US1104374A - Folding car-step. - Google Patents

Description

D. L. MILLER, F. T. LOBAGHflz O. P. PETERS.

FOLDING UAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1913.

1,104,874. Patented July 21, 1914.

DAVID L. MILLER, FRED T. LOBACH, AND CHARLES F.

PENNSYLVANIA.

PETERS, 0F EGYPT,

FOLDING GAR-STEP.

ioness.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 21, 1914s.

Application filed August 25, 1913. Serial No. 786,544.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, DAVID L. MILLER, Fen) T. lioBAci-i, and CHARLES F. PETERS, citizens of the United States, residing at Egypt, in the county of Lehigh, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Car- Steps; and we do hereby declare the followiug to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding car steps.

The disadvantages of the present method of providing a temporary step for the space which must necessarily be provided between the bottom fixed step of the car and the ground are very well known.

The object of the invention therefore is to obviate the necessity for using the present box or other support placed on the ground, by providing a step attached to the stationary steps of the car and so arranged that it may be readily folded to lie thereunder and present no obstruction, the object further contemplating the provision of such a device which is readily and easily operated.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of such a device which is of such simple structure that it is durable in use and may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel combination, formation and arrangement of parts to be more fully hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the platform steps of the car, showing the improved folding step applied thereto, and in folded relation, Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the step moved to open position, Fig. 3 is a top plan view of what is shown in 1, Fig. d is a side elevational view of themovable step. showing the side other than that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the hinge elements, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the other hinge element.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, wherein is illustrated the preferred form of the invention, a portion of the car platform is designated at 5. Depending from the platform are the side members or stringers 6 of theusual stationary steps thereof and between which are secured the tread portions 7 The movable step comprises a riser 8 and a tread 9. For pivotally connecting these members together and to the stationary steps, a plate 10 is positioned at and secured to each end of the riser, said plate extending past the upper end of the riser and terminating in a lateral extension 11 and said plate terminating short of the lower end of the riser and provided with a lateral extension 12. Pivoted to the outer face of each stringer 6 is a plate 13 from the lower end of which extends a pint-1e l l passed through an opening in the lateral extension 11. Secured to each end of the tread is a similar plate having a pintle 15 extending through the extension 12.

Thus it is seen that a hinge structure is provided. which braces the ends of the riser, which is simple in structure and easy to assemble and it is further observed that by this hinge structure the riser 8 and tread 9 are prevented from swinging outwardly past their normal position. A collapsible brace 16 is also provided and pivotally secured at 17 at its ends to the adjacent ends of the tread and riser.

For actuating the movable step to extended or folded position, a link 18 is pivotally secured to the forward portion of one end of the tread and pivoted to the link is a lever 19 which extends along one riser and above the same, terminating in a handle portion 20. A guide 21 embraces the lever and is secured to the riser adjacent its upper end. A second guide 22 is disposed adjacent the lower end of the riser. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, when the steps are in closed position, the guide 22 embraces the upper end of the link 18. In opening or unfolding the step, the lever 19 is pushed downwardly, causing the riser to swing outwardly on its pivot. In this movement the bracket 22 prevents the tread from moving relatively to the riser. en the riser has been swung outwardly a suflicient distance, "be pivotal connection of the lever 19 and link passes the bracket 22 and the link is thus free to swing and move the tread portion outwardly to the extended position shown in Fig. 2. For holding the lever in either limit of motion, the upper portion thereof is provided with a pair of spaced notches 23 and a foot operated spring pawl 24: is secured to the car platform 25 for collectively engaging one of the notches.

From the foregoing it is observed that a very simple structure has been provided which is easily operated and which is durable and efiicient in operation. It will be understood that various minor changes and modifications within the scope of the appended claims may be made without cleparting in any manner from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An extension ear step comprising the combination with stationary steps, of a riser pivoted thereto, a tread pivoted to the lower; end of the riser, a link pivoted to the forward portion of the tread, a lever slidably mounted at the side of the stationary steps. and having pivotal connection with the link and a bracket on the side of the steps adapted to embrace the link when the steps are in closed position and to guide the link during a portion of its movement.

2. An extension car step comprising the combination with stationary steps, of plates secured to the sides thereof and provided with outwardly extending pint-les, a riser, a member secured to each end of the riser, a member secured to each end of the'riser and having one end extending past the riser and directed laterally and having its other end terminating short of the riser and directed laterally, a tread portion provided with outwardly extending pintles passed through the last-named end of the member and the first-mentioned pintles being passed through the other end of the member.

In testimony whereof, we ali ix our signatures, in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID L. MILLER. FRED T. LOBAOH. CHARLES F. PETERS.

Witnesses:

HENRY 0. Born, ALFRED J. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 6,

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