Patent ID: 7219911

Claim:
A retractable step assembly for use with a vehicle, the step assembly comprising: a mounting bracket for mounting the step assembly in an operative position to the vehicle; a step pivotally connected to the mounting bracket so as to pivot about a substantially vertical pivot axis when the step assembly is in the operative position, the step having a top surface configured to receive a person's foot; a guide member provided on the step and being movably mounted to the mounting bracket to rotate about the pivot axis and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket to allow the step to be moved between (a) an extended position wherein the step extends outward from the vehicle, and (b) a retracted position wherein the step is pivoted inwardly and raised vertically from the extended position; a lock assembly constructed and arranged to lock the guide member and the step in the retracted position, the lock assembly comprising a lock movable between (a) a locked position locking the guide member against movement relative to the mounting bracket, and (b) an unlocked position permitting the guide member to rotate about the pivot axis and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket, the lock being movable to the locked position when the step is in the retracted position to thereby fix the step in the retracted position by locking the guide member; and a release member constructed and arranged to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing movement of the step between the retracted position and the extended position by movement of the guide member.