Did You Know...
...that Robert Adler has the dubious distinction of being the Father of the Couch Potato? Back in 1955 Adler was employed by what was then Zenith Radio Corp., where he was charged to invent something that would allow viewers to turn down the TV volume without leaving their chairs. After a series of flops (such as a wired contraption that people tripped over), Adler hit on the idea of using sound waves. Thus the Remote Control was born...
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8177247 | Pullout step for vehicles A movable pullout step attachable to a vehicle and which has a spring actuated latching mechanism that selectively allows and restrains positioning of the pullout step in either a retracted position under the vehicle or a step position wherein a tread extends away f... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8157277 | Retractable vehicle step A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having a stepping deck, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm a... | 04/17/2012 |
| 8157278 | Rear fascia integrated step load support The present invention is an integrated step load support for a rear fascia of a vehicle which includes features that are molded in one orientation and folded and fastened in a support orientation. The features are integrated into the existing component configuration... | 04/17/2012 |
| 8146935 | Vehicle step-up and protection device A device for a high-clearance motor vehicle is provided. Preferably, the device comprises an elongated step; and one or more supports, wherein each of the one or more supports includes: a lift bar; a base; and an actuator; wherein the base holds the actuator and the... | 04/03/2012 |
| 8136826 | Power retractable rocker board A running board assembly for a motor vehicle includes an arm adapted to be fixedly coupled to the motor vehicle. A pivot shaft extends through the arm and is rotatable relative thereto. A step is fixedly secured to the pivot shaft and is movable between a stowed pos... | 03/20/2012 |
| 8070173 | Push to release retractable side step A step assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly adapted to be fixedly secured to a motor vehicle. A first arm includes one end pivotal with respect to the mounting bracket assembly and an opposing end. A second arm includes one end pivotal with respect to the m... | 12/06/2011 |
| 8056913 | Step assist box-side A step assembly is provided for a bumper of a motor vehicle. The step assembly includes a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the bumper. A step is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket and is movable between a retracted position disposed adjacent the bumper a... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8052162 | Vehicle step apparatus and extending and retracting device therefor A vehicle step includes a step member and first and second extending and retracting devices connected to the step member for moving it between extended and retracted positions. Each of the extending and retracting devices includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fi... | 11/08/2011 |
| 8042820 | Driver's side large vehicle step A device is added to or built into a subject large vehicle, such as a large motorhome. The device provides for the driver's use either one or two retracting steps to facilitate the driver's entrance into or exit from the subject vehicle. Since these steps retract fo... | 10/25/2011 |
| 8042821 | Extending and retracting device and vehicle step apparatus with the same An extending and retracting device for a vehicle step includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body and a step bracket adapted to be connected to a step member of the vehicle step. First and second arms each defines a lower end portion connected ... | 10/25/2011 |
| 8038164 | Vehicle with step assembly A vehicle includes a vehicle body. The body defines a wheel well and has a body panel that at least partially defines an opening of the wheel well. A wheel is operatively connected to the vehicle body, is selectively rotatable about an axis, and is at least partiall... | 10/18/2011 |
| 8002298 | Vehicle having an elevated cab and access steps A vehicle with an elevated cab is provided with a power driven access step that is capable of being moved between an operating lower position and a raised stowage position. The step is carried by at least one telescopically collapsible tubular strut and an actuator ... | 08/23/2011 |
| 7976042 | Retractable step A step assembly includes an upper housing adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A step is movable relative to the upper housing between a stowed position and a deployed position. A single arm is pivotal with respect to the upper housing and pivotal wit... | 07/12/2011 |
| 7976043 | Movable step for motorcycle A simply-structured movable step for a motorcycle. A step lifting and lowering mechanism includes a securing plate secured to a body frame with a shift cover attached to the securing plate so as to be movable upwardly and downwardly. A step plate is attached to the ... | 07/12/2011 |
| 7967311 | Multi position step A dual position step assembly that can be mounted into a standard square towing receiver that is previously installed on a pickup truck or similar vehicle is described. The step assembly is mounted to the rear of the vehicle. The step can be pivoted to two positions... | 06/28/2011 |
| 7934736 | Boarding and/or access aid for vehicles with passenger transportation A boarding and/or access aid for vehicles with passenger carrying service has a frame with two parallel side parts and an end profile connecting the latter, a step plate supported in the side parts so that it can be extended and retracted, and a drive for the step p... | 05/03/2011 |
| 7934737 | Step device for vehicle A step device for a vehicle including a movable step arranged in a doorway opened and closed by a door is disclosed. The step device includes a drive unit, an open/close mechanism, a projection/retraction mechanism, and a plate cam. The open/close mechanism opens or... | 05/03/2011 |
| 7926827 | Boarding and/or entering aid for vehicles that carry passengers A boarding and/or entry aid for vehicles for carrying passengers is described, having a rectangular frame (3) and a step plate (2) supported movably in it. The frame (3) has two parallel lateral parts (4), which are joined together at rea... | 04/19/2011 |
| 7900944 | Retractable vehicle step A step assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The step assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle. The step assembly also includes a step and an arm having a first end pivotal with respect to the mounting bracket and an oppos... | 03/08/2011 |
| 7878519 | Electric slide step for recreational vehicle An electric slide step for a recreational vehicle assists users in entering and existing the vehicle. A step housing is mounted to the vehicle beneath the exterior door. The housing has steps that are movable on inclined slides between a retracted position when not ... | 02/01/2011 |
| 7857337 | Motorized collapsible step The present invention provides an improved collapsible step assembly for recreational vehicles. The movable step apparatus comprises a mounting frame, at least one step mounted to the frame through a linkage assembly, and a pivot rod with a longitudinal axis of rota... | 12/28/2010 |
| 7841609 | Step device for vehicle The present invention provides a vehicle step device, capable of enhancing operability of a step having an elevating function to enhance ingress/egress ease into and from the vehicle. The step device includes an opening/closing mechanism that operates in synchroniza... | 11/30/2010 |
| 7823896 | Articulated step system for automotive vehicle An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle includes a step housing attached to the vehicle frame by means of at least one standoff bracket and a tension strut extending generally downwardly from a first end attached to a vehicle body to a second end attach... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7775537 | Ingress/egress steps for a highway truck A truck cab has a side door (14) via which a person enters and exits the cab by ascending and descending steps (22, 24, 26; 40, 42, 44) on a side of the truck. At least one of the steps is selectively positionable to a deployed position for use by a pe... | 08/17/2010 |
| 7766357 | Step assembly for use with a vehicle A step assembly is easily mounted on the trailer hitch of a vehicle, and easily folded to a closed position or unfolded to an open position in place on the vehicle or off of the vehicle. In the open position, a person or a pet can more easily enter or leave a vehicl... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7744106 | Vehicle step with hinged pedestal mount A vehicle step assembly uses hinged pedestals, attitude links and an energy storage device to position step stringers and an attached step beam in a generally horizontal and elevated deployed position, while permitting a space-saving tucked-in stowed position. ... | 06/29/2010 |
| 7740260 | Vehicle step with hinged pedestal mount A vehicle step assembly uses hinged pedestals and attitude links to position step stringers and an attached step beam in a generally horizontal and elevated deployed position, while permitting a space-saving tucked-in stowed position. ... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7740259 | Movable step for a materials handling vehicle A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including an operator compartment having at least one entrance and a floorboard. The vehicle further comprises at least one step capable of being positioned across the entrance a spaced distance from the fl... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7740261 | Tailgate access step A retractable vehicle step is attachable to a rear portion of a vehicle or truck. The vehicle step facilitates access to a cargo hold of the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle step provides clearance space relative to a tailgate of the vehicle by displacing a step... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7699328 | Retractable step for cab of mobile machine A retractable step assembly (400) for a cab (C) for a mobile machine includes a leg (450) slideably received in a through-hole (408) in a platform (58) of a cab (C). An upper end (452) of the leg (450) is fixed to a lower en... | 04/20/2010 |
| 7677584 | Motorized collapsible step The present invention provides an improved collapsible step assembly for recreational vehicles. The movable step apparatus comprises a mounting frame, at least one step mounted to the frame through a linkage assembly, and a pivot assembly having a pivot rod with a l... | 03/16/2010 |
| 7637519 | Moveable support platform A retractable vehicle step is attachable to a vehicle or truck. The vehicle step facilitates access to a cargo hold of the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle step may be pulled out from under the vehicle by the foot of a user. The vehicle step desirably has a cove... | 12/29/2009 |
| 7621546 | Illuminating bracket for use with a running board or step A running board assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The running board assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. The running board assembly also includes a step having a stepping surface. A link includes an upper e... | 11/24/2009 |
| 7607674 | Retractable sidestep A manually retractable side step assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable step having a latch mechanism and a spring system that work in concert to rotate the step from a stowed position to a deployed position. In a stowed position, the step is in line with the r... | 10/27/2009 |
| 7594672 | Automated running board crank drive A running board assembly for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. The running board assembly includes first and second links each having an upper end pivotal relative to the mounting bracket and an opposing ... | 09/29/2009 |
| 7584975 | Retractable vehicle step A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having a stepping deck, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm a... | 09/08/2009 |
| 7566064 | Retractable vehicle step A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having a stepping deck, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm a... | 07/28/2009 |
| 7513520 | Powered step device of motor vehicle A powered step device of a vehicle comprises a base member that is adapted to be connected to a vehicle body; a pivoting mechanism held by the base member, the pivoting mechanism being horizontally movable between a first position wherein a given part thereof takes ... | 04/07/2009 |
| 7494144 | Step device for a vehicle A support device for use in supporting a person on the side a vehicle extends from the side of a vehicle below the main body thereof and has a support member, which is clamped at one end to the vehicle frame. A step unit is attached to the other end of the support m... | 02/24/2009 |
| 7487986 | Retractable vehicle step A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having a stepping deck, a first arm, a second arm, a motor and a stop. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. ... | 02/10/2009 |
