Patent ID: 8042821

Claim:
An extending and retracting device for a vehicle step apparatus comprising: a mounting bracket fixed to a body of a vehicle; a step bracket connected to a step member of the vehicle step apparatus; a first arm defining a lower end portion thereof rotatably connected directly to said step bracket and an upper end portion thereof; a second arm defining a lower end portion thereof connected to said step bracket and an upper end portion thereof; a third arm defining an upper end portion thereof rotatably connected to said mounting bracket and a lower end portion thereof rotatably connected directly to said upper end portion of one of said first and second arms, wherein said upper end portion of other of said first and second arms is rotatably connected to said mounting bracket; at least one arc-sliding member mounted to one of said step bracket and said lower end portion of said second arm; and at least one arc slot formed in the other of said step bracket and said lower end portion of said second arm, wherein said arc-sliding member fits into corresponding said arc slot so as to be slidable in said arc slot so that said lower end portion of said second arm is rotatable with respect to said step bracket.