Abstract:
A step-up front bumper system is designed to be attached to the front frame of a truck, or other similar large vehicle. The purpose of this device is to provide a measure of protection from incidental contact and a step by which access to 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 bumper assembly designed to attach to a front bumper 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 bumper step can be provided with an enhanced visual appearance. The use of the present invention 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 front of a vehicle. The step comprises a frame assembly, a block having a bottom surface attached to the frame assembly, at least one (1) block bracket, each attached to an end face of said block, 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 front frame member and at least one (1) rear frame member. Each of the rear frame members are attached perpendicularly to the rear face of the front frame member. Each rear frame member is configured to be attached to the front of the vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket plate, fashioned as a planar member attached to the block and having a pair of wings extending away from the planar member. A first shackle is attached to the pair of wings and oriented in a similar plane as the planar member. A second shackle is attached to and oriented in a plane perpendicular to the planar member. In at least one (1) embodiment, the second shackle is smaller than said first shackle. Each first and second shackle are configured to be used as a securing point to a load being pulled by the vehicle when the step is attached. 
     Another object is to provide such a block that is generally a rectangular polyhedron. In at least one (1) embodiment, the block is a hardwood. 
     Yet another object is to provide such a step plate that is generally rectangular. In various embodiments, the step plate is either a diamond plate or a four-way safety plate. Other embodiments also provided for a plurality of step plates. In all embodiments, it is preferred that the singular step plate or plurality of step plates are arranged so they are centrally located on the block. 
    
    
     
       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 top perspective view of a front bumper  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a pair of step plates  80 ; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental top perspective view of the front bumper  10  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a unitary step plate  90 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental bottom view of the front bumper  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is front elevation view of the front bumper  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of the front bumper  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a first side elevation view of the front bumper  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an opposite second side elevation view of the front bumper  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is top plan view of the front bumper  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the front bumper  10 , from an under side, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 10  is an isolated view of a block bracket  35  of the hardwood step-up front bumper system  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  front bumper 
               20  front frame member 
               25  block 
               26  ledge 
               30  end face 
               35  block bracket 
               40  bracket fastener 
               45  bracket plate 
               47  plate face 
               48  wing 
               49  ear 
               50  first shackle 
               55  second shackle 
               65  frame assembly 
               70  rear frame member 
               75  frame member aperture 
               80  step plate 
               85  plate aperture 
               90  unitary step plate 
               100  vehicle 
               105  vehicle hood 
           
         
       
    
     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 3-10 . An alternate embodiment is depicted 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 front bumper (herein referred to as the “system”)  10 , which primarily provides a block  25  capable of supporting a user&#39;s weight, at a front of a vehicle  100 . It is preferred that the block  25  be fabricated out of a hardwood. The user may more easily be able to gain access to elevated portions of that vehicle  100 , such as a vehicle hood  105 . The block  25  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 . 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 3-10 , major projection views and 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  65  to be attached to a front of a vehicle  100 , and a block  25  having at least one (1) block bracket  35 , detailed in  FIG. 10 , secured to an end face  30  thereof. The frame assembly  65  is composed of a plurality of rear frame members  70  bolted, or otherwise fastened, together to support the block  25  and affix the system  10  to the frame of the vehicle  100 , and a front frame member  20 . This attachment is achieved through the use of threaded frame fasteners securing the rear frame members  70  to frame member apertures  75  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  65  will be performed by a skilled tradesman qualified to perform such services. The rear frame members  70  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  65  incorporates a front frame member  20  located on a distal side of the block  25 . This front frame member  20  is attached to the rear frame members  70  at a location subjacent to the block  25 , such that the rear frame members  70  extend at a perpendicular direction away from the rear surface thereof. 
     The block  25  is configured to be a rectangular polyhedron composed of any of a variety of hardwoods typically utilized for wooden support structures. The block  25  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  25  preferably has a cross-sectional size of nominally four inches (4 in.) high by eight inches (8 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  25  is attached to upper surfaces of some or all of the rear frame members  70 . An upper surface of the block  25  is a horizontal plane generally referred to as a ledge  26 . The ledge  26  may be provided with a step plate  80 ,  90  to improve traction on the ledge  26 . The step plate  80 ,  90  may be a diamond plate or a four-way safety plate in order to achieve this improved traction. The step plate  90  may be disposed upon the ledge  26  as a single piece as is shown in  FIG. 2 , or may be divided into a plurality of step plates  80  (such as a pair of step plates  80  as in a preferred embodiment) spaced over the surface of the ledge  26  in some manner. The unitary step plate  90  is envisioned as encompassing the same area as all of the preferred step plates  80  plus all the gaps therein. The step plate  80 ,  90  is attached to the ledge  26  by means of a plurality of fasteners each passing through one (1) of a plurality of plate fasteners  85  aligned with a fastener of the ledge  26  (not shown). The system  10  may be adapted to span any portion of the front of the vehicle  100  so long as a sufficient number of rear frame members  70  are attached to the frame of the vehicle  100  to support the anticipated loads placed thereupon. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an isolated view of a block bracket  35 , of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Disposed preferably on both vertical end faces  30  of the block  25  are block brackets  35 . The block bracket  35  is configured to be a steel weldment having a formed bracket plate  45  to which a first shackle  50  and a smaller second shackle  55  are attached. The bracket plate  45  is an essentially rectangular, planar back member with “L”-shaped wings  48  on an upper and a lower side. The wings  48  are preferably formed on a radius to alleviate stress risers in the bracket plate  45 . The first shackle  50  is a “U”-shaped round bar oriented in the same plane as the bracket plate  45 . The first shackle  50  is attached to the bracket plate  45 , preferably by welding, to a face of the bracket plate  45  in closest proximity to the end face  30  of the block  25 . The second shackle  55  is similarly “U”-shaped with an orientation perpendicular to the bracket plate  45  and therefore perpendicular to the end face  30  of the block  25 . The second shackle  55  is attached, preferably by welding, to a plate face  47  of the bracket plate  45 . The block bracket  35  is attached to the block  25  by means of a plurality of threaded bracket fasteners  40  inserted through apertures (not shown) in the bracket plate  45  and secured into the material of the block  25 . The bracket plate  45  may be provided with decorative ears  49  of any configuration. It is envisioned that the block brackets  35  will be utilized as securing points for pulling loads with the vehicle  100 , or as tie-down anchors for loads supported on the ledge  80 . 
     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  65  installed by a qualified provider of such services; utilizing the ledge  26  to access a desired portion of the vehicle hood  105  by stepping onto and standing upon the ledge  26 . The ledge  26  may also be utilized as a seat, or as a horizontal support for other selected items. The block brackets  35  may be utilized, individually, or in concert, for the attachment of towing equipment, tie-down restraints, or the like, at the discretion of a user. 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.