CA1219020A - Truck step - Google Patents
Truck stepInfo
- Publication number
- CA1219020A CA1219020A CA000468861A CA468861A CA1219020A CA 1219020 A CA1219020 A CA 1219020A CA 000468861 A CA000468861 A CA 000468861A CA 468861 A CA468861 A CA 468861A CA 1219020 A CA1219020 A CA 1219020A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- channel
- front bumper
- shaft portion
- brackets
- bracket
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R3/00—Arrangements of steps or ladders facilitating access to or on the vehicle, e.g. running-boards
- B60R3/007—Removable steps or ladders, e.g. foldable
Abstract
"A TRUCK STEP"
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A step for the front bumper of a vehicle comprises a pair of brackets which can be mounted one on either side of the front bumper with each bracket providing a vertical channel for receiving a square section rod of a removable step portion. The square section rod is bent at right angles to provide a horizontal support for a plate-like step. The brackets can thus remain in posi-tion on the front bumper and the step portion applied to either bracket or removed.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A step for the front bumper of a vehicle comprises a pair of brackets which can be mounted one on either side of the front bumper with each bracket providing a vertical channel for receiving a square section rod of a removable step portion. The square section rod is bent at right angles to provide a horizontal support for a plate-like step. The brackets can thus remain in posi-tion on the front bumper and the step portion applied to either bracket or removed.
Description
~2~
"A TRUCK STEP"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
___ _ __ _ _______ ________ This invention relates to a truck step and particu-larly one which can be removed from an operating position.
In recent years "cab-over" trucks have become increasingly popular where the cab is arranged directly over the front axle and engine of the truck. This creates a situation where the front face of the vehicle is substan-tially vertical and includes the windows or windscreen of the vehicle through which the driver looks while driving the vehicle.
It is, of course, of paramount importance for a professional driver to maintain the windscreen of his vehicle clean so that it is fully transparent and does not provide any impediment to proper driving vision.
Furthermore, trucks of this type have an increased tendency for flying insects and other materials to collect on the windscreen thus increasing the importance of regular cleaning.
The height of trucks of this type, of course, is determined by the positioning of the engine and front axle but in almost all cases the windscreen is above the level which can be normally reached while standing on the ground. In order to clean the windscreen, therefore, it has been necessary ~or the driver or garage attendant to stand on the bumper at the front of the truck which is, of course, very narrow, and to hang on to the front of the vehicle with one hand while attempting to clean the windscreen with the other hand. This has generally been a most unsatisfactory situation in that the effectiveness of the cleaning is reduced due to the inability to apply sufficient force to the windscreen and also the difficulty of remaining in the precarious position has been uncom-fortable and, to some extent, dangerous. All of these factors have reduced the effectiveness and frequency of the cleaning of the windscreen and thus can impair the driver's vision.
~ t is one object of the present invention, there-fore, to provide a step which can be used in conjunction with the front bumper to assist in cleaning the windscreen of a cab-over truck of this type.
According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a kit of parts for attachment to the front bumper of a truck to provide a step comprising a bracket having openings by which the bracket can be bolted to the front bumper, the bracket defining a vertical non-circular opening therein and a step member separate from said bracket and having a vertical non-circular shaft portion for insertion into said opening whereby the shaft portion is prevented from rotating relative to said opening and is maintained thereby in a substantially vertical orien-: tation, a support portion extending substantially at right ;!Z~
angles to the shaft portion so as in use to extend out-wardly from said front bumper and a plate-like step portion arranged on said support portion so as to extend outwardly from the sides thereof in a substantially horizontal plane.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for attachment to the front bumper of a truck to provide steps whereby windows above the front bumper can be cleaned, the kit of parts comprising a pair of brackets each defining a substantially vertical rectangular channel and having flanges on either side of the channel whereby the channel can be bolted to the front bumper in the vertical orientation and a step member for attachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brackets and having a vertical rectangular shaft portion for insertion into said channel, a pin extending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent substan-tially at right angles to form a support portion which extends outwardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion arranged on said support portion upon which the user can stand.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a truck having a front bumper and windows above the front bumper and including a pair of brackets each defining a substantially vertical rectangular channel and having flanges on either side of the channel whereby the channel can be bolted to the front bumper in the verti-~ 2 ~ 0 cal orientation and a step member for attachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brackets and having a vertical rectangular shaft portin for insertion into said channel, a pin extending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent substantially at right angles to form a support portion which extends outwardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion arranged on said support portion upon which the user can stand.
