초록 ▼

A retractable step construction with a drive means for achieving powered or automatic retraction and deployment in motor vehicles to provide access onto or into the motor vehicle such as an emergency apparatus, for example a fire truck, usable in areas having limited vertical dimensions. This constr

A retractable step construction with a drive means for achieving powered or automatic retraction and deployment in motor vehicles to provide access onto or into the motor vehicle such as an emergency apparatus, for example a fire truck, usable in areas having limited vertical dimensions. This construction includes a housing assembly with guide channels adapted to receive a step assembly movably mounted thereinto controlled by the inclusion of a linkage assembly connected to the drive means and the step for powering deployment and retraction thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An automated retractable step apparatus comprising: A. a housing assembly defining a retaining zone therewithin, said housing assembly further including: (1) a primary housing plate defining a housing slot means extending therethrough, said housing slot means defining a first end therein and furt

1. An automated retractable step apparatus comprising: A. a housing assembly defining a retaining zone therewithin, said housing assembly further including: (1) a primary housing plate defining a housing slot means extending therethrough, said housing slot means defining a first end therein and further defining a second end therein spatially disposed from said first end;(2) a guide channel means extending along said retaining zone defined within said housing assembly;B. a step assembly movably engaged with respect to said guide channel means defined within said retaining zone of said housing assembly, said step assembly being movable along said guide channel means between a retracted position within said retaining zone for storage and an extended position extending at least partially outwardly from said retaining zone to facilitate stepping upon said step assembly;C. a linkage assembly movably attached with respect to said step assembly and being operative to control movement thereof between said retracted position and said extended position, said linkage assembly being adapted to extend through said housing slot means and be movable therealong between said first end thereof and said second end thereof, the movable attachment of said linkage assembly with respect to said step assembly being operative to urge said step assembly to move to the extended position responsive to said linkage assembly being moved to a position within said housing slot means which is adjacent said first end thereof, furthermore the movable attachment of said linkage assembly with respect to said step assembly being operative to urge said step assembly to move to the retracted position responsive to said linkage assembly being moved to a position within said housing slot means which is adjacent said second end thereof; andD. a drive means operatively attached to said linkage assembly for powering movement thereof operative to power movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position. 2. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing slot means is longitudinal extending between said first end and said second end thereof and wherein said housing slot means extends longitudinally in a direction oriented approximately parallel to the direction of movement of said step assembly during movement thereof between said retracted position and said extended position. 3. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said step assembly further comprises a step support means affixed to said step assembly and extending therealong, said step support means being movably engaged with respect to said guide channel means of said housing assembly to facilitating guiding of movement thereof between said retracted position and said extended position. 4. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said guide channel means comprises: A. a first guide channel extending longitudinally along said retaining zone to facilitate guiding movement of said step assembly between said retracted position and said extended position; andB. a second guide channel extending longitudinally along said retaining zone at a position spatially disposed from said first guide channel to facilitate guiding movement of said step assembly between said retracted position and said extended position. 5. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said step support means includes: A. a first step support member affixed to and extending longitudinally along said step assembly and engageable with respect to said first guide channel to facilitate guiding movement of said step assembly between said retracted position and said extended position; andB. a second step support member affixed to and extending longitudinally along said step assembly at a position spatially disposed from said first step support member, said second step support member being engageable with respect to said first guide channel to further facilitate guiding movement of said step assembly between said retracted position and said extended position. 6. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said step assembly includes: A. a first spacer means positioned between said first step support member and said step assembly for maintaining desired spacing therebetween and controlling the lateral width of said step assembly to maintain engagement thereof with respect to said first guide channel and said second guide channel; andB. a second spacer means positioned between said second step support member and said step assembly for maintaining desired spacing therebetween and controlling the lateral width of said step assembly to maintain engagement thereof with respect to said first guide channel and said second guide channel. 7. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a linear actuator. 8. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing assembly includes a plurality of thermoplastic guide pins mounted within said guide channel means to facilitate sliding movement of said step assembly during movement thereof with respect to said guide channel means as said step assembly moves between said retracted position and said extended position. 9. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing assembly includes a thermoplastic guide support mounted within said guide channel means to facilitate sliding movement of said step assembly during movement thereof with respect to said guide channel means as said step assembly moves between said retracted position and said extended position. 10. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said linkage assembly includes: A. a pivot support plate attached with respect to said housing assembly and extending outwardly therefrom; andB. a mounting bracket fixedly secured to said housing assembly, said pivot support plate being attached to said housing assembly by being fixedly secured to said mounting bracket and extending outwardly therefrom. 11. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said mounting bracket is fixedly secured to said primary housing plate of said housing assembly and said support plate is fixedly secured to said mounting bracket. 12. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said pivot support plate defines a first pivot support plate aperture means and a second pivot support plate aperture means and a third pivot support plate aperture means, said second pivot support plate aperture means and said third pivot support plate aperture means being immediately adjacent said mounting bracket to facilitate securement of said pivot support plate thereto, said first pivot support plate aperture means being positioned spatially disposed from said mounting bracket. 13. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said linkage assembly further includes a pivot pin means extending through said first pivot support plate aperture means outwardly away from said pivot support plate. 14. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said linkage assembly further includes: A. a first securement pin extending through said second pivot support plate aperture means to facilitate securement of said pivot support plate with respect to said mounting bracket; andB. a second securement pin extending through said third pivot support plate aperture means to further facilitate securement of said pivot support plate with respect to said mounting bracket. 15. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said linkage assembly includes: A. a first lower inner link arm pivotally attached with respect to said step assembly and extending outwardly away therefrom;B. a second lower inner link arm pivotally attached with respect to said first lower inner link arm and also pivotally attached with respect to said step assembly, said second lower inner link arm extending outwardly away from said step assembly in a direction spatially disposed from said first lower inner link arm;C. a first lower outer link arm pivotally secured to said first lower inner link arm and extending outwardly away therefrom; andD. a second lower outer link arm pivotally secured to said second lower inner link arm and extending outwardly away therefrom, said second lower outer link arm and said first lower outer link arm both being pivotally secured with respect to said pivot pin means and with respect to one another. 16. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said linkage assembly further includes; A. a first upper linkage arm pivotally attached to said drive means and extending outwardly therefrom, said first upper linkage arm being movable responsive to actuation of said drive means; andB. a second upper linkage arm pivotally attached to said drive means to be movable responsive to actuation thereof, said second upper linkage arm extending outwardly away from said drive means in a direction spatially disposed from said first upper linkage arm. 17. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said linkage assembly further comprises: A. a first lower linkage drive pin attached to said first upper linkage arm to be movable therewith, said first lower linkage drive pin attached to said first lower outer link arm for powering movement of said linkage assembly to facilitate movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position; andB. a second lower linkage drive pin attached to said second upper linkage arm to be movable therewith, said second lower linkage drive pin attached to said second lower outer link arm for powering movement of said linkage assembly to further facilitate movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position. 18. An automated retractable step apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said step assembly includes a rear step surface oriented facing said linkage assembly and wherein said linkage assembly includes a step bracket fixedly secured to said rear step surface and pivotally attached to said first lower inner link arm and said second lower inner link arm to facilitate powering of movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position. 19. An automated retractable step apparatus comprising: A. a housing assembly defining a retaining zone therewithin, said housing assembly further including: (1) a primary housing plate defining a housing slot means extending therethrough, said housing slot means defining a first end therein and further defining a second end therein spatially disposed from said first end, said housing slot means being longitudinal and extending between said first end and said second end thereof;(2) a guide channel means extending along said retaining zone defined within said housing assembly;B. a step assembly movably engaged with respect to said guide channel means defined within said retaining zone of said housing assembly, said step assembly being movable along said guide channel means between a retracted position within said retaining zone for storage and an extended position extending at least partially outwardly from said retaining zone to