Abstract:
A step-up side rail system is designed to be attached to at least one (1) side frame of a pickup truck, or other similar large vehicle. The device provides a measure of protection from incidental contact while acting as step by which access to the cab, or other nearby portions of the vehicle, may be gained. The device is configured to accommodate a variety of vehicles and step widths.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of, was first described in, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/090,999, filed Dec. 12, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a step-up assembly designed to attach to a side rail of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With sales at an all-time high, the popularity of the pick-up style truck as an everyday vehicle is more wide spread than it ever has been. Their utility and convenience in hauling items coupled with the availability of luxury interiors and extended cab space have made the pickup a popular alternative to other vehicles. The availability of aftermarket accessories also enhances the attractiveness of pickup trucks as well. Several of these aftermarket products, such as hitch steps, bumper platforms, and running boards, are designed to improve access to various interior and exterior areas on the vehicle. While they do their job fairly well, they are very utilitarian in appearance, and even tend to detract from the appearance of the vehicle. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a step-up assembly can be provided with an enhanced visual appearance. The use of the system provides access to all points of a motor vehicle in a manner which is not only quick, easy, and effective, but stylish as well. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a step that is capable of being removably attached to a side of a vehicle. The step comprises a frame assembly, a block having a bottom surface attached to the frame assembly, and at least one (1) step plate affixed to an upper surface of the block. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a frame assembly including a main frame member and at least one (1) secondary frame member. Each of the secondary frame members are attached perpendicularly to the rear face of the main frame member. Each secondary frame member is configured to be attached to the side of the vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide where the front face of the main frame member has a profile matching that of the front face of the block. In a preferred embodiment, the front face of both the main frame member and the block has a linear portion and a pair of distal end portions. The distal end portion each deflect rearwardly from the linear portion at an angle. A preferred angle is forty-five degrees (45°). 
     Another object is to provide such a block that is a hardwood. 
     Yet another object is to provide such a step plate, or a plurality of step plates with intervening gaps, that has a general overall configuration matching that of the upper surface of the block. In various embodiments, the step plate is either a diamond plate or a four-way safety plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of a side rail  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a first step plate  40   a , a second step plate  40   b , and a third step plate  40   c;    
         FIG. 2  is an environmental perspective view of the side rail  10  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a unitary step plate  70 ; 
         FIG. 3  is front elevation view of the side rail  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the side rail  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a first side elevation view of the side rail  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an opposite side elevation view of the side rail  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is top plan view of the side rail  10 , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the side rail  10 , from another perspective, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  side rail 
               20  block 
               25  block end face 
               30  ledge 
               40   a  first step plate 
               40   b  second step plate 
               40   c  third step plate 
               45  plate fastener aperture 
               46  frame fastener aperture 
               50  frame assembly 
               60  main frame member 
               62  main frame member block face 
               65  secondary frame member 
               70  unitary step plate 
               100  vehicle 
               105  vehicle cab 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 and 3-8 . An alternate embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a step-up side rail (herein referred to as the “system”)  10 , which primarily provides a ledge  30  composed of a hardwood block  20  capable of supporting a user&#39;s weight, at a side of a vehicle  100 . The user may more easily be able to gain access to the vehicle cab  105  or other elevated portions of that vehicle  100 . The ledge  30  may also serve other utility purposes, such as, but not limited to, a seating area, or a cargo-carrying platform. Due to the outboard positioning of various segments, the system  10  may also serve as a deflector of incidental contact for the vehicle  100 . It is understood that while the accompanying illustrations depict the system  10  as being located on an operator&#39;s side of the vehicle  100 , a similar device  10  may be located on an opposite side of that same vehicle  100  and would generally be a mirror image. The terms “front” and “back” or “rear” are used consistent with the front and back/rear directions of the vehicle  100  to which the system  10  may be attached. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3-8 , major projection views, and  FIGS. 8 and 9 , isometric views, from different perspectives, of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The system  10  includes a frame assembly  50 , to be attached to a side of a vehicle  100 , and a block  20 . The frame  55  is composed of a main frame member  60  and a plurality of secondary frame members  65  bolted, or otherwise fastened, together to support the block  20  and affix the system  10  to the frame of the vehicle  100 . This attachment is achieved through the use of threaded frame fasteners (not shown) securing the secondary frame members  65  to apertures (not shown) drilled into, or through, the appropriate frame members of the vehicle  100  in cooperation with included nuts. It is envisioned that the installation of this frame assembly  50  will be performed by a skilled tradesman qualified to perform such services. The frame members  60 ,  65  are preferably composed of UNISTRUT®; however, other steel strut material, or structural steel tubing, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     The frame assembly  50  incorporates a main frame member  60  located on a distal side of the block  20 . This main frame member  60  is attached to the secondary frame members  65  at locations subjacent to the block  20 , such that the secondary frame members  70  extend perpendicularly away from the main frame member  60 . The main frame member  60  is adapted to comply with the plan profile of the block  20 . That is, if the block end faces  25  are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the block  20 , then the main frame member  60  will be linear, terminating in proximity to those block end faces  25 . In other embodiments in which the block end faces  25  are configured to be other than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the block  20 , the first frame member  65  will be tailored to comply with that adaptation. In the case of the preferred embodiment, the main frame member  60  has a linear section, and two (2) main frame member block faces  62  at the distal ends, which are angled in a generally identical angle as the block end faces  25  of the block  20  (as described below). 
     The block  20  is configured to be a rectangular polyhedron composed of any of a variety of hardwoods typically utilized for wooden support structures. The block  20  may be rough-hewn, or planed and sanded, with any type of coating, or treatment, to inhibit deterioration and provide aesthetic appeal as may suit the taste of a particular user. The wooden block  20  preferably has a cross-sectional size of nominally four inches (4 in.) high by four inches (4 in.) thick. It is understood that other nominal sizes may be accommodated in any other embodiment without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The block  20  is attached to the upper surfaces of some or all of the secondary frame members  70 . The block end faces  25  may not be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the block  20  in all embodiments. In a preferred embodiment, the block end faces  25  are formed at an approximate forty-five degree (45°) angle to an outer face. 
     An upper surface of the block  20  is a horizontal plane generally referred to as a ledge  30 . The ledge  30  may be provided with at least one (1) step plate  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  70  to improve traction on the ledge  30 . Each step plate  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  70  may be diamond plate or four-way safety plate in order to achieve this improved traction. The step plate  70  may be disposed upon the ledge  30  as a single piece as is shown in  FIG. 2 , or may alternately be divided into a plurality of step plates  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c , as in a preferred embodiment spaced over the surface of the ledge  30  in some manner. A first step plate  40   a  is located just near a first side of the ledge  30 . A second step plate  40   b  is generally located near the center of the ledge  30 . Both the first and second step plates  40   a ,  40   b  are envisioned to be generally rectangular in shape. The third step plate  40   c  is a shaped as a parallelogram or a triangle and is situated adjacent the opposing second end of the ledge  30  and encompasses the wedge shape formed when the block  20  transitions to the block end face  25 . This location is typically on the rear side of the door of the vehicle cab  105 . The unitary step plate  70  is envisioned as encompassing the same area as all three (3) step plates  40   a ,  40   b , and  40  plus all the gaps therein. Each step plate  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  70  is attached to the ledge  30  by means of a fastener passing through one (1) of a plurality of plate fastener apertures  45  aligned with the apertures (not shown) of the ledge  30 . The system  10  may be adapted to span any portion of the front of the vehicle  100  so long as a sufficient number of frame members  70  are attached to the frame of the vehicle  100  to support the anticipated loads placed thereupon. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated either in  FIG. 1 or 2 . The method of installing and utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the system  10  having a desired style to suit the taste of a user; having the frame assembly  50  installed by a qualified provider of such services; utilizing the ledge  30  to access a desired portion of the vehicle  100  by stepping onto and standing upon the ledge  30 . The ledge  30  may also be utilized as a seat, or as a horizontal support for other selected items. The system  10  may provide some damage reduction benefit to the vehicle  100  in an entirely passive manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.