Abstract: A self-storing step structure for vehicular mounting including a first step section, means for pivotally connecting the first step section to a vehicle for pivotation about a horizontal axis between an operative position and a stored position, an extensible step section slidably engaging said first step section, and means for adjustably interlocking said first step section with said extensible step section at a preselected relative location.

Abstract: A folding step for vehicles, and specifically for use on the front bumpers of large semitrailer tractors. The step is used for servicing the vehicles, for example, cleaning the windshield and the like and yet will permit the step to be folded up very quickly for transport position. It also may be used as an entrance step for vehicles. The step automatically locks under spring pressure in either its usable or stored positions, and thus minimum time is utilized in operating the step, and safety is enhanced.

Abstract: A fold-up ladder is provided for a combine which pivotally connects at its upper end to a deck adjacent an operator's cab at the forward end of the combine. The axis of the pivot connection at the upper end of the ladder substantially coincides with the edge of the deck and the edge of the upper step of the ladder. A gas spring is connected between the deck and the ladder to counterbalance the weight of the ladder as it swings from its lowered position to its overhead transport position. The gas spring has a desirable stabilizing influence on the ladder as it is raised and lowered. When the ladder is moved from its transport position to a lowered position, the line of force of the gas spring passes "overcenter" in relation to the ladder pivot axis thereby permitting the gas spring to releasably hold the ladder in its down position. Appropriate abutments are provided to properly position the ladder in its desired transport and lowered positions.

Abstract: A mounting base secured to the rear bumper of a school bus pivotally supports at least one step plate for movement between an operative horizontal position extended rearwardly of the bumper for use by children exiting the bus by way of the rear emergency door, and a retracted vertical position extended upwardly adjacent the rear end of the bus. A catch mounted on the emergency door of the bus is arranged to extend downward sufficiently to overlap the retracted step and secure it in retracted position when the emergency door is closed. When the door is opened, the catch is moved therewith away from the step, whereupon the latter swings downward to the operative horizontal position.

Abstract: A generally horizontal platform is provided for removable support from the side of a truck body having a bay doorway therein and defining opposing upstanding door receiving channels extending along opposite sides of the doorway and a lower horizontal sill structure extending between the lower ends of the opposite side marginal portions of the doorway. The platform includes a horizontal panel structure including opposite side marginal edge portions and opposite inner and outer marginal edge portions extending between the opposite side marginal edge portions. The platform further includes oppositely endwise outwardly directed stub axle portions supported therefrom and projecting outwardly from the ends of the side marginal edge portions adjacent the inner marginal edge portion.

Abstract: A ladder assembly, primarily for use on trucks and other vehicles, has a ladder slidable between a retracted, stored position in a ladder storage assembly, and an extended, operative position in which the ladder projects from an extrance of the storage assembly. First and second retainers are provided for retaining the ladder relative to the storage assembly in the stored and operative positions, respectively, and the ladder has opposed lateral projections slidable along guides formed by parallel side members having U-shaped cross-sections the side members being spaced apart to receive the ladder therebetween and forming opposite sides of the storage assembly.

Abstract: A stowable ladder for use on a combine is provided with a spring assisted overcentering linkage that will maintain the foldable ladder in either a deployed status or closed status until significant manual effort overcoming the spring loaded overcentering linkage is induced.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage and a rotatable arm to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage and a rotatable arm to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extensible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair and including foldable hinged sections that are movable through a linkage to a first position to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell to a second position to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form a vertically movable platform for supporting the wheelchair. A locking arrangement including first and second latch means is associated with the hinged sections for locking the latter in the first and second positions.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift device including a platform located in the stepwell of a motorcoach for raising and lowering a wheelchair between a first position wherein the platform is in horizontal alignment with an elevated floor formed with the motorcoach and a second position wherein the platform is at ground level. The device includes foldable hinged sections that are positioned through a linkage to form steps for use by able-bodied persons and are extendible laterally outwardly relative to the stepwell so as to align the hinged sections along a horizontal plane and thereby form the platform for supporting the wheelchair.

Abstract: A power operated step assembly providing an auxiliary step adjacent the doorway of a vehicle. A box frame is secured to vehicle support structure below a doorway open to the interior of the vehicle. A step unit is movably connected to the box frame with two pair of parallel links. A transverse rod mounted on the frame is secured to one link of each pair of links so that the links are rotated in response to rotation of the rod. A power unit comprising a reversible electric motor and a lead screw carrying a nut is attached to the frame and crank arms connected to the rod. A step unit having a transverse platform pivoted to the lower ends of the links is selectively moved to an out step position and an in upper storage position in response to operation of the reversible electric motor.

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: 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 vehicle step which includes a pair of pivotally supported levers or links to which are pivotally connected a pair of pivotally connected tread supporting members. Said members engage a transverse bar which together with the levers guide the tread in its movement so that it may be easily moved to extended or retracted positions with fingertip ease.

