Patent ID: 7900944
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A step assembly for a motor vehicle, said step assembly comprising: a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle; a step; an arm having a first end pivotal with respect to said mounting bracket and an opposing second end pivotal with respect to said step for pivotally moving said step between a retracted position and an extended position; a drive shaft fixedly secured to said first end of said arm and rotatable relative to said mounting bracket; an intermediate shaft operably coupled to said drive shaft and rotatable in response to rotation of said drive shaft; and a latch assembly including a latch hub fixedly secured to said intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, said latch assembly including a latch pawl engageable with said latch hub to selectively retain said step in said retracted position and a deploy spring connected to said latch hub for biasing said latch hub out of engagement with said latch pawl when said latch pawl releases said latch hub.