Patent ID: 8727364
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: B60D,B60R

Abstract:
1. A collapsible hitch step adapted for insertion into a vehicle hitch receiver along a longitudinal axis, the hitch step comprising: a step body having a rear panel substantially orthogonal to the axis, the rear panel having an exterior side, an interior side, a bottom edge and a top edge; at least one transverse member of the step body disposed forwardly of the rear panel and being disposed substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis, the transverse member having a rear surface; and a plurality of oblique cross members each extending from the interior side of the rear panel to the rear surface of the transverse member, each of the oblique cross members disposed at an angle between zero and ninety degrees exclusive from the longitudinal axis, the oblique cross members adapted to collapse in a forward direction upon impact being applied to the exterior surface of the rear panel, thereby absorbing at least some of the force of the impact; wherein the step body has a horizontal top panel, a right exterior side panel substantially in parallel with the axis, a left exterior side panel substantially in parallel with the axis and transversely spaced from the right side panel, the rear panel and the transverse member joining the right and left side panels, the top panel joined to the right, left and rear panels and the transverse member, only the right side panel, the left side panel, the top panel and the oblique cross members joining the rear panel to the transverse member.