The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 22, 1990
Filed:
Oct. 18, 1989
Mark Fox, Lynnwood, WA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A self retracting step apparatus (10) mounted on the underside of a boat step (12) that projects rearwardly from the transom (14) of a boat. The step apparatus includes a mounting bracket (26) to which a support bar (16) is pivotally connected. A stirrup step (20) is secured to the distal end of the support bar, and is pivotal between an extended position and a retracted position. The support bar and stirrup step define a forwardly facing reactive surface (24) against which drag forces act upon movement of the boat. Springs (22) connected from the mounting bracket to the support bar nominally bias the stirrup step to the extended position, but may be overcome by the drag forces to allow the stirrup step to begin pivoting towards the retracted position. Once the stirrup step has begun movement from the extended position, the springs act to compel further pivoting of the stirrup step to a retracted position for stowage.