U.S. patent application number 14/264486 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-29 for step assembly for a motor vehicle having a bed.
This patent application is currently assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GM Global Technology Operations LLC. Invention is credited to Dan W. Glovak.
Application Number | 20150307029 14/264486 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54328102 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150307029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glovak; Dan W. |
October 29, 2015 |
STEP ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING A BED
Abstract
A step assembly for a motor vehicle having a passenger
compartment including a driver side and a passenger side and a
cargo bed having first and second side portions includes a step
member extending from a first end configured to be mounted at one
of the driver side and the passenger side of the passenger
compartment to a second end configured to be mounted at a
corresponding one of the first and second side portions of the
cargo bed.
Inventors: |
Glovak; Dan W.; (Troy,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM Global Technology Operations LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GM Global Technology Operations
LLC
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
54328102 |
Appl. No.: |
14/264486 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 3/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 3/00 20060101
B60R003/00 |
Claims
1. A step assembly for a motor vehicle having a passenger
compartment including a driver side and a passenger side and a
cargo bed having first and second side portions, the step assembly
comprising: a first member fixedly mounted relative to the cargo
bed; a step member extending from a first end configured to be
mounted at one of the driver side and the passenger side of the
passenger compartment to a second end configured to be mounted at a
corresponding one of the first and second side portions of the
cargo bed, the step member including a second member fixedly
mounted at the second end; and at least one flexible member linking
the first member and the second member, the at least one flexible
member defining each of a rotational axis and a translational axis
of the step member relative to the cargo bed.
2. The step assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end is
fixedly mounted relative to the one of the driver side and the
passenger side.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The step assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
flexible member extends from a first end section having a first
opening to a second end section having a second opening, the first
end section being joined to the first member through the first
opening and the second end section being joined to the second
member through the second opening.
6. The step assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one
flexible member comprises a first flexible member and a second
flexible member.
7. The step assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first
flexible member extends from a first end section having a first
opening to a second end section having a second opening, the first
end section being joined to the first member through the first
opening and the second end section being joined to the second
member through the second opening.
8. The step assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second
flexible member extends from a first end section having a first
opening to a second end section having a second opening, the first
end section being joined to the first member through the first
opening and the second end section being joined to the second
member through the second opening.
9. The step assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
flexible member comprises a first flexible member section and a
second flexible member section abutting and aligned with the first
flexible member section.
10. The step assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one flexible member comprises a single flexible member.
11. The step assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least
one flexible member includes four openings, the at least one
flexible member being joined to the first member through two of the
four openings and to the second member through another two of the
four openings.
12. A motor vehicle comprising: a passenger compartment including a
driver side and a passenger side; a cargo bed mounted in mechanical
isolation from the passenger compartment, the cargo bed including a
forward portion, a rear portion and first and second side portions,
the cargo bed including a first member fixedly mounted at one of
the first and second side portions; a step assembly extending from
the passenger compartment to the cargo bed, the step assembly
including a step member extending from a first end mounted at one
of the driver side and the passenger side of the passenger
compartment to a second end mounted at a corresponding one of the
first and second side portions of the cargo bed, the step member
including a second member fixedly mounted at the second end; and at
least one flexible member linking the first member and the second
member, the at least one flexible member defining each of a
rotational axis and a translational axis of the step member
relative to the cargo bed.
13. The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the first end
is fixed relative to the one of the driver side and the passenger
side.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least
one flexible member extends from a first end section having a first
opening to a second end section having a second opening, the first
end section being joined to the first member through the first
opening and the second end section being joined to the second
member through the second opening.
17. The motor vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the at least
one flexible member comprises a first flexible member and a second
flexible member.
18. The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the first
flexible member extends from a first end section having a first
opening to a second end section having a second opening, the first
end section being joined to the first member through the first
opening and the second end section being joined to the second
member through the second opening.
19. The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least
one flexible member comprises a single flexible member.
