Running board with roof access step and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10814790-B2
Application number	US-201816018224-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 26, 2018
Priority date	Jun 26, 2018
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a running board for a motor vehicle, and in particular relates to a running board with a roof access step and a corresponding method of using the same. An example running board includes a deck having a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to move between a first position in which the first section is substantially flush with the second section, and a second position in which the first section is raised relative to the second section. In the second position, the first section of the deck provides a roof access step.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a running board, the running board including a deck including a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is configured to move between a first position in which the first section is substantially flush with the second section, and a second position in which the first section is raised relative to the second section, wherein the first section is configured to rotate between the first position and the second position.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein, when in the second position, the first section is both raised and displaced rearward relative to the first section.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first section is coupled to the second section by way of at least one link.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein: the first section is coupled to the first section by way of at least one first link and at least one second link spaced apart from the at least one first link along a length of the running board, and the at least one first link and the at least one second link are rotatably connected to the first and second sections.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 4 , wherein the at least one second link includes two links spaced-apart from one another in a direction normal to the length of the running board such that, when the first section is in the first position, the at least one first link is nested between the two second links.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first section includes a support assembly configured to support the first section in the second position.

7. A running board for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a deck including a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is configured to move between a first position in which the first section is substantially flush with the second section, and a second position in which the first section is raised relative to the second section;
wherein the first section includes a support assembly configured to support the first section in the second position, and
wherein, when the first section is in the second position, the support assembly is selectively deployable to engage a tire of the motor vehicle.

8. The running board as recited in claim 7 , wherein:
the first section includes a step and a brace configured to fold relative to the step, and
when folded, the brace is configured to engage a sidewall of the tire.

9. The running board as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first section includes a pin slidable to engage a circumferentially outer wall of the tire.

10. The running board as recited in claim 9 , wherein the pin is accessible when the brace is folded.

11. The running board as recited in claim 10 , wherein, when the brace is folded, a handle coupled to the pin projects from the step.

12. The assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
a cavity formed in the running board receives the first section when the first section is in the first position, and
an assistance step is selectively deployable out of the cavity to provide a step adjacent the cavity.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 12 , wherein:
the assistance step is slidable between a storage position and an intermediate position, and
the assistance step is rotatable from the intermediate position to a use position.

14. A method, comprising:
raising a first section of a deck of a running board relative to a second section of the deck, wherein the raising step includes moving the first section from a first position in which the first section is substantially flush with the second section, to a second position in which the first section is raised relative to the second section, wherein the raising step further includes rotating the first section, such that the first section is displaced both vertically and rearward during the raising step.

15. The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein:
the running board is moveable between a retracted position, a first deployed position, and a second deployed position,
the running board is displaced further from a body of a vehicle in the second deployed position than in the first deployed position, and
the raising step is performed when the running board is in the second deployed position.

16. The method as recited in claim 14 , further comprising:
supporting the first section in the second position by engaging a tire of a vehicle.

17. The method as recited in claim 16 , further comprising:
folding a brace of the first section, the brace engaging a side wall of the tire,
deploying a pin upon folding the brace, and
sliding the pin to engage a circumferentially outer surface of the tire.

18. The method as recited in claim 14 , further comprising:
deploying an assistance step out of a cavity formed in the running board when the first section is in the second position.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Meszaros Edward Joseph Leonard
• Patrick David Thomas
• Beilman Mark
• Stinson Scott
• Kowal Stephen
• Kunynetz Andre

Classifications

• B60R3/02 Primary

  Retractable steps {or ladders, e.g. movable under shock (B60R3/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R3/002 Primary

  Running boards (for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02) · CPC title

• B60R3/005

  Catwalks, running boards for vehicle tops, access means for vehicle tops; Handrails therefor · CPC title