CA2911016C - Portable truck step - Google Patents
Portable truck step Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2911016C CA2911016C CA2911016A CA2911016A CA2911016C CA 2911016 C CA2911016 C CA 2911016C CA 2911016 A CA2911016 A CA 2911016A CA 2911016 A CA2911016 A CA 2911016A CA 2911016 C CA2911016 C CA 2911016C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tailgate
- mounting frame
- handle
- step assembly
- cargo area
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000009194 climbing Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- B60R3/02—Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Ulrich Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of accessories for trucks, in particular accessories to facilitate climbing in and out of cargo areas of trucks.
Background Small trucks colloquially known as pickup truck have been popular with consumers for a number of years. The usual configuration for these trucks include a passenger cab, behind which is located a cargo bed area. For ease of access to the cargo area most truck include a hinged tailgate that can be lowered to permit access to the cargo area, and then raised and locked in place to ensure that materials in the cargo area do not fall out during transport.
Generally, the tailgate lowers from a vertical to a horizontal position, such that the tailgate is at the same plane as the truck bed. However, in the open position the tailgate is positioned several feet above ground level making it difficult and sometimes impossible for users to gain easy access to the cargo area. This is particular a problem when materials being carried in the cargo area are not within the normal reach of the user, or where a user
A variety of more "permanent" solutions have been devised to permit more convenient access to the cargo area. These include a number of foldable step arrangements, as exemplified in US Patent Nos. 4194754, 3853369, 8444201, and 5549312. While these .. prior art devices provide a solution to the problem of allowing a user to step up into the cargo area, they all suffer from one or more limitations that detract from their utility. These include such flaws as: permanently mounted to the tailgate, such that they impede the ability to slide cargo out of the cargo area; mounting to the bumper making it impossible to use the step when the tailgate is in the open (horizontal) position;
mounting outside the cargo area, subjecting the apparatus to damage from road debris.
Thus, what is needed is a convenient and easy to deploy step that can be used to access the cargo area of a pickup truck, but which does not impede access or egress of material from the cargo area, and which can be safely stowed when not in use.
guide pivotally attaches to the mounting frame and accepts a support member that connects to a step portion of the apparatus. The guide includes a hollow channel through which the support member can pass, allowing the support member to slide and back and forth as the step is moved from the stowed to the deployed position and vice versa.
The step is generally in the shape of an open rectangle. The top edge of the step is shaped such that it can engage the edge of the tailgate when deployed. Side members extend downwards to connect with a bottom member, which is what the user will place their foot on when climbing in an out of the cargo area using the step device. The support member connects to one side of the top edge of the step, thus providing tension that supports the weight of the user when they are standing on the step.
Also pivotally attached to the mounting frame is a handle. The handle serves two purposes.
First, when the step is deployed the handle can be swung outward and used to assist and stabilize the user as they use the step to climb in and out of the cargo area.
Second, when the step is stowed, the handle can be swung inward and serves to secure the other components of the step for storage along the side wall of the truck bed.
Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of the apparatus as disclosed herein when in the deployed configuration.
Figure 2 depicts a side view of the apparatus as disclosed herein when in the stowed configuration.
Detailed Description of the Invention The present disclosure describes a foldable step to permit more convenient access and egress from the cargo area 110 of a pickup truck. In general, the step comprises a mounting frame 2, a support member 2, a handle 3, and a step 4 that engages the edge of a pickup truck tailgate 100 (Figure 1).
The mounting frame is the only part of the step apparatus that is secured to the truck, and is placed in such a way as to minimize any obstruction of the cargo bed area, unlike many prior art step devices.
Pivotally attached to the mounting frame is a guide member 7. In a preferred embodiment the guide member includes a flat portion that is secured to the mounting frame by a fastener that allows for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the fastener. In addition, the guide member will include a portion that is configured to accept a support member, the support member serving to connect the step part of the apparatus to the mounting frame. In some cases, the portion that accepts the guide member is tubular in shape and open at both ends so as to allow the support member to glide back and forth within the interior of the guide member tube as the step is move from the stowed to deployed positions and back again (Figure 1).
The support member comprises an elongate, substantially rigid member, that at one end connects to the step portion, and at the opposite end inserts into the tubular portion of the guide member. The support member will also include some form of a stop mechanism 8, such as flange or stop of some kind to prevent the support member from being completely pulled from the guide member. When the step is in use the stop provide a point of resistance such that the step will be maintained in a relatively fixed position with respect
In some embodiments, it will also be preferable to include a handle. In general, the handle can be pivotally attached to the mounting frame in such a way that it can swing in a plane generally parallel to the floor of the cargo area bed. When the step is in the deployed position, the handle can be move laterally such that it is positioned generally parallel with the edge of the tailgate on which the step is engaged, with some form of structure or stop designed to prevent the handle from being move past this point. When arranged in this way, the handle provides an object that a user can grasp in order to assist either in ascending or descending the step. The handle will assist the user in stabilizing themselves, making the apparatus safer to use than other prior art devices that lack a handle.
When the apparatus is placed in the stowed configuration, the handle is designed to be swung inwards and to engage and secure the other components of the step against in the inner aspect of the truck side wall (Figure 2).
With respect to the step portion of the apparatus, as seen in Figure 1, the step 4 can be formed in a generally rectangular shape. The step portion comprises a tailgate engagement member 9, configured to be placed and frictionally engage a pickup truck tailgate, when the tailgate is in the open (horizontal position). In some embodiments, the engagement member will have an L-shape, with one leg of the L able to position along the top edge of
Extending downward from the engagement members are two side members 10, one each positioned at opposite ends of the engagement member. The side members can be pivotally connected to the engagement member, such that they can rotate around the longitudinal axis of the fastener that connects each of them to the side members. The side members are in turn connected to each other at their opposite ends by a rung member 11, the rung member being the part of the apparatus that a user will step on or off of when using the apparatus.
By having the side members pivotally connected to the engagement, an additional advantage is gained in that the side members are able to move relative to the engagement member as the step is loaded or unloaded when a user steps on or off the rung.
In turn this allows the engagement member to maintain a generally fixed in place positioning with respect to the tailgate, thus providing maximal contact area of the engagement member to the tailgate when the step is in use. Maximizing contact area reduces the risk of movement of the engagement member relative to the tailgate while the step is in use, increasing safety .. and stability for a user as they climb up and down the step.
When deployed, the engagement member will be placed so as to engage the top edge of the tailgate in the crook of the L-shaped engagement member. The support member will
For stowage, the process is effectively reversed. Because the step is not fastened to the tailgate, once it is no longer needed, a user simply lifts the step portion to remove the engagement member from the tailgate. The step and its connected support member are then slid through the guide member in order to move the step portion from outside the cargo area into the interior of the cargo area. Conveniently, the step portion and guide member can be folder relative to each, and then rotated 90 in order to place the step portion up against the side wall of the cargo bed, as shown in Figure 2.
Further, as the step is secured by the handle, it is safely stowed and is not loose, preventing movement around the cargo areas, or potentially ejection as can occur with free ladders or steps that are simply put into the cargo area without being secured. In some embodiments the handle and its attachment to the mounting frame can include a detent mechanism such that the handle will generally remain in a desired position when moved to a detent corresponding to that handle position. Such detents can include spring loaded bearing and detents and like mechanisms.
The above description is intended to enable a person of skill in the art to practice the invention. It is not intended to detail all possible variations and modifications that might become apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the description of the invention as presented herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of any claims based on the description as provided herein.
Moreover, in interpreting both the description and any claims issuing therefrom, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-02 components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-02
Claims (7)
a step portion configured to engage the tailgate, the step portion further comprising a tailgate engagement member step that engages the trailing edge of the tailgate, a rung member, and a plurality of side members connecting the rung member to the tailgate engagement member;
a mounting frame, the mounting frame comprising at least one vertical member, and at least one horizontal member, the mounting frame configured to provide a point of securement for the portable step assembly to an interior aspect of a side wall of the cargo area;
a support member, the support member pivotally attached at one end of the tailgate engagement member and configured to connect the step portion to the mounting frame by way of a guide member mounted on the mounting frame, wherein the guide member comprises a hollow tube, the interior of the tube forming a passage that slidably engages the support member;
wherein the step assembly is adapted to be moved between a stowed condition and a deployed condition, and wherein when the step assembly is in the deployed condition the step portion hangs downward towards the ground and is Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-02 disposed to support substantially all the weight of a user as an aid for entry into, or egress from, the cargo area.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-02
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-02
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2911016A CA2911016C (en) | 2015-11-03 | 2015-11-03 | Portable truck step |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2911016A CA2911016C (en) | 2015-11-03 | 2015-11-03 | Portable truck step |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2911016A1 CA2911016A1 (en) | 2017-05-03 |
CA2911016C true CA2911016C (en) | 2024-01-09 |
Family
ID=58646031
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA2911016A Active CA2911016C (en) | 2015-11-03 | 2015-11-03 | Portable truck step |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CA (1) | CA2911016C (en) |
-
2015
- 2015-11-03 CA CA2911016A patent/CA2911016C/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2911016A1 (en) | 2017-05-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10173595B1 (en) | Portable truck step | |
US5816638A (en) | Pickup truck bed extender, ramp and tailgate | |
US4084713A (en) | Vehicle wheelchair ramp | |
US20220388825A1 (en) | Access deck assembly and handle assembly for an aerial work platform of a vehicle | |
US20100230209A1 (en) | Quick disconnect ladder assembly | |
CA1267642A (en) | Vehicle roof rack | |
US9022405B2 (en) | Retractable stair assembly for a truck or trailer | |
US8678411B2 (en) | Retractable stairs for a truck or trailer | |
US20180086391A1 (en) | Truck bed extender with webbing | |
US7216742B2 (en) | Ladder stabilizers | |
US8695760B2 (en) | Telescoping pull-down attic ladder | |
US4522441A (en) | Collapsible shelter | |
US6467433B1 (en) | Vehicle-mounted animal enclosure | |
WO2009067199A1 (en) | Compact truck tailgate and general purpose utility ladder | |
US10017092B1 (en) | Adjustable truckbed with extendable ramp | |
US9308869B1 (en) | Portable porch with integral stairs | |
US6170502B1 (en) | Collapsible portable camper system | |
EP2977268B1 (en) | Drop down ladder rack | |
US20090188754A1 (en) | Collapsible stepstool | |
WO2006132771A2 (en) | Mobile roof loading system | |
US20150259046A1 (en) | Portable boat ladder | |
US10143194B2 (en) | Vehicle mounted elevatable platform system | |
CA3004242A1 (en) | Ceiling ladder, deep step and method | |
US6173812B1 (en) | Recreational vehicle fire escape system | |
US20060108179A1 (en) | Portable vehicle ladder system and method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20180529 |
|
FZDC | Discontinued application reinstated |
Effective date: 20181026 |
|
FZDC | Discontinued application reinstated |
Effective date: 20190123 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |
|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20201029 |