GB2129378A - Step for caravans and other vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The step comprises spaced pairs of parallel links (4, 5) supporting the step (1) from beneath the floor of the vehicle and capable of being locked in both the retracted and the operative position by spring-loaded latch member (10) released by the user. The step (1) is preferably tilted back in the retracted position, and when it is in the position of use the parallel links (4, 5) are in contact with one another for added rigidity. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Steps for caravans and other vehicles This invention relates to a retractable step for caravans and other similar vehicles where it is necessary that the step should be folded or otherwise retracted for travel, but then easily brought into use to help access to the door of the caravan when it is stationary.

There have been many such proposals before.

In some the step folds up inside the doorway; in others it slides out of the way under the floor of the caravan. Yet others both fold and slide.

However, despite the numerous proposals that there have been, stretcning back over fifty or more years, the existence of drawbacks in all of them is underlined by the fact that in practice most users of caravans rely simply on a loose portable step or upturned box placed in front of the doorway. Such a loose step has the obvious disadvantages of easily tipping up if a foot is placed near the edge, and of being kicked aside by mistake. Equally, the known folding and/or sliding built-in steps are in some cases liable to tip up inadvertently if the user places the weight of his foot near the rear edge. Those which retract by sliding give rise to difficulties of jamming as a resuit of corrosion or damage.

Another drawback of the known retractable steps is that of mounting. Generally speaking, the underside of the floor of a caravan is flat but there is a downward-extending flange at the outer end that prevents a simple horizontally sliding step being mounted directly under the floor. Packing is necessary, and designs which attempt to overcome this problem often end up having excessive depth even in the folded position, reducing the ground clearance of the caravan during travel.

The aim of the invention is to provide a novel design of step for caravans and similar vehicles, which is simple, low in cost and rugged, yet secure in use and takes up the minimum of space with the maximum of safety.

According to the invention this is achieved by mounting the horizontal step plate on spaced pairs of parallel or substantially parallel links that allow it to be moved between an advanced operative position and a retracted position beneath the floor of the van, and providing a spring-loaded manually disengaged detent mechanism that positively locks the linkage both in the advanced in the retracted position. This positive locking in both positions ensures first that the step cannot inadvertently tilt or shift in use and equally that when retracted for travel, it cannot inadvertently move to a potentially dangerous position.

Preferably the detent mechanism comprises a latch with two spaced notches, one of which engages a pin on the linkage in the operative position and the other engages the same pin in the retracted position. The detent is released, against the spring loading, by the user's hand or foot and it is placed so that it cannot be moved by mistake. To ensure total rigidity there are preferably latches on both sides, connected together by a spindle or crossbar.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a sectional side elevation (the section being in its vertical plane of symmetry), a plan and a front view of the step assembly.

The step itself, shown at 1, is preferably an aluminium alloy extrusion with a ribbed upper surface and held between a pair of angle-section side members 2 and 3 by means of which it is pivotally connected to respective pairs of parallel links 4, 5 at each side. These links are in their turn pivotally connected at points 6 and 7, both vertically and vertically spaced apart, on spaced mounting plates 8. The mounting plates are of angle section and can be secured to the underside of the floor of a caravan by coach bolts 9, with steel plates underhead, passing through holes drilled in the floor just inside the doorway.

It will be noted that, although the links 4 and 5 are parallel in the operative or advanced position of the step, indeed they are in contact with one another along the greater part of their lengths for added rigidity, the placing of the points 6 and 7 is such that the links are not parallel in the restricted position of the step, shown in broken lines. They cause the step to tilt back as it moves in under the floor of the caravan. This gives maximum ground clearance where it matters most, near the side wall of the caravan, whilst taking advantage of the greater depth available anyway nearer to the deep longitudinal chassis member usually present beneath the floor away from the side. At the same time the mounting of the step and its movement are not obstructed by the downward-extending flange usually present at the junction between the side wall and floor.

Two detent levers 10 are present, one at each side, joined by a crossbar 11 and pivoted on the respective pivots 6. Arms 12 on each pivot are coupled to the respective levers and are engaged by helical coil tension springs 13, the lower ends of which are connected to anchorages 14 on the side members 2 and 3 of the step. The left-hand arm (as viewed in Figure 3) also carries a second arm 1 5 that is turned outward to form a footengageable pedal.

Each iever 10 has two spaced notches 1 6 and 1 7. When the step in its operative position shown in full lines the notch 1 6 engages over a pin 18 on the adjacent link 4, and locks the linkage securely and rigidly in the position shown. Only when the user takes positive action to push on the pedal 1 5 and turn the two levers counter-clockwise (as viewed in Figure 1) against the pull of the springs 1 3 can he shift the step to the retracted position, and when this position is reached the same pins 1 8 are automatically re-engaged, this time by the other notches 1 7. Thus the step is securely locked in each of the two positions and can only be released from either by positive and deliberate action on the part of the user.Moreover in each position it is held at both sides; in particular with the step in the advanced position it cannot tilt or skew. Yet the construction is simple and rugged, low in cost, the capable of being fitted by unskilled persons to most types of caravan without difficulty. Equally well it could be fitted as original equipment.

Claims (Filed on 8.12.82) 1. A folding and retractable step for a vehicle comprising a horizontal step plate mounted on two spaced pairs of parallel or substantially parallel links that allow it to be moved between an advanced operative position and a retracted position beneath the floor of the vehicle, and including a spring-loaded manually disengaged detent mechanism that positively locks the linkage both in the advanced and in the retracted position.

2. A step according to claim 1 in which the detent mechanism comprises a latch with two spaced notches, one of which engages a pin on the linkage or step plate in the operative position and the other of which engages a pin on the linkage or step plate in the retracted position.

3. A step according to claim 2 in which there are latches of the said kind associated with each of the said pairs of links, the two latches being coupled together for simultaneous operation.

4. A folding and retractable step for a vehicle substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. action on the part of the user. Moreover in each position it is held at both sides; in particular with the step in the advanced position it cannot tilt or skew. Yet the construction is simple and rugged, low in cost, the capable of being fitted by unskilled persons to most types of caravan without difficulty. Equally well it could be fitted as original equipment. Claims (Filed on 8.12.82)

1. A folding and retractable step for a vehicle comprising a horizontal step plate mounted on two spaced pairs of parallel or substantially parallel links that allow it to be moved between an advanced operative position and a retracted position beneath the floor of the vehicle, and including a spring-loaded manually disengaged detent mechanism that positively locks the linkage both in the advanced and in the retracted position.

2. A step according to claim 1 in which the detent mechanism comprises a latch with two spaced notches, one of which engages a pin on the linkage or step plate in the operative position and the other of which engages a pin on the linkage or step plate in the retracted position.

3. A step according to claim 2 in which there are latches of the said kind associated with each of the said pairs of links, the two latches being coupled together for simultaneous operation.

4. A folding and retractable step for a vehicle substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.