Patent ID: 8360455
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A retractable vehicle step, comprising: a stepping member being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position; a first arm having an upper end defining a first pivot location about which said first arm is rotatable, said first arm defining a second pivot location spaced downward from said first pivot location, said stepping member pivotable with respect to said second pivot location; and a biasing mechanism comprising a compression spring and being operably coupled to said stepping member and configured to urge said stepping member toward said retracted position and at least partially resist movement of the stepping member from said extended position toward said retracted position, wherein the biasing action of the biasing mechanism is located at the upper end of the first arm and wherein the first arm and the biasing mechanism engage one another at the upper end of the first arm.