Accessing step construction on downwardly curved vehicle bumpers and methods of operating and constructing it
US6168176A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R3/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An accessing step, mounted on a vehicle having a bumper attached to the vehicle frame, comprises a step part and a mount assembly fixedly supported on the bumper and frame, mounting the step part for swinging movement from a first operative position in which the step part extends generally horizontally to a retracted second position pivoted upwardly to lie generally vertically adjacent the bumper. The mount assembly incorporates a lock device automatically operative between the mount assembly and step part for releasably locking the step part in the second position and automatically locking up to block the step part from downwardly swinging beyond a substantially horizontal position, while permitting the step part to be swung upwardly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.