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. 01, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 16, 1996
Malcolm M Maccabee, Yoncalla, OR (US);
Kwikee Products Co., Inc., Cottage Grove, OR (US);
Abstract
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.