Patent ID: 8777296
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: B60J,B60R,B62D,E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
1. A step unit that guides a sliding door of a vehicle along a direction in which the sliding door opens and closes, the step unit comprising: a step member formed from a resin material arranged in a vehicle body adjacent to the sliding door, wherein the step member includes a lower surface and first and second lower rails, which are arranged on the lower surface and extend along the direction in which the sliding door opens and closes, the first and second lower rails hold and guide a roller therebetween, the roller is coupled to the sliding door, and the first lower rail includes two ends facing toward each other to form a cutout portion between the two ends; and a rail plate member arranged in the cutout portion and continuously connecting the first lower rail along the opening and closing direction; wherein the step member includes an insertion hole, which extends through the step member in a vertical direction of the vehicle body at a location corresponding to the cutout portion, and an extended portion, which extends from at least one of the two ends to support the rail plate member against a load received by the rail plate member from the roller; the rail plate member is inserted through the insertion hole from above the step member and fixed by a fastening member to the step member; and the rail plate member includes a bent portion, which is arranged at an upper end of the plate member and extends in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction of the vehicle body.