The step, according to the invention, can therefore be attached to the truck at the front bumper without in any way presenting a dangerous projection from the front bumper, which would not be acceptable or could cause damage to persons or property contacted by the bumper.
At the same time the step can be readily placed into posi-tion on the front bumper and readily removed firstly at one side and then at the other to clean the two halves of the windscreen. The brackets which in practise remain with the front bumper can be manufactured from a chromed material and thus present a pleasing appearance not in any way detracting from the normal chrome surface of the front bumper.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantage as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invetnion relates as this specification proceeds, ~9o~
the invention is herein described by reference to the ac-companying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE D~AWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of the cab of a truck including the step according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the step of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the step of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the step of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A truck cab generally indicated at 10 of the cab-over type provides a front face 11 of the truck which is substantially vertical and includes the wlndscreen 12.
Thus the driver generally sits over the engine and front axle. The front face also includes a bumper 13, the height and size of which is generally controlled by regulations but is usually of the order of two inches in width, thus defining an upper horizontal surface 14. The height of the bumper must match the height of other motor vehicles.
The windscreen 12 is generally of a height of ~Z1~ )20 about seven feet from the ground in view of the geometry of the engine and front axle so that the windscreen can-not l~lgVZV
be reached readily by a person standing on the ground.
Attached to the front bumper is a pair of brackets 15 and 16, the first of which is at the left hand end of the bumper approximately one-quarter the distance across the front face of the truck, and the bracket 16 is arranged at the right hand side, again approximately one-quarter the distance across the truck face. A step portion 17 is shown in Figure 1 attached to one of the brackets and it will be appreciated that this piece can be removed and placed in the other bracket 15 or removed entirely from the brackets and placed in the cab for future use.
Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, the bracket 15 comprises a central square section tube portion 151 and a pair of flanges 152, 153 welded on the outer sides of the tube portion 151 in line with one side of the tube portion 151. The flanges 152, 153 include a pair of holes 154 by which the bracket can be bolted to the bumper by suitable bolts.
The step portion 17 comprises a square rod 171 which is bent at right angles to provide a step support portion 172 and a vertical shaft portion 173. The shaft portion 173 is of the same cross-sectional shape as the tube 151 so that the shaft can slide downwardly inside the tube until a pin 174 engages the top edge of the tube 151. The pin 174 can be removed and positioned in one of a plurality of holes 175 transversely across the shaft ~219QZO
portion 173. A step plate 176 is welded on the horizontal portion 172 so as to define a horizontal step of suffi-cient width to comfortably receive both feet of the user.
In use, therefore, the step can be positioned in either of the brackets simply by sliding the shaft por-tion downwardly into the tube oE the bracket to a height adjusted by the pin 174 following which the driver or garage attendant, or other person, may stand on the step and conveniently clean the windscreen. Following use of the step, it can be fully removed from the brackets and returned to the interior of the vehicle so that it does not present a dangerous projection on the front of the vehicle.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
~J
"A TRUCK STEP"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
___ _ __ _ _______ ________ This invention relates to a truck step and particu-larly one which can be removed from an operating position.
In recent years "cab-over" trucks have become increasingly popular where the cab is arranged directly over the front axle and engine of the truck. This creates a situation where the front face of the vehicle is substan-tially vertical and includes the windows or windscreen of the vehicle through which the driver looks while driving the vehicle.
It is, of course, of paramount importance for a professional driver to maintain the windscreen of his vehicle clean so that it is fully transparent and does not provide any impediment to proper driving vision.
Furthermore, trucks of this type have an increased tendency for flying insects and other materials to collect on the windscreen thus increasing the importance of regular cleaning.
The height of trucks of this type, of course, is determined by the positioning of the engine and front axle but in almost all cases the windscreen is above the level which can be normally reached while standing on the ground. In order to clean the windscreen, therefore, it has been necessary ~or the driver or garage attendant to stand on the bumper at the front of the truck which is, of course, very narrow, and to hang on to the front of the vehicle with one hand while attempting to clean the windscreen with the other hand. This has generally been a most unsatisfactory situation in that the effectiveness of the cleaning is reduced due to the inability to apply sufficient force to the windscreen and also the difficulty of remaining in the precarious position has been uncom-fortable and, to some extent, dangerous. All of these factors have reduced the effectiveness and frequency of the cleaning of the windscreen and thus can impair the driver's vision.
