Abstract:
A telescoping vehicle step comprised of three slide beams and a step. The first slide beam is shaped to slide within the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The second slide beam is inserted into the first slide beam. The third slide beam is inserted into the second slide beam. A step is attached to the third slide beam. The slide beams and step form a telescoping vehicle step which can be used to facilitate entry into the cargo bed of a vehicle. During use, the beams form a telescopic extension member which positions the step beyond the outer perimeter of a lowered tailgate. When not being used, the beams form a collapsed configuration which holds the step near the opening of the hitch receiver.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Many motor vehicles have cargo beds. Pickup trucks are typical of such vehicles. A pickup truck has a tailgate which pivots between an open and a closed position. The tailgate serves as a door to the cargo bed. The purpose of the cargo bed is to facilitate the transportation of cargo. Therefore, a person often needs to stand within the cargo bed of the vehicle or upon a lowered tailgate in order to assist the loading, unloading and positioning of cargo.  
         [0002]     Many vehicles are high enough off of the ground that a person cannot get into the cargo bed or onto the lowered liftgate without strenuous athletic movements. A makeshift step is often used to provide an intermediate landing for a person&#39;s feet before the person takes a second step into the vehicle. This procedure is fraught with problems. Often a step is not available. At other times a part of the intended cargo is used as a makeshift step. Such a makeshift step often has incorrect dimensions, is unstable or subjects cargo used as a step to damage.  
         [0003]     Most pickup trucks are equipped with hitch receivers. They are either equipped with hitch receivers at the time of manufacture or a hitch receiver is added to the vehicle after manufacture. The purpose of the hitch receivers is to receive, retain and secure a trailer hitch to the vehicle. Typical hitch receivers are attached substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. They have a rectangular opening for receiving a trailer hitch. They have a pair of aligned openings for receiving the locking members of a hitch lock.  
         [0004]     What is needed is a telescoping vehicle step with the following features. It would fit within and slide within the hitch receiver of the vehicle. When not needed, it could be securely collapsed adjacent to the opening of the hitch receiver. When needed, it could be extended by pulling from the hitch receiver such that the step extends beyond the lowered tailgate of the vehicle. It would provide a step for a person to step upon and easily climb into the cargo bed or onto the lowered tailgate of the vehicle.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The telescoping vehicle step satisfies these needs. The telescoping vehicle step is intended to be inserted into a hitch receiver. The hitch receiver is attached substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a vehicle. It has a polygonal opening. Typically, the opening is square. The hitch receiver is intended to receive and securely retain a trailer hitch. The hitch receiver has a pair of aligned openings. The aligned openings are intended to receive the locking cylinder of a hitch lock.  
         [0006]     A telescoping vehicle step is comprised of a first slide beam, one or more secondary slide beams having insertion ends, means for preventing the insertion end of each secondary slide beam from being withdrawn from the slide beam into which it is inserted and a step.  
         [0007]     The first slide beam is shaped as a hollow polygon. It has a beam receiving end and means for limiting the slide displacement of the first slide beam within the hitch receiver. The first slide beam is shaped and sized to slide within, but not rotate within, the hitch receiver. Each secondary slide beam has an insertion end and a receiving end. Each secondary slide beam is shaped and sized to slide within, but not rotate within, the receiving end of a slide beam. The insertion end of each secondary slide beam is inserted into the receiving end of an adjacent slide beam. The hollow polygonal first slide beam and the one or more polygonal secondary slide beams form a telescoping non rotating beam. A step is attached to the receiving end of the secondary slide beam most distal to the first slide beam.  
         [0008]     In order to prevent the slide beams from separating from each other when they are extended, means for preventing the insertion end of each secondary slide beam from being withdrawn from the slide beam into which it has been inserted are necessary. The preferred means is comprised of longitudinally aligned slots on the upper faces of each slide beam, except the slide beam most distal to the hitch receiver, limit pin openings on the upper face near the insertion end of each secondary slide beam and a limit pin for each secondary slide beam. The term upper face of a slide beam refers to the uppermost horizontal face of the beam when the first slide beam is inserted into the hitch receiver. The limit pin opening of a secondary slide beam having a longitudinally aligned slot is positioned between the slot and the insertion end of the beam. The limit pin opening of the secondary slide beam most distal to the hitch receiver is positioned on the upper face of the beam proximal to the insertion end of the beam.  
