Retractable vehicle step
View Patent ↗A retractable vehicle step is attachable to a vehicle or truck. The vehicle step facilitates access to a cargo hold, interior, or roof of the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle step may provide clearance space relative to a tailgate of the vehicle by displacing a stepping member of the vehicle step in a generally lateral direction. The vehicle step desirably has a covered and protected biasing mechanism for transitioning between retracted and extended positions of the stepping member. Advantageously, the vehicle step may be pulled out from under the vehicle by the foot of a user. Another advantage is that the vehicle step is readily attachable to the vehicle using already existing connection members, thereby generally eliminating or mitigating the need for customized retrofitting and avoiding undesirable installation cost and time. Finally, the vehicle step may be configured into at least two different arrangements for attachment to a vehicle utilizing the same components.
1. A retractable vehicle step, comprising:
a stepping member being pivotable between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis, wherein the first position is a retracted position and the second position is an extended position relative to a storage portion of a vehicle, and wherein the stepping member comprises a stepping surface;
a mount for attachment to the vehicle, the mount comprising a first mounting component and a second mounting component, the first and second mounting components capable of adjusting positions between a first configuration to a second configuration; and
a linkage connecting the stepping member to the mount, wherein the linkage comprises at least one arm;
wherein the first mounting component interacts with the vehicle and the second mounting component thereby connecting the vehicle and the second mounting component, and the second mounting component interacts with the first mounting component and the linkage thereby connecting the first mounting component and the linkage;
wherein the second mounting component has a longitudinal width in the direction of the pivot greater than either the first mounting component or the linkage;
wherein in the first configuration the first mounting component is offset towards one side of the second mounting component and the linkage is offset towards an opposite side of the second mounting component; and
wherein in the second configuration, the first mounting component and the linkage are reversed in position from the position in the first configuration with respect to the second mounting component.
2. The retractable vehicle step of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting component is configured for attaching the stepping member to different vehicles.
3. The retractable vehicle step of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting component is configured for attaching the stepping member to the vehicle at a subframe attached to the vehicle.
4. The retractable vehicle step of claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured for attaching the stepping member to the vehicle at a bumper of the vehicle.
5. The retractable vehicle step of claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured for attaching the stepping member to the vehicle at an already existing connection member of the vehicle.
6. The retractable vehicle step of claim 5 , wherein the already existing connection member of the vehicle comprises a hole.
7. The retractable vehicle step of claim 1 , wherein the retractable vehicle step can be attached to a bed of the vehicle.
8. The retractable vehicle step of claim 1 , wherein the linkage comprises a plurality of arms.
9. The retractable vehicle step of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member between the linkage and the mount.
10. The retractable vehicle step of claim 9 , wherein the biasing member is a spring.
11. A vehicle comprising:
a bed;
a stepping member being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a retracted position and the second position is an extended position relative to a storage portion of the bed, and wherein the stepping member comprises a stepping surface;
a mount for attachment to the bed, the mount comprising a first mounting component and a second mounting component attached to the first mounting component with at least one fastener extending through at least one aperture in the first mounting component and through at least one aperture in the second mounting component, the first and second mounting components capable of adjusting positions between a first configuration to a second configuration; and
a linkage connecting the stepping member to the mount, wherein the linkage comprises at least one arm;
wherein the first mounting component interacts with the bed and the second mounting component thereby connecting the bed and the second mounting component, and the second mounting component interacts with the first mounting component and the linkage thereby connecting the first mounting component and the linkage;
wherein the second mounting component is wider than either the first mounting component or the linkage;
wherein in the first configuration the first mounting component is offset towards one side of the second mounting component and the linkage is offset towards an opposite side of the second mounting component; and
wherein in the second configuration, the first mounting component and the linkage are reversed in position from the position in the first configuration with respect to the second mounting component.
12. The retractable vehicle step of claim 11 , wherein the first component is configured for attaching the stepping member to the vehicle at a subframe attached to the bed.
13. The retractable vehicle step of claim 11 , wherein the first component is configured for attaching the stepping member to the vehicle at an already existing connection member of the bed.
14. The retractable vehicle step of claim 13 , wherein the already existing connection member of the vehicle comprises a hole.
15. The retractable vehicle step of claim 11 , wherein the linkage comprises a plurality of arms.
16. The retractable vehicle step of claim 11 , further comprising a biasing member between the linkage and the mount.
17. The retractable vehicle step of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is a spring.