Patent ID: 7584975

Claim:
A retractable step for use with a vehicle, said retractable step comprising: a first arm connectable with respect to an underside of said vehicle so as to be rotatable about a first axis generally orthogonal to a direction of access to said vehicle via said retractable step; a second arm connectable with respect to said underside of said vehicle so as to be rotatable about a second axis generally parallel to said first axis; a step member comprising a stepping surface and a support bracket including first and second portions extending generally from said stepping surface toward said arms; said step member connected to said first arm and rotatable with respect to said first arm about a third axis, said step member connected to said second arm and rotatable with respect to said second arm about a fourth axis, an end portion of said second arm engaging said first and second portions; said step member being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position downward and outward from said retracted position; wherein said fourth axis being located inward of and above said third axis, and above said stepping surface, and at least a portion of said support bracket extending above said stepping surface when said step member is in said deployed position.