Abstract: A box step for allowing a user to access the rear bed or box of a vehicle such as a pickup truck. The pivotable box step includes a housing that is mounted to the underside of the vehicle. The box step moves between a stowed position tucked underneath the vehicle, a rear position at the rear of the vehicle, a corner position at the rear corner of the vehicle and a side entry position at the side of the vehicle, forward from the corner entry position. The motor drives the drive assembly in opposing first and second directions to move the box step between the stowed position, the rear position, the corner position and the side entry position.

Abstract: An active rocker aerodynamic shield integrated into an automated running board for a motor vehicle. By using the existing automated running board linkages as a mounting location for the panels, the addition of a dedicated motor, linkage/pivot, and vehicle attachment scheme is no longer need for the aero benefit since components can be shared. The use of the moving linkages (Inner link, outer link, & lower mount) as attachment points for a panel(s) that is used to limit the flow of air to the underbody of a vehicle. When the miming board is in its stowed position. The panel is also stowed out of the line of sight and airflow. When the benefit of the aero panel is desired, the running board moves to the deployed position, orienting the aero panel in a position to reduce the amount of airflow under the vehicle.

Abstract: A box step (12) for allowing a user to access the rear bed or box of a vehicle such as a pickup truck. The pivotable box step includes a housing that is mounted to the underside of the vehicle. The box step moves between a stowed position (34) tucked underneath the vehicle, a rear position (40) at the rear of the vehicle, a corner position (38) at the rear corner of the vehicle and a side entry position (36) at the side of the vehicle, forward from the corner entry position. The motor (23) drives the drive assembly (20) in opposing first and second directions to move the box step between the stowed position, the rear position, the corner position and the box side entry position.

Abstract: An active rocker aerodynamic shield (12) integrated into an automated running board (14) for a motor vehicle. By using the existing automated running board linkages (24, 26) as a mounting location for the aerodynamic panels (16) of the shield (12), the addition of a dedicated motor, linkage/pivot, and vehicle attachment scheme is no longer needed for the aerodynamic benefit since components can be shared. The moving linkages (24, 26) are used as attachment points for the aerodynamic panel(s) (16) to limit the flow of air to the under-body of a vehicle. When the running board (14) is in its stowed position, the aerodynamic panel (16) is also stowed out of the line of sight and airflow. When the benefit of the aerodynamic panel (16) is desired, the running board (14) moves to the deployed position, orienting the aerodynamic panel (16) in a position to reduce the amount of airflow under the vehicle.