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A retractable stair system for vehicles. The apparatus includes stairs which are retractable into a frame, or extendable to provide a set of stairs with relatively uniform height therebetween. Indexing plates with locking notches and companion latches with latch tongues to fit in the notches enable

A retractable stair system for vehicles. The apparatus includes stairs which are retractable into a frame, or extendable to provide a set of stairs with relatively uniform height therebetween. Indexing plates with locking notches and companion latches with latch tongues to fit in the notches enable adjustment of the height of a top step S1 in a set of steps in an extensible-retractable stairs assembly. Extensible legs are provided which are individually vertically adjustable to provide secure engagement with an uneven substrate such as rocky ground or a sloping surface. Foot pads are pivotally attached to the extensible legs. The combination of vertical adjustability, the selection of a desired number of stairs, and individual top stair height adjustability, make the unit adaptable for use in a variety of vehicles.

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1. A retractable stair system for a vehicle, comprising: a frame, said frame comprising a first side plate and a second side plate, said first and second side plates located at a first frame side and at a second frame side, respectively, and spaced apart by longitudinal structural members, said firs

1. A retractable stair system for a vehicle, comprising: a frame, said frame comprising a first side plate and a second side plate, said first and second side plates located at a first frame side and at a second frame side, respectively, and spaced apart by longitudinal structural members, said first side plate and said second side plate each further including (a) first edgewalls defining an annular arc slide guide cutout therein, and (b) second edgewalls defining a recessed latch finger cutout therein;a first keeper plate and a second keeper plate, said first keeper plate and said second keeper plate pivotally affixed to said frame at said first frame side and at second frame side, respectively;a first indexing plate and a second indexing plate, said first indexing plate and said second indexing plate pivotally affixed to said frame at a first frame side and at a second frame side, respectively, and each of said first indexing plate and said second indexing plate further comprising an arcuate upper surface having a plurality of locking notches downwardly recessed therein; anda first latch and a second latch, said first latch and said second latch each having a pivot neck, and pivotally affixed at said pivot neck to said frame at said first frame side and at said second frame side, respectively, and each of said first latch and said second latch further comprising a downwardly extending latch tongue sized and shaped for interfitting locking engagement with said locking notches in said first indexing plate and said second indexing plate, respectively. 2. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: at least one keeper longitudinal stiffener, said at least one keeper longitudinal stiffener extending between said first keeper plate and said second keeper plate; andwherein said at least one keeper longitudinal stiffener is sized and shaped to keep said first and second keeper plates adjacent said first and second indexing plates, respectively, so as to prevent slippage of said latch tongue of said first latch with respect to said first indexing plate, and of said latch tongue of said second latch with respect to said second indexing plate, when said latch tongue of said first latch and said latch tongue of said second latch are latched in one of said recessed locking notches in said first indexing plate and in said second indexing plate, respectively. 3. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: (a) a first flat bar arm having a proximal end securely attached to said first keeper plate, and a distal end that extends outwardly from said first keeper plate;(b) a second flat bar arm, said second flat bar arm having a proximal end securely attached to said second keeper plate, and a distal end that extends outwardly from said second keeper plate; and(c) wherein said first flat bar arm and said second flat bar arm are configured for arcuate movement in concert with said first keeper plate and said second keeper plate, respectively. 4. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: (a) a first adapter bracket having a proximal end pivotally attached at or near said distal end of said first flat bar arm, and a distal end that extends outwardly from said first flat bar arm; andb) a second adapter bracket having a proximal end pivotally attached at or near said distal end of said second flat bar arm, and a distal end that extends outwardly from said second flat bar arm. 5. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first adapter bracket and said second adapter bracket each comprise a generally L-shaped ear portion at said proximal end thereof, respectively, and wherein said first adapter bracket is pivotally attached to said first flat bar arm at said ear shaped portion of said first adapter bracket, and wherein said second adapter bracket is pivotally attached to said second flat bar arm at said ear shaped portion of said second adapter bracket. 6. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 5, further comprising: extensible-retractable scissors stair assembly, said extensible-retractable stair assembly comprising a first scissors assembly and a second scissors assembly, said first scissors assembly and said second scissors assembly affixed to said first adapter bracket and to said second adapter bracket, respectively. 7. