Patent ID: 6904863

Claim:
A telescoping self-retracting step assembly for watercraft or boat, comprising: a ladder comprising a plurality of telescoping members enabling extension and retraction of the ladder, the ladder being attached to a watercraft or boat, the ladder including a surface that can act as a hydrofoil in the water; means for allowing rotation of the plurality of telescoping members when they are extended into a position where the surface capable of acting as the hydrofoil reaches the water; means for allowing extension of the ladder by energy supplied by a user for that purpose, said means including a cable attached to at least one of the telescoping tubes and a spool on which the cable is wound; spring means in operative engagement with the cable and spool for storing the energy used for extending the ladder; means for temporarily locking the ladder in the extended position wherein the surface that can act as a hydrofoil is in the water, and the spring means being adapted for retracting the ladder by using the stored energy, said retraction being triggered by a change in the angle of the ladder relative to the water, said change being triggered by force of the water on the surface that acts as a hydrofoil when the watercraft or boat moves forward relative to the water, whereby the extended ladder self-retracts when the watercraft or boat moves.