Deployable running board

US10336260B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Stuart C. Salter · White Lake, US
• Paul Kenneth Dellock · Northville, US
• Terry Lobsinger · Farmington Hills, US
• Mark Beilman · South Lyon, US
• Aaron Bradley Johnson · Allen Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 13, 2018
• Grant date: Jul 2, 2019
• Expiry date: Feb 18, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2001/1223
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a sensor device that detects a location of a structure outside a vehicle, a running board moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure detected by the sensor. An exemplary running board deploying method includes, among other things, detecting a location of a structure outside a vehicle, and transitioning a running board from a stowed position to a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure.