Pull out storage step

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025083606-A1
Application number	US-202418884224-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 13, 2024
Priority date	Sep 13, 2023
Publication date	Mar 13, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A storage step stowable in a pair of storage compartment channels includes a plurality of treads including a top tread, a pair of forward stringers pivotally connected to or adjacent forward ends of the treads, and a pair of rearward stringers pivotally connected to or adjacent rearward ends of the treads. A sliding assembly coupled with the storage step is slidable in the storage compartment channels.

First claim

1 . A storage step stowable in a pair of storage compartment channels, the storage step comprising:
a plurality of treads including a top tread; a pair of forward stringers pivotally connected to or adjacent forward ends of the treads; a pair of rearward stringers pivotally connected to or adjacent rearward ends of the treads; and a sliding assembly coupled with the storage step and slidable in the storage compartment channels.

2 . A storage step according to claim 1 , wherein the treads, the forward stringers, and the rearward stringers are displaceable between a deployed position in which the treads are oriented for use and a stowed position in which the treads are pivoted into a common plane.

3 . A storage step according to claim 2 , wherein in the stowed position, the forward stringers overlay the rearward stringers.

4 . A storage step according to claim 1 , wherein the sliding assembly comprises end brackets connected to the top tread at one end of the end brackets and sliders connected at an opposite end of the end brackets.

5 . A storage step according to claim 4 , wherein the sliders comprise a tube with an outer perimeter shaped in complement to an inner perimeter of the storage compartment channels.

6 . A storage step according to claim 5 , wherein the sliding assembly further comprises friction-reducing elements disposed on an exterior of the sliders.

7 . A storage step according to claim 4 , wherein the end brackets are interposed between the forward and rearward stringers and outer edges of the top tread.

8 . A storage step according to claim 4 , wherein the sliding assembly further comprises a slider hard stop fixed on an interior surface of the sliders.

9 . A storage step according to claim 4 , wherein the sliding assembly further comprises a cross bar connected between the sliders.

10 . A storage step according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pair of forward stringers and the pair of rearward stringers comprises ground engaging feet at distal ends thereof.

11 . A storage step according to claim 1 , wherein only the pair of forward stringers comprises ground engaging feet at distal ends thereof.

12 . A storage step according to claim 1 , further comprising a motor coupled with at least one of the pair of forward stringers and the pair of rearward stringers, wherein the motor is configured to displace the pair of forward stringers and the pair of rearward stringers between a storage position in which the treads, the forward stringers and the rearward stringers are contained in the storage compartment channels and a use position in which the treads, the forward stringers and the rearward stringers are extended out of the storage compartment channels, and wherein in the use position, the forward and rearward stringers pivot relative to the sliding assembly by gravity, and the rearward stringers pivot relative to the forward stringers by gravity, thereby orienting the treads for use.

13 . A storage step according to claim 12 , further comprising a linkage plate connected between forward end of the top tread to a back end of a subsequent lower tread.

14 . A storage step according to claim 1 , wherein the treads, the forward stringers, and the rearward stringers are displaceable between a deployed position in which the treads are oriented for use and a stowed position in which the treads are pivoted into a common plane, the storage step further comprising a locking mechanism cooperable with at least one of (1) the treads and (2) the forward and rearward stringers, the locking mechanism being configured to selectively lock the storage step in the deployed position or the stowed position.

15 . A storage step according to claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring-loaded lever engaging a propping bar and a release lever coupled to the spring-loaded lever, wherein actuation of the release lever disengages the spring-loaded lever from the propping bar to release the locking mechanism.

16 . A storage step according to claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a detent lever that is displaceable with one of the rearward stringers and engages a detent plate connected to one of the treads, the detent lever engaging teeth of the detent plate to secure the locking mechanism.

17 . A storage step according to claim 1 , wherein the sliding assembly comprises a U-shaped frame, and wherein a tread below the top tread is fixed in the U-shaped frame, the treads, the forward stringers, and the rearward stringers being displaceable between a deployed position in which the treads are oriented for use and a stowed position in which the treads are pivoted into a common plane, wherein in the deployed position, the top tread is pivoted by the forward stringers and the rearward stringers to a position above the U-shaped frame.

18 . A storage step stowable in a pair of storage compartment channels, the storage step comprising:
a plurality of treads including a top tread; a forward stringer pivotally connected to or adjacent forward ends of the treads; a rearward stringer pivotally connected to or adjacent rearward ends of the treads; and a sliding assembly coupled with the top tread and slidable in the storage compartment channels, wherein the treads, the forward stringer, and the rearward stringer are displaceable between a deployed position in which the treads are oriented for use and a stowed position in which the treads are pivoted into a common plane, and wherein the treads, the forward stringer, and the rearward stringer are displaceable between a storage position in which the treads, the forward stringer and the rearward stringer are contained in the storage compartment channels and a use position in which the treads, the forward stringer and the rearward stringer are extended out of the storage compartment channels.

19 . A storage step according to claim 18 , wherein in the use position, the forward and rearward stringers pivot relative to the sliding assembly, and the rearward stringer pivots relative to the forward stringer, thereby orienting the treads for use.

Assignees

• Lippert Components Inc

Inventors

• Layne Dominic
• Shotwell John

Classifications

• B60R3/02 Primary

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

• E06C5/04

  capable of being elevated or extended {; Fastening means during transport, e.g. mechanical, hydraulic} · CPC title

• E06C5/24

  Dismounting ladders from vehicles {or supporting means} · CPC title

• E06C7/082

  Connections between rungs or treads and longitudinal members · CPC title

• E04F11/062

  folding · CPC title