Kwikee Products Co., Inc.

Malcolm M Maccabee

James R Kunz

Benjamin James Boyce

The step assembly (,) includes a housing (,) which is mountable to a recreational vehicle, typically underneath the door of the vehicle. A pair of linkage arms (,) and (,) are rotatably coupled at their lower ends to each side of the housing (,). The step assembly (,) contains an upper tread assembly (,), a center tread assembly (,), and a lower tread assembly (,), respectively including an upper step (,), a center step (,), and a lower step (,). The upper ends of the linkage arms (,) and (,) are rotatably connected to the upper portion of the upper tread assembly (,). The center tread assembly (,) is slidably engaged with the upper tread assembly (,) through a slideway assembly (,). The lower tread assembly (,) has a lower tread pivot arm (,) which is rotatably coupled to the center tread assembly (,) by a pin (,) mounted on the center tread assembly. The lower step (,) has a lower face (,) that substantially closes off the housing (,) when the step assembly is in a fully retracted position, forming a continuation of the vehicle outer surface. A linear actuator (,) is connected to the housing (,) and one of the tread assemblies, in order to extend and retract the tread assembly relative to the housing (,).

Step assembly with concealed lower tread

A retractable step assembly (10) includes a step (12) pinned to the lower ends of a pair of swing arms (14, 16) depending downwardly from a bracket (30) for mounting the step assembly to the underside of a vehicle. An electric motor (20) powers the upper end of a swing arm (14) to rotate the two swing arms between retracted and extended positions. A clutch assembly (24) is interposed between the electric motor and the swing arm (14) to allow the motor to continue to operate to the end of its cycle if the step or swing arm become obstructed. A lock assembly (170) is provided to lock the step in retracted position, with the lock being automatically disengaged when the step assembly is actuated to extend the step from retracted position.

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Yoncalla, OR, United States of America

Malcolm M Maccabee