         [0009]     One secondary slide beam is inserted into the first slide beam such that the limit pin opening of the secondary slide beam is positioned within the longitudinally aligned slot of the first slide beam. The secondary slide beam is secured to the first slide beam by a limit pin which is inserted through the longitudinally aligned slot of the first slide beam and the limit pin opening of the secondary slide beam, thereby forming a telescoping beam which will not separate upon extension. Likewise, the insertion end of each additional secondary slide beam is inserted into the receiving end of an adjacent secondary slide beam such that the limit pin opening of the additional secondary slide beam is positioned within the longitudinally aligned slot of the adjacent secondary slide beam. Each additional secondary slide beam is secured to its adjacent secondary slide beam by a limit pin which is inserted through the longitudinally aligned slot of the adjacent secondary slide beam and the limit pin opening of the additional secondary slide beam, thereby forming a telescoping beam which will not separate upon extension.  
         [0010]     One means for limiting the slide displacement of the first slide beam within the hitch receiver is comprised of a pair of aligned openings within the first slide beam and a spring-loaded pair of aligned locking bosses. The term a pair of aligned openings within the first slide beam refers to a pair of aligned openings positioned upon the same face of the first slide beam.  
         [0011]     Each of the openings is sized, shaped and positioned upon the first slide beam such that the opening may be aligned with an opening within the hitch receiver when the first slide beam is inserted into the hitch receiver. Each vertical face of the first slide beam has two openings. The term vertical face of the first slide beam refers to the vertically oriented faces of the first slide beam when it is inserted into the hitch receiver. The openings on the vertical face of the first slide beam are sized, shaped and positioned such that an opening upon each vertical face of the first slide beam is simultaneously alignable with the openings within the hitch receiver. Each pair of aligned openings positioned within the same vertical face of the first slide beam has chamfered facing edges. The first slide beam is secured to the hitch receiver with a spring-loaded pair of aligned locking bosses. The locking bosses are sized, shaped and positioned upon a spring-loaded bracket such that the locking bosses will protrude through the openings of the hitch receiver and into an opening within the first slide beam on each vertical face of the first slide beam, thereby limiting movement of the first slide beam along the longitudinal axis of the hitch receiver in the direction of the other chamfered opening upon the same vertical face of the first slide beam and preventing movement of the first slide beam along the longitudinal axis of the hitch receiver in the direction opposite the chamfers. Thus, each pair of aligned openings upon the same vertical face of the first slide beam forms a two position detent with the spring-loaded pair of aligned locking bosses.  
         [0012]     The preferred means for limiting the slide displacement of the first slide beam within the hitch receiver is comprised of two channels positioned upon the first slide beam and a modified hitch lock. Each channel is longitudinally aligned along a vertical face of the first slide beam. The hitch lock has two aligned spaced apart locking bosses. The locking bosses are spaced apart such that they protrude through the aligned openings of the hitch receiver and into the aligned channels of the first slide beam. The channels are sized, shaped and positioned such that the locking bosses of the hitch lock inserted into the openings of the hitch receiver protrude into the channels. The locking bosses slidingly retain the first slide beam within the hitch receiver and secure the first slide beam to the hitch receiver when the hitch lock is locked.  
         [0013]     Preferably, the receiving end of each beam and the receiving end of the hitch receiver have reinforcing collars. This strengthens the telescoping beam assembly and reduces the possibility of deformation of the beams. Additionally, a reinforcing collar upon the receiving end of the hitch receiver provides a base to which a step lock may be secured. A step lock is desirable in order to prevent the telescoping vehicle step from extending and telescoping when it is not being used. The step lock is attached to the assembly of the step and its attached slide beam. Preferably, it is comprised of a bracket and a lock flap. The lock flap is fabricated from a stiff elastic material such as plastic. The bracket is sized, shaped and positioned such that the lock flap will prevent undesired telescoping or extension of the device by creating a physical stop with the reinforcing collar on the hitch receiver.  
