Patent Publication Number: US-2020284095-A1

Title: Step stabilizer leg and leg assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/813,782, filed Mar. 5, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/934,728, filed Nov. 13, 2019, the entire contents of each of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not Applicable) 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a stabilizer leg for a stowable step assembly and, more particularly, to a step stabilizer leg that is adjustable in both the angle and length of the leg and is lockable in a fully-retracted position. 
     In fold-out or stowable stair designs, when the stairs are extended into a use position, the extending and retracting brackets and the like can be overly stressed during use without proper support. Stabilizer legs may be added to the extended steps for support, but it has been difficult to stow supporting legs with the steps as they tend to fall off or obstruct the retraction of the stair assembly into a stored or stowed position. 
     SUMMARY 
     It would thus be desirable to provide a stabilizer leg for a fold-out or stowable step that is stowable and lockable with the step when not in use. The step stabilizer leg of the described embodiments is adjustable in both the angle and length of the leg. Additionally, the legs can be individually adjustable to accommodate for uneven ground. The plate that mounts the stabilizer leg to the bottom of the step has multiple apertures that correspond to one of a few apertures adjacent to or integrated with the leg. This allows for the leg to be placed in different angles with respect to the step, including an angle that projects backwards towards the step assembly for situations when the bottom step is very close to the ground, in one embodiment. 
     In another embodiment, two legs may be secured in a linear formation to an elongated plate with the two legs facing away from one another. In this embodiment, the two legs may be selectively pivoted towards a centerline to stabilize the step. Once the angle of the stabilizer leg is selected and secured, a plunger or spring-biased peg or pin can be pulled back to allow a telescoping portion of the leg to slide out of the outer sleeve to a length where it contacts the ground. The plunger is then released and protrudes into an aperture of the inner sleeve that corresponds to the plunger or peg aperture of the outer sleeve to lock the telescoping tubes in place. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a stabilizer leg for a foldout or stowable step includes a mounting plate securable to the step and including a plurality of plate apertures, a first leg section pivotably secured to the mounting plate, and a second leg section coupled with the first leg section. The first leg section includes at least one positioning aperture and at least one supporting aperture, and the second leg section includes a plurality of leg apertures. The second leg section is telescopically displaceable relative to the first leg section such that the leg apertures are selectively positionable in alignment with the at least one supporting aperture. A foot member is secured at a distal end of the second leg section. 
     A first pin may be extendable through one of the plurality of plate apertures in the mounting plate and through the at least one positioning aperture in the first leg section. A second pin may be extendable through the at least one support aperture and through one of the plurality of leg apertures. 
     The foot member may be pivotably secured at the distal end of the second leg section. The foot member may be secured to the second leg section at a pivot point disposed at a center of the foot member. 
     The mounting plate may include a pair of plates or a U-shaped bracket including the plurality of plate apertures through each plate or each side of the U-shape. In this context, the first leg section may be pivotable into a position in which at least a portion of the first leg section is disposed in a channel defined by the plates or the U-shape. The first leg section may include a tab member on a bracket side of the first leg section, and the at least one positioning aperture may be disposed in the tab member. The U-shaped bracket may be provided with a depth that is sized large enough to receive the first leg section including the tab member, and wherein the plurality of plate apertures are positioned in the channel such that with the first leg section in a fully-retracted position, a pin is insertable through the plate apertures to secure the first leg section in the channel. 
     In some embodiments, the stabilizer leg may include two of the first leg section and two of the second leg section respectively defining first and second legs pivotably secured to the mounting plate. The first and second legs may be pivotably secured to the mounting plate on opposite sides of a centerline of the mounting plate. The first leg may be pivotable from a first retracted position engaging the mounting plate counter-clockwise to a first extended position, and the second leg may be pivotable from a second retracted position engaging the mounting plate clockwise to a second extended position. With the mounting plate in the form of a pair of plates or a U-shaped bracket, the first leg sections may be pivotable into a position in which at least a portion of each of the first leg sections is disposed in a channel defined by the plates or the U-shape. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a foldout step assembly includes the stabilizer leg of the described embodiments. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a stabilizer leg assembly for a foldout or stowable step includes a mounting plate securable to the step and having a plurality of plate apertures, a first proximal leg section pivotably secured to the mounting plate, and a first distal leg section coupled with the first proximal leg section. The first proximal leg section includes at least one positioning aperture and at least one supporting aperture, and the first distal leg section includes a plurality of leg apertures. The first distal leg section is telescopically displaceable relative to the first proximal leg section such that the leg apertures are selectively positionable in alignment with the at least one supporting aperture. A first foot member is secured at a distal end of the first distal leg section. The assembly also includes a second proximal leg section pivotably secured to the mounting plate, and second distal leg section coupled with the second proximal leg section. The second proximal leg section includes at least one positioning aperture and at least one supporting aperture, and the second distal leg section includes a plurality of leg apertures. The second distal leg section is telescopically displaceable relative to the second proximal leg section such that the leg apertures of the second distal leg section are selectively positionable in alignment with the at least one supporting aperture of the second proximal leg section. A second foot member is secured at a distal end of the second distal leg section. 
     The first proximal leg section and the second proximal leg section may be aligned with the mounting plate in a fully-retracted position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a fold-out step assembly including stabilizer legs in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 2  shows the fold-out step assembly of  FIG. 1  with one of the stabilizer legs in a supporting position; 
         FIG. 3  shows a stabilizer leg projecting backwards towards the step assembly for situations when the bottom step is close to the ground; 
         FIG. 4  shows a variation of the stabilizer leg; 
         FIG. 5  shows multiple configurations for the stabilizer leg shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows another variation of the stabilizer legs in the extended position; 
         FIG. 7  shows the stabilizer legs of  FIG. 6  in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 8  shows multiple configurations for the stabilizer leg shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows the stabilizer legs of  FIG. 6  installed on a fold-out step assembly in a supporting position; and 
         FIG. 10  shows the stabilizer legs of  FIG. 6  installed on a fold-out step assembly in a retracted position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a fold-out step assembly  10  including two steps  12  and operating brackets/mechanisms  14  that enable the fold-out step assembly  10  to be displaceable between extended and stowed positions. A pair of stabilizer legs  16  are shown in a stowed position in which the legs  16  do not interfere with stowing or storage of the step assembly  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a stabilizer leg  16  pivoted to an extended or supporting position. The stabilizer leg includes a mounting plate  18  securable to the lower step  12  and including a plurality of plate apertures  20 . A first or proximal leg section  22  is pivotably secured to the mounting plate  18  and includes at least one positioning aperture (not visible in  FIG. 2  but is receiving a pin through the leftmost aperture  20  in the mounting plate  18 ) and at least one supporting aperture  24 . A second or distal leg section  26  is coupled with the first leg section  22  and includes a plurality of leg apertures  28 . The second or distal leg section  26  is telescopically displaceable relative to the first or proximal leg section  22  such that the leg apertures  28  are selectively positionable in alignment with the at least one supporting aperture  24 . A foot member  30  is secured at a distal end of the second leg section  26 . The foot member  30  may be pivotably secured to the distal end of the second leg section. As shown, the foot member  30  is secured to the second leg section  28  at a pivot point  31  disposed at a center of the foot member  30 . Alternatively, the foot member  30  may comprise a plate that has a curved or rounded profile that is secured non-pivotally to the end of the second leg section. The curve in the plate could allow the foot member  30  to contact the ground at all deploy angles without requiring a pivot. 
     A first pin  32  is extendible through one of the plurality of plate apertures  20  in the mounting plate  18  and through the at least one positioning aperture in the first leg section  22 . A second pin  34  is extendible through the at least one support aperture  24  and through one of the plurality of leg apertures  28 . 
     In some embodiments, the mounting plate  18  is in the form of two flat plates or a U-shaped bracket including the plurality of plate apertures  20  through each plate or through each side of the U-shape. In this context, the first or proximal leg section  22  may be pivotable into a position in which at least a portion of the first leg section  22  is disposed in a channel defined by the two plates or U-shape. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the first leg section  22  is pivoted to a position at an angle that projects backwards towards the step  12  for situations when the bottom step is very close to the ground. As shown, the first pin  32  is positioned through the middle one of the plurality of plate apertures  20  and through the positioning aperture in the first leg section  22 . The first leg section  22  can be further pivoted toward the step  12  into a fully-retracted position in which the first leg section  22  is clear of the leftmost one of the plurality of plate apertures  20 . In that position, the first pin  32  can be placed through the leftmost one (in  FIG. 3 ) of the plurality of plate apertures  20  to secure the first leg section  22  in the retracted position. That is, with continued reference to  FIG. 3 , with the first leg section  22  in a fully-retracted position, the first pin  32  can be inserted through the mounting plate  18  under the first leg section  22 . 
     The second or distal leg section  26  can be selectively positioned and secured via the second pin  34 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a variation of the stabilizer leg  116 . Like the first embodiment, the stabilizer leg  116  similarly includes a mounting plate  118  securable to the step and including a plurality of plate apertures  120 . The first or proximal leg section  122  is pivotably secured to the mounting plate  118  and includes the at least one positioning aperture  123  and at least one supporting aperture  124 . The second or distal leg section  126  is coupled with the first leg section  122  and includes the plurality of leg apertures  128 . Like the first embodiment, the second leg section  126  is telescopically displaceable relative to the first leg section  122  such that the leg apertures  128  are selectively positionable in alignment with the at least one supporting aperture  124 . A foot member  130  is pivotably secured at a distal end of the second leg section  126 . 
