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:
Dec. 17, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 03, 1995
Richard F Demski, Appleton, WI (US);
Alan M Iversen, Appleton, WI (US);
Kevin J Quinn, Hortonville, WI (US);
Kenneth V Kamprath, Menasha, WI (US);
Timothy C Willett, Fond du Lac, WI (US);
J Roger Lackore, Jr, Appleton, WI (US);
Daniel E Friebel, Combined Locks, WI (US);
Russ Litscher, Kimberly, WI (US);
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., Appleton, WI (US);
Abstract
A pivotable fold-down step system mounted to a vehicle, such as a fire truck or rescue truck, and synchronized to extend and retract by vehicle door motion. The step system is designed to easily achieve ingress and egress requirements stated within the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) guidelines. The step remains sealed and contoured to the vehicle profile when in the upright stowed position when the vehicle door is closed. The fold down step is operated by means of a pressurized fluid system which is integral to the vehicle. As the vehicle door opens the step is extended downward, under pressurized control, to allow for rapid and safe egress from the vehicle. As the vehicle door closes, the step is again operated by the pressurized integral fluid system and the step rises and folds into a stowed position within the vehicle body prior to transport of the vehicle.