Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A step structure for high ground clearance vehicles having a bottom frame, said step comprising, a. a body member, b. means on said body member arranged to secure it to a vehicle frame, c. said body member having a downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion, d. an arm having inner and outer ends, e. a step plate supported on the outer end of said arm, f. means pivotally supporting said arm adjacent its inner end on said downwardly angled laterally extending portion, g. said pivot means having it axis extending at substantially right angles to said downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion whereby said arm in a pivoted position extending laterally outwardly positions said step plate in a use position lower than said pivot means and in a pivoted position extending rearwardly positions itself and said step plate in a non-use position in a plane higher than said use position so as to be out of the way. h. and holding means maintaining said arm in the outward use position of said step plate but allowing ready releasable movement of the arm from said use position to permit the arm to swing rearwardly in the event it or the step plate is struck from the front.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A step structure for high ground clearance vehicles having a bottom frame, said step comprising, a. a body member, b. means on said body member arranged to secure it to a vehicle frame, c. said body member having a downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion, d. an arm having inner and outer ends, e. a step plate supported on the outer end of said arm, f. means pivotally supporting said arm adjacent its inner end on said downwardly angled laterally extending portion, g. said pivot means having it axis extending at substantially right angles to said downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion whereby said arm in a pivoted position extending laterally outwardly positions said step plate in a use position lower than said pivot means and in a pivoted position extending rearwardly positions itself and said step plate in a non-use position in a plane higher than said use position so as to be out of the way. h. and holding means maintaining said arm in the outward use position of said step plate but allowing ready releasable movement of the arm from said use position to permit the arm to swing rearwardly in the event it or the step plate is struck from the front.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The step structure of claim 1 wherein said holding means includes a tension spring connected between said arm and said body member and holding said arm in its outwardly projecting position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The step structure of claim 1 wherein said holding means includes an over-center spring connected between said arm and said body and serving in one position to hold said arm in its outwardly projecting position and in its other position to hold said arm in its rearward position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure of claim 1 including friction means at said pivot connection arranged to maintain said arm in its outwardly projecting use position or a rearwardly directed non-use position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The step structure of claim 1 including an upright wall portion on said downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion limiting forward pivoting movement of said arm to its outwardly projecting position, and a detent on said downwardly angled laterally extending flat wall portion disposed on the rear side of said arm for retaining said arm in its outwardly projecting position adjacent said upright wall portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The step structure of claim 5 wherein said detent is arranged to allow said arm to slide frictionally over it whereby said arm can pivot rearwardly in the event the arm or step plate is struck from the front.