Patent ID: 6170842
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
In combination with a vehicle having a frame, a truck bed on the frame having a rear tailgate, and a rear bumper having an upper surface and a rearward generally vertical face, below said tailgate, and attached to the vehicle frame; an automatically locking step assembly comprising:a. a step having an attachment leg and a generally perpendicularly extending step portion of a width to receive a foot in general parallel disposition with said bumper;b. a mount supported on said bumper having a swinging connection with said step attachment leg and mounting said step for swinging movement from a first operative position in which said attachment leg is disposed generally vertically adjacent said bumper face and said step portion extends rearwardly to a retracted second position pivoted upwardly through an angle of substantially 180 degrees in which said attachment leg is vertically adjacent said bumper and said step portion is inversely disposed and extends in a forward direction along the upper surface of said bumper; andc. a lock device automatically operative between said mount and step under the influence of gravity for releasably locking said step in both said first and second positions when said step is released following its swinging to said positions.