IP Library Granted Patent US 12,286,078
Granted Patent B2
US 12,286,078 · App. 18/460,639 · Granted Apr 29, 2025

Vehicle door well step apparatus

Inventor: Rodney Lewis (Brentwood, TN)
Assignee: Pride Manufacturing Company, LLC
B60R3/007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,286,078
App. No.
18/460,639
Granted
Apr 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Step apparatuses that removably couple to a door latch element (e.g., a U-shaped striker element) of a vehicle are described. A step apparatus may include a hook element that enables the step apparatus to hang from a door latch element in a vehicle door well. A step apparatus may also be able to extend through a door latch element such that the step apparatus may couple to the door latch element in an upright position. A step apparatus may include one or more than one step structure.

Claims (32)

1. A step apparatus, comprising:

a first step structure; and

an elongate support element coupled to the first step structure, the elongate support element including a hook-shaped element configured to releasably couple to a latch element coupled to a vehicle door well,

wherein the elongate support element extends vertically upwardly relative to the first step structure when the hook-shaped element is releasably coupled to the latch element.

2. The step apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the latch element includes a U-shaped striker latch element.

3. The step apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hook-shaped element is sized to extend through a void of the latch element.

4. The step apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hook-shaped element is distal from the first step structure along the elongate support element.

5. The step apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first step structure is substantially flat and load bearing when the hook-shaped element is releasably coupled to the latch element.

6. The step apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second step structure coupled to the elongate support element.

7. The step apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:

the first step structure is coupled to the second step structure via the elongate support element; or

the first step structure is coupled to the second step structure via an extension element.

8. A step apparatus, comprising:

a first substantially flat step structure; and

an elongate support element having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to the first substantially flat step structure, and the elongate support element including a hook-shaped element on the second end configured to releasably couple to a latch element coupled to a vehicle door well.

9. The step apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first substantially flat step structure is positioned vertically below the latch element when the hook-shaped element is releasably coupled to the latch element.

10. The step apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the latch element includes a U-shaped striker latch element.

11. The step apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the hook-shaped element is sized to extend through a void of the latch element.

12. The step apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the hook-shaped element is distal from the first substantially flat step structure along the elongate support element.

13. The step apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first substantially flat step structure is load bearing when the hook-shaped element is releasably coupled to the latch element.

14. The step apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a second step structure coupled to the elongate support element.

15. The step apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:

the first substantially flat step structure is coupled to the second step structure via the elongate support element; or

the first substantially flat step structure is coupled to the second step structure via an extension element.

16. A step apparatus, comprising:

a substantially flat step structure; and

a hook-shaped element coupled to the substantially flat step structure and configured to releasably couple to a latch element coupled to a vehicle door well,

wherein the substantially flat step structure is configured to be stepped on by and support a human when the hook-shaped element is releasably coupled to the latch element.

17. The step apparatus of claim 16 , wherein hook-shaped element is formed on a distal end of ab elongate support element, and wherein the elongate support element extends vertically upwardly relative to the substantially flat step structure when the hook-shaped element is releasably coupled to the latch element.

18. The step apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the hook-shaped element is sized to extend through a void of the latch element.

19. The step apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising an elongate support element coupled to the substantially flat step structure, wherein the hook-shaped element is distal from the substantially flat step structure along the elongate support element.

20. The step apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the substantially flat step structure is located below the latch element when the hook-shaped element is releasably coupled to the latch element.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2026
From: PRIDE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; GCI OUTDOOR LLC; ARGON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: TWIN BROOK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 074423/0515 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2023
From: LEWIS, RODNEY
To: MOKI DOORSTEP CORP.
Reel/Frame 064815/0701 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2023
From: MOKI DOORSTEP CORP.
To: PRIDE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 064815/0919 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17308237 · May 5, 2021
Continuation 16145428 · Sep 28, 2018
Continuation 15864655 · Jan 8, 2018
Provisional Application 62443890 · Jan 9, 2017
Related Publication 20240059222A1 · Feb 22, 2024
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