AU604067B2

AU604067B2 - Vehicle side step

Info

Publication number: AU604067B2
Application number: AU80194/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Clifford Herbert Jones
Original assignee: Tjm Prod Pty Ltd; TJM Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TJM Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1986-10-27
Filing date: 1987-10-27
Publication date: 1990-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-27
Also published as: AU8019487A

Description

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604 067" COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA The Patents Act 1952-1969 4', 4,4' o 4 4, #4 4 .4, 4 4-4.

4 *4 44 4 44 Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address :or service: TJM PRODUCTS PTY LTD 140 Robi'ison Road, GeebunR. Qld. 4034.

CLIFFORD HERBERT JONES G.R. CULLEN COMPANY Dalgetv House 79 Eagle Street, BRISBANE. Australia.

44' .4 4 444 4 44 4, 4 4 44 44,4 4 4 4444 4444*4 4 4 COMPLETE PATENT SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: ii o o 44 44« 4i 444 44 a 4 VEHICLE SIDE STEP The following statement is a ful 1 description of the invention including the best method of performing it known to us: THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in vehicle side steps, particularly to an improved vehicle side step incorporating an extruded aluminium construction.

In general, vehicle side steps are made from a rolled or extruded metal material having a flat tread section with a downwardly extending outwardly facing flange. The flat tread section may include gripping protrusions for frictional gripping of the shoes of a person using the step. The side step may be painted in whole or the metal may be ground, sanded and buffed to give a shine and a chrome-like appearance. Some side steps are fitted with stick-on adhesive transfers on the tread section to enhance grip, and for aesthetic vaue the transfer may be coloured. This also enables different colour transfers to be matched to the vehicle to aesthetic advantage.

In another known side step the tread section is painted with a colour contrasting with the rest of the step.

S* Both the adhesive transfer and painted ';eps are subject to high wear, and after a time the appearance of the step degrades. This is particularly in the case, where a painted tread section is combined with high sheen other portions, the shining process causes the shined surface to overlap with the surface to be painted and the paint adhesion tends to be poor at these regions of overlap.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved side step which alleviates at least to some degree the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

1I r. i 3 In one aspect, the invention resides in the combination of a vehicle and a vehicle side step assembly, the side step assembly being assembled from a side step frame and a tread plate, the side step frame being rigidly coupled to the vehicle and the tread plate being rigidly secured to the frame, the frame and side step each having generally planar surfaces which form a composite upper surface of the side step assembly, the composite upper surface being delineated into a plurality of subsurfaces defined by the juncture between the frame and the tread plate, the arrangement being that a surface finish has been applied to the subsurfaces of the frame and tread plate j prior to the tread plate being secured to the frame, the f surface finish applied to the frame involving a process S which would, if applied to the tread plate prior to the Stread plate finish being applied, adversely effect the surface finish applied to the tread plate. ik/

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4 The frame can be of any desired shape but is preferably elongate having a cross-section including an intermediate web section which can be located as a substantially horizontal section when in use, the web section being located between reverse .langes. The web section can be long and narrow and can be flat or can include one )r more recesses in its upper or lower surfaces.

The recesses can be elongate and have walls which include beading. The recesses can extend longitudinally along the horizontal section.

The frame can be fabricated or can be an extrusion.

Ita The extrusion is preferably an aluminium alloy extrusion.

The frame can have any desired surface finish.

The tread plate can have an upper surface which can be located substantially horizontally when in use. The upper surface can include projections or recesses. The tread plate is preferably narrower than the web section of the frame. The lower surface can include one or more flanges or 0000 0 4! 0 I projections. The flanges or projections can extend Klongitudinally along the tread plate. The flanges can include longitudinally extending beading or lips.

The tread plate can be fabricated or can be an extrusion. The extrusion is preferably an aluminium alloy extrusion.

The tread plate is preferably finished prior to the tread plate and frame being assembled. The finish can be a painted finish or the tread plate can be coloured using powder coating techniques.

The frame and the tread plate can be secured together by any suitable means such as screws, fasteners, or other cooperating engagement members.

The engagement members can include co-operating male rori 15 and female members located on the frame and tread plate. The male and female members can be secured in co-operating engagement by screws or other know fasteners. Advantageously the fasteners are concealed when the side step is assembled.

In one preferred form, the male member is one of the aforementioned flanges or projections. In this case, the male flange can extend longitudinally relative to the tread S plate and frame when assembled. The flange can have a longitudinal extending lip. The lip can be at the outer periphery of the flange.

The female member can be one of the aforementioned recesses in which the male flange is secured. The recess can be an elongate recess extending longitudinally relative to o 1 4:v ONZ i the tread plate and the frame when assembled. The longitudinally extending recess can include longitudinally extending beading. The beading can be engageable with the lip of the flange when the frame and tread plate are assembled as a "clip" action connect. The clip action connect preferably involves resilient biasing of the flange as the lip passes over the beading of the recess. When operatively engaged the lip is secured in position by the beading.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a side step assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the side step assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a pictorial view illustrating a side step assembly constructed in accordance with the invention attached to a vehicle; and Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views illustrating further embodiments of the present invention.

8 Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a side step assembly 10, comprising a side step frame 11 and a tread plate 12. The tread plate 12 Z, and the side step frame 11 are both aluminium alloy extrusions manufactured separately using known extrusion techniques. In this case, the assembly 10 has a horizontal

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i i intermediate web section and reverse flange regions 13 and 14.

Referring to Figure 2 there is illustrated in crosssection extrusions 11 and 12 aligned preparatory to assembly.

Prior to assembly the exposed surfaces of extrusion 11 defined generally by flange regions 13 and 14 are finished in any desired aesthetic fashion; for example, a brilliant chrome-like shine finish can be provided. Similarly, the tread plate extrusion 12 may be finished so as to contrast the finish on extrusion 11. For example. the extrusion 12 may be painted or coloured by powder coating techniques.

After the two extrusions are finished in appearance the side step may be assembled whereafter it may be fitted to a o..0 vehicle as is described below (see Figure 3).

*,51 The extrusions 11 and 12 include co-operating .i engagement members in the form of elongate male flanges i and female recesses 16, The engagement members are concealed S on assembly. The recesses 16 include inwardly disposed first and second beads 17 and 18 respectively. The beading 17 is adapted to locate against the extension 19 of extrusion 12.

The second beading 18 is adapted to cause resilient deformation of flange 15 and to "clip" above bead 20 at the periphery of flange 15 and thereby secure the two extrusions together.

Referring to Figure 3, there is illust2;ated a side step assembly 10 fixed to a vehicle. The vehicle is represented schematically by lines 21, 22, 23 and 24 which should be It W hL 8 understood as defining the vehicle's chassis rail.

A steel two piece clamp 25 is illustrated clamped about the chassis rail by means of bolts 26. Welded to clamp 25 is a steel bracket 27 which extends outwardly of the vehicle.

Steel bracket 27 includes a channel section which incorporates a slotted upper flange 29, the slots 33 being adapted to receive fixing bolts 30. The fixing bolts 30 are shown with a slotted head which engages rib 31 of extrusion 11 within bolt housing 32. The rib 31 prevents rotation of bolts 30 within housing 32.

To fix side step assembly 10 in position on bracket 27 the heads of bolts 30 are first located in the bolt housings 32 of extrusion 11 and then the step assembly 10 is located in position by locating the bolts 30 in slots 33. Nuts 34 ,*115 may then be tightened to secure the assembly. The side step assembly 10 is supported on the vehicle by using two or more clamps 25 and brackets 27.

Extrusion 11 also includes spaced part-circular channels 35 for receiving self tapping screws in order to mount an end plate or cap (not shown) over the end of the assembled side step. The end cap may be of metal or plastics material and may locate flush with the end of the extrusions, it may also extend to form flaps that attach to wheel guards (not shown) of the vehicle. Alternatively, the end cap may fit over the side step assembly and exterd along the outer surfaces of the extrusions for a distance to provide an end enclosure for the side step.

