Patent Publication Number: US-2022234506-A1

Title: Detachable footrest assembly for a vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/684,659 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,247,614) filed on Nov. 15, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/769,098 by Michael S. Matras, was entitled “DETACHABLE FOOTREST ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE,” and was filed on Nov. 19, 2018. Each application is incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to aftermarket vehicle parts and, more particularly, to a detachable footrest that is adapted to be secured to door hinges. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modification of vehicles (particularly off-road vehicles) with aftermarket parts is commonplace. The JEEP® brands is a popular brand that is often modified, and some vehicles (including the JEEP® brands) have removable doors. After the doors are removed, other assemblies can be secured within remaining hinges that are secured to the chassis of the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,345 shows the use of a detachable footrest which essentially rests in the hinges under the force of gravity. One particular problem with this configuration shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,345 is that stability is based on the force gravity, which may be irregular in a moving, off-road vehicle. Thus, there is a need for an improved detachable footrest assembly for a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure, accordingly, provides an apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a frame having a first portion and a second portion, there the first portion has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first portion extends from the second portion at the first end; a footrest extending from the first portion of the frame; a first mount positioned such that the first mount is adapted to be received into a lower door hinge of a vehicle, wherein the first mount has: a first mating portion that extends from the frame proximate to the first portion of the frame; and a first pin that extends from the first mating portion and that is threaded at its distal end, wherein the first pin extends in a direction away from the first portion of the frame; a second mount that is spaced apart from the first mount and positioned such that the second mount is adapted to be received into an upper door hinge of a vehicle, wherein the second mount has: a second mating portion that extends from the frame; a second pin that extends from the second mating portion and that is threaded at its distal end, wherein the second pin extends in a direction away from the first portion of the frame, and wherein the first and second pins are substantially aligned; a third mating portion that extends from the frame, wherein the second and third mating portions at positioned at an angle to one another; and a third pin that extends from the third mating portion. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame further comprises a third portion that extends from the first portion at the second end. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame further comprises a reinforcing portion that extends between the first and third portions of the frame. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first and third portions are generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to the second portion, and wherein the frame is formed from a rod. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a third mount that is secured to the third portion of the frame at its distal end, wherein the third mound is adapted to be coupled to a mirror. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third mount further comprises: a main body having an opening; and a ball joint pin secured in the opening of the main body. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first, second, and third mating portions are secured to the second portion of the frame by welding, brazing, or gluing. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the footrest is secured by welding, brazing, or gluing. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a generally L-shaped frame having a lower portion and an intermediate portion; a footrest that is secured to lower portion for the frame; a lower bracket that is positioned such that it is adapted to engage a lower door hinge of a vehicle; a second bracket that is spaced apart from the first bracket and positioned such that the second bracket is adapted to be received into an upper door hinge of a vehicle, and wherein the first and second brackets are substantially aligned, wherein each of the upper and lower brackets have: a first portion that is secured to the intermediate portion of the frame; a second portion that extends from the first portion of the corresponding bracket in a direction away from the lower portion of the frame; and 
     a third portion that extends from the second portion of the corresponding bracket, wherein the third portion is threaded; a third bracket that is secured to the intermediate portion of the frame proximate to the second bracket and secured at an angle to the second bracket, wherein the third bracket includes: a first portion that is secured to the intermediate portion of the frame; and a second portion that extends from the first portion of the third bracket. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame is generally U-shaped with an upper portion that is generally parallel to the lower portion. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a reinforcement that secured to the upper and intermediate portions of the frame at the corner between the two. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a mirror mount that is secured to the upper portion of the frame. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mirror mount further comprises: a main body having an opening; and a ball joint pin secured in the opening of the main body. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame is comprised of a rod, which is bent to form the lower and intermediate portions. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first, second, and third brackets are formed of rods that are bent to form their respective first and second portions. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first, second, and third brackets are secured by welding, brazing, gluing, or bolting. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: a first bar that is bent to form a generally U-shaped frame with a lower portion, an upper portion and a lower portion; a footrest that is welded to the power portion of the frame; a reinforcement that is welded to the frame at the corner between the intermediate and upper portions; second and third bars that each have first and second ends, wherein each of the second and third bars has a bend at its first end which is welded to the intermediate portion of the frame, and wherein each of the second and third bars is threaded a long at least a portion of its length, and wherein the second and third bars are position such that the second and third bars, respectively, are adapted to be received into upper and lower door hinges of a vehicle, and wherein the second and third bars are substantially aligned with one another, and wherein the second and third bars point in a direction away from the lower portion of the frame; and a fourth bar having first and second ends, wherein the fourth bar has a bend at its first end which is welded to the intermediate portion of the frame at position proximate to and at an angle to the second bar. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the footrest is substantially rectangular. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mirror mount further comprises: a substantially rectangular body that is welded to the upper portion of the frame, wherein the body includes a port; and a ball joint pin secured in the opening of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are isometric views of the detachable footrest assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are side views of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are more detailed views of the upper mount of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a more detailed view of the lower mount of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a more detailed views of the mirror mount of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a more detailed bottom view of the upper and lower mounts of the detachable footrest assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. 
