Accessory step for vehicle opening and closing member

Abstract

The invention provides an accessory step for a vehicle opening and closing member. An accessory step is provided for use on a motor vehicle during a stationary or non-moving condition of the vehicle. An exemplary accessory step may include a step portion and a hook portion. The step portion may be configured to provide a step surface for a user to step thereon for access to an upper vehicle structure. The hook portion may be configured to engage a hinge assembly of an opening and closing member system of a stationary motor vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to automotive vehicles and, more particularly, to an accessory step that may be connected to a vehicle access system for accessing roof-mounted cargo when the vehicle is stationary. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles typically include one or more opening and closing members. Exemplary opening and closing members are doors and swing doors. Generally speaking, the opening and closing members can be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the vehicle's body structure to provide vehicle ingress / egress. Summary of the invention

[0003] An accessory step for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia: a step portion; and a hook portion connected to the step portion. The hook portion is configured to engage a hinge assembly of an opening and closing member system of a stationary motor vehicle.

[0004] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing accessory step, the hook portion is connected to the step portion by at least one weld.

[0005] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the hook portion is configured to hook onto a hinge bracket of the hinge assembly.

[0006] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the hook portion is received within a recess in an inner surface of the hinge bracket.

[0007] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the recess extends between a first mounting pad and a second mounting pad of the inner surface of the hinge bracket.

[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the hook portion includes a cutout sized to receive the first mounting pad or the second mounting pad.

[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the hinge bracket is a door-side hinge bracket of the hinge assembly.

[0010] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the hook portion is configured to engage the hinge assembly without the use of fasteners.

[0011] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the step portion includes an upper surface configured to provide a step surface.

[0012] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the upper surface includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.

[0013] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, the hook portion includes a first hook segment, a second hook segment, and a bridge segment connected between the first hook segment and the second hook segment.

[0014] In another non-limiting embodiment of any one of the aforementioned accessory steps, the first hook section is configured to interface with an outer surface of the hinge assembly, the second hook section is configured to interface with an inner surface of the hinge assembly, and the bridge section is configured to interface with an upper horizontal surface of the hinge assembly.

[0015] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing accessory steps, a portion of each of the first hook segment, the second hook segment, and the bridge segment includes a protective lining.

[0016] A vehicle opening and closing member system according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, an opening and closing member; a first hinge assembly mounted to the opening and closing member; and an accessory step removably mountable to the first hinge assembly without using fasteners.

[0017] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing vehicle opening and closing member system, the opening and closing member is a rear swing door.

[0018] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle opening and closing member systems, the first hinge assembly includes a body-side hinge bracket mounted to a vehicle body and a door-side hinge bracket mounted to the opening and closing member.

[0019] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle opening and closing member systems, the accessory step is configured to hook to the door-side hinge bracket.

[0020] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle opening and closure member systems, the accessory step includes: a step portion; and a hook portion connected to the step portion.

[0021] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing vehicle opening and closure member systems, the hook portion is configured to engage a hinge bracket of the first hinge assembly.

[0022] A method for providing an accessory step on a stationary motor vehicle according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, hooking the accessory step to a hinge bracket of an opening and closing member system of the stationary motor vehicle.

[0023] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings (including any of their various aspects or corresponding individual features) may be adopted independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment apply to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

[0024] The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A motor vehicle equipped with an opening and closing member system is shown. Figure 1 1 is shown in the closed position.

[0026] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 The opening position of the opening and closing component system.

[0027] Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing selected portions of a vehicle opening and closing member system.One or more accessory steps may be removably mounted to the vehicle opening and closing member system.

[0028] Figure 4 An accessory step mounted to a vehicle opening and closing member system is shown.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Rear view of selected portions of the opening and closing member system.

[0030] Figure 6 It passes through Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of section 5-5.

[0031] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the attachment steps.

[0032] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A side perspective view of the hook portion of the attachment step.