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It will be realised that the above has been given by way of illustrative example only and that the co-operating extrusions may be of much simpler construction and still form the same outward appearance of the side step and etill provide the same benefits in relation to the capability of achieving an optimum finish.

While it is preferred that the tread plate be mounted flush with the frame an alternative Arrangement is illustrated in Figure 4. Referring to Figures 4 and 5 where like numerals have been used to illustrate like features there is illustrated two alternative embodiments of the present invention.

In Figure 4 the side step assembly 10 is formed from extrusions 11 and 12. In this embodiment the extrusion 12 is secured to extrusion 11 by screws 36. In this embodiment the extrusion 11 does not have any surface recesses and the lower surface of the extrusion 12 merely abuts with the upper surface of the extrusion 11.

In Figure 4 the extrusion 11 is in a slightly modified form having a recess 37 which accommodates the extrusion 12.

The extrusiOn 12 is in this case a male member and the recess 37 is a female member. Screws 36 are used to secure the extrusion 12 in position.

From the foregoing, it will be realised that the present invention enables contrasting surface finish to be independently applied to the tread plate and the frame thereby providing a side step assembly that will retain its

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finish longer than was the case in the prior art.

Tread plates can also be exchanged, thus giving a variety of combinations of tread plates and frames. This greatly reduces the inventory of side step assemblies which retail outlets need have on hand and also increases the Iselection available to consumers.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention, many variations and II modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth.

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Claims

1. The combination of a vehicle and a vehicle side step assembly, the side step assembly being assembled from a side step frame and a tread plate, the side step frame being rigidly coupled to the vehicle and the tread plate being rigidly secured to the frame, the frame and side step each having generally planar surfaces vhich form a composite upper surface of the side step assembly, the composite upper surface being delineated into a plurality of subsurfaces defined by the juncture between the frame and the tread plate, the arrangement being that a surface finish has been applied to the subsurfaces of the tread plate and frame prior to the tread plate being secured to the frame, the surface finish applied to the frame involving a process which would, if applied to the tread plate prior to the tread plate finish bei j applied, adversely aff'ct the sdrface finish applied to the tread plate.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the frame in transverse cross-section includes an intermediate web section between reverse flangos, said tread plate being secured to said intermediate web section,

3. The combination according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said frame includes two said planar surfaces and a longitudinally extending recess between the planar surfaces, said tread plate Leing secured in said recess so that said planar surface zt said tread plate is contiguous with said two planar surfaces of said frame. S 4. The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 3 f7 LI_ wherein said tread plate and said frame include cooperating engagement members which secure the assembly toge-thox. The combination according to claim 4 wher 'in the engagement members comprise cooperating male and female members. 6,The combination according -to any one of claims I. to wherein the frame is secured to the vehicle via a, mounting brack~et, the frame including housings on a side opposit. said planar surfaces, said housings each receiving a fastener which secures the frame to the bracket,

7. The combination according to any one of cl~aims I to 6 wherein soid frame and said tread p3.at, are extruded sections, 0 8. The combination according to claim, lt ali' 2~ or claim 4 Iwo Q 0 a 3 Wherein the frame and tread plate are secured together by concealed fastener$, 91 The combinati'on according~ to any one of claim~s 1 to wherein the surf~o finish applied to the grame initolvod at shining proco~ss and tho surface finish applied to -th, ,ew 4 4~S plate involved a colouring process. The combination acordingj to o&.-nimt 4 or Ilm wherein said engagement members aro concoailed beneath oLcd tread plate,

11. The combinAation according to Any One 6f alalm§ I 3. S wherein the Side step frm- I iiascured to the vwhiola via a braokot. the br~acket being rigidly aodutod to th@ the hraekot having luoatloq slotoi sot~ t, I 13 positioned relative to the vehicle and fasteners rigidly securing the frame to the bracket through the locating slots in said bracket.

12. The combination of a vehicle and a vehicle side step assembly substantially as described with reference to the drawings, DATED this 27th day of October 1987. TJM PRODUCTS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys PETER MAXWELL ASSOCIATES 4 i i l I L