         [0014]     Preferably, the polygonal opening for receiving a trailer hitch and the polygonal slide beams are square. The majority of currently manufactured vehicles have square hollow hitch receivers. Additionally, one or more taillights may be installed within the step. Not only does this enhance safety by increasing the number of taillights, it also draws attention to the position of the step with respect to the hitch receiver. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a telescoping vehicle step in an extended configuration.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the telescoping vehicle step of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed configuration.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the telescoping vehicle step of  FIG. 1  with a hitch receiver and a step lock broken away.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the telescoping vehicle step of  FIG. 3  with slide beams and limit pins broken away.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the first slide beam and the hitch receiver shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the slide beam is secured to the hitch receiver by a spring-loaded pair of aligned locking bosses.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the first slide beam and the second slide beam shown in  FIG. 4 , further showing a slot within the first slide beam and a first limit pin.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the telescoping vehicle step of  FIG. 1  showing the step, a third slide beam and a step lock attached to the step.  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the collapsed telescoping vehicle step of  FIG. 2  showing a step lock securing the telescoping vehicle step to the hitch receiver.  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the first slide beam shown in  FIG. 1  showing locking bosses of a hitch lock protruding into channels milled into the first slide beam.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the first slide beam shown in  FIG. 1  showing a pair of aligned openings on a face of the first slide beam, wherein the pair of aligned openings have chamfered facing edges.  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the step of the telescoping vehicle step of  FIG. 2  showing vehicle taillights attached to the step.  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the telescoping vehicle step of  FIG. 1  showing a method of using the telescoping vehicle step. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]     The preferred embodiment of a telescoping vehicle step  20  is comprised of a hollow polygonal first slide beam  30 , a hollow polygonal second slide beam  44 , a first limit pin  56 , a polygonal third slide beam  58 , a second limit pin  68  and a step  70 . The telescoping vehicle step  20  is intended to be inserted into a hitch receiver  22  attached to a vehicle. Hitch receivers  22  attached to vehicles are attached substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The hitch receiver  22  has a polygonal opening  24  for receiving a trailer hitch. Most often the polygonal opening  24  of the hitch receiver  22  is square. The hitch receiver  22  also has a pair of aligned openings  26  for receiving the locking cylinder of a hitch lock  82 ,  88 . During typical use the locking cylinder of a hitch lock  88  is inserted through the pair of aligned openings  26  of the hitch receiver  22  as well as a pair of aligned openings formed within a trailer hitch, thereby securing the trailer hitch to the hitch receiver  22 .  
         [0029]     The preferred material from which the first slide beam  30  is fabricated is 11 gauge two inch square steel tube. The first slide beam  30  has a beam receiving end  32 . The first slide beam  30  has a longitudinally aligned slot  36  on its upper horizontal face. Directional references with respect to the slide beams  30 ,  44 ,  58  refer to the directions resulting after the slide beams  30 ,  44 ,  58  are inserted into the hitch receiver  22 . The first slide beam  30  has a pair of longitudinally aligned channels  34  shaped and positioned along the two opposing side vertical faces of the first slide beam  30  such that the locking bosses  84  of a modified hitch lock  82  inserted into the aligned openings  24  of the hitch receiver  22  protrude into the channels  34 . This will limit the slide displacement of the first slide beam  30  within the hitch receiver  22  and will secure the first slide beam  30  to the hitch receiver  22 . Ideally, the channels  34  are constructed by milling to a depth of ½ of the beam  30  thickness. This will retain the structural integrity of the first slide beam  30  during use, while providing for the full functionality of the channels  34 . The hollow polygonal first slide beam  30  is shaped and sized to slide within, but not rotate within, the hitch receiver  22 .  
         [0030]     A standard commonly available hitch lock modified for use with the telescoping vehicle step  20  is shown within  FIG. 9 . The modified hitch lock  82  is comprised of a standard hitch lock  88 , a pair of brackets  86  and a pair of locking bosses  84 . The standard hitch lock  88  is a keyed cylindrical device which separates into two parts. If the brackets  86  and locking bosses  84  are removed from the modified hitch lock  82  shown in  FIG. 9 , the standard hitch lock remains. The narrowed cylindrical portion of the standard hitch lock is designed to pass through the aligned openings  26  of a hitch receiver as well as the aligned openings of a trailer hitch. When the two parts of the standard hitch lock are locked together, the trailer hitch is secured to the hitch receiver.  
         [0031]     In both embodiments of the first slide beam  30  described herein a standard hitch lock  88  cannot be used to secure the first slide beam  30  to the hitch receiver  22 . This is because the standard hitch lock  88  cannot pass through the channels  34  of the first embodiment of the first slide beam  30  and the first slide beam  30  will not be capable of sliding within the hitch receiver  22  with respect to the second embodiment of the first slide beam  30  when the hitch lock is passed through the aligned openings  26  of the hitch receiver  22  and the aligned openings  38  of the first slide beam  30 . To overcome this problem a standard hitch lock is modified as shown in  FIG. 9 . A pair of brackets  86 , each attached to a boss  84 , are attached to a standard two-piece hitch lock  88  such that the bosses  84  will pass through the aligned openings  26  of the hitch receiver  22  and protrude into the channels  34  of the first slide beam  30  to slidingly retain the first slide beam  30  within the hitch receiver  22 . The standard hitch lock  88  of the modified hitch lock  82  is positioned below the first slide beam  30  during use, rather than passing through the first slide beam  30 .  