[0033] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 A rear perspective view of the hook portion of the attachment step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present disclosure details an exemplary accessory step for use with an opening and closing member system of a motor vehicle during a stationary or non-moving condition of the vehicle. The exemplary accessory step may include a step portion and a hook portion. The step portion may be configured to provide a step surface for a user to step on in order to access an upper vehicle structure of a stationary motor vehicle. The hook portion may be configured to engage a hinge assembly of an opening and closing member system of a stationary motor vehicle. These and other features of the present disclosure are described in more detail below.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Selected portions of a motor vehicle 10 (hereinafter referred to simply as the "vehicle") are schematically illustrated. Vehicle 10 may be a car, truck, van, sport utility vehicle, semi-tractor trailer, or any other type of vehicle. Vehicle 10 may also be a conventional motor vehicle, a traction battery powered hybrid or electric vehicle, or an autonomous vehicle (i.e., a driverless vehicle).

[0036] Although specific component relationships are shown in the drawings of the present disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In other words, the placement and orientation of the various components of the vehicle 10 are shown schematically only and may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the various drawings accompanying the present disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of a particular component, assembly, or system.

[0037] The vehicle 10 may include one or more opening and closing members 12, which are mounted relative to the vehicle body 14 and are configured to move between a closed position and an open position for accessing the interior of the vehicle (e.g., a cargo compartment, a passenger compartment, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the opening and closing member 12 is mounted at the rear 16 of the vehicle 10 and is configured as a swing door. In other implementations, the opening and closing member 12 may, for example, be part of a two-way outward swinging door system, which may be disposed at the rear 16 of the vehicle 10 for accessing the interior of the vehicle, such as for loading and / or unloading cargo. However, the teachings of the present disclosure are not limited to swing doors and rear outward swinging type doors, and may be applied to various other types of opening and closing members, including but not limited to side doors, tailgates, etc.

[0038] The opening and closing member 12 may be movably mounted to the vehicle body 14 via a first hinge assembly 18 and a second hinge assembly 20. The first hinge assembly 18 and the second hinge assembly 20 may movably support the opening and closing member 12 relative to the vehicle body 14. The opening and closing member 12, the first hinge assembly 18, and the second hinge assembly 20 may together establish an opening and closing member system 22 of the vehicle 10. Although two hinge assemblies are shown in the exemplary embodiment, the opening and closing member system 22 may include a greater or lesser number of hinge assemblies.

[0039] The first hinge assembly 18 can be mounted at a location of the opening and closing member 12 that is vertically above the second hinge assembly 20. However, other configurations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For the purposes of this disclosure, vertical and horizontal are referenced to the ground in the normal orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.

[0040] In one embodiment, the first hinge assembly 18 and the second hinge assembly 20 are visible when the opening and closing member 12 is closed. Therefore, the first hinge assembly 18 and the second hinge assembly 20 can be considered as exposed or "Type A" type hinge assemblies.

[0041] The design of the second hinge assembly 20 may be substantially the same as the design of the first hinge assembly 18. Therefore, for purposes of this disclosure, details described herein in relation to the first hinge assembly 18 should be understood to be equally applicable to the second hinge assembly 20.

[0042] The opening and closing member 12 is Figure 1 is shown in the closed position P1 and in Figure 2 1 is shown in the open position P2. When moved to the open position P2, the opening and closing member 12 allows a user to access the interior of the vehicle. When closed, the opening and closing member 12 provides a barrier between the interior and exterior of the vehicle 10. Although not specifically shown, the opening and closing member 12 can be moved to various angular positions between the closed position P1 and the open position P2.

[0043] In one embodiment, when moving to Figure 2 When the opening position P2 is selected, the opening and closing member 12 is angularly displaced about 100° or more relative to the vehicle body 14. In the present disclosure, the term "about" means that the amount or range expressed does not need to be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller, thereby reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, measurement errors, etc. The total range of motion of the opening and closing member 12 can vary and depends on various design criteria.

[0044] A user of the vehicle 10 may desire to secure one or more objects 24 atop a roof 26 of the vehicle 10. The one or more objects 24 may include cargo that the owner of the vehicle 10 desires to haul on the roof 26 (e.g., long inventory (e.g., lumber), a boat, a kayak, lawn tools, etc.), or may include a tent or other equipment that the user desires to use when utilizing the roof 26 for camping-related activities. Some users may find it difficult to access the roof 26 without the use of a ladder or similar height-aiding device. However, ladders may be large and cumbersome to carry and maneuver. Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to an accessory step that may be utilized in conjunction with the opening and closing member system 22 for facilitating access to the roof 26 and / or other upper vehicle structures when the vehicle 10 is stationary or not moving.