facilitate stepping upon said step assembly, said step assembly including a step support means affixed to said step assembly and extending therealong, said step support means being movably engaged with respect to said guide channel means of said housing assembly to facilitating guiding of movement thereof between said retracted position and said extended position, said step assembly including a rear step surface thereon;C. a drive means comprising a linear actuator for powering movement said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position;D. a linkage assembly movably attached with respect to said step assembly and being operative to control movement thereof between said retracted position and said extended position, said linkage assembly being adapted to extend through said housing slot means and be movable therealong between said first end thereof and said second end thereof, the movable attachment of said linkage assembly with respect to said step assembly being operative to urge said step assembly to move to the extended position responsive to said linkage assembly being moved to a position within said housing slot means which is adjacent said first end thereof, furthermore the movable attachment of said linkage assembly with respect to said step assembly being operative to urge said step assembly to move to the retracted position responsive to said linkage assembly being moved to a position within said housing slot means which is adjacent said second end thereof, said linkage assembly including; (1) a pivot support plate attached with respect to said housing assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, said pivot support plate defining a first pivot support plate aperture means and a second pivot support plate aperture means and a third pivot support plate aperture means; and(2) a mounting bracket fixedly secured to said housing assembly, said pivot support plate being attached to said housing assembly by being fixedly secured to said mounting bracket and extending outwardly therefrom, said mounting bracket being fixedly secured to said primary housing plate of said housing assembly and said support plate being fixedly secured to said mounting bracket, said second pivot support plate aperture means and said third pivot support plate aperture means being immediately adjacent said mounting bracket to facilitate securement of said pivot support plate thereto, said first pivot support plate aperture means being positioned spatially disposed from said mounting bracket;(3) a pivot pin means extending through said first pivot support plate aperture means outwardly away from said pivot support plate;(4) a first lower inner link arm pivotally attached with respect to said step assembly and extending outwardly away therefrom;(5) a second lower inner link arm pivotally attached with respect to said first lower inner link arm and also pivotally attached with respect to said step assembly, said second lower inner link arm extending outwardly away from said step assembly in a direction spatially disposed from said first lower inner link arm;(6) a first lower outer link arm pivotally secured to said first lower inner link arm and extending outwardly away therefrom;(7) a second lower outer link arm pivotally secured to said second lower inner link arm and extending outwardly away therefrom, said second lower outer link arm and said first lower outer link arm both being pivotally secured with respect to said pivot pin means and with respect to one another;(8) a first upper linkage arm pivotally attached to said drive means and extending outwardly therefrom, said first upper linkage arm being movable responsive to actuation of said drive means;(9) a second upper linkage arm pivotally attached to said drive means to be movable responsive to actuation thereof, said second upper linkage arm extending outwardly away from said drive means in a direction spatially disposed from said first upper linkage arm;(10) a first lower linkage drive pin attached to said first upper linkage arm to be movable therewith, said first lower linkage drive pin attached to said first lower outer link arm for powering movement of said linkage assembly to facilitate movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position;(11) a second lower linkage drive pin attached to said second upper linkage arm to be movable therewith, said second lower linkage drive pin attached to said second lower outer link arm for powering movement of said linkage assembly to further facilitate movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position; and(12) a step bracket fixedly secured to said rear step surface and pivotally attached to said first lower inner link arm and said second lower inner link arm to facilitate powering of movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position. 20. An automated retractable step apparatus comprising: A. a housing assembly defining a retaining zone therewithin, said housing assembly further including: (1) a primary housing plate defining a housing slot means extending therethrough, said housing slot means defining a first end therein and further defining a second end therein spatially disposed from said first end, said housing slot means being longitudinal and extending between said first end and said second end thereof;(2) a guide channel means extending along said retaining zone defined within said housing assembly, said guide channel means comprising: a. a first guide channel extending longitudinally along said retaining zone to facilitate guiding movement therewithin;b. a second guide channel extending longitudinally along said retaining zone at a position spatially disposed from said first guide channel to facilitate guiding movement therewithin;(3) thermoplastic guide means positioned within said first guide channel and said second guide channel to facilitate gliding movement therealong;B. a step assembly movably engaged with respect to said guide channel means defined within said retaining zone of said housing assembly, said step assembly being movable along said guide