Patent ID: 7841609

Claim:
A step device for a vehicle, comprising: a step provided on a vehicle entrance that is opened and closed by a vehicle door; a first transmitting mechanism that is operated in synchronization with opening and closing operations of the vehicle door; and a second transmitting mechanism that transmits, to the step, power of the opening and closing operations of the vehicle door transmitted through the first transmitting mechanism, thereby moving the step, wherein the second transmitting mechanism includes: a movable member that can move forward and backward with respect to a vehicle body; a slide lever for moving the movable member forward and backward; an arm mechanism having first and second arms that are provided between the movable member and the step and turnably connected to each other at their central portions in their longitudinal directions, the first and second arms each including a first end connected to the movable member and a second end connected to the step; a vertical movement lever that moves the first end of the first arm with respect to the movable member, thereby vertically moving the step; a plate cam that is rotated by the first transmitting mechanism; a follower member that is engaged with the plate cam and linked with the vertical movement lever; wherein the step is capable of being projected and retracted with respect to the vehicle body as the movable member moves forward and backward; and wherein, when the step is in its projecting state, the plate cam presses the follower member to operate the vertical movement lever as the plate cam rotates, thereby moving the step vertically.