Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a staircase device adapted to fit a bed of a truck, or other similar vehicle. The staircase provides a mechanism for facilitating the loading and unloading of items onto and off a bed of a truck. An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a vehicle staircase device comprising a first lower platform having a first length and a first width, the first lower platform having a hitch connector adapted to connect to a vehicle; a second platform having a second length and a second width, wherein the first lower platform and the second platform are substantially parallel; and a staircase structure connecting the first lower platform and the second platform.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a staircase device, and more specifically to a staircase device adapted to be connected to a bed of a truck or other vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Trucks and other similar vehicles generally have an extended bed portion that may be used to transport large objects. For example, anyone may want to use a truck to transport large objects (e.g., furniture, equipment, etc.). Individuals or business owners may need trucks to transport items in bulk, such as raw materials, construction supplies, etc. As trucks are generally higher than most vehicles, it may be difficult to load large objects. In other words, additional effort and strength are generally required to load objects onto the truck safely and easily. Oftentimes, a platform or other structure, separate from the vehicle, may be used to enable users to safely load large heavy objects onto the bed of the truck. However, not all platforms are secure or easily transportable. In other instances, simply more people are needed to assist in the task. There are times when a truck or other vehicle may be used to transport people from one location to another. Due to the height or other limitations, it is oftentimes difficult for people to load onto the bed of a truck in a safe manner. 
     Other drawbacks may also be present. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is to address one or more of the drawbacks set forth above. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle staircase device comprises a first lower platform having a first length and a first width, the first lower platform having a hitch connector adapted to connect to a vehicle; a second platform having a second length and a second width, wherein the first lower platform and the second platform are substantially parallel; and a staircase structure connecting the first lower platform and the second platform. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this exemplary embodiment, a portion of the second platform rests on top of a bed of the vehicle; the first length is substantially equal to a length of a bed of the vehicle; the device further comprises a handrail structure proximal to the staircase structure; the handrail structure extends across the first length; the handrail structure comprises two parallel handrails for the staircase structure; the device further comprises an extension section having a third length and connected to the second platform wherein the second length of the second platform and the third length of the extension section is substantially equal to the first length of the first lower platform; the extension section rests on top of a bed of the vehicle; the second platform is substantially flush with a bed of the vehicle; the width of the staircase structure is substantially equal to the first width of the first lower platform; the second length is less than the first length and the second width is greater than the first width; the vehicle is a truck; the device further comprises a brace structure for securely connecting the vehicle staircase device to the vehicle; the brace structure comprises one or more brace devices; the brace structure is connected to one or more of the first lower platform and the second platform; and the vehicle staircase device is suspended from the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary staircase device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary staircase device connected to a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another view of an exemplary staircase device connected to a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention relates to a staircase device adapted to fit a bed of a truck, or other similar vehicle. The staircase provides a mechanism for facilitating the loading and unloading of items onto and off a bed of a truck. The staircase further provides a safe way to access the bed of a truck. A hitch device attached to the staircase may be adapted to fit a hitch receiver of a truck or other vehicle. In addition, the staircase device does not interfere with normal operation of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary staircase device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Staircase device  100  may include two parallel platforms. A first platform  110  may have a length  120  of a first length L 1 . First length L 1  may be approximately equal to a length of a bed of a vehicle that connects to staircase device  100 . The first platform may have a width  124  of a first width W 1 . A second platform  112  may have a length  130  of a second length L 2 . The second platform may have a width  134  of a second width W 2 . First platform  110  and second platform  112  may be connected by a stair structure that includes step  140 . While a single step is shown in this exemplary embodiment, additional steps may be included. In this example, first length L 1  is greater than second length L 2  and first width W 1  is less than second width W 2 . 
     An additional third platform  116  may be connected to second platform  112 . Third platform  116  may include a length  180  having a third length L 3  and a width  184 , having a third width W 3 . Third platform  116  may be a triangular shape, preferably a right triangle, having sides  180 ,  184  and  182 . For example, angle α may be approximately 30 degrees. Third platform  116  may include other shapes and sizes. According to an exemplary embodiment, second length L 2  of second platform  112  and third length L 3  of third platform  116  may be substantially equal to first length L 1  of first platform  110 . In addition, first width W 1  of first platform  110  and third width W 3  of third platform  116  may be substantially equal to second width W 2  of platform  112 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, first length L 1  may be approximately 60 inches, second length L 2  may be approximately 45 inches and third length L 3  may be approximately 15 inches. First width W 1  may be approximately 25 inches, second width W 2  may be approximately 35 inches and third width W 3  may be approximately 10 inches. Other variations and scales may be realized, depending on the desired application and/or the size of the vehicle to be adapted to. 
     When connected to a bed of a truck or other vehicle, third platform  116  and/or a portion of second platform  112  may rest on the bed of the truck or other portion of the truck. The staircase device may be attached so that the device  100  is suspended from the bed of the truck. Hitch adaptor  114  may fit a hitch receiver of a truck or other vehicle. Other mechanisms for attaching staircase device  100  to the back of a vehicle may be implemented. Additional mechanisms for securing the staircase device to the vehicle may also be incorporated. For example, additional brace devices may secure the staircase device to the vehicle. Brace devices may include a mechanism for securely attaching to a bumper (or other part) of the vehicle. One or more brace devices may be used. Exemplary brace devices may include brackets, clamps, etc. 
     First platform  110 , second platform  112  and third platform  116  may be made of a metal material (e.g., expanded metal, etc.), plastic material, other type of durable sturdy material (e.g., wood, natural or synthetic materials, etc.) and/or other composite material. The platforms may be made of the same or different material. Step  140  of the stair structure may be made of a metal material, plastic material and/or other type of material (e.g., durable study material, composite material, etc.). 
     Staircase device  100  may also include a handrail structure for safety. Parallel poles  150  and  152  may connect to handrails  154  and  156 , respectively. Handrails  154  and  156  may connect to parallel poles  166  and  168 , respectively. An additional rail  158  may connect to poles  166  and  174 . Rail  160  may connect to parallel poles  174  and  176 . For additional support, rail  162  may connect to pole  168  and  170 . Finally, rail  164  may connect to parallel poles  170  and  172 . The poles and rails may be made of a metal material, plastic material and/or other durable sturdy material. For example, a tubing, such as square tubing or other shaped tubing, may be implemented for the handrail structure. According to another exemplary embodiment, the poles and rails may be enclosed by a sheet of metal or other material. For example, a sheet of metal or other material may be attached to rail  158  and poles  166  and  174  to form a wall. This exemplary embodiment may essentially expand the space of the truck bed by the width of the staircase device. A similar structure may be applied to other rails and poles within staircase device  100 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, poles  150  and  152  may have an approximate height of 32 inches. Also, poles  166  and  168  may have an approximate height of 32 inches. The height of the entire staircase device H 1  may be approximately 54 inches. Height H 2  may be approximately 22 inches and height H 3  may be approximately 32 inches. The height of the steps H 4  and H 5  may each be approximately 11 inches and the length of the steps L 4  and L 5  may be each approximately 8 inches. In addition, handrails  154  and  156  may have a length of approximately 25 inches, with an angle β of approximately 36 degrees. Other measurements and scales may be implemented in accordance with various applications. Further, the measurements may be modified depending on the size of the vehicle to be adapted to and/or other considerations. 
     While a stair structure with step  140  is shown on one side of the staircase device  100 , the stair structure may be implemented on the other side of the staircase device  100 , as well as both sides of the staircase device  100 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary staircase device connected to a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, third platform  116  and a portion of second platform  112  may rest on a bed of a truck  210  and/or part of a bumper  220  of a truck. The surface of the second platform  112  may be flush with the surface of the bed of the truck  210  to form a continuous surface. In addition, a portion of the second platform  112  may rest on a tailgate of a truck or other portion of a truck. Hitch adapter  114  may connect to a hitch  230  of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another view of an exemplary staircase device connected to a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, platform  110 , step  140  and second platform  112  form a staircase structure to facilitate boarding onto a bed of a truck or other vehicle. Hitch adapter  114  may connect to hitch  330 , which may be further connected to bumper  310  or another part of the vehicle. In this figure, brace  320  may provide an additional attachment device for securely attaching the staircase structure of the vehicle. While a single brace is shown, additional braces and/or other attachment devices may be implemented. 
     Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only. The intended scope of the invention is only limited by the claims appended hereto.