[0045] Continue to refer Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Details associated with an accessory step 28 are shown that can be removably mounted to the opening and closure member system 22 for facilitating access to the roof 26 when the vehicle 10 is in a stationary, non-moving condition. Notably, one or more accessory steps 28 can be mounted to the opening and closure member system 22 without the use of fasteners (i.e., bolts, screws, etc.). Although two accessory steps 28 are shown in the exemplary figures, it should be understood that one or more accessory steps 28 can be mounted to the opening and closure member system 22 for facilitating access to the roof 26.

[0046] The accessory step 28 may be configured to engage the first hinge assembly 18 or the second hinge assembly 20 to mount the accessory step to the opening and closing member system 22. The first hinge assembly 18 and the second hinge assembly 20 of the opening and closing member system 22 may each include a body-side hinge bracket 30 and a door-side hinge bracket 32. The door-side hinge bracket 32 ​​may be pivotally connected to the body-side hinge bracket 30 via a pivot pin 34 (see, e.g., FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 ).

[0047] The body side hinge bracket 30 may be mounted relative to the vehicle body 14 by one or more mechanical fasteners 36 (see Figures 4 to 5 In one embodiment, the mechanical fastener 36 secures the body side hinge bracket 30 to the hinge attachment bracket 38. The hinge attachment bracket 38 may be secured to the vehicle body 14 by one or more additional mechanical fasteners 40 (see FIG. Figure 4 ) is fixed to another component of the vehicle body 14.

[0048] The door side hinge bracket 32 ​​may be mounted to an outer surface 42 (at the bottom) of the opening and closing member 12 by one or more mechanical fasteners 44. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 ). The exterior surface 42 may be referred to as the “Class A surface” of the shutter member 12 .

[0049] like Figures 5 and 6, the door side hinge bracket 32, when mounted to the opening and closing member 12, may include an inner surface 46 facing in a direction toward the outer surface 42 of the opening and closing member 12 and an outer surface 48 facing in a direction away from the outer surface 42 of the opening and closing member 12. The inner surface 46 may include a plurality of mounting pads 50 designed to interface with the outer surface 42 of the opening and closing member 12. An opening 52 may be formed through at least a portion of the mounting pads 50. The opening 52 is sized to receive one of the mechanical fasteners 44 for mounting the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​to the opening and closing member 12.

[0050] A recess 54 may be formed in the inner surface 46 of the door side hinge bracket 32. The recess 54 may extend from the inner surface 46 in a direction toward the outer surface 48 of the door side hinge bracket 32. One or more of the recesses 54 may be disposed between adjacent pairs of mounting pads 50. The recess 54 forms an open space between the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​and the outer surface 42 of the opening and closing member 12 for allowing the accessory step 28 to be hooked or sleeved onto the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​without using any additional fasteners.

[0051] The inner surface 46 of the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​may further include one or more reinforcing ribs 56 for increasing the strength and rigidity of the door side hinge bracket 32. One or more of the reinforcing ribs 56 may extend within each recess 54 between adjacent pairs of mounting pads 50. However, the specific configuration of the reinforcing ribs 56 is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0052] Reference now Figures 7 to 9 And continue to refer to Figures 3 to 6 , the accessory step 28 can include a step portion 58 and a hook portion 60 connected to the step portion 58. In one embodiment, the hook portion 60 is connected to the step portion 58 by one or more welds 62 to form a one-piece integrated structure of the accessory step 28.

[0053] The step portion 58 of the accessory step 28 may include an upper surface 64 configured to provide a step surface for a user to step on for gaining access to the roof 26 when the vehicle 10 is stationary and the accessory step 28 has been connected to the door side hinge bracket 32. The upper surface 64 of the step portion 58 may include a plurality of ridges separated by valleys or some other textured surface for providing stepping traction.

