DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to footstep assistance for vehicles, more particularly but not exclusively to a retractable footstep assembly which is movable between a retracted or storage position and an extended position, mounted underside of the vehicle to assist a passenger or an occupant to enter or exit the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Large vehicles, such as trucks, rail transit cars, campers and trailers, require some means to facilitate climbing up and down the vehicle. Many types of passenger vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (e.g. JEEP brand vehicles), and vans, are raised off the ground farther than normal passenger automobiles. The increased height of the floor of the passenger cab from the ground makes it difficult to enter and exit these vehicles. Therefore, footsteps or foot assistance is required for easy ingress and egress to the vehicle. Various devices have been designed to facilitate such climbing, including removable, retractable and foldable steps.
[003] While existing devices provide adequate functionality, many of them do not adequately secure the step in the retracted position. This can result in the step inadvertently extending during travel, especially when traveling off-road or on a bumpy surface. Further, in existing assemblies, the foot step is added to the side of a vehicle or backside of the vehicle or fixed in a place. A fixed footstep cannot be used for vehicles where floor height is less. The designs of footstep assembly that are used in existing vehicles are not hidden from plain sight. Further, the footstep assemblies use electric motors, sensors and the like, thereby rendering the design and manufacture of the footstep assemblies to be complex and expensive.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for a footstep to assist a passenger or an occupant to enter or exit the vehicle and that obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[005] The principal object of the embodiments of this invention is to provide a retractable footstep assembly which is movable between a retracted or storage position and an extended position which functions as assisting step to a vehicle.
[006] Another object of the embodiments of this invention is to provide a sliding type retractable footstep assembly which is movable between a retracted or storage position and an extended position which is mounted underside of the vehicle to assist a passenger or an occupant to enter or exit the vehicle.
[007] Yet another object of the embodiments of this invention is to provide a retractable footstep assembly which is simple in construction and less expensive.
[008] 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 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 spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments of this invention 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:
[0010] FIGS. 1a and 1b depict a perspective view of the retractable footstep assembly in retracted position and extended position, respectively, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the retractable footstep assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the retractable footstep assembly in extended position and its interface with a bumper, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the retractable footstep in retracted position and its interface with a bumper, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIGS. 5a and 5b are bottom views of the retractable footstep in retracted position and extended position, respectively, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] 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. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a retractable vehicle step which is movable between a retracted or storage position and an extended position which functions as assisting step to the vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a sliding type retractable step mounted underside of the vehicle to assist a passenger or an occupant to enter or exit the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5b, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] FIGS. 1a and 1b depict a perspective view of the retractable footstep assembly in retracted position and extended position, respectively, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The embodiments herein are described with reference to a footstep assembly assembled below a bumper (backside) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the retractable footstep assembly 100 includes a first frame member 102a, a second frame member 102b, a first end 104a, a second end 104b, a first guiding member 106a, a second guiding member 106b, at least one step 108, an actuator 110, a latch member 112, a first connecting bar 114, second connecting bar 116 and a support bracket 118.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the retractable footstep assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The retractable footstep assembly 100 includes a first frame member 102a and a second frame member 102b. Both the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b include a first end 104a and a second end 104b. The first end 104a of both the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b are made up of predetermined shape. The first end 104a of both the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b are connected to underside of the passenger vehicle. The first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b are made of rigid material to withstand the load applied on them. The retractable footstep assembly 100 further includes the first connecting bar 114 connecting the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b. The second end 104b of both the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b are made up of predetermined shape to accommodate the first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b respectively.
[0019] Further, the retractable footstep assembly 100 includes the first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b mounted at the second end 104b of the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b. Both the first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b define an inner guide way (not shown) which is configured to provide sliding ability to the step 108. The first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b are selected from a group consisting of sliding rail, roller wheels, metal slide, skate rail and the like. For example, the first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b are slide rails configured to provide sliding motion to the step 108. In an embodiment, the slide rails are seat slide rails. The first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b are connected to the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b by at least one of welding, bolts and nuts, screw mechanism and the like.