~ t is one object of the present invention, there-fore, to provide a step which can be used in conjunction with the front bumper to assist in cleaning the windscreen of a cab-over truck of this type.
According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a kit of parts for attachment to the front bumper of a truck to provide a step comprising a bracket having openings by which the bracket can be bolted to the front bumper, the bracket defining a vertical non-circular opening therein and a step member separate from said bracket and having a vertical non-circular shaft portion for insertion into said opening whereby the shaft portion is prevented from rotating relative to said opening and is maintained thereby in a substantially vertical orien-: tation, a support portion extending substantially at right ;!Z~
angles to the shaft portion so as in use to extend out-wardly from said front bumper and a plate-like step portion arranged on said support portion so as to extend outwardly from the sides thereof in a substantially horizontal plane.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for attachment to the front bumper of a truck to provide steps whereby windows above the front bumper can be cleaned, the kit of parts comprising a pair of brackets each defining a substantially vertical rectangular channel and having flanges on either side of the channel whereby the channel can be bolted to the front bumper in the vertical orientation and a step member for attachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brackets and having a vertical rectangular shaft portion for insertion into said channel, a pin extending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent substan-tially at right angles to form a support portion which extends outwardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion arranged on said support portion upon which the user can stand.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a truck having a front bumper and windows above the front bumper and including a pair of brackets each defining a substantially vertical rectangular channel and having flanges on either side of the channel whereby the channel can be bolted to the front bumper in the verti-~ 2 ~ 0 cal orientation and a step member for attachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brackets and having a vertical rectangular shaft portin for insertion into said channel, a pin extending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent substantially at right angles to form a support portion which extends outwardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion arranged on said support portion upon which the user can stand.
The step, according to the invention, can therefore be attached to the truck at the front bumper without in any way presenting a dangerous projection from the front bumper, which would not be acceptable or could cause damage to persons or property contacted by the bumper.
At the same time the step can be readily placed into posi-tion on the front bumper and readily removed firstly at one side and then at the other to clean the two halves of the windscreen. The brackets which in practise remain with the front bumper can be manufactured from a chromed material and thus present a pleasing appearance not in any way detracting from the normal chrome surface of the front bumper.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantage as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invetnion relates as this specification proceeds, ~9o~
the invention is herein described by reference to the ac-companying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE D~AWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of the cab of a truck including the step according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the step of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the step of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the step of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A truck cab generally indicated at 10 of the cab-over type provides a front face 11 of the truck which is substantially vertical and includes the wlndscreen 12.
Thus the driver generally sits over the engine and front axle. The front face also includes a bumper 13, the height and size of which is generally controlled by regulations but is usually of the order of two inches in width, thus defining an upper horizontal surface 14. The height of the bumper must match the height of other motor vehicles.
The windscreen 12 is generally of a height of ~Z1~ )20 about seven feet from the ground in view of the geometry of the engine and front axle so that the windscreen can-not l~lgVZV
be reached readily by a person standing on the ground.
Attached to the front bumper is a pair of brackets 15 and 16, the first of which is at the left hand end of the bumper approximately one-quarter the distance across the front face of the truck, and the bracket 16 is arranged at the right hand side, again approximately one-quarter the distance across the truck face. A step portion 17 is shown in Figure 1 attached to one of the brackets and it will be appreciated that this piece can be removed and placed in the other bracket 15 or removed entirely from the brackets and placed in the cab for future use.
Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, the bracket 15 comprises a central square section tube portion 151 and a pair of flanges 152, 153 welded on the outer sides of the tube portion 151 in line with one side of the tube portion 151. The flanges 152, 153 include a pair of holes 154 by which the bracket can be bolted to the bumper by suitable bolts.
The step portion 17 comprises a square rod 171 which is bent at right angles to provide a step support portion 172 and a vertical shaft portion 173. The shaft portion 173 is of the same cross-sectional shape as the tube 151 so that the shaft can slide downwardly inside the tube until a pin 174 engages the top edge of the tube 151. The pin 174 can be removed and positioned in one of a plurality of holes 175 transversely across the shaft ~219QZO
portion 173. A step plate 176 is welded on the horizontal portion 172 so as to define a horizontal step of suffi-cient width to comfortably receive both feet of the user.
