US3853369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding tailgate step
Assignee: WANTTIE MELVIN A
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Filing: 1973-03-22
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-03-22
Abstract
Abstract Folding steps connectable to the tailgate of a vehicle such that the steps are moved from a horizontal operative position when the tailgate is lowered and are moved to a substantially vertical storage position when the tailgate is raised. A lower step is secured to rigid angle members suspended from an intermediate step which is pivoted to the vehicle. The lower step is maintained in a horizontal position by adjustable braces connected through a linkage to permit folding to a collapsed position when the tailgate is raised.
Inventors
- 👤 P Holden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:24
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R3/00; B60R3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: spaced arms; means to pivotally secure first ends of said arMs to a vehicle; link means; means slidably securing intermediate portions of said arms to said link means; means to pivotally secure said link means to a tailgate; a first step; means securing the first step between said spaced arms; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing said angle member adjacent second ends of said arms; brace means positioned to limit rotation of said angle member relative to said arms in one direction; means securing a first end of said brace means to said angle member; means to secure a second end of brace means to a vehicle; means to permit limited axial movement of said brace means from a first position to a second position; a second step; and means to secure said second step to the angle member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: spaced arms; means to pivotally secure first ends of said arMs to a vehicle; link means; means slidably securing intermediate portions of said arms to said link means; means to pivotally secure said link means to a tailgate; a first step; means securing the first step between said spaced arms; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing said angle member adjacent second ends of said arms; brace means positioned to limit rotation of said angle member relative to said arms in one direction; means securing a first end of said brace means to said angle member; means to secure a second end of brace means to a vehicle; means to permit limited axial movement of said brace means from a first position to a second position; a second step; and means to secure said second step to the angle member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; means to pivotally secure an intermediate portion of said arm to a tailgate; a first step; means to secure the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing the angle member to the other end of said arm; brace means; means pivotally securing a first end of the brace means to the angle member; means pivotally securing a second end of the brace means to said arm; means to permit limited axial movement of said brace means from a first position to a second position to limit rotational movement of said angle member relative to said arm in one direction; a second step; and means securing said second step to the angle member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; means to pivotally secure an intermediate portion of said arm to a tailgate; a first step; means to secure the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing the angle member to the other end of said arm; brace means; means pivotally securing a first end of the brace means to the angle member; means pivotally securing a second end of the brace means to said arm; means to permit limited axial movement of said brace means from a first position to a second position to limit rotational movement of said angle member relative to said arm in one direction; a second step; and means securing said second step to the angle member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination called for in claim 2 wherein the means to permit axial movement comprises, a rod; means to pvotally secure said rod to said arm; and wherein said brace comprises a tubular member having a longitudinally extending passage, said rod having an end slidably disposed in said passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; means to pivotally secure an intermediate portion of said arm to a tailgate; a first step; means securing the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing the angle member to the other end of said arm; means permitting limited linear movement of said angle member relative to said arm; brace means; means pivotally securing a second end of the brace means to said arm to limit rotation of said angle member relative to the arm in one direction; a second step; and means securing the second step to said angle member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; means to pivotally secure an intermediate portion of said arm to a tailgate; a first step; means securing the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing the angle member to the other end of said arm; means permitting limited linear movement of said angle member relative to said arm; brace means; means pivotally securing a second end of the brace means to said arm to limit rotation of said angle member relative to the arm in one direction; a second step; and means securing the second step to said angle member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; means to pivotally secure an intermediate portion of said arm to a tailgate; a first step; means securing the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member having an elongated slot formed therein; a projection on the arm extending into said slot pivotally securing angle member to the other end of said arm; brace means to limit rotation of said angle member relative to the arm in one direction; a second step; means securing said second step to the angle member; means to pivotally secure a first end of the brace means to the angle member; and means to pivotally secure a second end of the brace means to said arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; means to pivotally secure an intermediate portion of said arm to a tailgate; a first step; means securing the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member having an elongated slot formed therein; a projection on the arm extending into said slot pivotally securing angle member to the other end of said arm; brace means to limit rotation of said angle member relative to the arm in one direction; a second step; means securing said second step to the angle member; means to pivotally secure a first end of the brace means to the angle member; and means to pivotally secure a second end of the brace means to said arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; a first step; means securing the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing the angle member to the other end of the arm; means engageable with said angle member adapted to limit rotation of said angle member relative to the arm in one direction; a second step; means securing said second step to the angle member; link means; means to pivotally secure a first end of the link means to a tailgate; roller means positioned in rolling engagement with said arm; and means pivotally securing the roller means to the second end of the link means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
Steps connectable to a vehicle tailgate comprising: an arm; means to pivotally secure an end of said arm to a vehicle; a first step; means securing the first step to the arm; a rigid angle member; means pivotally securing the angle member to the other end of the arm; means engageable with said angle member adapted to limit rotation of said angle member relative to the arm in one direction; a second step; means securing said second step to the angle member; link means; means to pivotally secure a first end of the link means to a tailgate; roller means positioned in rolling engagement with said arm; and means pivotally securing the roller means to the second end of the link means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination called for in claim 6 with the addition of resilient means secured between said arm and said link means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination called for in claim 6 wherein the means to pivotally secure the first end of said link means to a tailgate comprises, clamp means connectable to a tailgate; and means to pivotally secure the first end of the link means to said clamp means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |