Self-storing step structure for vehicular mounting

Claim 1

A self-storing step structure comprising: a first, upper step section including a pair of spaced rails of C-shaped cross-section; means for pivotally connecting said first step section to a vehicle for pivotation about a horizontal axis between an operative position and a storing position; an extensible, lower step section including a pair of spaced rails of C-shaped cross-section slidably registering with, and nesting within, the rails of said first step section, and having a step member extending between, and engaged with, the rails of said extensible step section, said step member comprising: a step platform; a rear web secured to said step platform along one edge thereof; a forward web secured to said step platform along the second edge thereof and extending parallel to said rear web along the length of said step platform, said forward web being angled to the plane of said step platform and slidably resting upon the spaced rails of said first step section whereby weight imposed upon said step member is distributed in part to said first step section via said forward web and in part to said extensible step section via said step platform; and means for adjustably interlocking said first step section with said extensible step section.