Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.

Abstract: A box step lighting arrangement for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle. A step member and a linkage are connected to the mount, the linkage move the step member between a deployed position and retracted position. A motor is attached to the linkage to move the step between a deployed position and retracted position. Connected to the linkage is at least one light module. The light module has at least one light projection element that projects light onto the step member and the ground beneath the step member.

Abstract: A coaxial rotating automated stepping surface assembly adapted for a vehicle, including, at least one stepping surface portion, single pivot axis, coaxial motor arrangement to pivot axis, and complete system packaging out board of sill structure. The motor is a non back-drivable motor and is capable of operably self-locking in predetermined positions.

Abstract: An articulating step assembly for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle, a step member and an articulating linkage connecting the mount and the step for stowing and deploying the step. A motor is attached to the linkage to provide raising and lowering of the step. A weather sealed non-contact switch located on the assembly for actuating the motor and linkage in response to movement of the step in a predetermined direction for deploying the step.

Abstract: An adjustable position automated running board step for a vehicle. A step member is attached to a linkage. The linkage is operable for moving the step from a deployed to a stowed position. An adjustable lead screw linkage is provided, which allows adjustable stop points between the stowed and the deployed positions. A typical stow position stows the step in a suitable position at the rocker interface and also provides a more easily tunable lowest position. The invention includes a method whereby the step can be infinitely positioned in a predetermined range between the lowest step position and the stow position by means of electronic control. The electronic control of the “mid variable position” could be programmable by either the customer or the manufacturer. For example, there exists the opportunity to have a “his and hers” selection by a number of methods such a key fob or instrument panel selection.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foldable step assembly for a vehicle. The step assembly includes a linkage arrangement for connection to a vehicle and articulating a step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. A drive mechanism is positioned remotely from the step assembly and is operatively in communication with the linkage arrangement for articulating said step assembly between the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A power box step on a vehicle having a safety arrangement that provides noticeable controlled failure of the power box step if damaged. The controlled failure is accomplished by using vertical and horizontal shear pins that are designed to break when the horizontal or vertical load applied to the step is too great. The failure of the step is controlled by vertical and horizontal movement limit pins that prevent the step from moving too far in the vertical or horizontal direction when failure occurs.

Abstract: A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.

Abstract: A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.

Abstract: An articulating step assembly for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle, a step member and an articulating linkage connecting the mount and the step for stowing and deploying the step. A motor is attached to the linkage to provide raising and lowering of the step. A weather sealed non-contact switch located on the assembly for actuating the motor and linkage in response to movement of the step in a predetermined direction for deploying the step.

Abstract: An articulating step assembly for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle, a step member and an articulating linkage connecting the mount and the step for stowing and deploying the step. A motor is attached to the linkage to provide raising and lowering of the step. A weather sealed non-contact switch located on the assembly for actuating the motor and linkage in response to movement of the step in a predetermined direction for deploying the step.

Abstract: An adjustable position automated running board step for a vehicle. A step member is attached to a linkage. The linkage is operable for moving the step from a deployed to a stowed position. An adjustable lead screw linkage is provided, which allows adjustable stop points between the stowed and the deployed positions. A typical stow position stows the step in a suitable position at the rocker interface and also provides a more easily tunable lowest position. The invention includes a method whereby the step can be infinitely positioned in a predetermined range between the lowest step position and the stow position by means of electronic control. The electronic control of the “mid variable position” could be programmable by either the customer or the manufacturer. For example, there exists the opportunity to have a “his and hers” selection by a number of methods such a key fob or instrument panel selection.

Abstract: A power box step on a vehicle having a safety arrangement that provides noticeable controlled failure of the power box step if damaged. The controlled failure is accomplished by using vertical and horizontal shear pins that are designed to break when the horizontal or vertical load applied to the step is too great. The failure of the step is controlled by vertical and horizontal movement limit pins that prevent the step from moving too far in the vertical or horizontal direction when failure occurs.

Abstract: An articulating step assembly for a vehicle which includes a mount for attachment to a vehicle, a step member and an articulating linkage connecting the mount and the step for stowing and deploying the step. A motor is attached to the linkage to provide raising and lowering of the step. A weather sealed non-contact switch located on the assembly for actuating the motor and linkage in response to movement of the step in a predetermined direction for deploying the step.

Abstract: A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.

Abstract: A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.

Abstract: A compact deployable/retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle including a running board, linkage coupled to the running board, and a motor assembly coupled to an actuator, the running board moveable between at least one stowed position and at least one deployed position. The linkage includes a drive arm connected to a pivot shaft within a housing at a location on the pivot shaft between two bushings that are coupled to the pivot shaft within the housing. The linkage also includes an idler arm connected to a pivot shaft within an idler housing. The actuator is operably coupled to the linkage to cause rotation of the linkage to move the running board between the at least one stowed position generally under the motor vehicle and at least one deployed position to provide a step surface for a user.

Abstract: Running board assembly for a motor vehicle having a passenger cab and a box. The running board assembly includes a linear actuator assembly partly disposed within a housing assembly, a running board operably coupled to the linear actuator assembly and movable relative to the housing assembly between a stowed position tucked underneath the vehicle, a cab entry position generally outwardly from the vehicle to support a user entering or exiting the passenger cab, and a box side step disposed generally outwardly from the vehicle and rearward of the cab entry position to provide a user with side access to the box, and a motor operably coupled to the linear actuator assembly for driving the linear actuator assembly in opposing first and second directions. The linear actuator assembly converts rotary input to linear motion to cause a drive arm having a linkage assembly to move the running board between the positions.