GB2530657A

GB2530657A - Step assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2530657A
Application number: GB1515139.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Kirkwood; Jonathan Charles Lewis Edwards
Original assignee: BRI STOR SYSTEMS Ltd; CP Witter Ltd
Current assignee: BRI STOR SYSTEMS Ltd; CP Witter Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-02
Filing date: 2015-08-26
Publication date: 2016-03-30
Also published as: GB201515139D0; GB201415463D0

Abstract

A step assembly 10 including a base frame 14 mountable to the rear of a vehicle such as a van 12(see figure 13), and a step member 16. The step member 16 is mounted to the base frame 14 so as to be moveable between an out of use position clear of a tow bar 20 on the rear of the van 12 and an in use position extending above the tow bar. The step assembly may obstruct the rear door or doors of the vehicle when in the stored position and may be retained in this position by a locking arrangement configured to be automatically engageable upon the moving of the step member in and out of positions. Further embodiments may feature a grip enhanced surface, integrated electronic connectors and parking sensors suitable for the step member. Furthermore anti vibration mountings may be implemented in the step assembly and be made of resilient members.

Description

Step Assembly This invention concerns a step assembly, and particularly a step assembly for vans and other vehicles, and also a vehicle including such a step assembly.

Vans and other vehicles used for instance by utility companies, often have a rear step to aid access into the vehicle. Such vehicles are also often provided with a rear coupling such as a tow bar to enable trailers, equipment or other items to be towed behind the vehicle.

Such a coupling can often act as an obstruction or hazard to a person entering or exiting the rear of the vehicle. This can lead to injury, and particularly for instance if a person in the vehicle catches the coupling in their trouser leg or otherwise, which can result in a fall from the vehicle and potential injury.

The term "tow coupling" when used in this specification is to be understood as covering a tow bar or other tow hitch systems which enable an item to be towed behind a vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a step assembly, the assembly including a base frame mountable to the rear of a vehicle, and a step member, the step member being movably mounted to the base frame so as to be movable between an out of use position clear of a tow coupling on the rear of the vehicle, and an in use position extending above the tow coupling.

The step member may be pivotally mounted to the base frame, and may be pivotally mounted in use adjacent the rear of a vehicle.

The step assembly may be configured such that when mounted to a vehicle, the rear door or doors of the vehicle can only be opened when the step member is in an in use position, and when the step member is in an out of use position the step member obstructs the rear door or doors of a vehicle thereby preventing opening thereof.

The step assembly may comprise a locking arrangement for selectively retaining the step member in respectively either of the in use or out of use position.

The locking arrangement may be configured so as to be automatically engageable upon the step member moving respectively to either of the in use or out of use positions.

A manually engageable release member may be provided to permit the step member to be moved away from either of the in use or out of use positions.

A grip enhancing finish may be provided on an upper surface of the step member, and the finish may comprise a plurality of upstanding projections.

The base frame may include mountings for service connections such as electrical connections.

An opening may be provided in the step member to permit access therethrough to the tow coupling when the step member is in the in use position.

Two or more spaced openings may be provided in the step member to permit an item to be mounted thereto when the step member is in the in use position. Sockets may be provided in the base member locatable beneath the two or more spaced openings in the step member when in the in use position, to receive items extending through the spaced openings.

One or more reversing sensors may be provided on the step member, and the step assembly may be configured such that said reversing sensors are only operable when the step member is in the in use position, and a switch may be provided with which the step member is engageable when in the in use position.

Engagement members may be provided engageable between the base frame and step member when the latter is in the in use and/or out of use positions, to provide a positive positioning of the step member. The engagement members may comprise a sprung trapped ball on a one of the step member or base member, engageable with a corresponding formation on the other of the step member or base member, which formation may be in the form of a hole.

The step assembly may include anti-vibration mountings engageable between the step member and base member when the step member is in the in use position. The anti-vibration mountings may comprise respective resilient members on the step member and base member which are inter engageable.

The step member may extend across a substantial part of the width of the rear of the vehicle.

Alignable openings may be provided respectively on the base frame and step member, which are alignable when the step member is in the out of use position, to enable a locking member to extend therethrough to prevent the step member from moving to the in use position.

Respective alignable openings may be provided on the base frame and step member adjacent each respective end thereof.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle including a step assembly according to any of the preceding sixteen paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective rear view of a first step assembly according to the invention in an out of use position; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the assembly of Fig. 1 in an out of use position; Fig. 3 is a view from beneath of the assembly of Fig. I in an out of use position; Fig. 4 is an end view of the assembly of Fig. 1 in an out of use position; Figs. 5 -8 are respectively similar views to Figs. 1 -4 of the assembly of Fig. 1 but in an in use position; Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 5 but incorporating an additional component mounted to the step assembly; Figs. 10 -12 are similar views respectively to Figs. 2 -4 of a second step assembly according to the invention in an out of use position; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of a vehicle including the second step assembly in an out of use position; Fig. 14 is a similar view to Fig. 13 but with the step assembly in an in use position; Fig. 15 is a similar view to Fig. 1 but of a third step assembly according to the invention; and Fig. 16 is a detailed view of part of Fig. 15.

