Patent ID: 6178364
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B60R,E06C

Abstract:
A method of controlling a retractable stairway assembly for a vehicle, the vehicle having a cab, the cab having an exterior and an interior, the cab also having a cab sidewall within which a doorway and door is positioned, access through the doorway being provided for ingress and egress into and out of the cab interior when the door is open, the retractable stairway being shiftable from a stowed position to a deployed position, when deployed the stairway is positioned for climbing along the stairway to and from the doorway, the method comprising:evaluating at least one vehicle status condition from a set of vehicle status conditions, the set of vehicle status conditions including at least one of the following: (a) whether the vehicle is stopped, (b) whether the parking brake is set, and (c) whether the cab is tilted from horizontal in excess of a threshold; andblocking the deployment of the stairway from a stowed position if said at least one vehicle status condition is not in a predetermined state.