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first scissors assembly and said second scissors assembly each comprises a plurality of outward elements and a plurality of downward elements, and wherein said first scissors assembly and said second scissors assembly are spaced apart by a number N of stairs S in a series of stairs S1 to SN, wherein N is a positive integer between two and six inclusive, and wherein each of said stairs S is securely affixed between selected outward elements of said first scissors assembly and said second scissors assembly. 8. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said stairs S in said series of stairs S1 to SN further comprises an upper surface, and wherein said upper surface further comprises a non-skid surface portion. 9. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a first extensible support leg and a second extensible support leg, and wherein said first extensible leg is extendable to a selected height HF1, and wherein said second extensible support leg is extendable to a selected height HF2, and wherein said first extensible support leg and said second extensible support leg are independently extendable, so that selected height HF1 and selected height HF2 may be the same or different. 10. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said first and second extensible support legs comprise an upper support member having a tubular portion with interior sidewalls, said upper support member having a plurality of generally vertically disposed holes through said tubular portion defined by edgewalls therein, anda lower support member, said lower support member sized and shaped for sliding engagement within said upper support member, and further comprising an outwardly biased detent sized and shaped to fit in one of said holes in said tubular portion; andwherein said selected height HF1 and selected height HF2 are each adjustable by manipulation of said detent to change the position of said lower support member within said upper support member, so as to lengthen or shorten the selected height HF1 or selected height HF2. 11. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said first and second extensible support legs further comprise a foot pad, said foot pad pivotally connected to said lower support member. 12. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 10, wherein each of said foot pads comprises a substrate engaging surface, and wherein said foot pads are each affixed to said lower support member so that a majority of said substrate engaging surface is located inwardly toward said stairs. 13. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first and second indexing plates comprise a first recessed locking notch, a second recessed locking notch, a third recessed locking notch, and a fourth recessed locking notch;wherein said first side plate includes a top;wherein said second side plate includes a top; andwherein adjustment of said latch tongue of said first latch and of said latch tongue of said second latch to said second recessed locking notch adjusts the stair S1 to a height HSA below the top of said first side plate and below the top of said second side plate. 14. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first and second indexing plates comprise a first recessed locking notch, a second recessed locking notch, a third recessed locking notch, and a fourth recessed locking notch;wherein said first side plate includes a top;wherein said second side plate includes a top; andwherein adjustment of said latch tongue of said first latch and of said latch tongue of said second latch to said third recessed locking notch adjusts the stair S1 to a height HSB below the top of said first side plate and below the top of said second side plate. 15. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first and second indexing plates comprise a first recessed locking notch, a second recessed locking notch, a third recessed locking notch, and a fourth recessed locking notch;wherein said first side plate includes a top;wherein said second side plate includes a top; andwherein adjustment of said latch tongue of said first latch and of said latch tongue of said second latch to said fourth recessed locking notch adjusts the stair S1 to a height HSC below the top of said first side plate and below the top of said second side plate. 16. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first and second indexing plates comprise a plurality of working recessed locking notches;wherein said first side plate includes a top;wherein said second side plate includes a top; andwherein adjustment of said latch tongue of said first latch and of said latch tongue of said second latch to one of said plurality of working recessed locking notches adjusts said stair S1 to a height HS below the top of said first side plate and below the top of said second side plate. 17. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 16, wherein adjustment to said height HS of said stair S1 below the top of said first side plate and below the top of said second side plate is about seven (7) inches, or less. 18. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said frame further comprises a lower longitudinal member, and further comprising a first shelf bracket and a second shelf bracket, said first and said second shelf brackets affixed to said lower longitudinal member adjacent and biased toward said first frame side and toward said second frame side, respectively, and adapted to receive and support said extensible-retractable stair assembly. 19. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first and second indexing plates comprise a first recessed locking notch, a second recessed locking notch, a third recessed locking notch, and a fourth recessed locking notch;wherein said first side plate includes a top;wherein said second side plate includes a top; andwherein adjustment of said latch tongue of said first latch and of said latch tongue of said second latch to first recessed locking notch secures said stair S1 to a stowed position, wherein said stair S1 is substantially secured between said first side plate and said second side plate. 20. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 19, wherein said frame further comprises a lower longitudinal member, and further comprising a first shelf bracket and a second shelf bracket, said first and said second shelf brackets affixed to said lower longitudinal member adjacent and biased toward said first frame side and toward said second frame side, respectively, and adapted to receive and support said extensible-retractable stair assembly. 21. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a latch pipe having first and second ends, and wherein said first and second ends of said latch pipe are configured for mating engagement with said recessed latch finger cutout in said first side plate and in said second side plate, respectively, so that said latch pipe vertically supports said extensible-retractable scissors stair assembly when said extensible-retractable stair assembly is placed in a storage position. 22. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first indexing plate has an outer side and an inner side, and wherein said first side plate comprises an inner side, and wherein low friction surface pad are affixed to said outer side of said first indexing plate, thereby decreasing friction between said inner side of said first side plate and said outer side of said first indexing plate, to facilitate arcuate movement of said first indexing plate with respect to said first side plate. 23. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second indexing plate has an outer side and an inner side, and wherein said second side plate comprises an inner side, and wherein one or more low friction surface pads are affixed to said outer side of said second indexing plate, thereby decreasing friction between said inner side of said second side plate and said outer side of said second indexing plate, to facilitate arcuate movement of said second indexing plate with respect to said second side plate. 24. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first latch and said second latch each comprise a body having a concave lower portion from which their respective latch tongue protrudes, and which concave lower portion substantially conforms in shape to said arcuate upper surface of said first indexing plate and said second indexing plate, respectively. 25. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 24, wherein said first latch and said second latch each further comprise a distal end having a latch handle thereon. 26. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 25, wherein said latch handle is oriented substantially transverse to said body of said first latch and of said second latch, and outwardly from said first side plate and said second side plate, respectively. 27. A retractable stair system for a vehicle, comprising: a frame, said frame comprising a first side plate having a top and an inner side, and a second side plate having a top and an inner side, said first and second side plates located at a first frame side and at a second frame side, respectively, and spaced apart by longitudinal structural members, said first side plate and said second side plate each further including (a) first edgewalls defining an annular arc slide guide cutout therein, and (b) second edgewalls defining a recessed latch finger cutout therein;a first keeper plate and a second keeper plate, said first keeper plate and said second keeper plate pivotally affixed to said frame at said first frame side and at second frame side, respectively;a first indexing plate and a second indexing plate, said first indexing plate and said second indexing plate pivotally affixed to said frame at a first frame side and at a second frame side, respectively, and each of said first indexing plate and said second indexing plate further comprising an arcuate upper surface having a plurality of locking notches downwardly recessed therein;a first latch and a second latch, said first latch and said second latch each having a pivot neck, and pivotally affixed at said pivot neck to said frame at said first frame side and at said second frame side, respectively, and each of said first latch and said second latch comprising a downwardly extending latch tongue sized and shaped for interfitting locking engagement with said locking notches in said first indexing plate and said second indexing plate, respectively;means for an extensible-retractable scissors stair assembly, said extensible-retractable scissors stair assembly comprising a first scissors assembly and a second scissors assembly, and wherein each of said first scissors assembly and said second scissors assembly comprises a plurality of outward elements and a plurality of downward elements, and wherein said first scissors assembly and said second scissors assembly are spaced apart by a number N of stairs S in a series of stairs S1 to SN, wherein N is a positive integer between two and six inclusive, and wherein each of said stairs S is securely affixed between selected outward elements of said first scissors assembly and said second scissors assembly; andwherein adjustment of said latch tongue of said first latch and of said latch tongue of said second latch between selected locking notches downwardly recessed in said first and said second index plates adjusts said stair S1 to a height HS below the top of said first side plate and below the top of said second side plate. 28. A retractable stair system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 27, further comprising a first extensible support leg and a second extensible support leg, and wherein said first extensible leg is extendable to a selected height HF1, and wherein said second extensible support leg is extendable to a selected height HF2, and wherein said first extensible support leg and said second extensible support leg are independently extendable, so that selected height HF1 and selected height HF2 may be the same or different.