Abstract:
A tailgate pocket step including a pocket step box and a pocket step assembly slidably insertable into the pocket step box. The step assembly includes a planar plate and a hinged platform that lies in the plane of the plate when the step assembly is in the stored position and angle outwardly to form a step when the step assembly is in the deployed position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not applicable. 
   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to automobiles, and more particularly to tailgates and tailgate accessories, and still more particularly to a pickup truck tailgate pocket step assembly adapted for insertion into, and deployment from, the side of the tailgate. 
   BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
   The cargo bed of a pickup truck, whether on a small and lightweight truck or a heavy-duty hauling truck, is considerably elevated above the ground. This is especially true for trucks with heavy duty suspension systems and trucks equipped for off-road performance. Access to the cargo bed is typically provided by a tailgate of some kind, and most often a tailgate that folds down into a position substantially coplanar with the floor of the cargo bed. This facilitates loading and unloading cargo from the truck, but it also creates a high step as the only practical means to get into the cargo bed physically to carry, place, move, adjust, secure, or remove a load. Except for the young and nimble who derive some measure of satisfaction from being able to spring onto the tailgate, most users prefer to get into the cargo bed without the need of macho gymnastics. And even the most nimble need occasional assistance lifting a load onto the tailgate. 
   Accordingly, it is desirable to have a step or steps to assist in mounting a tailgate for entering the cargo bed area of a pickup truck. However, it is inconvenient and space-consuming to haul around a small ladder or some other kind of portable step. It is therefore more desirable to have an auxiliary step somehow integrated into the truck&#39;s exterior. This need has been appreciated and a number of devices have been proposed to address the need. The following United States patents and published patent applications are exemplary. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,032 to Barbour, teaches a retractable step that can be either retrofitted to a standard pickup truck type tail gate or can be incorporated into the tail gate during manufacture. If installed at the time of manufacture, the step is of the “disappearing type” and is not visible except when extended and folded down for use. This is accomplished through a track and pivot arrangement with the retrofit version having a housing in which the step is enclosed when in the retracted position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,193 to Straffon, discloses a self-storing step for use with a truck tailgate. The self-storing step deploys from the top of a tailgate under the force of gravity when the tailgate swings from an upright and closed position to an open and downwardly disposed orientation. The assembly is particularly well-suited for military vehicles and is, accordingly, assigned to the United States as represented by the Secretary of the Army. The structure includes an auxiliary step associated with a permanent step disposed on the tailgate. The auxiliary step has a pair of spaced parallel legs disposed with their axes normal to the hinged edge of the tailgate and lying within the plane defined by the tailgate. The parallel legs lie one on each side of the permanent step located on the tailgate so as to bracket the permanent step. The parallel legs have a first end with a stop that cooperates with the tailgate or associated bracket to allow the parallel legs to move longitudinally but to prevent the legs from separating from the tailgate. A cross arm extends between the second ends of the parallel legs with one end attached to each end of the parallel legs to form a step. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,338 to Glickman et al, shows an integrated tailgate extender for a vehicle with a flat cargo bed. The tailgate has a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, and a tailgate extension slideably received by the tailgate that may be extended to a substantially horizontal position when the tailgate is in the open position. The extender can be rotated upwardly to extend the cargo bed or downwardly to provide a load starter or step assist. 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0070577 discloses a step apparatus integrated into a tailgate and comprising a tailgate with a step deployable from the top of a tailgate. The step is operably concealed within a tailgate which has parallel interior channels and moves on a frame assembly that slides within the parallel channels. It may be extended and then pivoted to provide steps positioned beyond the top edge of the open tailgate. One or more steps may be provided. 
   The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein. Additionally, the prior art devices include limitations and disadvantages that invite improvement. Specifically, the prior art designs are all adapted for incorporation into the top of a tailgate. This positioning interferes with the latch assembly, also located in the top, and it limits and possibly prohibits use of the apparatus when the truck has a trailer attached. Furthermore, the auxiliary step devices in the prior art do not provide any hand holds for a user. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing, and to address the unfulfilled needs indicated above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tailgate pocket step suited for installation either at the time of manufacture or as an aftermarket retrofit apparatus. The step deploys from the side of the tailgate or the side of the top of the tailgate, and therefore provides advantages hitherto not provided in the prior art. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tailgate pocket step that facilitates use of the cargo bed sides as a handhold during use. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tailgate pocket step that does not interfere with conventional tailgate latch assembly. 
   Still another object or feature of the present invention is a new and improved tailgate pocket step that allows for use from the side of a truck. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel tailgate pocket step that can be installed in both sides of a tailgate. 
   The tailgate pocket step of the present invention improves on the art in several respects. First, it provides an apparatus that is incorporated into the side of a tailgate, rather than the top. Accordingly, it does not interfere with latching mechanisms and handles that are generally located in the top and middle of the tailgate. Second, it is proximate the side panel of the pickup truck cargo bed, and therefore allows the user to hold onto the side of the truck while mounting the step. Prior art devices, all of which are shown installed in the top of the tailgate, do not facilitate such a handhold. Third, the present invention will not interfere with a trailer attached to a hitch on the pickup truck. Prior art devices located in the top middle of the tailgate could not be used with a trailer hitched to the truck. 
   Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
   There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trade-mark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
   Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the tailgate pocket step of the present invention installed and incorporated into the side of a pickup truck tailgate; 
       FIG. 2A  is a detailed view of the pocket step shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2B  is a detailed view showing the step of  FIG. 2A  when deployed; 
       FIG. 2C  is an end view in elevation of the pocket step of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional top plan view showing the first preferred embodiment of the inventive tailgate pocket step installed in both sides of a tailgate; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation along the lines shown in  FIG. 3 , and showing the tailgate pocket step in a stored position; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation showing the step in an extended position; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation showing the step fully deployed, or in an extended and downwardly angled position; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation showing the step fully deployed; 
       FIG. 8  is an end view in elevation showing a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and particularly showing alternative slide means for extending and deploying the step portion of the pocket step and alternative gripping means; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional top plan view illustrating a second preferred embodiment of the inventive pocket step; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional end view along the section lines indicated in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 10A  is a perspective view showing the configuration of the step portion of the second preferred embodiment of the pocket step, adapted for storage and extension in channels; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation of the second preferred embodiment of the tailgate pocket step; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view in elevation showing the second preferred embodiment fully deployed; and 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus installed and deployed from the top side of a tailgate. 
   

   DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 
   
     FIGS. 1–7 
   
   
       
         100  first preferred embodiment of tailgate pocket step of present invention 
         110  pocket step box 
         120  cavity in tailgate 
         130  interior side of tailgate 
         140  exterior side of tailgate 
         150  tailgate 
         160  top side of pocket step box 
         170  bottom side of pocket step box 
         180  back side of pocket step box 
         190  inboard side of pocket step box 
         200  outboard side of pocket step box 
         210  front side of pocket step box 
         220  opening in front side  210   
         230  upper rim of front side 
         240  lower rim of front side 
         250  step support ramp 
         260  angled stop channel 
         300  step member assembly 
         310  plate 
         320  outer side of plate 
         330  an inner side of plate 
         340  interior end of plate 
         345  interior ledge 
         350  exterior end of plate 
         360  hinged platform 
         370  outer arm 
         380  inner arm 
         390  outer hinge 
         400  inner hinge 
         430  shelf 
         440  locking pin 
         450  surface structure to engage locking pin 
         460  rollers
   FIGS. 8–12   
         500  second preferred embodiment of the tailgate pocket step of the present invention 
         510  plate 
         520  first hinged platform 
         530  second hinged platform 
         540  pocket step box 
         550  outboard side of pocket step box 
         550   a  slot in outboard side 
         560  inboard side of pocket step box 
         560   a  slot in inboard side 
         570  planar outboard side of plate 
         580  planar inboard side of plate 
         590  interior end of plate 
         600  ledge 
         610  tab 
         620  upper rim 
         630  lower rim 
         640   a,b  outer hinges 
         650   a,b  inner hinges 
         660  outer end of plate 
         670  shelf 
         680  transverse bar 
         700  alternative installation of pocket step in tailgate top 
         710  first pocket step 
         720  second pocket step 
     
  
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 9 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved tailgate pocket step, generally denominated  100  herein.  FIG. 1  illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the tailgate pocket step of the present invention installed and incorporated into the side of a pickup truck tailgate, while  FIG. 2A  is a more detailed view thereof.  FIG. 2B  is another perspective view showing the step fully deployed from the side of a tailgate.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional top plan view showing the first preferred embodiment of the inventive tailgate pocket step installed in both sides of a tailgate.  FIGS. 4–7  are cross-sectional side views in elevation showing the tailgate pocket step in a stored, extended, partly deployed, and fully deployed position, respectively. These views collectively show that the inventive apparatus  100  comprises a pocket step box  110 , preferably hardened steel and adapted for incorporation into the cavity  120  defined by the panels or interior and exterior sides  130 ,  140  respectively, of a pickup truck tailgate  150 . The pocket step box  110  is essentially a cuboid box that includes a top side  160 , bottom side  170 , back side  180 , inboard side  190 , outboard side  200 , and front side  210 . In contrast to all other sides, the front side includes an opening  220  defined by an upper rim  230  and lower rim  240 . The lower rim comprises an integral angled extension of the bottom side and further includes a step support ramp  250  to support the deployed step and to define the angle at which the step is disposed when extended and deployed (see  FIGS. 5–7 ). The upper rim comprises an integral angled extension of the top side which is substantially perpendicular to the top side and further encloses an angled stop channel  260  for capturing a portion of the step when deployed to retain the step and prevent it from full egress or removal from the pocket step box. 
   As will be appreciated by those with skill in the art, the pocket may be incorporated into a tailgate at the time of manufacture or installed as an aftermarket auxiliary apparatus. In either case, it is inserted into an opening provided in the tailgate and appropriately secured with welds, bolts, a combination of both, or other suitable means. 
   The tailgate pocket step of the present invention further includes a step member assembly  300  comprising a substantially planar plate  310  having an outer side  320 , an inner side  330 , an interior end  340 , an interior ledge  345 , an exterior end  350 , and at least one hinged platform  360  which is coplanar with plate  310  when in the stored position ( FIGS. 3–4 ) and which angles outwardly from the plate when in the deployed position to provide a step ( FIG. 7 ). The planar plate includes outer and inner arms  370 ,  380 , respectively, on which outer and inner hinges are disposed  390 ,  400 , and to which hinged platform  360  is pivotally connected. The upper surface  360   a  of the hinged platform is preferably slip resistant diamond plate. Alternatively, the step may be provided with a non-slip surface coating or material. 
   As noted, the planar plate  310  includes an interior ledge  345 . This ledge is integral with and runs substantially the entire width of the interior end  340 . It is received and captured by the angled stop  260  when the step is in the extended and/or deployed positions ( FIGS. 5–7 ). Additionally, extending between the ends of inner and outer arms  370  and  380  is a shelf  430  which supports hinged platform  360  in the deployed position ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) and which serves as a barrier to prevent debris from entering the pocket step box  110  when the tailgate is down but the step is in the stored position ( FIGS. 2C and 4 ). As may be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the step is extended from the pocket step box, it may be tipped downwardly over the outermost roller  460  of a plurality of rollers so that it rests upon the step support ramp  250  and so that interior ledge  345  inserts into angled stop  260  and is there held firmly in place. 
   The pocket step further includes retention means to keep the step portion in the stored position until extension and deployment are desired. Such retention means preferably comprises a spring biased locking pin  440  which engages surface structure  450  on inner side  330  or inner arm  380 . The structure is preferably an angled portion of the inner side or arm which creates a recess into which the locking pin fully extends. 
   To facilitate easy deployment of the step portion, one or more rollers  460  may be operatively mounted on the bottom side  170  of the pocket step box  110  and positioned immediately underneath the step portion  300 . To minimize noise induced by contact between the step portion and the rollers when traveling, the rollers are preferably rubber and mounted on finely machined bearings. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8–12 , in a second preferred embodiment of the present invention,  500 , plate  510  may be provided with two or more hinged platforms  520 ,  530 , operable and deployable in the same fashion as the above-described first preferred embodiment. These views also show alternative means for sliding the pocket step plate in and out of the pocket step box  540 . In this embodiment, the pocket step box is configured as in the first preferred embodiment, but further includes opposing outboard and inboard sides  550 ,  560 , each of which include a slot  550   a ,  560   a , that accommodates and accepts the planar outboard and inboard sides  570 ,  580 , respectively, of plate  510 . 
   The interior end  590  of plate  510  includes a downwardly depending ledge  600  and a tab  610 , which engage the upper and lower rims  620 ,  630  of the pocket step box when deployed. Thus the rims function as step retention means, and further define the angle at which the step is disposed on deployment. The step assembly includes two sets of outer and inner hinges  640   a ,  640   b , and  650   a ,  650   b  pivotally connecting the deployable platforms  520 ,  530  to the plate  510 . The outer end  660  includes a shelf  670  to support the lower platform  530 , while the upper platform  520  is supported by a transverse bar  680  extending across the plate. 
     FIG. 13  shows an alternative installation  700  for the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, first and second pocket steps  710 ,  720  are installed in the sides of the top of the tailgate  150 . This installation would also prevent interference with the latch assembly of the tailgate, and it would further allow for use even with a trailer hitched to the truck. 
   The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. 
   Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.