GB2536245A

GB2536245A - Step assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2536245A
Application number: GB1504022.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chacksfield Simon
Original assignee: SG Technical Systems Ltd
Current assignee: SG Technical Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-10
Filing date: 2015-03-10
Publication date: 2016-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-10
Also published as: GB2536245B; GB201504022D0

Abstract

An assembly of a foldable step 20 and a housing 10 into which the step assembly can slide (figures 3 and 4) when folded. The housing is dimensioned to locate within a similarly sized recess formed in the floor 12 of a platform such as a vehicle floor so that when installed the upper surface of the housing lies substantially flush with the upper surface of the platform. The assembly may comprise side rails (30, figure 5) to either side of the housing, with the step being provided with corresponding slide carriages (32). The slide carriages may be pivotally connected to side arms 18 to either side of the step, with foldable braces 22 serving to keep the step in the horizontal position when in use. When not required the step may be turned to lie parallel with the side arms, before both are pivoted back to the horizontal position so as to be slid into the housing. The step, when located in the housing, is intended to provide less of a hazard and be less likely to get dirty or wet.

Description

STEP ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a step assembly inter a/ia for providing access to and from a platform such as a floor of a vehicle. More especially but not exclusively the invention concerns a foldable step assembly for providing 10 such access.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

To provide access to and from a vehicle such as a van or mini bus, some form of step assembly is frequently required. On occasions these assemblies are connected to the vehicle through pivots which enable the step assembly to be folded and stored on the vehicle floor when not in use. The presence of such an assembly within the vehicle presents a hazard to people travelling within the vehicle.

On other occasions external exposed or partially exposed steps are provided. These become slippery during inclement weather thereby presenting a hazard to people seeking to enter or leave the vehicle. They can also present a hazard to other road users and pedestrians.

Steps which locate in housings mounted under a vehicle's body are also known. These rapidly collect dirt and suffer the effects of corrosion leading often to the steps becoming jammed in their housings. Also, the housings themselves are prone to damage as and when the vehicle travels over raised items such as speed bumps.

This invention sets out to provide a step assembly which can be stored without presenting inter alia one or more of the hazards described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides an assembly of a foldable step and a housing into and from which the step can slide when folded, the housing being dimensioned to locate within a similarly sized recess formed in the floor of a platform such as a vehicle floor so that, when installed, the upper surface of the housing lies substantially flush with the upper surface of the platform.

In another aspect, the invention provides an assembly of a foldable step member and a housing into one open end of which the step member can slide when folded, the housing including side pieces which extend alongside the sides of the step member when positioned in the housing and between the rear and the open end of the housing, a side rail extending alongside each side piece and a slide carriage which connects each side of the foldable step member to the side rails, the step member comprising side arms connected through pivots one to each slide carriage and at least one step supported between the side arms, and means for enabling the step to move between positions in which it is generally parallel to the side rails and in which it is generally normal to the side rails.

The step member may include foldable bracing members each connected through pivots to one of the side arms and to one side of the step thereby enabling the step to fold from an open position to a position generally parallel to the side arms for ease of storage of the step member within the housing.

Preferably the housing is dimensioned to locate within a 5 similarly sized recess formed in the floor of a vehicle whereby the upper surface of the housing lies substantially flush with the vehicle floor.

When installed, the housing is preferably secured to the 10 vehicle floor.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a foldable step assembly for a platform, the assembly comprising a housing open at one end and dimensioned to be inset into the upper surface of the platform with its upper surface generally flush with the upper surface of the platform, the housing including side pieces which extend alongside the sides of the step member when positioned in the housing and between the rear and the open end of the housing, a side rail extending alongside each side piece and a slide carriage which connects each side of the foldable step member to the side rails, the step member comprising side arms connected through pivots one to each slide carriage and at least one step supported between the side arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only 30 with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a step assembly in accordance with invention with the step member of the assembly deployed; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in Figure 1 with the step member partially folded; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the step assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the step member positioned prior 10 to entry into a housing which forms part of the assembly; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the step assembly with the step member installed within the housing; Figure 5 is an isometric view from above of the illustrated housing with the step assembly positioned within the housing and with the upper surface of the housing removed; Figure 6 is an isometric view from above of the illustrated housing with the step assembly deployed; and Figure 7 is a side view of the step assembly as illustrated in Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The step assembly illustrated in the Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings includes a housing (10) open at one end (10a) which locates within a recess formed in the cover surface of the floor (12) of a vehicle with the upper surface of the housing generally flush with the floor surface (12). The under surface of the housing (10) locates on and can be secured to the metal floor of the vehicle on which the floor cover is positioned.

