by a first distance, and said second axis is spaced from said fourth axis by a second distance, as said step assist is viewed in a plane perpendicular to said first axis, and said first distance and said second distance are unequal; wherein said stepping deck is substantially wider than any of said first lower connection width and said second lower connection width.