Abstract: A stair assistance device and a system for assisting individuals with traversing stairways is provided. Each stair assistance device includes a platform. The platform has a first end that is defined opposite of a second end. Each end has an interface. Each interface is designed to secure the end of the platform to one of a pair of lifts. The lifts are designed to vertically displace the platform from a raised position to a lowered position and vice versa. Multiple stair assistance devices may be used to assist an individual with traversing an entire stairway.

Abstract: Disclosed are a connecting rod structure, a footboard device, and a vehicle including same. A first connecting rod includes a first end pivotally connected with a second seat through a first pivot shaft, and a second end hinged with a first end of a second connecting rod; a spring includes a first end pivotally connected with the second seat through a second pivot shaft, and a second end pivotally connected with the first connecting rod or the second connecting rod through a third pivot shaft; a distance between an axis of the first pivot shaft and an axis of the third pivot shaft is a first distance, and a distance between the axis of the first pivot shaft and an axis of the second pivot shaft is a second distance; and a sum of the first distance and a free length of the spring is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: An extendable and a retractable vehicle step may comprise one or more assemblies. An assembly may comprise a first support arm pivotably coupled to a second support arm for extending and retracting a vehicle step. The second support arm may pass through a sleeve that may support and/or guide the second support arm. The sleeve may be rotatable and/or may comprise one or more rollers that may facilitate movement of the second support arm.

Abstract: An automatically extending and retracting step system according to the solution may reside in a retracted state when the deck of a car-carrying vehicle is substantially horizontal to the ground, i.e. when the deck is in a payload state. Advantageously, when the deck is tilted and extended to a ramp state for receiving cargo, the step system according to the solution extends laterally outward from beneath the deck, thereby providing a convenient and visible step for a user to use in getting down from the deck. When the deck is returned from the ramp state to its payload state, the step automatically retracts to a travel state beneath the deck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aid device for ascending and/or descending staircases for people with motor disabilities.

Abstract: A flexible step assembly for a vehicle configured to provide stability when being mounted by a user. The flexible step assembly includes a top-plate secured on the top of each side member through a backing plate. The top-plate each seat in a recess of an upper member that is connected to the vehicle and the top-plate and the upper member are connected by a resilient connection such that they can separate by an impact load but will be recoupled by the resilient connection. The top-plate is substantially bisected by its connection to the backing plate so that the backing plates are each substantially centered on the top plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a hook bracket formed of an aluminum alloy extrusion to a bumper reinforce having a hollow cross-section, and further reduces the weight of the hook bracket and the weight of the mount structure without deteriorating towing performance. The hook bracket has a cut that is formed in an extrusion cross-section (a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of extrusion) and extended from the rear end of a shaft portion into the hollow in the bumper reinforce. Further, an internally threaded hole is formed. The shaft portion of the hook bracket is penetrated through a hole formed in front and rear walls of the bumper reinforce and fillet-welded to the front and rear walls. The shaft portion is not fillet-welded to the rear wall at a position where the cut is formed.

Abstract: Boarding and deboarding apparatus for a vehicle, including a step that can be moved back and forth between a retracted and extended position, which at least in a partially extended position defines a first area that can be stepped upon, lateral guides of the step for attachment to a vehicle, a folding step which is mounted on the step so as to be pivotable between a folded-in and folded-out position and which in a folded-out position defines a second area that can be stepped upon which is parallel to the first area, and blocking means which prevent the folding step from pivoting between the retracted position and an intermediate position of the step, and which release the pivoting of the folding step, at the latest, when the extended position of the step has been reached.

Abstract: An automatic lock for mobile steps (15) employed to allow passengers to get on and off railway coaches, located in the lower bodywork of the coach and enclosed inside a casing (12) positioned below the bracket (13) of the fixed step (14), on the outer edge of which the mobile step (15) is hinged, and whereby said step (15) is activated by a connecting rod (18) to move from a lowered position to a raised position and visa versa. The other end of the connecting rod (18), opposite the pin coupling it to the step (15), is hinged to a carriage (19) equipped with bearings (20) which slide inside a shaped guide (21), activated by the stabilizer shaft (11) for opening/closing the railway coach doors, or by an independent unit (30), and thereby transforming the sliding of the carriage (19) into an angular movement of the step (15).