Figs. 1 -9 show a first step assembly 10 mountable for instance on the rear of a van 12 of the type for instance shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The assembly 10 comprises a base frame 14 and a step member 16 pivotally mounted to the base frame 14 about horizontal axes 18 adjacent in use to the van 12. In Figs. 1 -9 a tow bar 20 mountable to a van 12 is shown, and as can be seen the step assembly 10 is mounted adjacent to and either side of the tow bar 20 with the step member 16 extending thereabove.

The step member 16 is selectively movable between an out of use position as shown in Figs. 1 -4, and an in use position shown in Figs. 5 -9.

The step member has a top surface 22 with upstanding projections 24 thereon to aid grip. The top surface 22 is rectangular, and rear corners 26 thereof are angled off. Side walls 28 extend downwardly from the top surface 22, and four reversing sensors 30 are provided in the rear most side wall 28.

An arcuate bracket 32 extends from the two side walls 28 adjacent the axes 18. Respective notches 34 are provided at each end of the arcuate bracket 32, and two spaced holes 36 are provided between the notches 34.

The notches 34 at one end of the assembly 10 are selectively engageable with a sprung locking member 38 in the form of a horizontally aligned flat bar 40 with a cranked end 42. The locking member 38 is selectively engageable with a respective one of the notches 34 when the step member is in either the in use or out of use position, and the bar 40 is resiliently urged by a spring 44 to engage with a one of the notches 34 when aligned therewith. The bar 40 away from the cranked end 42, is pivotally mounted to a horizontal bracket 46 on a cross member of the base frame 14.

The bar 40 extends through a slot 48 in an end pad 50 of the base frame 14.

Positive engagement members 52 are provided engageable between the base frame 14 and step member 16 when the latter is respectively in the in use or out of use positions. The engagement members 52 comprise a trapped ball (not visible) spring urged extending out of a container 56 which extends through the respective end part 50, and the trapped ball is respectively engageable with a respective one of the holes 36.

A central oval opening 58 is provided in the step member 16 which permits the tow bar 20 therebeneath to be viewed and accessed if required when the step member 16 is in an in use position. A spaced pair of square openings 60 are provided in the step member 16 of either side of the oval opening 58 and towards the front of the step member 16.

The base frame comprises front plates 62 and profiled rear plates 64 interconnected by the end parts 50 and other cross members 66. The base frame 14 is profiled to provide sufficient space around the tow bar 20 for an item to be towed to have lateral clearance when turning relative to the van 12.

A pair of square cross section sockets 68 are provided mounted to the front plates 62 in positions corresponding to the square openings 60. The openings 60 and sockets 68 permit an item to be mounted on the step member 16 such as for example a support frame 70 as shown in Fig. 9. Such a frame 70 could for example mount a vice or other tool or support to enable parties to work at the rear of the van 12.

Anti-vibratory engagement mountings 72 are provided extendible between the base frame 14 and step member 16 when the latter is in the in use position. The anti-vibration engagement mountings 72 comprise upstanding resilient material pins 74 on the base frame 14 which are engageable with resilient material sockets 76 provided in corresponding positions on the underside of the step member 16.

An isolator switch 78 is provided on a one of the cross members 66, and is engageable with the step member 16 when the latter is in an in use position. The switch 78 is arranged so as to isolate the reversing sensors 30 other than when the step member 16 is in an in use condition.

Figs. 10 -14 show a second step assembly 80. The assembly 80 is quite similar to the step assembly 10 and will not therefore described in detail.

The step assembly 80 is similar in most respects to the step assembly 10 and similar reference numerals have therefore been used. The step member 16 of the assembly 80 is however wider, and essentially extends for substantially the whole width of the rear doors of the van 12.

In use, when the step member 16 is moved to a respective one of the in use or out of use positions, positive engagement in a correct position will be provided by the engagement members 52, with the trapped balls engaging with the respective holes 16. The locking member 28 will also engage with a respective one of the notches 34 and automatically lock therein by virtue of the spring 44.

If the step assembly is in an out of use position as shown for instance in Fig. 13, free access is provided to the tow bar 20, but the location of the step member 16 prevents opening of the doors 82 at the rear of the van 12.

The assembly 10 can be moved to the in use position of the step member 16 by releasing the bar 40 from the respective notch 34 and pivoting the step member 16 downwardly such that a positive engagement will be obtained by the respective trapped balls, and the locking member 38 will be automatically engaged.

