Anti-slip step for a motor vehicle and a method of forming the same

Abstract

An anti-slip step for a motor vehicle is provided. The step includes a tread plate with a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of grip structures extend upwardly from the top surface of the tread plate and a plurality of drain structures extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the metal plate. Each of the grip structures and the drain structures at least partially defines a hole extending through the tread plate. Each of the grip structures includes a base, having a continuous, curved side wall that is joined to the tread plate, and a plurality of spaced-apart tabs joined to the base and extending upwardly therefrom. Each of the drain structures includes a plurality of spaced-apart tabs joined to the tread plate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to steps and more particularly to steps for heavy duty motor vehicles, such as industrial trucks, to facilitate the ingress and egress of operators to and from cabs of the trucks. [0002] Truck steps are conventionally constructed from metal plates having planar support surfaces. Grip structures are typically formed in the support surface to prevent slippage, especially when the step is wet or covered with ice. Drainage holes may also be formed in the metal plate to allow water to drain from the support surface. The grip structures are disposed around openings in the plate and usually have curved side walls defining continuous top rims. While grip structures of this construction will improve the grip of a step, the continuous nature of the top rims can still render the top rims and, thus, the step quite slippery when the step is wet or covered with ice. In order to address this deficiency of conventional grip ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While grip structures of this construction will improve the grip of a step, the continuous nature of the top rims can still render the top rims and, thus, the step quite slippery when the step is wet or covered with ice.

These major surfaces can become slippery when the rosette is wet or covered with ice.

Moreover, the narrowness of the opening in the rosette can make the rosette susceptible to clogging with dirt or ice.

With the foregoing high-profile construction, the flanges may trap footwear and cause injury if they are not properly spaced apart.

Such close spacing, however, may not always be desirable.

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