DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a footstep and is particularly to a folding footstep adapted for use on a vehicle such as a truck or a rail transit vehicle to provide a convenient means to ascend or descend the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Vehicles, such as trucks, rail transit cars, campers and trailers, jeep, require some means to facilitate climbing up and down the vehicle. Various footsteps have been designed to facilitate ascend or descend the vehicle.
Conventional footstep used in the vehicles generally extends in a direction away from the vehicle rear. However, due to the attachment of the footstep to the chassis on the vehicle rear side, the footprint of the vehicle along the length of the vehicle increases. Moreover, the conventional footstep assembly is bulky in construction. Thus, the construction of the footstep assembly is not user-friendly.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a foldable footstep assembly, that alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly which is attachable to a vehicle.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly which is convenient to operate manually.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly that reduces bulkiness of the footstep assembly.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly that reduces footprint of the vehicle.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly that acts as rear bumper for a vehicle.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly that provides enough strength to a footstep.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable footstep assembly that reduces the weight of the footstep assembly.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a foldable footstep assembly. The footstep assembly is configured to be attachable to a vehicle. The footstep assembly comprises a base frame, a footstep swivelably attached to the base frame and a biasing member configured to be operatively mounted between the base frame and the footstep to offer a resilient biasing force against the swiveling of the footstep. In an operative confuration of the foldable footstep assembly, the footstep is configured to be swiveled between an inoperative folded position and an operative extended position.
In an embodiment, the footstep assembly includes at least one reinforcement member and is configured to be mounted with the footstep. The reinforcement member is selected from a metal, alloy, composite or combination thereof.
Further, the base frame is configured with a pair of first arms. A first operative portion of the pair of first arms is configured to be mounted on to a body frame of a vehicle, and a second operative portion of the pair of first arms is configured with a cavity to slidably receive a locking means therein.
In an embodiment, the locking means is configured to be displaced from an unlocking position to a locking position and vice-versa. The biasing member is configured to be operatively mounted between the base frame and the locking means to resiliently bias the displacement of the locking means from the unlocking position to the locking position.
Further, the footstep is configured with a pair of second arms. An operative portion of the second arms is configured to be pivotally mounted to the base frame to facilitate the swiveling of the footstep between the folded position and the extended position.
In an embodiment, a cam profile is configured on the operative portion of the second arms. The locking means is configured to abut against the cam profile under the resilient force of the biasing member. A first groove is configured on the cam profile corresponding to the folded position of the footstep assembly, and a second groove is configured on the cam profile corresponding to the extended position of the footstep assembly.
Further, a first operative end of the biasing member is configured to be hooked to an operative portion of the locking means and a second operative end of the biasing member is configured to be hooked to an operative portion of the base frame. The cam profile is configured to rotate against the locking means between the folded position and the extended position.
In an embodiment, the locking means is configured to rest in the first groove during the folded position of the footstep frame.
In another embodiment, the locking means is configured to rest in the second groove during the extended position of the footstep frame.
In an embodiment, the base frame, the footstep, the reinforcement member, the first pair of arms, the second pair of arms are selected from a group of metal, composites or combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the biasing member is selected from a class of torsional spring or leaf spring.
In an embodiment, the footstep assembly is operated either manually or by means of a motorized means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The foldable footstep assembly, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1a shows an isometric view of a foldable footstep assembly connected to a body frame of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1b shows a perspective side view of a foldable footstep assembly in an inoperative folded position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1c shows a perspective side view of a foldable footstep assembly in an operative extended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 shows a perspective isometric view of a foldable footstep assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 shows a perspective isometric view depicting the construction details of the footstep which includes a pivot interconnection, a cam profile, and a locking means in an operative extended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 shows a perspective isometric view depicting the construction details of the footstep which includes a base frame, a pair of first arms, a pair of second arms, a biasing member, a pivot interconnection, a locking means in an inoperative folded position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 shows a perspective enlarged sectional side view depicting the construction details of Figure 4 in an inoperative folded position of the footstep; and
Figure 6 shows a perspective side view depicting the construction details in an inoperative folded position of the footstep.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100 foldable footstep assembly
10 base frame
12 first arm
14 locking means
18 footstep
18a bead portion
20 second arm
22 cam profile
22a first groove
22b second groove
24 biasing member
24a first operative end of baising member
24b second operative end of baising member
26 reinforcement member
28 dampeners
30 fasteners
32 rear bumper
34 footstep bracket
36 body frame
38 pivotal interconnection
40a first hook point of biasing member
40b second hook point of biasing member
42 axis of pivot
44 damping pad
46 mounting means of base frame
48 first pivoting hole of first arm
50 cavity of first arm
52 second pivoting hole of second arm
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on", “engaged to”,“connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third, etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Generally, Conventional footstep used in the vehicles generally extends in a direction away from the vehicle rear. However, due to the attachment of the footstep to the chassis on the vehicle rear side, the footprint of the vehicle along the length of the vehicle increases. Moreover, the conventional footstep assembly is bulky in construction. Thus, the construction of the footstep assembly is not user-friendly.
In order to address the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure envisages a foldable footstep assembly (herein after referred as footstep assembly 100). The footstep assembly (100) is configured to be attachable to a base frame (10) of a rear portion of a vehicle to facilitate a passenger to ascend or descend in or from the vehicle. Figure 1a shows an isometric view of a foldable footstep assembly connected to a body frame of the vehicle, Figure 1b shows a perspective side view of a foldable footstep assembly in an inoperative folded position and Figure 1c shows a perspective side view of a foldable footstep assembly in an operative extended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Since, the footstep assembly (100) is mounted to the rear portion, therefore the footstep assembly (100) acts as a rear guard for the vehicle and protects the rear bumper (32) of the vehicle from accidental impact from any other vehicle approaching from the rear portion. In addition, the footstep assembly (100) is foldable, therefore it opens parallel to the rear bumper (32) of the vehicle and advantageously, it does not increase the length of the vehicle.
An embodiment of the present disclosure is explained with reference to figure 2- figure 6. The footstep assembly (100) comprises a base frame (10), a footstep (18), and a biasing member (24). Figure 2 shows a perspective isometric view of a foldable footstep assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base frame (10) is provided with a pair of first arms (12). The pair of first arms (12) is defined with a first operative portion and a second operative portion. The first operative portion of the first arm (12) is configured with a mounting means (46) and a plurality of holes thereon. The base frame (10) is mounted to a body frame (36) through the mounting means (46) by means of a plurality of fastening elements or fasteners. The second operative portion of the first arm (12) is configured with a first pivoting hole (48) and a cavity (50) to receive a locking means (14). The locking means (14) is configured to slider displaced within the cavity (50) under the resilient biasing force of at least one biasing member (24). The biasing member (24) is operatively connected between the locking means (24) and the base frame (10). An operative of the locking means (14) is configured to be hooked with a first operative end of the biasing member (24a), and a second operative end of the biasing member (24b) is configured to be hooked with an operative portion of the base frame (10).
In an embodiment, the base frame (10) is configured with at least one dampener (28). Advantageously, it absorbs the vibration and acts as isolation between the footstep (18) and the base frame (10). In addition, the configuration of the first arm (12) is selected in such a way that it provides sufficient stiffness and rigidity to the footstep assembly (100).
In an embodiment, the locking means (14) is selected from a group consisting of a locking screw or a locking means with a head thereon.
In an embodiment, there are two biasing members (24) with the footstep assembly (100). Each of the biasing member (24) is operatively attached to an operative surface of each of the first arm (12). The biasing member (24) is attached to the first arm (12) by means of the fastening elements.
In an embodiment, the biasing member (24) is selected from a group consisting of a torsional or leaf spring or combination thereof.
In an embodiment, at least one damping pad (44) is configured to be received between the mounting means (46) and the body frame (10). Advantageously, any sort of vibrations generated with the mounting means (46) or the body frame (10) will not get transmitted on either way and gets absorbed by the damping pad (44).
Further, the footstep (18) is configured to be attached with a pair of second arms (202). Each of the second arm (20) is configured on an operative extremity of the footstep (18). An operative portion of the second arms (20) is configured with a cam profile (22) and a second pivoting hole (52). The cam profile (22) is configured with a first groove (22a) and a second groove (22b). The footstep (18) is pivotally mounted to the second operative portion of the first arm (12) in such a way that the first pivoting hole (48) of the first arm and the second pivoting hole (52) of the second arm coincides and receives a fastening element therein. Thereby, the footstep (18) swivels around a pivot interconnection (38) between the inoperative folded position and the operative extended position of the footstep assembly (100). The pivotal interconnection (38) between the footstep (18) and the base frame (10) facilitates swiveling of the footstep (18) around an axis of pivot (42). Figure 3 shows a perspective isometric view depicting the construction details of the footstep which includes a pivot interconnection, a cam profile, and a locking means in an operative extended position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, the footstep (18) is configured with a plurality of bead portions (18a). Advantageously, the bead portion (18a) of the footstep provides sufficient rigidity and stiffness to the assembly (100).
Further, the swiveling of the footstep (18) is locked at a particular position by means of the locking means (14). The locking means (14) abuts operatively on the cam profile (22) and is configured to lock the rotation of the cam profile (22) if the locking means (14) moves within either of the first groove (22a) or the second groove (22b) of the cam profile. The first groove (22a) is configured on the cam profile (22) corresponding to the folded position of the footstep assembly (100), and the second groove (22b) is configured on the cam profile (22) corresponding to the extended position of the footstep assembly (100). Thus, the locking means (14) is configured to rest in the first groove (22a) during the folded position of the footstep (18), and the locking means (14) is configured to rest in the second groove (22b) during the extended position of the footstep (18). The actuation of the locking means (14) can be either controlled manually or by some motorized means for the actuation of the footstep assembly (100). Figure 4 shows a perspective isometric view depicting the construction details of the footstep which includes a base frame, a pair of first arms, a pair of second arms, a biasing member, a pivot interconnection, a locking means in an inoperative folded position. Figure 5 shows a perspective sectional enlarged side view depicting the construction details of in an inoperative folded position of the footstep; and Figure 6 shows a perspective side view depicting the construction details in an inoperative folded position of the footstep.
In an embodiment, the footstep (18) is moved down from the inoperative folded position to the operative extended position by applying some manual effort in the operative downward direction.
In another embodiment, the footstep (18) is moved up from the operative extended position towards the inoperative folded position by applying some manual lifting force or effort in the operative upward direction.
Further, the footstep (18) is provided with at least one reinforcement member (26). The reinforcement member (26) is configured to be mounted to an operative portion of the footstep (18) and the pair of the second arms (20). A flange provided on the reinforcement member (26) abuts on an operative surface of the dampener (28) to restrict the downward movement of the footstep (18) and absorb vibration
In an embodiment, the reinforcement member (26) is selected from a group consisting of a metal, alloy, composite or combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the reinforcement member (26) and the pair of second arms (20) are welded to an operative portion of the footstep (18).
In an embodiment, the footstep (18) and the pair of second arms (20) are configured with a plurality of holes. A footstep bracket (34) is allowed to be mounted on an operative surface of the footstep (18) by means of the plurality of fasteners therein.
In an embodiment, the base frame (10), the footstep (18), the reinforcement member (26), the pair of first arms (12), the pair of second arms (20) are selected from a group consisting of metal, composites or combination thereof.
Since, the footstep assembly (100) mainly consists of split type configuration. .i.e. the base frame (10) which is a stationary member and the footstep (18) which is a movable member, therefore it facilitates in reduction of bulkiness of the footstep assembly (100). In addition, since the footstep (18) is foldable therefore it reduces the footprint of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the operative extended position of the footstep changes the footprint of the vehicle in a range between 12mm-20mm.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of the foldable footstep assembly, that:
• is attachable to a vehicle;
• is convenient to operate manually ;
• the configuration of the base frame and footstep reduces bulkiness of the footstep assembly ;
• reduces the footprint of the vehicle;
• acts as rear bumper for a vehicle;
• provides enough strength to a footstep since the assembly is provided with a reinforcement member and a plurality of bead on the footstep; and
• reduces the weight of the footstep assembly since the moving component (.i.e. base frame) and the dynamic component (.i.e. footstep) is individually designed and joined together.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, or step, or group of elements, or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, or step, or group of elements, or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A foldable footstep assembly (100), configured to be attachable to a vehicle, said footstep assembly (100) comprising:
• a base frame (10);
• a footstep (18) swivelably attached to said base frame (10);
• a biasing member (24) configured to be operatively mounted between said base frame (10) and said footstep (18) to offer a resilient bias against the swiveling of said footstep (18);
said footstep (18) configured to be swiveled between an inoperative folded position and an operative extended position.
2. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of first arms (12) is configured on said base frame (10), a first operative portion of said pair of first arms (12) is configured to be mounted on to a body frame (36) of a vehicle, and a second operative portion of said pair of first arms (12) is configured with a cavity to slidably receive a locking means (14) therein.
3. The footstep assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said biasing member (24) is configured to be operatively mounted between said base frame (10) and said locking means (14) to resiliently bias the displacement of said locking means (14).
4. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said footstep (18) is configured with a pair of second arms (20), an operative portion of said second arms (20) is configured to be pivotally mounted to said base frame (10) to facilitate the swiveling of said footstep (18) between said folded position and said extended position.
5. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a cam profile (22) is configured on said operative portion of said second arms (20), said locking means (14) is configured to abut against said cam profile (22) under the resilient force of said biasing member (24).
6. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a first groove (22a) is configured on said cam profile corresponding to said folded position of said footstep assembly (100), and a second groove (22b) is configured on said cam profile (22) corresponding to said extended position of said footstep assembly (100).
7. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a first operative end of said biasing member (24a) is configured to be hooked to an operative portion of said locking means (14) and a second operative end of said biasing member (24b) is configured to be hooked to an operative portion of said base frame (10), said biasing member (24) is selected from a class of torsional spring or leaf spring.
8. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said cam profile (22) is configured to rotate against said locking means (14) between said folded position and said extended position, said locking means (14) is configured to rest in said first groove (22a) during said folded position of said footstep (18), and said locking means (14) is configured to rest in said second groove (22b) during said extended position of said footstep (18).
9. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, includes at least one reinforcement member (26) and is configured to be mounted with said footstep (18) and said second arms (20), wherein said reinforcement member (26) and said pair of second arms (20) are welded to an operative portion of said footstep (18), said reinforcement member (26) is selected from a metal, alloy, composite or combination thereof.
10. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, includes at least a pair of dampeners (28), each of said dampener (28) is configured with said base frame, a flange portion of said reinforcement member (26) is configured to abut on an operative surface of said dampeners (28) to restrict the downward movement of said footstep (28).
11. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claim 1-10, wherein said footstep (18) and said pair of second arms (20) are configured with a plurality of holes to receive a plurality of fasteners for mounting a footstep bracket (34) thereon, and said footstep (18) is mounted to said base frame (10) by means a plurality of fasteners.
12. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said footstep (18) is configured with a plurality of bead portion (18a), and said footstep assembly (100) is operated either manually or by means of a motorized means.
13. A foldable footstep assembly (100), comprising:
• a base frame (10);
• a pair of first arms (12) configured on said base frame (10);
• a locking means (14) provided on each of said first arms (12) and configured to be displaced between an unlocking position and a locking position;
• a biasing member (24) configured to be operatively mounted between said base frame (10) and said locking means (14) to bias the displacement of said locking means (14);
• a pair of second arms (20) configured to be pivotally mounted to said base frame (10);
• a cam profile (22) configured on an operative portion of said second arms (20), said locking means (14) configured to abut against said cam profile (22) under the action of said biasing member (24);
• a first groove (22a) configured on said cam profile (22) corresponding to an inoperative folded position of said footstep assembly (100);
• a second groove (22b) configured on said cam profile (22) corresponding to an operative extended position of said footstep assembly (100); and
• a footstep (18) configured to be mounted to an operative potion of said pair of second arms (20) to enable the movement of said footstep (18) between said inoperative folded position and said operative extended position.
14. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein a first operative portion of said pair of first arms (12) is configured to be mounted on to a body frame (36) of a vehicle, a second operative portion of said pair of first arms (12) is configured with a cavity (50) to slidably receive said locking means (14) therein.
15. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein a first operative end of said biasing member (24) is configured to be hooked to said locking means (14) and a second operative end of said biasing member (24) is configured to be hooked to an operative portion said base frame (10).
16. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein said cam profile (22) is configured to rotate against said locking means (14) between said first groove (22a) and said second groove (22b) to facilitate the movement of said footstep (18) between said folded position and said extended position.
17. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 16, wherein said locking means (14) is configured to rest in said first groove (22a) during said folded position of said footstep (18), and wherein said locking means (14) is configured to rest in said second groove (22a) during said extended position of said footstep (18).
18. The footstep assembly (100) as claimed in claim 13, includes at least one reinforcement member (26) and is configured to be mounted with said footstep (18), said reinforcement member (26) is selected from a metal, alloy, composite or combination thereof.
Dated this 21st day of April, 2023

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant