IP Library Granted Patent US 12662173
Granted Patent B2
US 12662173 · App. 18/078,256 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Tread step seal assembly for a tread system of a vehicle

Inventors: Christoph Theis (Bad Wildungen, DE); Marco Cimmino (Adelebsen, DE); Ulrich Arend (Dickershausen, DE)
Assignee: BODE—DIE TÜR GMBH
B61D23/00B60R3/02B61D23/025
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12662173
App. No.
18/078,256
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A modular tread step seal assembly includes a tread step module which, using a drive unit, is movable along a movement axis from a retracted position in the direction of an extended position and vice versa. The tread step module has a tread surface extending in a tread surface plane oriented parallel to the movement axis and a tread step module front edge at a front end directed towards the outside of the vehicle. The assembly includes a sealing strip attached to the tread step module front edge and extends along the same, substantially in a sealing strip plane. The sealing strip and tread step module define, perpendicularly to the movement axis, a vertical assembly height. The sealing strip and tread surface are disposed at an angle to each other. The wherein assembly height and the angle between the sealing strip and the tread surface are adjustable via a modular mechanism.

Claims (20)

1 . A modular tread step seal assembly for a tread system implemented in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a tread step module, which, using a drive unit, is moved along a movement axis (A) from a retracted position in the direction of an extended position and vice versa, wherein the tread step module has a tread surface extending in a tread surface plane oriented parallel to the movement axis (A), and wherein the tread step module has a tread step module front edge at a front end directed towards the outside of the vehicle,

a sealing strip, which is attached to the tread step module front edge and extends along the tread step module front edge substantially in a sealing strip plane, wherein the sealing strip and the tread step module define, perpendicularly to the movement axis (A), a vertical assembly height (H), and wherein the sealing strip and the tread surface are disposed at an angle (B) to each other,

wherein the assembly height (H) and the angle (B) between the sealing strip and the tread surface are adjusted using a modular mechanism.

2 . The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the modular mechanism comprises a first adjustment member and a second adjustment member.

3 . The assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the first adjustment member has at a first end a first cranked attaching bead and, at a second end opposite the first end, a receiving pocket, wherein a second cranked attaching bead is arranged between the first end and the second end.

4 . The assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the first and second cranked attaching beads protrude from a first side of the first adjustment member, that the receiving pocket also protrudes from the first side, and that the receiving pocket is at least partially open in the direction of a second side of the first adjustment member opposite the first side.

5 . The assembly according to claim 4 , wherein a plurality of latching lugs are formed on the first cranked attaching bead.

6 . The assembly according to claim 5 , wherein a first attaching bead receiving portion for receiving a first cranked attaching bead is formed on an underside of the tread step module facing away from the tread surface plane, wherein the receiving portion has a plurality of latching recesses for receiving the plurality of latching lugs so that the first adjustment member adopts a plurality of angular positions relative to the first attaching bead receiving portion.

7 . The assembly according to claim 6 , wherein, spaced apart from the first attaching bead receiving portion, in the direction towards the inside of the vehicle, a group (G) of second attaching bead receiving portions is formed, which are disposed one behind the other relative to the movement axis (A).

8 . The assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the first and/or second adjustment members extend parallel to and along the sealing strip.

9 . The assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the first attaching bead receiving portion is configured in the form of a receiving groove, which extends parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge, and that the first cranked attaching bead of the first adjustment member extends parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge.

10 . The assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the second attaching bead receiving portions are each configured in the form of receiving grooves, which extend parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge, and that the bead-like flange of the second adjustment member extends parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge.

11 . The assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the receiving pocket of the first adjustment member is configured in the form of a receiving groove, which extends parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge, and that the sealing strip bead extends parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge.

12 . The assembly according to claim 8 , wherein a receiving section of the second adjustment member is configured in the form of a receiving groove, which extends parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge, and that the second cranked attaching bead of the first adjustment member extends parallel to and in a direction along the tread step module front edge.

13 . The assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the second adjustment member has a bead-like flange at a first end, and a receiving section at a second end opposite the first end.

14 . The assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the bead-like flange of the second adjustment member is received with a positive fit in one of the second attaching bead receiving portions, wherein the second cranked attaching bead of the first adjustment member is received in the receiving section of the second adjustment member with a positive fit.

15 . The assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the first and/or second adjustment members are formed like a linkage.

16 . The assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the first adjustment member forms the sealing strip.

17 . The assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the receiving pocket formed on the first adjustment member is configured for positively receiving a sealing strip bead formed on the sealing strip.