[0020] The retractable footstep assembly 100 further includes the at least one step 108. The step 108 is configured to slide in the inner guide ways defined by the first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b thereby sliding between the retracted position and the extended position. The step 108 in retracted position or storage position moves towards the vehicle underside while the step 108 in the extended position moves away from the vehicle. The step 108 includes an area that can be stepped upon. In an embodiment, the step 108 is made up of aluminium. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the step 108 made up of any material without otherwise deterring the intended function of assisting footstep as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Further, the step 108 is extruded and corrugated for providing support and grip for the passenger or occupant.
[0021] The retractable footstep assembly 100 further includes the supporting bracket 118. The supporting bracket 118 is disposed below the step 108. The supporting bracket 118 is configured to provide support to the step 108. The supporting bracket 118 is configured act as a connector to connect the actuator 110 to the step 108 and as a load carrier. Further, actuator 110 and the second connecting bar 116 are connected to the step 108 by means of the supporting bracket 118.
[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a sectional view of the retractable footstep assembly in extended position and in retracted position, and its interface with a bumper, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The retractable footstep assembly is assembled below the bumper of the vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the retractable footstep assembly 100 at any location of the vehicle such as sides of vehicle or front of vehicle without otherwise deterring the intended function of assisting footstep as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0023] The retractable footstep assembly 100 further includes the actuator 110. The actuator 110 is configured to linearly move the step 108 between the retracted position or storage position and the extended position. The actuator 110 further includes a first end (not shown) supported by the first connecting bar 114 and a second end (not shown) connected to the step 108. The actuator 110 considered herein the description may be a gas strut. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of actuator 110 without otherwise deterring the intended function of actuating the step 108 (extend and retract) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The gas strut in the retractable footstep assembly 100 comprises of a gas filled actuator that is configured to extend and retract the step 108 during ingress and egress.
[0024] The retractable footstep assembly 100 further includes the latch member 112. The latch member 112 is configured to operate the actuator 110. The latch member 112 is pushed to operate the actuator 110 to retract or extend i.e. to engage or disengage the retractable footstep assembly 100. The latch member 112 described herein may be a standard switch that is configured to keep the step 108 locked in retracted position once engaged and can be released (i.e. extended) by pushing it once again. The latch member 112 is operated manually by an operator to extend or retract the step 108.
[0025] FIGS. 5a and 5b is a bottom view of the retractable footstep in retracted position and extended position respectively, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The retractable footstep assembly 100 further includes the first connecting bar 114. The first connecting bar 114 is connected between the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b to hold or support the first frame member 102a and the second frame member 102b in its position. Further the first connecting bar 114 includes an opening O to receive the latch member 112. The first connecting bar 114 further supports the actuator 110.
[0026] The retractable footstep assembly 100 further includes the second connecting bar 116. The latch member 112 of the retractable footstep assembly 100 is mounted on the second connecting bar 116 which is in turn connected to the step 108. The second connecting bar 116 includes a first end (not shown) connected to the step 108 and a second end (not shown) configured to couple with the first connecting bar 114.
[0027] For example, the first guiding member 106a and the second guiding member 106b, the actuator 110 and the latch member 112 are used as off the shelf components to fabricate the retractable foot step.
[0028] Some of the technical advantages provided by the embodiments herein are less material cost, optimal utilization of the available material, and simple in construction.
[0029] 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 spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A retractable footstep assembly 100 for a vehicle, said assembly 100 comprising:
a first frame member 102a and a second frame member 102b, each of said first frame member 102a and said second frame member 102b having a first end 104a and a second end 104b, said first end 104a of said first frame member 102a and said second frame member 102b connected to said vehicle;
a first guiding member 106a and a second guiding member 106b mounted at said second end 104b of said first frame member 102a and said second frame member 102b;
at least one step 108 mounted between said first guiding member 106a and said second guiding member 106b;
an actuator 110 to move said step 108 linearly between a retracted position and an extended position; and
a latch member 112 to engage and disengage said actuator 108.

2. The retractable footstep assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first frame member 102a and said second frame member 102b are connected by a first connecting bar 114.

3. The retractable vehicle step assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator 110 includes:
a first end supported by said first connecting bar 114; and
a second end connected to said step 108.
4. The retractable vehicle step assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first connecting bar 114 includes an opening O to receive said latch member 112.

5. The retractable footstep assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retractable footstep assembly includes a second connecting bar 116 having a first end connected to said step 108 and having a second end configured to couple with said first connecting bar 114.

6. The retractable footstep assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch member 112 of said retractable footstep assembly 100 is mounted on said second connecting bar 116 which is connected to said step 108.

7. The retractable footstep assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retractable footstep assembly includes a supporting bracket 118 to support said step 108.

8. The retractable footstep assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first guiding member 106a and said second guiding member 106b are selected from a group consisting of sliding rail, roller wheels, metal slide, and skate rail.