IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,302,626
Granted Patent B2
US 9,302,626 · App. 14/495,695 · Granted Apr 5, 2016

Retractable vehicle step

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,302,626
App. No.
14/495,695
Granted
Apr 5, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having an upper stepping surface, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The first and second arms can be generally planar linkages.

Claims (37)

1. A retractable step for attachment to a vehicle, the retractable step comprising:

an attachment portion configured to connect to an underside of a vehicle;

a pair of linkage arms, each of the linkage arms pivotably connected to the attachment portion at an attachment axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, wherein a first of the pair of linkage arms is located more towards a longitudinal vehicle centerline than the second of the pair of linkage arms;

a stepping member pivotably connected to the pair of linkage arms at a stepping axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, wherein the stepping member comprises a stepping deck having a width greater than a width of each of the pair of linkage arms and configured to receive a force onto the stepping deck;

wherein the retractable step is configured to translate between a deployed and retracted position by the rotation of the pair of linkage arms and the stepping member, the stepping deck being located under the vehicle in the retracted position and at least partially extend from under the vehicle in the deployed position; and

wherein one of said pair of linkage arms is longer than another of said pair of linkage arms.

2. The retractable step of claim 1 , wherein said stepping deck defines a plane for supporting at least a forefoot, said plane takes on a first orientation when said stepping member is in said deployed position and a second orientation when said stepping member is in said retracted position, said second orientation being inclined with respect to said first orientation.

3. The retractable step of claim 2 , wherein said stepping deck has an inboard end and an outboard end, and said outboard end is located upward from said inboard end when said plane is in said second orientation.

4. The retractable step of claim 1 , further comprising a static stop member located within a range of motion of one of said linkage arms, wherein said static stop member, said linkage arms, and said stepping member are sufficient to maintain said stepping member in said deployed position when a user steps onto an upper stepping surface of said stepping member.

5. The retractable step of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said pair of linkage arms comprises a generally planar linkage.

6. The retractable step of claim 1 , wherein said stepping member further comprises a support bracket.

7. The retractable step of claim 1 , wherein said stepping axis and attachment axis are each defined by a pin.

8. A retractable step for attachment to a vehicle, the retractable step comprising:

an attachment portion configured to connect to an underside of a vehicle;

a pair of linkage arms, each of the linkage arms pivotably connected to the attachment portion at an attachment axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, wherein a first of the pair of linkage arms is located more towards a longitudinal vehicle centerline than the second of the pair of linkage arms;

a stepping member pivotably connected to the pair of linkage arms at a stepping axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, wherein the stepping member comprises a stepping deck having a width greater than a width of each of the pair of linkage arms and configured to receive a force onto the stepping deck;

wherein the retractable step is configured to translate between a deployed and retracted position by the rotation of the pair of linkage arms and the stepping member, the stepping deck being located under the vehicle in the retracted position and at least partially extend from under the vehicle in the deployed position;

wherein said stepping deck defines a plane for supporting at least a forefoot, said plane takes on a first orientation when said stepping member is in said deployed position and a second orientation when said stepping member is in said retracted position, said second orientation being inclined with respect to said first orientation.

9. The retractable step of claim 8 , wherein said stepping deck has an inboard end and an outboard end, and said outboard end is located upward from said inboard end when said plane is in said second orientation.

10. The retractable step of claim 8 , further comprising a static stop member located within a range of motion of one of said linkage arms, wherein said static stop member, said linkage arms, and said stepping member are sufficient to maintain said stepping member in said deployed position when a user steps onto an upper stepping surface of said stepping member.

11. The retractable step of claim 8 , wherein at least one of said pair of linkage arms comprises a generally planar linkage.

12. The retractable step of claim 8 , wherein one of said pair of linkage arms is longer than another of said pair of linkage arms.

13. The retractable step of claim 8 , wherein said stepping member further comprises a support bracket.

14. The retractable step of claim 8 , wherein said stepping axis and attachment axis are each defined by a pin.

15. A retractable step for attachment to a vehicle, the retractable step comprising:

an attachment portion configured to connect to an underside of a vehicle;

a pair of linkage arms, each of the linkage arms pivotably connected to the attachment portion at an attachment axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, wherein a first of the pair of linkage arms is located more towards a longitudinal vehicle centerline than the second of the pair of linkage arms;

a stepping member pivotably connected to the pair of linkage arms at a stepping axis oriented generally parallel to the ground, wherein the stepping member comprises a stepping deck having a width greater than a width of each of the pair of linkage arms and configured to receive a force onto the stepping deck; and

a static stop member located within a range of motion of one of said linkage arms;

wherein the retractable step is configured to translate between a deployed and retracted position by the rotation of the pair of linkage arms and the stepping member, the stepping deck being located under the vehicle in the retracted position and at least partially extend from under the vehicle in the deployed position; and

wherein said static stop member, said linkage arms, and said stepping member are sufficient to maintain said stepping member in said deployed position when a user steps onto an upper stepping surface of said stepping member.

16. The retractable step of claim 15 , wherein said stepping deck defines a plane for supporting at least a forefoot, said plane takes on a first orientation when said stepping member is in said deployed position and a second orientation when said stepping member is in said retracted position, said second orientation being inclined with respect to said first orientation.

17. The retractable step of claim 16 , wherein said stepping deck has an inboard end and an outboard end, and said outboard end is located upward from said inboard end when said plane is in said second orientation.

18. The retractable step of claim 15 , wherein at least one of said pair of linkage arms comprises a generally planar linkage.

19. The retractable step of claim 15 , wherein one of said pair of linkage arms is longer than another of said pair of linkage arms.

20. The retractable step of claim 15 , wherein said stepping member further comprises a support bracket.

21. The retractable step of claim 15 , wherein said stepping axis and attachment axis are each defined by a pin.

Assignments (15)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2026
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC; ADELL GROUP, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES, INC.; BEDRUG, INC.; BELMOR, INC.; BUSHWACKER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC; BUSHWACKER, INC.; CORD GROUP LLC; EXTANG CORPORATION; HUSKY LINERS, INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; LUND, INC.; HOPE VALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC; LUND INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY; MAXTON GROUP, INC.; N-FAB, INC.; OMIX-ADA, INC.; POWERFLOW, INC.; REALTRUCK GROUP, INC.; REALTRUCK, LLC; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION; RUGGED LINER, INC.; SUPERLIFT, LLC; TRUXEDO, INC.; ULTRA AXLE, LLC; UNDERCOVER, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 075566/0472 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2026
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC; ADELL GROUP, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES, INC.; BEDRUG, INC.; BELMOR, INC.; BUSHWACKER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC; BUSHWACKER, INC.; CORD GROUP LLC; EXTANG CORPORATION; HUSKY LINERS, INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; LUND, INC.; HOPE VALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC; LUND INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY; MAXTON GROUP, INC.; N-FAB, INC.; OMIX-ADA, INC.; POWERFLOW, INC.; REALTRUCK GROUP, INC.; REALTRUCK, LLC; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION; RUGGED LINER, INC.; SUPERLIFT, LLC; TRUXEDO, INC.; ULTRA AXLE, LLC; UNDERCOVER, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 075566/0310 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BEDRUG, INC.; TRUXEDO INC.; EXTANG CORPORATION; UNDERCOVER, INC.; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; A.R.E. ACCESSORIES LLC; N-FAB, INC.; RUGGED LINER, INC.; HUSKY LINERS, INC.; OMIX-ADA, INC.; LUND, INC.; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; BUSHWACKER, INC.
Reel/Frame 055193/0892 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS - FIRST LIEN Recorded Feb 1, 2021
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055189/0549 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 1, 2021
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055189/0572 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TL) Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055174/0699 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055175/0901 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT - SECOND LIEN Recorded Jul 9, 2019
From: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049698/0394 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT - FIRST LIEN Recorded Jul 9, 2019
From: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049698/0490 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (INDENTURE) Recorded Jul 9, 2019
From: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049698/0448 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 045933/0149 Recorded May 13, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS AGENT
To: LUND, INC.; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; BUSHWACKER, INC.
Reel/Frame 049163/0454 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2018
From: REGIONS BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 046388/0957 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2018
From: LUND INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY; LUND, INC.; BELMOR, INC.; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; BUSHWACKER, INC.; BUSHWACKER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 045933/0149 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT APPLICATION NO. 11495695 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 034821 FRAME: 0718. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 4, 2015
From: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
To: REGIONS BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 034894/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2015
From: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
To: REGIONS BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 034821/0718 →