Patent ID: 7686133
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: B60R,E06C

Abstract:
1. A ladder for a vehicle including a substantially vertical side, comprising: a ladder step; and means for pivotably-collapsing the ladder step flush against the substantially vertical side of the vehicle in response to an external force applied to the ladder step, wherein the means for collapsing includes a pair of pivot mechanisms, wherein one of each of the pair of pivot mechanisms are attached to respective ends of the ladder step; and a pair of hinged mounting brackets, wherein each of the hinged mounting brackets includes a ladder end pivotably-attached to a mounting end, wherein the mounting end is fixed to the substantially vertical side of the of the vehicle, wherein each of the ladder ends are pivotably-attached to the pair of pivot mechanisms, wherein each of the ladder ends of the pair of hinged mounting brackets are deflectable to the left or right to define a range of motion of about 180° to permit the ladder end of each bracket to lay flush against the substantially vertical side of the vehicle.