Abstract: A truck ladder assembly for attachment to the underside of a truckbed includes a ladder portion movable between a first operable position providing easy access to the truckbed and a second collapsed position providing an unobstructive storage of the ladder portion. The truck ladder assembly includes a mounting frame and a ladder portion having stabilizer arms and unlatching levers. The mounting frame is attached to the underside of the truckbed with the ladder portion pivotably attached to the mounting frame by a pair of spacing members extending at right angles to the ladder portion. First and second stabilizer arms, which are pivotably attached to the ladder portion, each include a pair of notches that releasably engage the mounting frame. First and second release levers pivotably attached to the ladder portion are provided in close proximity to the stabilizer arms to facilitate the disengagement of the stabilizer arms from the mounting frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are lowerable step assemblies as an accessory confined between the upright hinged-edge and free-edge of a door, and especially adapted for a motor vehicle door. The step assembly includes a step-on tread pivotably associated with the lower portion of a vertical rail guided by a track means aptly mounted at the door interior side, has an operative lower-station wherein the tread is horizontal and located in elevation between the opened door bottom-edge and an underlying substrate, and also has a stowed upper-station wherein the pivotal tread has automatically assumed vertical and parallel relationship to the closed door above the bottom-edge.

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 three hinged parallel sections which can be withdrawn and folded into two steps. A ramp normally hidden under the steps slides forward to allow easy access to the extended platform and a safety flap housed in the ramp flips upward to form an angle stop preventing the wheelchair from rolling backward during platform motion.

Abstract: An extensible step assembly having steps secured to sections of extensible or telescoping arms whereby the assembly can be moved from a retracted compact position to an extended position for use.

Abstract: A retractable step for camper-trailers, motor homes and other uses, and comprising; a supporting member which is mounted under a doorway and has a step member connected to it by pivotal linkage which enables the step member to be raised and retracted under the threshold of the doorway for storage or lowered and extended in front of it for use; and with means for biasing the step member into its usable position and other means responsive to vehicle engine vacuum pressure for automatically retracting it into storage.

Abstract: A bus vehicle includes an entry way having a lower step, a middle step and a third step which is the floor of the vehicle. The bottom step is vertically movable to three positions, a ground engaging position, a position in the plane of the bottom of the vehicle and a position in the plane of the vehicle floor. A step extension portion is pivotally connected to the movable step and pivots out of the way when the step is in its two lowered positions and pivots to a horizontal position when the step is in its raised floor position thereby providing a continuous floor over the entry way. A closure plate closes the bottom of the entry way and is movable downwardly by the movable step when moving to its ground engaging position.

Abstract: A footstep carried by a cab of a large automotive truck so that a driver of the vehicle can more easily step up or step down between the cab and ground; the footstep being vertically movable so to minimize a stepping distance; the device including a hydraulic or pneumatic powered cylinder having a slidable piston to which the footstep is rigidly secured.

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.

Abstract: A service platform for removable mounting on a vehicle bumper includes a generally planar platform member with means for engaging the bumper for supporting and locking the platform thereto in a substantially horizontal plane and for permitting unlocking and removal from the bumper when the platform is moved to a substantially vertical plane.

Abstract: A demountable boat trailer step including a foot plate having a pair of parallel slots adjacent each end and running substantially the full width of the plate, a plurality of bolts, a pair of clamp bars, and a plurality of nuts. The foot plate rests on the top surface of a boat trailer frame member and is demountably attached by means of bolts extending through the slots and engaging clamp bars contacting the undersurface of the frame member. Slots in the foot plate permit mounting on various sizes of frame members. Adapters are provided for attachment of the step to cylindrical frame members.

Abstract: The structure disclosed embraces a pair of vertical angle iron brackets welded to the rear ends of side walls of a truck service body in the plane of the rear end opening of the latter. A rectangular sheet metal tail gate having tapering end flanges welded thereto, the latter being provided with upper and lower pairs of laterally extending bolts, the lower pair of which extend laterally into vertical slots in the lower portions of said brackets and the upper pair of which extend laterally into notches formed in the upper ends of said brackets. The tail gate is normally held in vertical position closing the rear end of the truck body and is adapted to be readily shifted to horizontally rearwardly extending position by lifting said tail gate to remove the upper bolts from said notches and then swinging it downwardly until the wider lower ends of said end flanges abut against lower end portions of said brackets, this rigidly supporting the tail gate horizontally.

Abstract: A bus loader for a wheel chair and for the infirm embodies a platform which is mounted within the entrance area at the front of the bus. A minimum change in the standard bus is achieved by removing the bottom and intermediate steps at the front entrance and mounting the loading mechanism within the resulting recess. The loading mechanism is so constructed that the doors will swing in at each side of the opening in a manner in which they are normally operated. The platform is moved to the ground or curbstone, the wheel chair is moved thereon and retained in position and the platform, wheel chair and occupant is raised and the platform advanced toward the bus driver and lowered upon the floor permitting the wheel chair occupant to drop a fare in the fare box. A rail is provided on the forward and inner sides of the platform so that the physically handicapped and the infirm may stand upon the platform and be raised into the bus thereby reducing the time required for loading the bus.

