Abstract: A folding step beneath a vehicle door has a folding mechanism comprising a shaft joined to the door and extending downwards along the extended hinge line. The shaft has a driver interacting with abutments on the step to initiate folding out and folding up of the step. The step is loaded by a snap spring mechanism which, after initial folding out with the aid of the driver, completes the folding out of the footstep so that folding out is accomplished regardless of whether the door is opened completely or partially.

Abstract: A stair assembly for a passenger vehicle, especially an omnibus, in which the stair assembly is arranged in a lateral access area of the vehicle. The stair assembly comprises a horizontally extendable first stair member connected by links to a second stair member to form a parallelogram linkage in which the second stair member can be pivotally moved towards the ground and laterally outwards from the first stair member. In order to bridge a lateral gap between the vehicle and the edge of a boarding platform, the first stair member whose upper surface is at the level of the platform, is extended towards the edge of the platform and the second stair member is carried along in a parallel position beneath the first stair member. When the bus is to be boarded and unboarded from the ground, the first stair member is fully extended, together with the second stair member beneath it whereafter the second stair member is pivoted into lowered position.

Abstract: A step-platform operator 17 for transit vehicles for driving a step 19 and a platform 18 between open and closed positions, includes a reversible drive motor 42 driving the step and platform through a lever and linkage for providing differential motion between step and platform during the last portion of the closing cycle and the initial portion of the opening cycle and allowing a mechanical interlock between step and platform in fully closed position. Both platform and step are driven from a single drive unit. Additionally, the lever and linkage assembly utilizes the weights of the platform and the step to counterbalance each other and allow the use of a low power reversible drive motor to power the system.

Abstract: An improved automotive lift device for vehicles which consists of a lift carriage having movable upper step and riser elements so as to selectively form normal upper and lower entrance steps in their retracted normal use position. The upper step and riser pivotally connected thereto are selectively extendable outwardly and downwardly by self-contained actuating device so as to form a continuous horizontal loading platform in association with the fixed lower step formed by the base of the lift carriage. Thus formed, the horizontal loading platform can be selectively lowered to the ground or curb level. It can be also selectively raised to the vehicle interior floor level thereby enabling a handicapped person, on crutches or in a wheelchair, to easily board or disembark from such vehicle at will.

Abstract: A lift system for a wheelchair or the like on a transit vehicle includes a stationary main frame secured within a doorway recess of the vehicle and a side frame that is movable relative to the main frame. An articulated platform including first and second steps is pivotally secured to the side frame. Scissors linkage is pivotally and slideably connected to the main frame and to the platform such that upon being actuated, the platform may be actuated from a first position defining first and second steps to a second position defining an extended platform. Thereafter the platform may be actuated in a manner such that the scissors linkage crosses over its center point to lower the platform from the floor level of the vehicle to the ground level. Once the wheelchair or the like is mounted on the platform the reverse actuation occurs and the scissors linkage again crosses over its center point to raise the platform from the ground level to the floor level.

Abstract: A lift device particularly suitable for lifting handicapped persons with or without wheelchairs, into a vehicle or building. The lift can be incorporated into the doorway of any given vehicle, or into any step structure within a building. The lift, in its stowed position, forms the normal steps. The platform is made of four hinged parallel sections which can be withdrawn and folded into two steps. The second section which forms the upper step riser in the stowed position comprises two telescopically interconnected elements, and can be expanded to provide a wider platform. The fourth section which forms the lower step riser in the stowed position can be rotated to act as an access ramp along the forward edge of the platform and flipped upward to form an angle stop preventing the wheelchair from rolling backward during platform motion.

Abstract: A lift assembly is provided which can be mechanically converted from a stationary step-like configuration to a movable platform configuration, thus allowing both handicapped and non-handicapped passengers to use a single vehicle entrance having the lift assembly operative within it.A pair of lifting columns are provided which are movable along guide members mounted at the entrance of the vehicle. A platform is hingably connected at its inner edge to the bases of the lifting columns and comprises a linear assembly of hinged plates. Radius arms, pivotally connected with the outer edge portion of the platform and with the lifting columns, suspend the outer end of the platform.

Abstract: A step structure for mobile homes and the like. A base is secured to an underside of the vehicle and serves to pivotally mount a linkage which in turn carries a pair of step rails on which a step is slidably mounted. Extension and retraction of the step involves combined swinging travel of the step surface as well as travel in a lateral direction along the step rails to achieve a highly accessible step location well outward of the vehicle side. An electrical control system electronically limits motor operation to avoid motor burnout in the case of step obstruction.

Abstract: This invention consists primarily of a rectangular frame having adapters for securing it to the rear of a camper. The device includes a pair of steps, which fold flat when not in use, and are provided with link rods, for enabling them to fold and open, and the device further includes guide channels and stops for the lower step portion.

Abstract: A retractable step for mounting on a transit coach utilizes a parallelogram linkage and an hydraulic-pneumatic actuating system which is connected to the movable step member by an off center clevis and lever system to prevent step sagging. Apparatus is provided at the leading edge of the step to immediately stop its outward movement when encountering an immovable object.

Abstract: An air stair-door combination for an aircraft is described in which interference between the door and the stairway in opening and closing thereof is eliminated by delayed motion of the stairway until the door is moved through a significant portion of its travel. The stair being interconnected to the door counterbalances a portion of the weight of the door, thus decreasing power requirements for opening and closing the stairway and door. A folding handrail structure adapted to nestle into the folded stairway is described. The door and stair actuator operates on a pivot point located on the door such that initial opening movement of the door causes stair operating rods to first travel downwardly past an overcenter point, then upwardly through further movement of the pivot point. The stair segments are projected outwardly by stair actuator linkage means driven by the operating rods.

Abstract: A tailgate-mounted safety step assembly for pickup trucks and the like is provided which includes a linkage assembly coupled with a step for permitting shifting of the latter between a storage position and a lowered horizontal use position, in conjunction with a selectively engageable clutch lock operable to securely lock the step in the use position thereof when a person mounts the step, while allowing the lowered step to shift fore-and-aft when not in use in order to accommodate any road obstructions which may be encountered. By virtue of the unique clutch lock employed, the step assembly hereof may be utilized without fear of instability or unsteadiness notwithstanding the fact that the lowered step is movable when struck by an obstruction in order to preclude damage to the overall assembly.

Abstract: A stowable step for use with a vehicle of the type having a body with a door opening therein and a frame beneath and inward from the door opening, a plate hinged to the frame and receiving a stowable tread thereupon, the tread being displacable laterally from the frame below the door opening. Slotted supports and links permit the tread to be compactly stored upon the plate and for the plate to be releasably locked against the vehicle body.