         [0032]     Alternatively, in lieu of the channels  34  and hitch lock  82 , the means for limiting the slide displacement of the first slide beam  30  within the hitch receiver  22  may be comprised of a pair of aligned openings  38  within the first slide beam  30  and a spring-loaded pair of aligned locking bosses  90 . The term a pair of aligned openings  38  within the first slide beam  30  refers to a pair of aligned openings  38  positioned upon the same face of the first slide beam. Each of the openings  38  is sized, shaped and positioned upon the first slide beam  30  such that the opening  38  may be aligned with an opening  26  within the hitch receiver  22  when the first slide beam  30  is inserted into the hitch receiver  22 . Each vertical face of the first slide beam  30  has two openings. The term vertical face of the first slide beam  30  refers to the vertically oriented faces of the first slide beam  30  when it is inserted into the hitch receiver  22 . The openings  38  on the vertical face of the first slide beam  30  are sized, shaped and positioned such that an opening  38  upon each vertical face of the first slide beam  38  is simultaneously alignable with the openings  26  within the hitch receiver  22 . Each pair of aligned openings  38  positioned within the same vertical face of the first slide beam  30  has chamfered facing edges  40 . The first slide beam  30  is secured to the hitch receiver  22  with a spring-loaded pair of aligned locking bosses  90 . The locking bosses  90  are sized, shaped and positioned upon a spring-loaded bracket  92  such that the locking bosses  90  will protrude through the openings  26  of the hitch receiver  22  and into an opening  38  within the first slide beam  38  on each vertical face of the first slide beam  30 , thereby limiting movement of the first slide beam  30  along the longitudinal axis of the hitch receiver  22  in the direction of the other chamfered opening  38  upon the same vertical face of the first slide beam  30  and preventing movement of the first slide beam  30  along the longitudinal axis of the hitch receiver  22  in the direction opposite the chamfers  40 . Thus, each pair of aligned openings  38  upon the same vertical face of the first slide beam  30  forms a two position detent with the spring-loaded pair of aligned locking bosses  90 . The chamfered facing edges  40  should be chamfered at an angle of approximately 35 degrees. The spring-loaded bracket  92  should be formed from 1/32″ spring steel as a 3 sided rectangle which snugly fits around the first slide beam  30 .  
         [0033]     The hollow polygonal second slide beam  44  has a longitudinally aligned slot  46  on its upper horizontal face and a limit pin opening  48  positioned between that slot  46  and the insertion end  50  of the second slide beam  44 . The limit pin opening  48  extends through two faces of the second slide beam  44 . The insertion end  50  of the second slide beam  44  is intended to be inserted into the beam receiving end  32  of the first slide beam  30 . The other end of the second slide beam  44  is the receiving end  52 . The receiving end  52  is intended to receive the insertion and  62  of the third slide beam  58 . The hollow polygonal second slide beam  44  is shaped and sized to slide within, but not rotate within, the first slide beam  30 . Preferably, it is fabricated from 11 gauge 1¾ inch square steel. The insertion end  50  of the second slide beam  44  is inserted into the receiving end  32  of the first slide beam  30  such that the slots  36 ,  46  of the first slide beam  30  and of the second slide beam  44  overlap and a such that the end of the second slide beam  44  having the limit pin opening  48  is inserted into the first slide beam  30 .  
         [0034]     The first limit pin  56  is inserted through the slot  36  of the first slide beam  30  and the limit pin opening  48  of the second slide beam  44 . This will prevent the second slide beam  44  from being withdrawn from the first slide beam  30 , while permitting the second slide beam  44  to slide within the first slide beam  30 . The first limit pin  56  must have sufficient length to protrude from the limit pin opening  48  of the second slide beam  44  when the first limit pin  56  is inserted into the limit pin opening  48  of the second slide beam  44 .  