Abstract: A lift device particularly suitable for lifting handicapped persons with or without wheel chairs 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 various step elements are moveable and can cooperate to form a platform which can be lowered or raised to any position between the upper and lower level of the steps. A ramp normally hidden under the steps slides forward to allow easy access to the extended platform and a safety flap housed in the ramp flips upward to form an angle stop preventing the wheel chair from rolling backward during platform motion.

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: A self-storing step structure for vehicular mounting including a first step section, means for pivotally connecting the first step section to a vehicle for pivotation about a horizontal axis between an operative position and a stored position, an extensible step section sidably engaging said first step section, and means for adjustably interlocking said first step section with said extensible step section at a preselected relative location.

Abstract: A step-grab element system is provided for ascending to or descending from an elevated position on a vehicle. A step and a grab element are each pivotally connected to the vehicle and are connected to one another for moving the step between an operable position and an inoperable, protected position in response to moving the grab element between an operable position and an inoperable, protected position.

Abstract: In order to provide increased ramp clearance for the front end of a bus body forwardly of the front wheels, the underbody of the bus is angled upwardly and forwardly toward the lower edge of the front bumper from a transverse line just forwardly of the front wheel wells, and a lower front step for the bus is hingedly mounted at its rear end to swing between a raised, stowed position, flush with the angled underbody, and a lowered, deployed position with the step horizontal and supported to carry the weight of passengers boarding and leaving the bus. Mechanism is provided for operating the step synchronously with the opening and closing of the bus front doors.

Abstract: A step apparatus comprised of a bracket and a step assembly is adapted to be affixed to a machine such as an excavator. The step assembly is mounted in the bracket and pivotable to first and second positions relative to the bracket. A resilient means associated with the step assembly urges the step assembly toward the second position. Locking means are operatively connected with the bracket and the step assembly. The step assembly is urged in a first direction while in its first position relative to the bracket by the resilient means to engage the locking means and secure the step assembly in its first position. The step assembly is movable in a second direction while in its first position to disengage the locking means to allow the step assembly to be urged to its second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steps for large machinery such as road graders, and more particularly to a hydraulically operated step which elevates the operator from a lowered position to a position where he can easily move into the operator's cab.

Abstract: A vehicle has a step that is vertically movable for protecting the step against damage. Pivot means and restraining means of the step are positioned for avoiding damage.

Abstract: A supporting body member is arranged to be secured to a vehicle frame and has a downwardly angled flat wall portion on which one end of an arm carrying a step plate is pivotally attached. The axis of the pivot connection for the step arm extends at right angles to the downwardly angled wall portion so that when the arm is swung out to a use position the step plate is in a lowered position and when swung rearwardly to a non-use position the step plate is elevated. The body member has an upwardly directed front flange forming a stop for the step arm, and a detent is located on the flat wall portion behind the step arm to hold the latter in its use position, the arm being arranged, however, such that it can move rearward over the detent in the event that the arm or step plate is struck from the front or in the event that it is desired to retract the step manually.

Abstract: In an earth-moving vehicle, a step assembly having a step member and an attachment device is affixed outwardly of the frame of the vehicle to allow longitudinal displacement of the step member upon contacting an obstruction. The attachment device comprises a plurality of flexible members each having a flexible cable with rigid threaded rods affixed at each end for securing the step member to the vehicle frame or bracket affixed thereto; and an elastomeric tubular member encompassing the flexible cable, the elastomeric member acting as a spacer to spatially remove the step member from the vehicle frame while allowing the step member to deflect longitudinally relative to the vehicle frame upon contacting an obstruction adjacent to the path of the vehicle and to return the step member to its operating position upon clearing the obstruction.

Abstract: A yieldable vehicle step is provided having a rigid foot support member pendantly supported from the side of a vehicle frame by a pair of relatively strong, but deflectable legs. Each leg is constructed from a chain and an outer deformable stiffener member circumposed about such chain. The outer member affords sufficient lateral rigidity or stiffness to the legs so as to minimize undue swinging movement of the step when in use, but which automatically returns to its suspended position whenever deflected by contact with an obstruction during movement of the vehicle.

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 movable step assembly for use in mass transit vehicles to accommodate variations in passenger off and on loading facilities, said steps being movable from a conventional relation to permit on and off loading to street levels to an aligned, coplanar relation to permit on and off loading onto subway and other elevated platforms.

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.

Abstract: A self-storing step assembly comprises an upright U-shaped member having a pair of parallel legs each reciprocally mounted in a tubular housing secured to a vehicle. A compression coil spring is disposed in each of the housings, between a pair of annular guide members, to engage a respective one of the legs to raise the step member to its stored position and to permit a workman to engage the step member with his foot to move it downwardly against the force of the springs to a lowered position.