In this condition as shown for example in Fig. 14, the rear doors 82 of the van 12 can be opened, and the step member 16 can be used to enter or exit the van. The step member 16 provides full protection from the tow bar 20 thereby preventing a party from potentially injuring themselves by abutting or tripping over or similar against the tow bar 20.

As indicated in Fig. 9, the first step assembly 10 can permit a support frame 70 to be mounted on the step member 16 to permit work to be carried out. The base frame 14 is formed such that services such as electrical connections or air connections etc. can be mounted thereto and can also be protected by the step member 16 when in the in use position.

There is thus described a step assembly which is automatically engageable in an in use position where protection is provided from the tow bar or other coupling, and free access is provided to the rear of the van. The step member can be manually released from an in use position and moved up to an out of use position in which free access can be gained to the tow bar. In this position as shown in Fig. 13 the step member 16 obstructs the rear doors of the van 12 thereby preventing a person from abutting against the tow bar.

The assemblies automatically lock in either a position where the step member is usable and access is prevented to the tow bar, or in a position where access is permitted to the tow bar but the step member cannot be used, nor can the doors be opened. This therefore means that safe working arrangements are automatically ensured.

Figs. 15 and 16 show a third step assembly 90 which is similar to the assemblies 10 and 80 except as follows. In this instance a further opening 92 is provided in the arcuate bracket 32 which is alignable when the step member 16 is in an out of use position, with an opening 94 in the base frame 14. This enables a locking member (not shown) such as a padlock or similar to lockably extend therethrough to lock the step member 16 in an out of use position. This provides additional security to for instance the van 12 in preventing the rear doors 82 from being opened outwardly.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the base frame may be configured differently, and particularly for different models of vans or other vehicles. A different finish may be provided to the top surface of the step member to aid grip thereon. Different retaining or locking arrangements may be provided for maintaining the step member in out of use or in use positions.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A step assembly, the assembly including a base frame mountable to the rear of a vehicle, and a step member, the step member being movably mounted to the base frame so as to be movable between an out of use position clear of a tow coupling on the rear of the vehicle, and an in use position extending above the two coupling.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the step member is pivotally mounted to the base frame.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which the step member is pivotally mounted to the base frame, and may be pivotally mounted in use adjacent the rear of a vehicle.
4. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the step assembly is configured such that when mounted to a vehicle, the rear door or doors of the vehicle can only be opened when the step member is in an in use position, and when the step member is in an out of use position the step member obstructs the rear door or doors of a vehicle thereby preventing opening thereof.
5. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the step assembly comprises a locking arrangement for selectively retaining the step member in respectively either of the in use or out of use position.
6. An assembly according to claim 5, in which the locking arrangement is configured so as to be automatically engageable upon the step member moving respectively to either of the in use or out of use positions. I1
7. An assembly according to claims 5 or 6, in which a manually engageable release member is provided to permit the step member to be moved away from either of the in use or out of use positions.
8. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which a grip enhancing finish is provided on an upper surface of the step member.
9. An assembly according to claim 8, in which the grip enhancing finish comprises a plurality of upstanding projections.
10. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the base frame includes mountings for service connections such as electrical connections.
11. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which an opening is provided in the step member to permit access therethrough to the tow coupling when the step member is in the in use position.
12. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which two or more spaced openings are provided in the step member to permit an item to be mounted thereto when the step member is in the in use position.
13. An assembly according to claim 12, in which sockets are provided in the base member locatable beneath the two or more spaced openings in the step member when in the in use position, to receive items extending through the spaced openings.
14. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which one or more reversing sensors are provided on the step member.
15. An assembly according to claim 14, in which the step assembly is configured such that said reversing sensors are only operable when the step member is in the in use position.
16. An assembly according to claim 15, in which a switch is provided with which the step member is engageable when in the in use position.
17. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which engagement members are provided engageable between the base frame and step member when the latter is in the in use and/or out of use positions, to provide a positive positioning of the step member.
18. An assembly according to claim 17, in which the engagement members comprise a sprung trapped ball on a one of the step member or base member, engageable with a corresponding formation on the other of the step member or base member.
19. An assembly according to claim 18, in which the corresponding formation is in the form of a hole.
20. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the step assembly includes anti-vibration mountings engageable between the step member and base member when the step member is in the in use position.
21. An assembly according to claim 20, in which the anti-vibration mountings comprise respective resilient members on the step member and base members which are inter engageable.
22. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the step member extends across a substantial part of the width of the rear of the vehicle.H
23. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which alignable openings are provided on the base frame, and step member, which are alignable when the step member is in the out of use position, to enable a locking member to extend therethrough to prevent the step member from moving to the in use position.
24. An assembly according to claim 23, in which respective alignable openings are provided on the base frame and step member adjacent each respective end thereof.
25. A vehicle including a step assembly according to any of the preceding claims.
26. A step assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.