Patent ID: 7717445

Claim:
A side step assembly for use with a vehicle comprising: a side step with a first elongate section and a second elongate section each comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and a side wall extending from each elongate section and having a hinged longitudinal edge, the first and second elongate sections attached to each other by at least one hinge along respective hinged longitudinal edges, wherein the side step is pivotal about the at least one hinge into a first position wherein the bottom surface of the first elongate section faces the bottom surface of the second elongate section, and a second position wherein the top surfaces of the first and second elongate sections form a planar surface, wherein when the side step is in the first position, the hinge is positioned between the bottom surfaces of the first and second elongate sections and when the side step is in the second position, the hinge is positioned a distance of the side wall below the bottom surfaces of the first and second elongate sections, and wherein the side step is configured for releasable attachment to the vehicle when the side step is in the first position and configured for releasable attachment to a tailgate of the vehicle when the side step is in the second position.