Abstract: A step assembly for use on step bumpers of automotive vehicles includes a pair of mounting brackets adapted to be secured to a bumper, a lower step supported by said brackets and an upper step hingedly connected to and superposed on said bumper. Each of the brackets has a slot substantially in the form of an inverted J. The lower step has laterally extending pins which are received in the slots, thereby mounting the step for sliding and swinging movement between an operative position in which the tread of the lower step is disposed in close proximity to the bottom of the bumper, and an inoperative position in which the tread is disposed in overlying relation to the bumper. The lower step may be easily assembled with or removed from the brackets.

Abstract: A bumper mounted spare wheel carrier for a vehicle is foldable downwardly to afford access to a trunk or door of the vehicle. The carrier includes a spring biased latch element which secures the carrier in vertical position. A resilient operating lever secured to the latch element is deformable under stress and when maintained in stressed condition provides a positive safety lock for the latch element independent of the spring biasing means. Novel wheel retaining means cooperating with the carrier selectively secure different sizes of wheels on the carrier.