US3756678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retractable step
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-24
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Granted: 1973-09-04
•
Expires: 1991-08-24
Abstract
Abstract The retractable step is mounted solely by means generally in one vertical plane for securement on one side only to the vertical wall of a cabinet interior, the support legs and brace members of a work bench, or like framework of any rigid device wherein it is desired to provide a step so that a person may assume a higher than normal position for reaching elevated objects and the like. In the extended position, the step is cantilevered so that a torque will be produced on its mountings when a person steps on the cantilevered forward portion, which mountings are separately rigidly secured to the framework to absorb the entire spaced vertical oppositely directed force components of the torque so that when the step is pivotally mounted, the pivot pin will not be stressed during use. Desired cut lengths of indefinite length stock metallic tubing and channel members are used in constructing the components for economy.
Inventors
- 👤 G Klopfenstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:50
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06C; E06C1/00; E06C1/005; A; A47; A47B; A47B77/00; A47B2220/00; A47B2220/05; A47B97/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A retractable step to be mounted on a single vertical planar surface of a stationary framework for movement between a rearward position and a forward extended position, with respect to the framework, to provide a foot support in the extended position, comprising: first rigid support means to be rigidly mounted on the single planar surface of the framework; second rigid support means to be rigidly mounted on the single planar surface of the framework in the same general vertical plane as said first support means and spaced a substantial horizontal distance forward of said first support means; step means for mounting in said generally vertical plane for movement to a first horizontal extended position where it has a foot receiving portion cantilevered forward of said second rigid support means, an intermediate portion supportingly engaging said second support means to absorb a downward force component and having a rearward retracted portion supportingly engaging said first support means to absorb an upward component of force spaced rearwardly the substantial distance from the downward component of force; said foot receiving portion being substantially wider than said intermediate and rearward portions; both of said support means together absorbing the entire force components of a weight being placed upon said foot portion in said first position and transferring it directly only to the vertical planar surface; mounting means further providing a second position for storage of said step means for movement of said step means between said two positions; said first support means being a horizontally extending metallic channel member having means for mounting it on the framework; and said second support means being a vertically extending metallic channel having means for mounting it on the framework.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A retractable step to be mounted on a single vertical planar surface of a stationary framework for movement between a rearward position and a forward extended position, with respect to the framework, to provide a foot support in the extended position, comprising: first rigid support means to be rigidly mounted on the single planar surface of the framework; second rigid support means to be rigidly mounted on the single planar surface of the framework in the same general vertical plane as said first support means and spaced a substantial horizontal distance forward of said first support means; step means for mounting in said generally vertical plane for movement to a first horizontal extended position where it has a foot receiving portion cantilevered forward of said second rigid support means, an intermediate portion supportingly engaging said second support means to absorb a downward force component and having a rearward retracted portion supportingly engaging said first support means to absorb an upward component of force spaced rearwardly the substantial distance from the downward component of force; said foot receiving portion being substantially wider than said intermediate and rearward portions; both of said support means together absorbing the entire force components of a weight being placed upon said foot portion in said first position and transferring it directly only to the vertical planar surface; mounting means further providing a second position for storage of said step means for movement of said step means between said two positions; said first support means being a horizontally extending metallic channel member having means for mounting it on the framework; and said second support means being a vertically extending metallic channel having means for mounting it on the framework.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The step of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes pivot pin means, separate from said support means, for securement to the planar surface of the framework for pivotally mounting said step means for movement with said generally vertical plane between said first and second positions, with said step member being vertical in said second position and horizontal in said first position; and said first and second support means absorbing substantially all of the force components caused by a weight being placed upon the cantilevered foot portion of said step member in said first position without stressing said pivot pin means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The step of claim 1, wherein said mounting means confines said step means for only translational horizontal movement between said first and second positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said first support means is an annular member encompassing the rearward portion of said step means; said step means being provided with a transverse projection extending laterally beyond said support means to prevent forward removal of said step means from said support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said step means further is provided with a downward projection on its forward foot portion to provide a toe grip means for moving the step means from its retracted position to its extended position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The step of claim 1, wherein said step means includes a first rectangular cross-section metallic tube extending its full length and engaging both of said support means in said forward extended position, and a second rectangular cross-section metaLlic tube parallel with said first tube and extending only within said cantilevered foot portion of said step means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 6, including means rigidly securing said tubes together; an end plate closing the forward end of said tubes; and a resilient mat secured to the upper surface of said tubes within said cantilevered foot portion with respect to said horizontal extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 6, wherein each of said tubes is of identical square cross-section throughout their length with uniform wall thickness, and said tubes are secured side by side in a common horizontal plane with respect to said horizontal extended position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
The device of claim 6, wherein with respect to said extended position: said first tube is of square cross-section and uniform wall thickness throughout its length; said second tube has a cross-sectional internal vertical dimension substantially equal to the external vertical dimension of said first tube, a horizontal cross-sectional dimension substantially twice that of said first tube, and contains therein said first tube with their respective side walls to be positioned closest to the framework being in abutting engagement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
The step of claim 1, wherein said first support means is tubular with a generally rectangular cross-section having opposed side walls, longitudinally spaced first apertures within the side wall to engage the framework, and longitudinally spaced second apertures in the opposite side wall aligned with said first apertures and being of substantially larger diameter than said first apertures, whereby a headed screw may be passed completely through said second apertures along with a screwdriver blade for engaging said first apertures and the framework.
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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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |