FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
PIVOTED STEP ASSEMBLY CONNECTED TO DOOR ASSEMBLY
OF MOTOR VEHICLE
APPLICANT(S)
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, India.
An Indian Company.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to stepping assist for motor vehicles, and more specifically related to a pivoted step assembly connected to a door assembly of a motor vehicle for easy access while opening the door of the motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Running boards or similar stepping assists are sometimes added to the side of a motor vehicle, especially to a vehicle with a relatively high ground clearance as shown in the FIG. 1. Every time while rising through foot step (1) on cabin of the vehicle has no alternative way to increase door opening angle due to design constraint. In existing scenario, the driver and co-driver need to hold cabin handle firmly then come out from seat and search for the foot step (1). After opening the door, less approach angle is provided to keep foot and was unergonomic. The human body need to be carved during climbing and downhill / coming out from the cabin due to the foot step (1) are not coming in front of human after using holding handle. Hence either only front side handle shall be used or both front and rear handle shall be used. In existing scenario, when only one front handle is used then all body weights coming to hand or need to take support of LH hand by resting on mudguard profile or on driver seat.
[0003] Hence there remains a need for an improvised design to increase an approach angle to driver and co-driver during climbing / downhill /coming out from the cabin of the vehicle.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a pivoted step assembly connected to a door assembly of a motor vehicle. The pivoted step assembly includes a stepping member having a stepping surface and movable

between a retracted position and a detracted position with respect to the motor vehicle.
[0005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide pivoted foot step assembly for easy access while opening the door of a cabin of the motor vehicle. The pivoted step assembly came out as the door of the vehicle is opened opening. This provides improved safety as footsteps are visible from driver seat during coming out of the vehicle.
[0006] Yet another object of the embodiments is to provide lever linkage through which the pivoted step assembly is connected to the door assembly of a motor vehicle at upper LHS in order to position the pivoted step assembly in parallel to human footsteps.
[0007] Yet another object of the embodiments is to open the pivoted step assembly in opposite direction when the door of the motor vehicle is open in an outward direction.
[0008] Yet another object of the embodiments is to open the pivoted step assembly in an inward direction when the door of the motor vehicle is closed in an inward direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect the object is satisfied by providing a pivoted step assembly connected to a door assembly of a motor vehicle. The pivoted step assembly includes a stepping member having a stepping surface and movable between a retracted position and a detracted position with respect to the motor vehicle, a lever linkage through which the pivoted step assembly is connected to the door assembly of a motor vehicle at upper LHS, and a hinge axis pivoted to a bottom bumper support linkage at RHS. When the door of the motor vehicle is open in an outward

direction, the pivoted step assembly causes to open in opposite direction so that accessible space is automatically created for climbing on footsteps of the retractable step assembly. When the door of the motor vehicle is closed in an inward direction, the pivoted step assembly causes to open in an inward direction.
[0010] In an embodiment, the hinge axis is connected in opposite direction to a door hinge axis of the door assembly so that the pivoted step assembly causes to open in the opposite direction thereby creating accessible space for climbing on the stepping member.
[0011] In an embodiment, the bottom bumper support is connected to a thrust bearing.
[0012] In an embodiment, the pivoted step assembly comprises a square tube connected to the hinge axis.
[0013] In an embodiment, a pivot point support for the hinge axis is taken from a mudguard side of the motor vehicle and the bottom bumper support is taken from a FUPD by providing the square tube.
[0014] In an embodiment, the pivot point is provided at top and bottom at an outer edge of the stepping member.
[0015] In an embodiment, the pivoted step assembly rotates along with the door assembly of the motor vehicle using the lever linkage during the opening and closing of the door of the motor vehicle.
[0016] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous

specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the scope thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] The proposed a pivoted step assembly are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a foot step design of an existing motor vehicle, according
to prior art;
[0019] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrates perspective views of a pivoted step assembly
connected to a door assembly of a motor vehicle, according to embodiments as
disclosed herein; and
[0020] FIGS. 3 illustrates details of the retractable step assembly, according to
embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0021] It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawing. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawing are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimension of some of the elements in the drawing may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve the understanding of aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the drawing by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to the understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the drawing with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 2 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0024] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrates perspective views of a pivoted step assembly (2) connected to a door assembly (3) of a motor vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The pivoted step assembly (2) includes a stepping member (4) having a stepping surface. The pivoted step assembly (2) is movable between a retracted position and a detracted position with respect to the motor vehicle. Unlike conventional designs in which the foot assembly remains static and does not rotate along with the movements of the door, the proposed pivoted step assembly (2) is rotated with the door thereby providing sufficient space for the driver or user to comfortably come out of the cabin of the vehicle.

[0025] FIGS. 3 illustrates details of the pivoted step assembly (2), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As shown in the FIG. 3, the pivoted step assembly (2) includes a lever linkage (5), a hinge axis (6), and a square tube (8).
[0026] The lever linkage (5) through which the pivoted step assembly (2) is connected to the door assembly (3) of the motor vehicle at upper LHS. The hinge axis (6) is pivoted to a bottom bumper support linkage at RHS. The square tube (8) is connected to the hinge axis (6). The hinge axis (6) is connected opposite to a door hinge axis (7) of the door assembly (3) so that the pivoted step assembly (2) causes to open in the opposite direction to automatically create accessible space for climbing on the stepping member (4). In an embodiment, the bottom bumper support is connected to a thrust bearing. The pivot point support for the hinge axis (6) is taken from a mudguard side of the motor vehicle and the bottom bumper support is taken from a FUPD by providing the square tube (8). The pivot point is provided at top and bottom at outer edge of the stepping member (4).
[0027] When the door of the motor vehicle is open in an outward direction (9), the pivoted step assembly (2) causes to open in opposite direction thereby creating accessible space for climbing on footsteps of the pivoted step assembly (2). When the door of the motor vehicle is closed in an inward direction, the pivoted step assembly (2) causes to open in an inward direction (10). The pivoted step assembly (2) rotates along with the door assembly (3) of the motor vehicle using the lever linkage (5) during the opening and closing of the door of the motor vehicle.
[0028] Stay arrangement is done from front side to take the footstep out from the vehicle bodyline, during opening or closing of the door. Unlike conventional designs in which the foot assembly remains static and does not rotate along with the movements of the door, the proposed pivoted step assembly (2) is rotated with the door thereby providing sufficient space for the driver or user to comfortably come out of the cabin of the vehicle. The stepping member (4) are made in such way that it can move horizontally in plane. This arrangement has been done to

adjust the foot step location as per human requirement without twisting own body or making curvature to own body. In new proposal Mudguard die for plastic mudguard need to rectify by removing footstep portion from die and need to develop separate mold foot step.
[0029] In existing scenario, cabin handle need to be held firmly then come out from seat and search for foot step. This requirement is completely vanished using the proposed pivoted step assembly (2). There is no need to twist or curve human body while coming out of the vehicle. This reduces vein pain chance and also human effort required during climbing and coming out from the vehicle. The proposed pivoted step assembly (2) provides improved safety as footsteps are visible from driver seat during coming out of the vehicle. After developing the footstep will came out while opening the door and more approach angle to keep foot and easy to uphill.
[0030] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal 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 scope of the embodiments as described herein.

[0031] List to reference numerals:

Sr. No. Description
1 foot step
2 pivoted step assembly
3 door assembly
4 stepping member
5 lever linkage
6 hinge axis
7 door hinge axis
8 square tube
9 outward direction
10 inward direction

We Claim:
1. A pivoted step assembly (2) connected to a door assembly (3) of a motor vehicle, wherein the pivoted step assembly (2) comprises:
a stepping member (4) having a stepping surface and movable between a retracted position and a detracted position with respect to the motor vehicle;
a lever linkage (5) through which the pivoted step assembly (2) is connected to the door assembly (3) of the motor vehicle at upper LHS; and
a hinge axis (6) pivoted to a bottom bumper support linkage at RHS,
wherein when door of the motor vehicle is open in an outward direction, the pivoted step assembly (2) causes to open in opposite direction creating accessible space for climbing on footsteps of the pivoted step assembly (2), and
wherein when the door of the motor vehicle is closed in an inward direction, the pivoted step assembly (2) causes to open in an inward direction.
2. The pivoted step assembly (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge axis (6) is connected in opposite to a door hinge axis (7) of the door assembly (3) so that the pivoted step assembly (2) causes to open in the opposite direction creating accessible space for climbing on the stepping member (4).
3. The pivoted step assembly (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom bumper support is connected to a thrust bearing.
4. The pivoted step assembly (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivoted step assembly (2) comprises a square tube (8) connected to the hinge axis (6).
5. The pivoted step assembly (2) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a pivot point support for the hinge axis (6) is taken from a mudguard side of the motor vehicle and the bottom bumper support is taken from a FUPD by providing the square tube (8).

6. The pivoted step assembly (2) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivot point is provided at top and bottom at an outer edge of the stepping member (4).
7. The pivoted step assembly (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivoted step assembly (2) rotates along with the door assembly (3) of the motor vehicle using the lever linkage (5) during the opening and closing of the door of the motor vehicle.