20. The motor vehicle according to claim 19 wherein the single
flexible member includes four openings, the single flexible member
being joined to the first member through two of the four openings
and to the second member through another two of the four openings.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject invention relates to the art of motor vehicles
and, more particularly to a step assembly for a motor vehicle
having a bed.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Motor vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, include a cargo bed
and a passenger compartment. In most cases, the cargo bed is
decoupled or isolated from the passenger compartment to enhance
rideability and passenger comfort. Many pick-up trucks have a
ground clearance that is greater than that of standard passenger
vehicles. Accordingly, stepping into and out from the passenger
compartment may be challenging. Also, accessing the cargo bed may
prove challenging to certain individuals. Manufacturers have
provided steps on either side of the passenger compartment to aid
riders stepping into and alighting from the motor vehicle.
Manufacturers have also provided tail gate steps that aid in
stepping into and down from the cargo bed. Often times, it is
desirable to access a side portion of a cargo bed. Accordingly, it
is desirable to provide an assist step assembly for a motor vehicle
having a bed that provides access to side portions of the cargo
bed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a step assembly
for a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment includes a
driver side and a passenger side and a cargo bed having first and
second side portions including a step member extending from a first
end configured to be mounted at one of the driver side and the
passenger side of the passenger compartment to a second end
configured to be mounted at a corresponding one of the first and
second side portions of the cargo bed.
[0004] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a motor
vehicle includes a passenger compartment including a driver side
and a passenger side. A cargo bed is mechanically isolated from the
passenger compartment. The cargo bed includes a forward portion, a
rear portion, and first and second side portions. A step assembly
extends from the passenger compartment to the cargo bed. The step
assembly includes a step member extending from a first end mounted
at one of the driver side and the passenger side of the passenger
compartment to a second end mounted at a corresponding one of the
first and second side portions of the cargo bed.
[0005] The above features and advantages and other features and
advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of
example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments,
the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle having a
cargo bed including a step assembly, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a flexible bracket assembly of the
step assembly of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a step
assembly of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary
embodiment
[0010] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a flexible bracket assembly, in
accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a flexible bracket assembly, in
accordance with yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or
uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings,
corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts and features.
[0013] With initial reference to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at
2. Motor vehicle 2 includes a passenger compartment 6 and a cargo
bed 10. Cargo bed 10 is mechanically isolated from passenger
compartment 6. The term "mechanically isolated" should be
understood to describe that movement/vibrations of cargo bed 10 do
not translate to corresponding movement/vibrations in passenger
compartment 6. Passenger compartment 6 includes a driver side 14
and a passenger side 16. Passenger compartment 6 may also include
an additional rear seating/storage area 19. Passenger side 16 may
include a cab body portion 24. Driver side 14 may include a
corresponding frame member (not shown). Cargo bed 10 includes a
forward portion 30, a rear portion 32 having a tailgate (not
shown), a first or driver side portion 36 and a second or passenger
side portion 38. Cargo bed 10 also includes an underside 40.
[0014] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, motor vehicle 2
includes a step assembly 50 which, as will be detailed more fully
below, extends along passenger compartment 6 and cargo bed 10. Step
assembly 50 includes a step member 60 that extends from a first end
66 to a second end 67 through an intermediate portion 69 having a
tread or step surface 71. Step member 60 includes a passenger
compartment portion 74 that extends along passenger compartment 6
and a cargo bed portion 76 that extends along a portion of cargo
bed 10.
[0015] In the exemplary embodiment shown, step assembly 50 includes
a first fixed mounting bracket assembly 78, a second fixed mounting
bracket assembly 79 and a third fixed mounting bracket assembly 80
that join passenger compartment portion 74 and passenger
compartment 6 along passenger side 16. First, second, and third
fixed mounting bracket assemblies 78-80 may join step member 60 to
passenger compartment 6 through cab body 24. First, second, and
third fixed mounting bracket assemblies 78-80 may also limit
relative movement of step member 60 and passenger compartment 6.
Step assembly 50 also includes a first flexible mounting bracket
assembly 84 and a second flexible mounting bracket assembly 86.
First and second flexible mounting bracket assemblies 84 and 86
provide a resilient interface between cargo bed portion 76 of step
member 60 and cargo bed 10. Specifically, first and second flexible
mounting bracket assemblies 84 and 86 allow for relative movement
of cargo bed 10 and step member 60.
[0016] Reference will now follow to FIG. 2 in describing first
flexible mounting bracket assembly 84 with an understanding that
second flexible mounting bracket assembly 86 may include similar
structure. First flexible mounting bracket assembly 84 includes a
first member 92 extending from a base portion 94 to a cantilevered
portion 95 having an opening 96 (FIG. 3). Base portion 94 may be
secured to underside 40 of cargo bed 10 through a bracket 97.
Bracket 97 may also be secured to a frame member (not shown)
coupled to cargo bed 10. First flexible mounting bracket assembly
84 also includes a second member 98 that extends from a base
section 100 to a cantilevered section 101 having an opening 102
(FIG. 3). Base section 100 is joined to cargo bed portion 76 of
step member 60 through a member 104. Cantilevered portion 95 of
first member 92 is joined to cantilevered section 101 of second
member 98 through a flexible member 106.
[0017] In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment,
flexible member 106 may extend from a first end section 110 having
a first opening (not separately labeled) to a second end section
112 having a second opening (also not separately labeled). The
first opening aligns with opening 96 in cantilevered portion 95
while the second opening aligns with opening 102 in cantilevered
section 101. A first mechanical fastener (not separately labeled)
links first end section 110 to cantilevered portion 95. A second
mechanical fastener (also not separately labeled) links second end
section 112 to cantilevered section 101. In this manner, flexible
member 106 provides a resilient interface between step member 60
and cargo bed 10. At this point it should be understood that
flexible member 106 may be formed from a first flexible member
section 118 and a second flexible member section 119. First and
second flexible member sections 118 and 119 are aligned with one
another to form a multi-component flexible member.
[0018] Reference will now be made to FIG. 4 in describing a
flexible bracket assembly 124, in accordance with another aspect of
an exemplary embodiment. Flexible bracket assembly 124 includes a
first member 128 extending from a base portion 130 to a
cantilevered portion 131 having a first opening 132 and a second
opening 133. Base portion 130 may be joined to underside 40 of
cargo bed 10 through bracket 97. Flexible bracket assembly 124 also
includes a second member 138 extending from a base section 140 to a
cantilevered section 141 having a first opening 143 and a second
opening 144. Base section 141 may be joined to step member 60
through a member 146.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiment shown, cantilevered portion 131
of first member 128 is joined to cantilevered section 141 of second
member 138 by a flexible member 147. Flexible member 147 includes a
body 149 having a plurality of openings (not separately labeled).
Two of the plurality of openings align with first and second
openings 132 and 133 on first member 128 and another two of the
plurality of openings align with first and second openings 143 and
144 on second member 138. Mechanical fasteners (not shown) may join
first and second members 128 and 138 with flexible member 147. In
the exemplary embodiment shown, flexible member 147 may be formed
as a single body having multiple openings that join first and
second members 128 and 138 to provide a resilient interface between
step member 60 and cargo bed 10. Of course it should be understood
that first member 128 may be joined to second member 138 through
more than a single flexible member such as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG.
5, a first flexible member 160 is mounted to first and second
members 128 and 138 through first openings 132 and 144 and a second
flexible member 162 is mounted to first and second members 128 and
138 through second openings 133 and 143.
[0020] At this point, it should be understood that the flexible
members, in accordance with various aspect of the exemplary
embodiments, may be formed from an elastomeric material, a
non-elastomeric material or a composite material including both
elastomeric and non-elastomeric components. Thus, the flexible
members may be formed from one or more materials having various
degrees of flexibility. Further, it should be understood that the
flexible members may take the form of a torsion bar (not shown),
hydraulic actuators (also not shown) and the like that enable
relative movement between the step member and the cargo bed.
[0021] While the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
application.
* * * * *