     According to  FIGS. 1-13 , an example of detachable footrest  100  can be seen. In this example, the frame can form the central memory (or backbone) of the assembly. Typically, the frame can be generally U-shaped (or L-shaped if the upper portion is omitted) and can be formed of bend round bar stock (e.g., ½-inch diameter 316 stainless steel round bar stock). Alternatively, the frame can be formed of several different segments that are secured to one another (e.g., welded, brazed, or glued). In the examples depicted in  FIGS. 1-13 , the frame can be comprised of three segments or portions: the lower portion  118 , intermediate portion  112 , and the upper portion  104 . Each of the upper portion  104  and lower portion  118  is formed in the example at a right angle or perpendicular to the intermediate member  112  (which can, for example, be about 18 inches long). Typically, the lower portion  118  can be shorter than the upper portion  114  and married to the intermediate portion  112  at a much smaller, sharper junction. For example, the transition between the intermediate portion  112  and lower portion  118  can occur over the diameter of the round bar stock (e.g., radius of curvature of about ½-inch). As an example, the overall length of the lower portion  118  (including the transition) can be about 5½ inches. In contrast and as shown in the examples of  FIGS. 1-13 , there is a gentler transition between the intermediate portion  112  and upper portion  104 , which may occur over several occur over several inches (e.g., radius of curvature of about 4½ inches). As an example, the upper portion  104  (including the transition) can be about 8 inches. Because of the large transition between the upper portion  104  and intermediate portion  112 , a reinforcement  106  can be used, which is typically oval or triangular shaped and which spans the transition. The reinforcement  106  can preferably be of the same material as the frame (e.g., 316 stainless steel) and can be secured to (e.g., welded, brazed, or glued) or integrally formed. 
     Then, extending from the intermediate portion or member  112  (e.g., integrally formed with or secured to), there can be mounts.  114  and  108 . These upper and lower mounts  108  and  114  can be spaced part along the intermediate portion or member  112  such that they are adapted to be received in or secured to door hinges in a vehicle (e.g., such as those depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,345). When the door of the vehicle is removed, it is done so by removing fastener  210  (which, as shown in this example, is a hex binding barrel or which may be a nut). The fastener  210  can, for example, be M6×1.0. Each of these mounts  108  and  114 , for example, have brackets that are, for example: (1) adapted to be inserted into the upper and lower door hinges of a vehicle; (2) adapted to engage the fastener  210 ; and (3) can be substantially aligned or coaxial with one another. 
     As shown in the example depictions of  FIGS. 1-13 , the bracket of mount  108  (which is adapted to be inserted into a door hinge) can have a mating portion  206  at its proximate end and pin  208  at its distal end, while the bracket of mount  114  (which is adapted to be inserted into a door hinge) can have a similar mating portion or member  302  and pin  304 . The pins  208  and  304  can be threaded (e.g., M6×1.0) along at least a portion or segment at its distal end and which points in a direction away from the lower portion  118  of the frame (e.g., upwardly). Additionally, mount  108  can also have an additional bracket (which can have a mating portion  204  and pin  202  and which also points in a direction away from lower portion  118  of the frame); this additional bracket can be positioned at the same position along the intermediate portion  112  of the frame but separated by an angle—which allows the additional bracket to rest against the body of the vehicle and provide additional stability. The brackets of mounts  108  and  114  may be secured (e.g., welded, glued, or brazed) to the intermediate member or segment  112 . Additionally, the brackets of mounts  108  and  114  can be formed of several portions (e.g.,  206  and  208 ) that are integrally formed or individual items that are secured to one another (e.g., brazed, welded, or glued). As depicted in the example shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , the brackets of mounts  108  and  114  can be formed of ¼-inch diameter steel round bar stock (e.g., 316 stainless steel) where the bar stock is bent to form mating members  302 ,  204 , and  206 . It should also be note that the lower mount  114  is positioned to be closer to or proximate to the lower portion  118  than it is to the upper portion  104 . 
     In addition to both mounts  108  and  114  and the frame, the assembly  100  can also include a footrest  116  and mirror mount  102 . The footrest  116  can have several shapes so long as the shape is of sufficient size to accommodate a range of foot sizes of adults. In the example depicted in  FIGS. 1-13 , the foot rest  116  is shown as being substantially rectangular plate (e.g., about 2-inches by 4-inches by ⅛-inch) having chamfered corners. The footrest  116  can be integrally formed with or (as depicted in the example of  FIGS. 1-13 ) can be secured (e.g., welded, brazed, glued, or bolted) to the lower portion or segment  118  of the frame. The mirror mount  102  can be positioned at the distal end of upper portion or segment  118  and can be formed of a main body  402  and a ball joint pin  404 . The main body  402  as shown in the example of  FIGS. 1-13  can be a generally rectangular plate (e.g., about 1-inch by 2-inches by 3/16-inch) with chamfered corners that may be integrally formed with or secured to the upper portion  104  of the frame at its proximate end. An opening can be formed in the main body  402  along its vertical centerline and proximate to its distal end. For example, the opening may be positioned along the vertical centerline about ½-inch from the distal end while having a about ¼-inch diameter. Typically, the opening can be threaded so that the ball joint pin  404  can be screwed in and secured by nut  406 ; alternatively, the opening can provide a slip fit for ball joint pin  404 . A mirror  110  (which is shown in relief in example of  FIGS. 1-13 ) can then be secured to the ball joint pin  404 . 
     Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.