     In this embodiment, the first leg section  122  includes a tab member  136  on a bracket side thereof. The one or more positioning apertures  123  are disposed in the tab member  136 . With continued reference to  FIG. 4  and with reference to  FIG. 5 , the U-shaped bracket  118  has a depth that is sized large enough to receive the first leg section  122  including the tab member  136 . The plurality of plate apertures  120  are positioned relative to the channel formed by the U-shaped bracket  118  such that with the first leg section  122  in a fully-retracted position, a pin is insertable through the plate apertures  120  to secure the first leg section  122  in the channel. In  FIG. 5 , for example, with the first leg section  122  pivoted clockwise into a fully-retracted position, the first leg section  122  is positioned above the plate apertures  120 , and a pin inserted through the plate apertures  120  can serve to secure the first leg section  122  in the fully-retracted position. 
       FIGS. 6-10  show a variation of the stabilizer leg as a stabilizer leg assembly  216 . Like the first embodiment, the stabilizer leg assembly  216  similarly includes a mounting plate  218  securable to the step and including a plurality of plate apertures  220 . The first or proximal leg section  222  is pivotably secured to the mounting plate  218  and includes the at least one positioning aperture  223  and at least one supporting aperture  224 . The second or distal leg section  226  is coupled with the first leg section  222  and includes the plurality of leg apertures  228 . Like the first embodiment, the second leg section  226  is telescopically displaceable relative to the first leg section  222  such that the leg apertures  228  are selectively positionable in alignment with the at least one supporting aperture  224 . A foot member  230  is pivotably secured at a distal end of the second leg section  226 . Like the second embodiment, the stabilizer leg assembly  216  similarly includes tab member  236  on the first leg section  222 . The U-shaped bracket  218  also has a depth that allows for the first leg section  222  to be secured within the channel, as seen in  FIGS. 7-8 . 
     In this embodiment, the U-shaped bracket  218  is elongated and houses two linear first leg sections  222  with corresponding second leg sections  226  that face away from each other in the retracted position. The first leg sections  222  are pivotally attached to the U-shaped bracket  218  proximate a centerline  240  of the bracket. With reference to  FIG. 8 , the first leg sections may be secured in one of multiple angular positions radially about the centerline  240  of the bracket by insertion of a pin through the plate apertures  220  to secure the first leg section  222  in the channel. The second leg sections  226  are then selectively extended and secured in place by a pin through corresponding apertures in the first and second leg sections  224 ,  228 . As seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the stabilizer leg assembly  216  may be mounted underneath and parallel with a bottom step of a fold-out step assembly. As noted in  FIG. 8 , at least one foot member  230  of the stabilizer leg assembly  216  may selectively extend past the outer ends of the step tread. As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the stabilizer leg assembly  216  may be secured and stowed within the U-shaped bracket  218  by inserting a pin within an aperture  220  of the bracket while the first leg section  222  is flush and completely enclosed within the bracket. When the stabilizer leg assembly  216  is fully-retracted within the U-shaped bracket  218  with the second leg sections  226  also fully retracted, the fold-out step assembly may be stowed or deployed without the stabilizer leg assembly impeding movement. 
     The stabilizer leg is fully adjustable in both the angle and length of the leg. The legs are also individually adjustable to accommodate for uneven ground and are lockable and stowable with the step when it is not in use. 
     The multiple apertures in the mounting plate allow for the leg to be placed in different angles with respect to the step, including an angle that projects backwards towards the step assembly in some embodiments for situations when the bottom step is very close to the ground. As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 9 , the pin for securing the leg with the mounting plate may be tethered to the mounting plate for ease of the user. Once the angle of the stabilizer leg is selected and secured, the telescoping portion of the leg can be positioned in contact with the ground. As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pin for securing the second or distal leg section with the first or proximal leg section may be spring-loaded or may otherwise be tethered to the leg. The apertures of the mounting bracket also allow for the leg to be secured flush with the mounting bracket in a horizontal position for stowing the leg. With the stabilizer leg secured in the horizontal or fully-retracted position and the telescoping legs locked in the fully-retracted position, it is then possible to stow the folding step without fear that the leg will fall off or get in the way of storing the step assembly. 
     Although embodiments have been described with the stabilizer leg integrated with a folding step, the stabilizer leg could also be integrated into other types of retractable or stowable step designs. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.