channel means between a retracted position within said retaining zone for storage and an extended position extending at least partially outwardly from said retaining zone to facilitate stepping upon said step assembly, said step assembly including a step support means affixed to said step assembly and extending therealong, said step support means being movably engaged with respect to said guide channel means of said housing assembly to facilitating guiding of movement thereof between said retracted position and said extended position, said step assembly including a rear step surface thereon, said step support means further including: (1) a first step support member affixed to and extending longitudinally along said step assembly and engageable with respect to said first guide channel to facilitate guiding movement of said step assembly between said retracted position and said extended position; and(2) a second step support member affixed to and extending longitudinally along said step assembly at a position spatially disposed from said first step support member, said second step support member being engageable with respect to said first guide channel to further facilitate guiding movement of said step assembly between said retracted position and said extended position;C. a drive means comprising a linear actuator for powering movement said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position;D. a linkage assembly movably attached with respect to said step assembly and being operative to control movement thereof between said retracted position and said extended position, said linkage assembly being adapted to extend through said housing slot means and be movable therealong between said first end thereof and said second end thereof, the movable attachment of said linkage assembly with respect to said step assembly being operative to urge said step assembly to move to the extended position responsive to said linkage assembly being moved to a position within said housing slot means which is adjacent said first end thereof, furthermore the movable attachment of said linkage assembly with respect to said step assembly being operative to urge said step assembly to move to the retracted position responsive to said linkage assembly being moved to a position within said housing slot means which is adjacent said second end thereof, said linkage assembly including; (1) a pivot support plate attached with respect to said housing assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, said pivot support plate defining a first pivot support plate aperture means and a second pivot support plate aperture means and a third pivot support plate aperture means;(2) a mounting bracket fixedly secured to said housing assembly, said pivot support plate being attached to said housing assembly by being fixedly secured to said mounting bracket and extending outwardly therefrom, said mounting bracket being fixedly secured to said primary housing plate of said housing assembly and said support plate being fixedly secured to said mounting bracket, said second pivot support plate aperture means and said third pivot support plate aperture means being immediately adjacent said mounting bracket to facilitate securement of said pivot support plate thereto, said first pivot support plate aperture means being positioned spatially disposed from said mounting bracket;(3) a pivot pin means extending through said first pivot support plate aperture means outwardly away from said pivot support plate;(4) a first lower inner link arm pivotally attached with respect to said step assembly and extending outwardly away therefrom;(5) a second lower inner link arm pivotally attached with respect to said first lower inner link arm and also pivotally attached with respect to said step assembly, said second lower inner link arm extending outwardly away from said step assembly in a direction spatially disposed from said first lower inner link arm;(6) a first lower outer link arm pivotally secured to said first lower inner link arm and extending outwardly away therefrom;(7) a second lower outer link arm pivotally secured to said second lower inner link arm and extending outwardly away therefrom, said second lower outer link arm and said first lower outer link arm both being pivotally secured with respect to said pivot pin means and with respect to one another;(8) a first upper linkage arm pivotally attached to said drive means and extending outwardly therefrom, said first upper linkage arm being movable responsive to actuation of said drive means;(9) a second upper linkage arm pivotally attached to said drive means to be movable responsive to actuation thereof, said second upper linkage arm extending outwardly away from said drive means in a direction spatially disposed from said first upper linkage arm;(10) a first lower linkage drive pin attached to said first upper linkage arm to be movable therewith, said first lower linkage drive pin attached to said first lower outer link arm for powering movement of said linkage assembly to facilitate movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position;(11) a second lower linkage drive pin attached to said second upper linkage arm to be movable therewith, said second lower linkage drive pin attached to said second lower outer link arm for powering movement of said linkage assembly to further facilitate movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position;(12) a step bracket fixedly secured to said rear step surface and pivotally attached to said first lower inner link arm and said second lower inner link arm to facilitate powering of movement of said step assembly between said extended position and said retracted position;(13) a first securement pin extending through said second pivot support plate aperture means to facilitate securement of said pivot support plate with respect to said mounting bracket; and(14) a second securement pin extending through said third pivot support plate aperture means to further facilitate securement of said pivot support plate with respect to said mounting bracket.