Abstract: The device would be a metal or heavy-duty plastic retractable loading platform, designed to bridge the gap between the train car and the station platform. When not in use, the retractable platform would be retracted into a position of concealment beneath the door(s) of the train car. At the station, the device would move outward, either abutting or overlapping the station platform, just prior to the train door(s) opening.

Abstract: An emergency staircase includes a plurality of step forming members that are housed in a casing. A podium and a railing are fitted to the casing so that the podium and the railing can be unfolded against the casing. Each of the step forming members includes a pair of guiding parts which are arranged in parallel, and a step plate that is sandwiched between the guiding parts of each pair and fastened to each of the guiding parts, so that left and right pairs of resulting squarish U-shapes face each other. Inner guiding parts and outer guiding parts are mutually of a similar configuration, so that each inner one is relatively smaller than each outer one by the thickness of the part. The protrusions act as sliding contacts between adjacent guiding parts.

Abstract: A retractable step for a rail vehicle includes a treadable region having lateral guides, a front edge, a guide region, a first roller disposed on the rail vehicle, and a second roller disposed in a guide. The guide has a configuration that is one or more of oblique, curved or bent. Also included is a transition area between the treadable region and the guide region. The transition area is configured to have one or more of a bend and a curvature and has an upwardly convex shape.

Abstract: An improved gap filler in the form of a single plate or a plurality of plates attached to the train car exterior or emanating from below train car vestibule floor which permits transit line system operator to utilize one device to obtain any desired gap minimization at every train car door in a trainset relative to its corresponding platform edge at all stations on its transit line regardless of platform and/or track configuration while simultaneously adhering to its gap clearance standards pertaining to safe passage of any train within its fleet through any station.

Abstract: A retractable step for a rail vehicle includes a treadable region having lateral guides, a front edge, a guide region, a first roller disposed on the rail vehicle, and a second roller disposed in a guide. The guide has a configuration that is one or more of oblique, curved or bent. Also included is a transition area between the treadable region and the guide region. The transition area is configured to have one or more of a bend and a curvature and has an upwardly convex shape.

Abstract: A passenger ingress and egress system within a transit vehicle having a stairwell employs a movable platform apparatus in combination with at least one door of a sliding or plug type to accommodate variations in passenger ingress and egress platform facilities. The movable platform apparatus disposed under the floor section of the transit vehicle for interface with the low platform is deployed outwardly toward the outer surface of the transit vehicle for interface with the high platform. The travel of such movable platform apparatus can be achieved manually or assisted by a power drive mechanism. A locking means is provided for securing such movable platform apparatus at both deployed and stowed positions and can be manually overridden via a cable connected to the remotely mounted handle. Obstruction detection means is further provided to prevent deployment of the movable platform apparatus upon passenger presence within the stairwell.

Abstract: A passenger ingress and egress system within a transit vehicle having a stairwell employs a movable platform apparatus in combination with at least one door of a sliding or plug type to accommodate variations in passenger ingress and egress platform facilities. The movable platform apparatus disposed under the floor section of the transit vehicle for interface with the low platform is deployed outwardly toward the outer surface of the transit vehicle for interface with the high platform. The travel of such movable platform apparatus can be achieved manually or assisted by a power drive mechanism. A locking means is provided for securing such movable platform apparatus at both deployed and stowed positions and can be manually overridden via a cable connected to the remotely mounted handle. Obstruction detection means is further provided to prevent deployment of the movable platform apparatus upon passenger presence within the stairwell.

Abstract: A platform sensing and control system including a wireless sensor (10, 12) for sensing at least the presence of a platform (26) opposite a door (32) of a railcar and providing an output indication of at least a platform presence in response thereto, and a door control controller (14) operative in response to the output indication of at least platform (26) presence for enduring that normally a door (32) is not opened other than when a platform (26) is located opposite such door (32).

Abstract: A retractable step including at least a first and second tube member, a step platform and a retraction device. The first tube member is attached to the vehicle. The step platform is attached to one end of the second tube member. The second tube member, with the step platform, is slidable over the first tube attached to the vehicle. The retraction device provided a method of retracting the step platform from an in use lower position to an upper retracted position. An electric motor may be used to drive the retraction device.

Abstract: A mounted, retractable step for motor vehicles, such as passenger vans, that slides into an extended position for assisting entrance into the side of the passenger van. The step is mounted on the ends of a pair of square rods that slide horizontally under the passenger van. The rods are carried on an outer guide and between a pair of spaced-apart inner guides. The outer guide is attached to a pair of outer guide supports mounted to the edge of the underside of the van. The inner guides are attached to an inner guide support mounted to the underside of the van. Each of the rods has a pair of guide stops, in the form of nipples extending downwardly from the bottom side of the rods, that lock the rods into an extended position and a retracted position depending on which guide they straddle. The step is moved from the retracted position to the extended position by lifting the step slightly and then sliding it out from under the passenger van.

Abstract: A safety trailer step provides improved footing for a person launching or loading a boat onto a trailer. The safety trailer step comprises a step formed with a platform and two parallel side plates. The side plates snugly receive the trailer tongue therebetween and extend below the tongue. Tightening bolts through the side plates sandwiches the tongue therebetween to rigidly mount the safety trailer step to the trailer tongue. The platform may be centered over the tongue, or it may be laterally offset therefrom. A non-skid plastic plate may be attached to the platform upper surface. The present invention includes spacers that fit between the tongue and the step such that the safety trailer step can be used with a variety of trailer tongue widths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extendible and retractable ramp device for a vehicle particularly concerned with the loading and unloading of handicapped person and which device particularly includes a power actuating mechanism disposed within the vehicle in such a way as to protect the mechanism from damage, provide a ramp structure conducive to non-interferring ingress and egress by handicapped passengers and to incorporate a disconnect device which permits the ramp to be extended or retracted manually in the event power actuating mechanism becomes inoperative.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift operable to transport handicapped persons between a lower level and an upper level. The apparatus includes an elevator platform and a plurality of vertically movable stair members. When the platform is in its lower position, the stair members form a conventional stairway which extends between lower and upper surfaces; and when the platform is moved upwardly, a collecting member attached thereto sequentially collects the stair members and moves them upwardly until the platform and stair members are coplanar with the upper surface. A normally open safety gate on the platform is automatically moved to and retained in a closed position whenever the platform is raised above the lower surface.

Abstract: A motor bus has a side door at its forward end which when opened accommodates laterally outward extension of a ramp from a normally stowed position below the floor of the bus, a portion of the ramp adjacent its outer end serving as a step for entering the bus when the ramp is in its stowed position. Extending longitudinally of the ramp and journalled therein at its outward end is a lead screw which is rotatively driven by a rotary power motor mounted to the inner end of the ramp. A nut threadedly engaging the screw is hingedly mounted to the lower end of a step riser which is hinged at its upper end to the bus floor so as to swing up to a position co-planar with the ramp when the ramp is fully extended. A bell crank having an arm underlying the ramp is actuatable by a fluid motor to swing the inner end of the ramp and lower end of the riser upwardly to their co-planar relation when the motor comes into abutment with the nut during outward extending movement of the ramp.

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: This device consists primarily of a pipe which telescopingly receives a rod having a foot guard attached at one end. The device includes a plate welding to the pipe which bolts to the truck body, and the opposite end of the pipe is welded to a plate which abuts with the lower portion of the front fender of the truck. A rubber gasket on the assembly, serves as friction means, against the rod so as to prevent it from sliding outwards of the vehicle, when it is in motion.

Abstract: A combination access stairstep and elevator means for use in a passenger vehicle entryway. In its retracted normal position a passenger elevator platform member projects freely into the entryway part of its width below passenger deck level to serve as an access step for passengers who can ascend and descend on foot. Such platform member is mounted as part of a dual-arm parallelogram linkage mechanism on a guided, horizontally reciprocative carriage, the various parts of which in normal position are compactly stowed at a common level out of the entryway passage beneath the passenger deck. In order to accommodate disabled persons, the platform member may be fully extended outward in the entryway for use in elevating crippled persons and passengers in wheelchairs between deck level and curb or ground level. Grab rails with rail posts mounted on the normally projecting portion of the platform member can serve as a steadying aid to passengers in all positions of the platform member.