         [0035]     The polygonal third slide beam  58  has an insertion end  62  and a receiving end  64 . The insertion end  62  of the third slide beam  58  is intended to be inserted into the receiving end  52  of the second slide beam  44 . The third slide beam  58  has a limit pin opening  60  on its upper horizontal face and its lower horizontal face. The limit pin opening  60  is positioned proximal to the insertion end  62  of the third slide beam  58 . The limit pin opening  60  extends through two faces of the third slide beam  58 . The polygonal third slide beam  58  is shaped and sized to slide within, but not rotate within, the second slide beam  44 . The third slide beam  58  is inserted into the receiving end  52  of the second slide beam  44  such that the end of the third slide beam  58  having the limit pin opening  60  is inserted into the receiving end  52  of the second slide beam  44  and such that the slot  46  of the second slide beam  44  overlap&#39;s the limit pin opening  60  of the third slide beam  58 . Preferably, the third slide beam  58  is fabricated from 11 gauge 1½ inch square steel.  
         [0036]     The second limit pin  68  is inserted through the slot  46  of the second slide beam  44  and the limit pin opening  60  of the third slide beam  58 . This will prevent the third slide beam  58  from being withdrawn from the second slide beam  44 , while allowing the third slide beam  58  to slide within the second slide beam  44 . The second limit pin  44  must have sufficient length to protrude from the limit pin opening  60  of the third slide beam  58  when the second limit pin  68  is inserted into the limit pin opening  60  of the third slide beam  58 .  
         [0037]     The step  70  is attached to the receiving end  64  of the third slide beam  58 . This should be accomplished by welding. The step  70  should have a vertical face and a horizontal face. The horizontal face is aligned such that it provides a step with a surface parallel to the surface of a lowered tailgate on the vehicle. The step  70  should be fabricated from steel.  
         [0038]     Preferably, the receiving end of each beam  30 ,  44 ,  58  and the receiving end of the hitch receiver  22  have reinforcing collars  42 ,  54 ,  28 . This strengthens the telescoping beam assembly and reduces the possibility of deformation of the beams. Additionally, a reinforcing collar  28  upon the receiving end of the hitch receiver  22  provides a base to which a step lock  72  may be secured. A step lock  72  is desirable in order to prevent the telescoping vehicle step  20  from extending and telescoping when it is not being used. The step lock  72  is attached to the assembly of the step  70  and its attached slide beam  58 . Preferably, it is comprised of a bracket  76  and a lock flap  74 . The lock flap  74  is fabricated from a stiff elastic material such as plastic. The bracket  76  is sized, shaped and positioned such that the lock flap  74  will prevent undesired telescoping or extension of the device by creating a physical stop with the reinforcing collar on the hitch receiver, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The lock flap  74  may be secured to the bracket  76  by one or more bolts  78 .  
         [0039]     One or more taillights  80  may be installed within the step  70 . Not only does this enhance safety by increasing the number of taillights on the vehicle, it also draws attention to the position of the step with respect to the hitch receiver.  
         [0040]     Before using the telescoping vehicle step  20 , it is installed on the vehicle. This is accomplished by inserting the receiving end of the first slide beam  30  into the hitch receiver  22 . At this time the slot  36  of the first slide beam  30  is on the uppermost face of the first slide beam  30  and the channels  34  of the first slide beam  30  are aligned with the aligned openings  26  of the hitch receiver  22 . The bosses  84  of the hitch lock  82  are passed through the aligned openings  26  of the hitch receiver  22  and caused to protrude into the channels  34  of the first slide beam  30 . The hitch lock  82  is then locked with its locking cylinder positioned below the first slide beam  30  and the hitch receiver  22 .  
         [0041]     In order to use the telescoping vehicle step  20  it is manually pulled away from the hitch receiver  22  with a sufficient degree of force to unlock the lock flap  74  of the step lock  72  from the reinforcing collar  28  of the hitch receiver  22 . The vehicle step  70  is pulled away from the vehicle until each of the slide beams  30 ,  44 ,  58  are extended to the end of their travel, thus forming a telescoped vehicle step, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The tailgate of the vehicle is lowered. The user steps onto the step  70 , onto the lowered tailgate and then into the cargo bed of the vehicle, as shown, in part, in  FIG. 12 . The user performs desired activities, such as adjusting the cargo positioning, and then exits the cargo bed by stepping onto the tailgate and then onto the step  70  of the telescoping vehicle step  20 . The tailgate is closed. The step  70  of the telescoping vehicle step  20  is pushed toward the hitch receiver  22  into a collapsed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Sufficient force is used to cause the lock flap  74  of the step lock  72  to pass over the reinforcing collar  28  of the hitch receiver  22 , thereby securing the telescoping vehicle step  20  to the vehicle in a collapsed configuration.  
         [0042]     Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art undoubtedly will find alternative embodiments obvious after reading this disclosure. With this in mind, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded the inventor, and those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.