Automotive wheel having a foot step

A step assembly for an automotive wheel includes a first member at least partially defining an annular track, a second member connected with respect to the track for movement along the track, and a third member defining a stepping surface. The third member is pivotably connected with respect to the second member for selective movement between a stowed position in which the third member acts as a center wheel cap, and a second position in which the third member presents a horizontal step surface. The third member is movable along the track with the second member to enable a vehicle user to reposition the step surface after wheel rotation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to vehicle wheel assemblies having a selectively retractable foot step.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Situations frequently arise when a vehicle owner needs to access portions of a motor vehicle over the fender. For example, there may be a need to inspect or service the engine, a need to reach into the cargo bed, or a need to reach up to the overhead cargo racks. In this regard, larger automotive vehicles, such as for example, vans, sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks, generally have high ground clearance and high uppermost height of the fenders. This height may result in inconvenience and/or difficulty for a person who is standing on the ground to access parts of the motor vehicle over the fenders. Some pick-ups have a step formed in the fenders on one side of the wheel well; some vehicles have running boards, and some vehicles have a step at the bumper. However, these provisions do not assist a person in accessing areas over the fenders directly above the wheel wells. Because of this, a person who needs to access parts of the motor vehicle over the fenders and above the wheel wells may need to utilize some object to stand upon, if one can be found.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable wheel with a step assembly connected thereto. The step assembly includes a track member operatively connected to the wheel for rotation therewith and defining an annular track. A slide member is selectively movable along the annular track. A platform member defines a step surface and is pivotably mounted with respect to the slide member for movement between a deployed position in which the platform is horizontally oriented and a retracted position in which the platform is vertically oriented.

In the retracted positon, the platform member forms a center cap that obstructs the center portion of the wheel. In the deployed position the platform member presents a horizontal surface on which a person can step to elevate himself or herself. The step assembly provided may mount to the wheel in the same manner as a center cap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, a wheel8for a vehicle is schematically depicted. The wheel8includes a center cap that is also a step assembly10. Referring toFIG. 2, the step assembly10includes an annular track member14that at least partially defines an annular track18. The track member14is connected to the wheel8for rotation therewith. The step assembly10further includes a slide member22movably mounted to the annular track18, and a plate26(also sometimes referred to herein as a “platform member”) that is pivotably connected to the slide member22. The plate26provides a step surface28on which a vehicle user can stand when it is in a generally horizontal position as shown inFIG. 2. The plate26is pivotable to a retracted, generally vertically oriented position as shown inFIG. 1.

A center emblem cap29is connected to the plate26opposite surface28. The center emblem cap29may depict a vehicle logo (not shown) or other identification, and is preferably selectively removable from the plate26to enable the step assembly10to be used on a variety of models. Thus, for example, the plate26, slide member22, and/or the track member14may be used on a variety of different vehicle models, each having a center emblem cap29with a different logo or other identification.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components fromFIGS. 1 and 2, the track member14defines a plurality of tabs16that engage slots (not shown) in the wheel to mount the track member to the wheel. The track member14partially defines track18, which is formed by a partially-annular inner surface30, two partially annular protrusions34,38, and two partially annular grooves46,52. Inner surface30is generally axially oriented with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel to which the track member14is mounted and faces radially inward. Partially annular protrusions34,38protrude axially in opposite directions from one another and partially form surface30. Each protrusion34,38defines a respective surface50,54that at least partially forms one of grooves46,52.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components fromFIGS. 1-4, the slide member22defines a cavity58having a shape that approximates the curvature of the annular track18. The cavity58is formed by surfaces60,64,68,70, and74. The track18is at least partially within the cavity58such that surfaces70,74are positioned in a respective groove46,52; surface60opposes surface30; and surfaces64,68oppose surfaces54and50, respectively. Thus, physical part interference between the slide member22and the track member14restricts the movement of the slide member22with respect to the track member14to a circular path along the inner diameter of the track member14.

Referring again toFIG. 3, the track member14defines an opening or notch78formed by the surface30and protrusions34,38to enable the installation of the slide member22on the track18. A member84having the same cross section as the track18is insertable into the notch78and affixable to the track member14after the slide member22has been affixed to the track member14to complete the annular track18.

Surface30of the track member14and the insert member84define a plurality of evenly-spaced, partially-spherical depressions or concavities88that function as detents. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, roller elements92are rotatably attached to the slide member22and protrude from surface60, as shown inFIG. 5. When the roller elements92enter respective concavities88, resistance to rotation of the slide member22with respect to the track member14is provided. The distance between each of the rollers92is the same as the distance between each of the concavities88.

Referring again toFIG. 6, the slide member22includes a platform support portion96that defines holes100at which the plate26is pivotably connectable via a pin (not shown). More specifically, the pin extends through holes100and into holes (shown at102inFIG. 6) formed into the plate26. Those skilled in the art will recognize other techniques for pivotably connecting the plate26to the slide member22. Slide member22also includes a protrusion104that acts as a stop member by contacting the upper surface28of the plate26when the plate26is in the generally horizontal deployed position, as shown inFIG. 2.

The platform support portion96of the slide member22includes a surface106characterized by plurality of evenly-spaced spaced protrusions108as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The track member14also defines a surface110characterized by a plurality of evenly-spaced notches112on the outer face of the track member14, which is generally radially oriented to face the axial direction as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Notches112are slightly larger than protrusions108. Under normal conditions, the protrusions108face notches112, but do not engage the notches. When a vehicle user steps on the plate26, the load exerted on the slide member22from the plate26causes sufficient deformation that the protrusions (as shown at108′) enter respective notches112, preventing movement of the slide member22and plate26with respect to the track member14and the wheel.

Referring toFIG. 6, the plate member26defines a notch121to accommodate the slide member when the plate member26is in its stowed position, as shown inFIG. 1. The plate member26also defines detent depressions122in the notch121. Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the slide member22defines semispherical protrusions120that are positioned to align with and engage detent depressions122to releasably retain the plate26in the retracted or stowed position. Plate member26also defines concavities124formed to remove mass from the plate to maintain even mass distribution around the step assembly10to avoid vibration when rotating about the wheel.

Referring toFIG. 7, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components fromFIGS. 1-6, an alternative track member14′ is schematically depicted. The track member14′ includes an annular track portion160that defines the track18′ and two wheel attachment portions164A,164B. Each wheel attachment portion164A,164B includes a radially inner portion168A,168B. Four legs172A-D extend radially outward from inner portion168A. Axially oriented segments176A-D interconnect respective legs172A-D with the track portion160. Similarly, four legs178A-D extend radially outward from inner portion168B. Axially oriented segments180A-D interconnect respective legs178A-D with the track portion160. Each axially oriented segment includes a flat, axially-oriented surface and a protuberance182A-D,184A-D extending radially outward therefrom. The protuberances engage a groove in the wheel to connect the track member14′ to the wheel. The track member14′ is sufficiently flexible such that the protuberances can be inserted into the groove. Inner portion168A defines surfaces192that oppose surfaces188formed by inner portion168B. A wedge (not shown) is inserted between surfaces188and surfaces192to prevent deformation of the track member14after the track member14is connected to the wheel and thereby retain protuberances182A-D,184A-D in the groove in wheel.