The step assembly comprises two slide carriages (14) each connected through a pivot (16) to one of a pair of side 5 arms (18) between which a step (20) is supported.

Foldable braces (22) extend between the side arms (18) and side fixings (24) of the step (20). Each brace (22) is foldable through a pivot (26) to enable the step (20) to 10 adopt the position shown in Figure 2.

As will be seen from Figure 3, the step (20) and side arms (18) can rotate about the pivots (16) to a position in which the step (20) is ready for location within the housing (10) simply by pushing in the direction indicated by arrow A thereby causing each side arm (14) to enter and locate fully within the housing (10). The step;20) of the assembly is then in the position shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

In this way, the assembly of the step and side arms can be stored internally within the housing without presenting a hazard to passengers of the vehicle.

The way in which the step assembly is enabled to enter and leave the open end (10a) of the housing will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7 of the drawings.

As will be seen from these Figures, the housing includes side rails (30) which extend alongside the two sides of the step (20) when the latter is positioned within the housing (10). A slide carriage (32) extends alongside each side rail (30) and is connected to one of the two side arms (18) of the step through a pivot (34).

In the position shown in Figure 5 the step (20) is housed 5 entirely within the housing 10 with the lower edge (36) of the step (20) generally positioned within the open end (10a) of the housing.

Fabric straps (38) protrude from the lower edge (36) to 10 enable the step (20) to be pulled out from the housing and be deployed.

As will be seen from Figure 5, a magnet (40) is embedded in the/or each slide carriage (32) and co-operates with a 15 sensor (42) located in the housing to indicate when the step (20) is properly stowed in the housing.

A rubber or rubber like end stop (44) is provided to assist location of the step within the housing and one or more ball spring plungers (46) are positioned close to the rear end of the housing and co-operate with recesses formed in each slide carriage to hold the step in place when stowed.

As will be seen from Figure 6, as the step is slid from the housing so the side arms (18) rotate acomatically about their respective pivots (16) to deploy the step (20) in the illustrated position.

As shown in Figure 7, each slide carriage (32) includes front end trim (48) machined from steel to prevent deflection of the front edge of the housing deflecting downwards. Any such deflection could prevent the step from being stowed within the housing.

Stop plates (50) are provided along each brace (22) which "lock out" when the step platform reaches horizontal.

In use, when not required, the step is located within the housing and away from any potential contact with passengers of the vehicle. Because the upper surface of the housing (10) is flush with the floor of the vehicle, the step does not present any threat the vehicle passengers.

As and when required, the step assembly is slid from the housing using the straps (38). When no longer required, the step assembly is folded as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and then slid fully into the housing. When properly stowed within the housing, a signal is sent from the sensor (42) to the vehicle operator to confirm that the step assembly is properly and safely stowed.

In an unillustrated embodiment the side rails are generally of tubular construction and the slide carriages extend through side openings of the side rails and can slide within the rails to move the step assembly towards and away from the rear wall of the housing.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of step assemblies in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims. Thus, the platform need not be the floor of a vehicle, simply any raised surface. Also the step assembly may include two or more steps.

Claims

CLAIMS1.An assembly of a foldable step and a housing into and from which the step can slide when folded, the housing being dimensioned to locate within a similarly sized recess formed in the floor of a platform such as a vehicle floor so that, when installed, the upper surface of the housing lies substantially flush with the upper surface of the platform.
2.An assembly of a foldable step member and a housing into one open end of which the step member can slide when folded, the housing including side pieces which extend alongside the sides of the step member when positioned in the housing and between the rear and the open end of the housing, a side rail extending alongside each side piece and a slide carriage which connects each side of the foldable step member to the side rails, the step member comprising side arms connected through pivots one to each slide carriage and at least one step supported between the side arms, and means for enabling the step to move between positions in which it is generally parallel to the side rails and in which it is generally normal to the side rails.
3.An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the step member includes foldable bracing members each connected through pivots to one of the side arms and to one side of the step thereby enabling the step to fold from an open position to a position generally parallel to the side arms for ease of storage of the step member within the housing.
4.An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing is dimensioned to locate within a similarly sized recess formed in the floor of a vehicle whereby the upper surface of the housing lies substantially flush with the vehicle floor.
5.An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, when installed, the housing is secured to the vehicle floor.
6. A foldable step assembly for a platform, the assembly comprising a housing open at one end and dimensioned to be inset into the upper surface of the platform with its upper surface generally flush with the upper surface of the platform, the housing including side pieces which extend alongside the sides of the step member when positioned in the housing and between the rear and the open end of the housing, a side rail extending alongside each side piece and a slide carriage which connects each side of the foldable step member to the side rails, the step member comprising side arms connected through pivots one to each slide carriage and at least one step supported between the side arms.