Patent ID: 8668217
Filing Date: 2014-03-11
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An automated retractable step apparatus to facilitate access to a vehicle which comprises: A. a main housing bracket attachable to a vehicle to facilitate access thereinto, said main housing bracket including a main housing plate which defines an upper surface and a lower surface facing away from one another, said main housing plate defining a position control slot therein; B. a driven arm assembly pivotally attached to said main housing plate and movable with respect thereto between a retracted position adjacent said lower surface of said main housing plate and a deployed position extending outwardly therefrom, said driven arm assembly including a driven arm cross member; C. a free arm assembly pivotally attached to said main housing plate and movable with respect thereto between a retracted position adjacent said lower surface of said main housing plate and a deployed position extending outwardly therefrom; D. a step plate pivotally attached to said driven arm assembly to be movable therewith between a retracted position adjacent said lower surface of said main housing plate and a deployed position extending outward therefrom, said step plate also being pivotally attached to said free arm assembly to be movable therewith between a retracted position adjacent said lower surface of said main housing plate and a deployed position extending outward therefrom, said step plate being oriented approximately horizontally responsive to being in the deployed position; E. a drive means operatively connected to said driven arm assembly for powering movement thereof between said retracted position and said deployed position; F. drive control linkage operatively attached to said drive means and to said driven arm assembly and moveable between a retracted and extended position to control movement of said driven arm assembly, said free arm assembly and said step plate between the respective retracted and deployed positions thereof; and G. a linkage position control assembly attached with respect to said drive control linkage and moveably attached to said main housing plate for maintaining limited spacing between said lower surface of said main housing plate and said drive control linkage, said linkage position control assembly including a position control stud secured to said drive control linkage and extending through said position control slot to be moveable therewithin to allow operative movement of said drive control linkage while maintaining limited spacing between said lower surface of said main housing plate and said drive control linkage.