US3590950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable step for vehicle maintenance and repair
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-05-01
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1990-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A portable step includes a platform hingedly secured to a frame which mounts on a tire of a vehicle to provide a standing surface for a mechanic servicing the vehicle. The frame includes a horizontal rod having feet which contact diagonally opposite portions of the tire sidewall. A vertical hook support is pivotally connected at its base to the center of the rod and the free end thereof engages the rear surface of the tire adjacent the uppermost portion thereof. To provide an adjustable platform stop, a sleeve is slidably mounted on the hook support and a bracket extends between the sides of the platform and the sleeve. In an alternate embodiment, the hook length is adjustable by engaging a prominence projecting from the base of the hook into one of a plurality of vertically spaced notches.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip M Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R3/00; B60R3/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A portable step adapted to be mounted on a tire of an automotive vehicle, said step comprising a platform, a frame, means hingedly securing the platform to the frame, the frame including a generally horizontal member adapted to be placed diagonally across the tire, a hook member, the hook member including a generally vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending over the top of the tire, the horizontal portion of the hook member having a downwardly turned tip, means at the downwardly turned tip engaging the inner side wheel of the tire, a sleeve member, the sleeve member being mounted on the vertical portion of the hook member and sliding therealong, a bracket, the bracket having parallel spaced legs and a bight, the bight joining corresponding ends of the legs, the opposite ends of the legs being journaled for rotation in the platform, the bight of the bracket being journaled for rotation in the sleeve, the bracket being under tensile stress and preventing rotation of the platform about under the frame when a user stands on the platform, the platform being rotatable to a substantially vertical position and the sleeve sliding upwardly along the substantially vertical position and the sleeve sliding upwardly along the substantially vertical portion of the hook member when the platform is moved to its vertical position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A portable step adapted to be mounted on a tire of an automotive vehicle, said step comprising a platform, a frame, means hingedly securing the platform to the frame, the frame including a generally horizontal member adapted to be placed diagonally across the tire, a hook member, the hook member including a generally vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending over the top of the tire, the horizontal portion of the hook member having a downwardly turned tip, means at the downwardly turned tip engaging the inner side wheel of the tire, a sleeve member, the sleeve member being mounted on the vertical portion of the hook member and sliding therealong, a bracket, the bracket having parallel spaced legs and a bight, the bight joining corresponding ends of the legs, the opposite ends of the legs being journaled for rotation in the platform, the bight of the bracket being journaled for rotation in the sleeve, the bracket being under tensile stress and preventing rotation of the platform about under the frame when a user stands on the platform, the platform being rotatable to a substantially vertical position and the sleeve sliding upwardly along the substantially vertical position and the sleeve sliding upwardly along the substantially vertical portion of the hook member when the platform is moved to its vertical position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical portion of the hook member to the horizontal member, whereby the horizontal portion of the hook member may be moved from its operative position to a position lying substantially within a vertical plane parallel to the vertical plane of the platform when the platform is folded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 2, wherein limit means are provided for stopping the rotation of the hook member when the horizontal portion of the hook member lies in a substantially vertical plane parallel to the plane of the folded platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 3, wherein the means for rotatably securing the hook member includes a boss. the boss projecting upwardly from the horizontal member, means forming a bore within the bore the hook member being journaled for rotation within the boss, the limit means including a prominence projecting radially from the hook member and a slot formed in the boss, the prominence being slidably received within the slot and contacting the opposite ends of the slot after rotating approximately 180*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 4, wherein means are provided in the slot for indexing the prominence when the hook member assumes an operative position, said indexing means including a notch formed in the upper surface of the slot, said notch being positioned at the midlength of the horizontal member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein the horizontal member includes end portions, the end portions extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal member and facing the sidewall of the tire, means forming webbed feet at the tips of the end portions, the webbed feet forming a broad based contact with the sidewall of the tire and exerting compressive forces on the sidewall of the tire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 6, wherein the webbed feet are of substantially square plan configuration and include corners, the corners being turned to project into the sidewall of the tire and provide a gripping surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein means are provided to adjustably vary the effective length of the vertical portion of the hook member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 8, wherein a boss is formed at the approximate midlength of the horizontal member, means forming a bore in the boss is provided, the substantially vertical portion of the hook member being journaled for rotation in the bore, the means for varying the effective length of the hook including a plurality of substantially parallel slots in the boss at spaced elevations therealong, the slots being joined along a common end, the vertical portion of the hook member including a prominence, the prominence being selectively slidable into any one of the slots, whereby the effective length of the hook member may be increased by positioning the prominence in the slot at a higher elevation than a previous slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device constructed in accordance with claim 9, wherein indexing means are provided to secure the prominence at the end of a selected slot, said indexing means including a notch in the upper surface of each slot and at the end thereof distant from the common ends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2848150A
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US2851312A
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US2973052A
Cited
US2964767A
Cited
US3078952A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |