Vehicle side step
A step assembly for a vehicle comprising an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions; a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion parallel to the main body and two bent portions, the bent portions welded to the main body and a step surface having a plurality of apertures that is affixed to the step bar to provide traction to the user. The main body is preferably welded to at least one support bracket. The installation of the step assembly is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching at least one mounting bracket to a vehicle and then engagably attaching the support bracket, which is preferably welded to the main body, to the mounting bracket.
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BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates generally to a vehicle accessory and more specifically to a vehicular side step and its method of installation.
A side step is a common accessory on a number of vehicles, such as a pick-up truck, a sports utility vehicle, a large utility truck or a jeep. The side step is multi-purpose in that it can be used for appearance and/or protection of the vehicle. For example, a side step may provide protection to both the door and side of the vehicle. Specifically, certain vehicles are commonly used for off-road activities, which often involve maneuvering through all types of conditions including dirt, uneven terrain, mud, bodies of water, snow and ice. Driving through these conditions may cause debris, such as dirt, rocks and other particles to be projected onto the vehicle causing dents, nicks and other similar damage both to the vehicle and paint. A side step may deflect the various types of debris before contact is made with the vehicle.
In addition, a vehicle that is utilized for off-road activities may have an elevated chassis to prevent the possibility of damage to the underside of the vehicle. In general, any elevated vehicle having a high road clearance may present difficulty to an individual when exiting and entering the passenger compartment. Many vehicles having an elevated chassis are equipped with some form of an externally mounted step assembly, for example, a side board, a running board, a side step or a side bar onto which a person may step or stand in an attempt to access the passenger compartment.
Finally, a step assembly may be attached to the side of a vehicle for appearance purposes. Many vehicle owners choose to install an externally mounted step assembly to enhance the appearance of the vehicle. In particular owners who display their vehicles at shows or use the vehicle for activities such as racing often add a step assembly to impart a certain character to the vehicle.
With regard to the installation of a step assembly, each of the identified step assemblies are constructed in such a manner that makes installation difficult and cumbersome. The process of installation generally requires two individuals because a step assembly is usually a one-piece large, bulky article. Specifically, one person is required to hold the step assembly while the other person prepares the vehicle for attachment of the assembly so that the installation is precise.
In addition, many step assemblies include a stepping surface. The stepping surface generally takes the form of a rubber pad that is affixed to the step portion of the step assembly. One disadvantage of the convention rubber material from which a step surface is typically constructed is that the material often deteriorates quickly. Specifically, if a vehicle is utilized for off-road purposes, the vehicle may encounter a wide variety of environmental conditions, including heat, moisture, snow, ice and rain. Moreover, depending on the geographic location of the vehicle, extreme environmental conditions, such as in the desert or in subzero temperatures, may be the norm rather than an exception. Thus, a stepping surface constructed from rubber or other similar material may become weakened and tear, rip or erode.
A need exists for a step assembly for a vehicle that is easy to install. The step assembly should have a simple construction so that only one person is required for installation. The step assembly should be strong and durable and further provide an appropriate stepping surface that is not affected by normal weather conditions and use. In addition, the stepping surface should not easily deteriorate.
BRIEF SUMMARYA step assembly for a vehicle is disclosed that comprises an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions; a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion that is parallel to the main body and two bent portions, the bent portions may be welded to the main body at an angle relative to the horizontal; a step surface affixed to the step bar, the step surface having a plurality of apertures that provide traction for the user; at least one support bracket, wherein the support bracket has a base portion having at least one aperture and two arm portions extending therefrom, the support bracket being welded to the main body along the edge of each arm distal from the base; at least one mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket has a base further having a first and second arm extending therefrom, a flange welded to the base and having at least one aperture for attachment to the vehicle and at least one aperture in the portion of the base defined by the flange and the second arm for attachment to the support bracket. The installation of the vehicle is a two-step process that comprises engagably attaching the mounting bracket to the vehicle by the flange and then engagably attaching the support bracket, which is welded to the main body, to the mounting bracket. The installation process may only require one person because of the construction of the step assembly. Drilling is not required on most vehicles and the installation of the step assembly on the vehicle may be completed by using a wrench or socket wrench.
The end portions of the main body are bent at substantially a 45 degree angle and extend underneath the vehicle so that the main body does not become caught on objects. At least one end cap may be engaged with an end portion of the main body. The main body, the step bar and the step surface may be constructed from any appropriate material that is durable and resistant to weather, corrosion, cracking and other types of wear normally associated with use, including without limitation, aluminum, steel, stainless steel and titanium. The apertures of the step surface may any shape, including circular, oval and rectangular.
These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.
In
A step bar 25 is preferably provided at approximately the location of each door 15 of the vehicle 10, as shown in
The step bar 25 is attached to the main body at the end of each bent portion 25b preferably by welding, although other conventional forms of connectivity are contemplated, such as bolts, screws, brazing or other means known in the art. The step bar 25 is welded to the main bar at an angle relative to the horizontal that is appropriate to assist in entering and exiting the vehicle. The angle of the weld may be anywhere from zero to ninety degrees relative to the horizontal plane depending on the ground clearance of the vehicle and/or the particular type of vehicle or the vehicle's normal use. The main body 20 and the step bar 25 are preferably constructed from an appropriately strong and durable material, including without limitation aluminum, steel and titanium. The material selected for construction of the main body 20 and the step bar 25 should be resistant to weather, corrosion and other types of wear commonly associated with use, such as bending due to the application of weight on or against the step assembly 5.
A step surface 30 is provided on each step bar 25. The step surface 30 provides a surface that increases the friction between a user and the step bar 25 for improved traction. Specifically, the step surface 30 has a plurality of apertures 50 that provide traction to the user in the form of a slip resistant stepping surface. The apertures 50 may be any shape, including without limitation, circular, oval, square and rectangular. The apertures 50 may be random or the apertures may form a design. The apertures 50 may each be equal in size or the apertures may be of varying size. The step surface 30 may also comprise other types of texture, such as raised surface features.
The step surface 30 may be generally constructed from a formed metal material that is strong and durable, such as aluminum, although other materials may be appropriate, including without limitation aluminum, steel, stainless steel, plastic, rubber and titanium. The material should be resistant to weathering, corrosion, cracking and other types of wear commonly associated with use. The step surface 30 is formed to conform to the shape of the step bar 25 and is affixed by screws and the like, as further described in
As previously described with respect to
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Referring to
The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
Claims
1. A step assembly for mounting to a vehicle comprising:
- an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions;
- a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion that is parallel to the main body and two bent portions welded to the main body;
- a step surface affixed to the step bar, the step surface having a plurality of apertures that provide traction for the user;
- at least one support bracket, wherein the support bracket has a base portion having at least one aperture and two arm portions extending therefrom, the support bracket being welded to the main body along the edge of each arm distal from the base;
- at least one mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket has a base further having a first and second arm extending therefrom, a flange welded to the base and having at least one aperture for attachment to the vehicle and at least one aperture in the portion of the base defined by the flange and the second arm for attachment to the support bracket;
- wherein installation of the vehicle is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching the mounting bracket to the vehicle by the flange and then engagably attaching the support bracket, which is welded to the main body, to the mounting bracket.
2. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the end portions are bent at substantially a 90 degree angle.
3. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body has a circular cross-section.
4. The step assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one end cap engaged with an end portion of the main body.
5. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body extends along the length of a passenger cab of the vehicle and at least one portion extends underneath the vehicle.
6. The step assembly of claim 1, where the main body is constructed from one of aluminum, steel and titanium.
7. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the step bar is constructed from one of aluminum, steel and titanium.
8. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the step bar has a circular cross-section.
9. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the bent portions of the step bar are different angles.
10. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the bent portions welded to the main body at an angle relative to the horizontal.
11. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the step surface is constructed from aluminum.
12. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the apertures of the step surface have one of a circular, oval, square and rectangular shape.
13. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the step surface includes raised surface features.
14. The step assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange is welded at an angle to the base of the mounting bracket.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 21, 2006
Publication Date: May 22, 2008
Applicant:
Inventor: Ron Storer (Villa Park, CA)
Application Number: 11/602,800
International Classification: B60R 3/00 (20060101);