In use, therefore, the step can be positioned in either of the brackets simply by sliding the shaft por-tion downwardly into the tube oE the bracket to a height adjusted by the pin 174 following which the driver or garage attendant, or other person, may stand on the step and conveniently clean the windscreen. Following use of the step, it can be fully removed from the brackets and returned to the interior of the vehicle so that it does not present a dangerous projection on the front of the vehicle.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
~J
Claims
CLAIMS:
(1) A kit of parts for attachment to the front bumper of a truck to provide steps whereby windows above the front bumper can be cleaned, the kit of parts compris-ing a pair of brackets each defining a substantially rec-tangular channel providing an opening at one end face of the bracket and each having a pair of flanges extending to respective sides of the channel whereby the channel can be bolted to the front bumper in a vertical orientation with the opening facing upwardly and a step member for at-tachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brackets and having a vertical rigid rectangular shaft portion with a lower end thereof arranged for insertion vertically downwardly through said opening into said channel, means extending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said lower end of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent at an upper end thereof above said bracket at right angles to form a support portion which extends outwardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion fixedly mounted on top of said support portion upon which the user can stand.
(2) A truck having a front bumper and windows above the front bumper and including a pair of brackets each defining a substantially vertical rectangular channel providing an opening in an upper face of the bracket and each having a pair of flanges extending to respective sides of the channel by which the channel is bolted to the front bumper and a step member for attachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brac-kets and having a vertical rectangular shaft portion with a lower end thereof arranged for insertion vertically down-wardly through said opening into said channel, means ex-tending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said lower end of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent at an upper end thereof above said bracket substantially at right angles to form a support portion which extends out-wardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion fixedly mounted on top of said support portion upon which the user can stand.
(1) A kit of parts for attachment to the front bumper of a truck to provide steps whereby windows above the front bumper can be cleaned, the kit of parts compris-ing a pair of brackets each defining a substantially rec-tangular channel providing an opening at one end face of the bracket and each having a pair of flanges extending to respective sides of the channel whereby the channel can be bolted to the front bumper in a vertical orientation with the opening facing upwardly and a step member for at-tachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brackets and having a vertical rigid rectangular shaft portion with a lower end thereof arranged for insertion vertically downwardly through said opening into said channel, means extending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said lower end of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent at an upper end thereof above said bracket at right angles to form a support portion which extends outwardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion fixedly mounted on top of said support portion upon which the user can stand.
(2) A truck having a front bumper and windows above the front bumper and including a pair of brackets each defining a substantially vertical rectangular channel providing an opening in an upper face of the bracket and each having a pair of flanges extending to respective sides of the channel by which the channel is bolted to the front bumper and a step member for attachment to one or other of the brackets, the step member being separate from the brac-kets and having a vertical rectangular shaft portion with a lower end thereof arranged for insertion vertically down-wardly through said opening into said channel, means ex-tending transversely to said shaft portion so as to limit the extent of insertion of said lower end of said shaft portion into said channel, said shaft portion being bent at an upper end thereof above said bracket substantially at right angles to form a support portion which extends out-wardly from said front bumper in use and a plate-like step portion fixedly mounted on top of said support portion upon which the user can stand.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000468861A CA1219020A (en) | 1984-11-28 | 1984-11-28 | Truck step |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000468861A CA1219020A (en) | 1984-11-28 | 1984-11-28 | Truck step |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1219020A true CA1219020A (en) | 1987-03-10 |
Family
ID=4129243
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000468861A Expired CA1219020A (en) | 1984-11-28 | 1984-11-28 | Truck step |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1219020A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6994362B2 (en) * | 2003-05-02 | 2006-02-07 | Allan Eugene Foster | Attachment means for facilitating user access to vehicle platforms |
| US20220073004A1 (en) * | 2020-09-08 | 2022-03-10 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Combined vehicle climbing ladder and recovery board |
-
1984
- 1984-11-28 CA CA000468861A patent/CA1219020A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6994362B2 (en) * | 2003-05-02 | 2006-02-07 | Allan Eugene Foster | Attachment means for facilitating user access to vehicle platforms |
| US20220073004A1 (en) * | 2020-09-08 | 2022-03-10 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Combined vehicle climbing ladder and recovery board |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |