Patent ID: 7055839

Claim:
A retractable vehicle step assist, comprising: a step member having a stepping deck and a support bracket connected to said stepping deck; and a first unitary support arm defining an inboard surface and an outboard surface, a maximum distance between said inboard surface and said outboard surface defining a first thickness, said first arm defining a substantially vertical first side and a substantially vertical second side, a maximum distance between said first side and said second side defining a first width, said first width being substantially greater than said first thickness; a second unitary support arm defining an inboard surface and an outboard surface, a maximum distance between said inboard surface and said outboard surface defining a second thickness, said second arm defining a substantially vertical first side and a substantially vertical second side, a maximum distance between said first side and said second side defining a second width, said second width being substantially greater than said second thickness; said first support arm and said second support arm connectable with respect to an underside of a vehicle so as to be pivotable about a first axis and a second axis, respectively; said first support arm and said second support arm connected to said step member so that said first support arm and said second support arm are pivotable with respect to said step member about a third axis and a fourth axis, respectively, said fourth axis located inboard from said third axis; said first support arm and said second support arm allowing said step member to move between a retracted position and a deployed position; wherein said stepping deck is substantially wider than said first support arm, said second support arm and said support bracket.