Step apparatus

1. A step apparatus comprising:

a step body that can move between a projecting position where the step body projects from a side surface of the vehicle and a retracted position where the step body is retracted behind the side surface of the vehicle;

drive means for driving the step body, the drive means including a rope-shaped member connected to the step body, a rotating drum around which the rope-shaped member is wound, and a drive motor that rotates the rotating drum;

guide means for guiding the movement of the step body between the projecting position and the retracted position; and

connecting means for connecting the rope-shaped member to the step body and moving the step body in association with the movement of the rope-shaped member along the length of the rope-shaped member, each of the connecting means including an arm that projects from the step body and extends along a moving direction of the step body, and

wherein one longitudinal end of the rope-shaped member is restrained at a distal end of the arm and the other longitudinal end of the rope-shaped member is restrained at a proximal end of the arm or at the step body, portions of the rope-shaped member near the longitudinal ends of the rope-shaped member extending along the extending direction of the arm.

2. The step apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the connecting means are arranged along the length of the step body with intervals therebetween.

3. The step apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the drive means includes a plurality of the rope-shaped members that correspond to the plurality of connecting means, the rotating drum around which the rope-shaped members are wound, and the drive motor that rotates the rotating drum, and

wherein the plurality of connecting means are configured to operate in association with the movements of the corresponding rope-shaped members.

4. The step apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the projecting position and the retracted position between which the guide means guides the movement of the step body are at different heights.

5. The step apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the projecting position and the retracted position between which the guide means guides the movement of the step body are at different heights.

6. The step apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the guide means includes a plurality of guiding portions that are substantially parallel to each other and a sliding member that is connected to the step body and that slides along the guiding portions.

7. The step apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a plurality of the guide means are arranged along the length of the step body with intervals therebetween.

8. The step apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projecting position and the retracted position between which the guide means guides the movement of the step body are at different heights.

9. The step apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the guide means includes a plurality of guiding portions that are substantially parallel to each other and a sliding member that is connected to the step body and that slides along the guiding portions.

10. The step apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the guide means are arranged along the length of the step body with intervals therebetween.

11. A step apparatus comprising:

a step body that can move between a projecting position where the step body projects from a side surface of the vehicle and a retracted position where the step body is retracted behind the side surface of the vehicle;

drive means for driving the step body, the drive means including a rope-shaped member connected to the step body, a rotating drum around which the rope-shaped member is wound, and a drive motor that rotates the rotating drum;

guide means for guiding the movement of the step body between the projecting position and the retracted position; and

a plurality of connecting means for connecting the rope-shaped member to the step body and moving the step body in association with the movement of the rope-shaped member along the length of the rope-shape member, the connecting means including an arm that projects from the step body and extends along a moving direction of the step body, and wherein one longitudinal end of the rope-shape member is restrained at a distal end of the arm and the other longitudinal end of the rope-shaped member is restrained at a proximal end of the arm or at the step body, portions of the rope-shaped member near the longitudinal ends of the rope-shape member extending along the extending direction of the arm.

12. The step apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the drive means includes a plurality of the rope-shaped members that correspond to the plurality of connecting means, the rotating drum around which the rope-shaped members are wound, and the drive motor that rotates the rotating drum, and

wherein the plurality of connecting means are configured to operate in association with the movements of the corresponding rope-shaped members.

13. The step apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the projecting position and the retracted position between which the guide means guides the movement of the step body are at different heights.

14. The step apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the guide means includes a plurality of guiding portions that are substantially parallel to each other and a sliding member that is connected to the step body and that slides along the guiding portions.

15. The step apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein a plurality of the guide means are arranged along the length of the step body with intervals therebetween.

16. The step apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the projecting position and the retracted position between which the guide means guides the movement of the step body are at different heights.

17. The step apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the guide means includes a plurality of guiding portions that are substantially parallel to each other and a sliding member that is connected to the step body and that slides along the guiding portions.

18. The step apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a plurality of the guide means are arranged along the length of the step body with intervals therebetween.