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:
Apr. 10, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 05, 1999
James R. Kunz, Eugene, OR (US);
Benjamin J. Boyce, Eugene, OR (US);
Malcolm M. Maccabee, Yoncalla, OR (US);
Kwikee Products Co., Inc., Cottage Grove, OR (US);
Abstract
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 (,).