[0054] The hook portion 60 of the accessory step 28 is configured to engage the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​and may include a first hook segment 66, a second hook segment 68, and a bridge segment 70 connected between the first hook segment 66 and the second hook segment 68. When the accessory step 28 is fixed to the door side hinge bracket 32, the first hook segment 66 may be in contact with the outer surface 48, the second hook segment 68 may be in contact with the inner surface 46, and the bridge segment 70 may be in contact with the upper horizontal surface 76 of the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​(see FIG. Figure 6 When a vertical step load L is applied to the step portion 58 , the load may be transferred to both the upper horizontal surface 76 and the outer surface 48 of the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​, thereby better distributing the load across the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​.

[0055] The second hook section 68 can be received in the recess 54 of the inner surface 46 to allow the hook portion 60 to be hooked or looped onto the door side hinge bracket 32. The second hook section 68 can include one or more cutouts 72 for receiving one or more of the mounting pads 50 of the door side hinge bracket 32.

[0056] A protective lining 74 may be provided on selected portions of the hook portion 60 for protecting the respective surface finishes of the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​and the opening and closing member 12 by eliminating metal-to-metal contact. The protective lining 74 may be provided on both the inner surface of the first hook segment 66, the inner surface of the bridge segment 70, and the inner and outer surfaces of the second hook segment 68. In one embodiment, the protective lining 74 is a layer of rubber (e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) adhered to the hook portion 60. However, other configurations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] When not needed, the accessory step 28 can be disconnected from the door side hinge bracket 32 ​​of the first hinge assembly 18 or the second hinge assembly 20 and then stored within the vehicle 10. The accessory step 28 can be stored at any suitable location within the interior of the vehicle 10, including, for example, in any suitable storage compartment in the passenger compartment or cargo area.

[0058] The accessory steps described herein facilitate increased access and utilization of a vehicle roof and / or other upper vehicle structures. Thus, the proposed steps may eliminate the need for large and cumbersome ladders in order to access upper vehicle structures. The proposed accessory steps may be easily hooked or slipped onto the opening and closing member hinges without the need for additional fasteners, thereby enabling quick and convenient use.

[0059] Although different non-limiting embodiments are shown as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those specific combinations. Some components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments may be used in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.

[0060] It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings.It should be understood that although particular component arrangements are disclosed and shown in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may also benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0061] The foregoing description should be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that certain modifications may occur within the scope of the present disclosure. For these reasons, the attached claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An accessory step for a motor vehicle, comprising: Step part; as well as a hook portion connected to the step portion, Wherein the hook portion is configured to engage a hinge assembly of an opening and closing member system of a stationary motor vehicle.

2. The accessory step of claim 1, wherein the hook portion is connected to the step portion by at least one weld.

3. An accessory step as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook portion is configured to hook onto a hinge bracket of the hinge assembly, and optionally wherein the hook portion is received within a recess in an inner surface of the hinge bracket.

4. The accessory step of claim 3, wherein the recess extends between a first mounting pad and a second mounting pad of the inner surface of the hinge bracket, and further wherein the hook portion includes a cutout sized to receive the first mounting pad or the second mounting pad.

5. The accessory step as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinge bracket is a door-side hinge bracket of the hinge assembly.

6. An accessory step as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hook portion is configured to engage the hinge assembly without the use of fasteners.

7. An accessory step as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step portion comprises an upper surface configured to provide a step surface, and optionally wherein the upper surface comprises a plurality of ridges and valleys.

8. An accessory step as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hook portion comprises a first hook section, a second hook section and a bridge section connected between the first hook section and the second hook section.

9. The accessory step of claim 8, wherein the first hook section is configured to interface with an outer surface of the hinge assembly, the second hook section is configured to interface with an inner surface of the hinge assembly, and the bridge section is configured to interface with an upper horizontal surface of the hinge assembly.

10. The accessory step of claim 8, wherein a portion of each of the first hook segment, the second hook segment, and the bridge segment includes a protective lining.

11. A vehicle opening and closing component system, comprising: Opening and closing components; a first hinge assembly, the first hinge assembly being mounted to the opening and closing member; as well as An accessory step is removably mountable to the first hinge assembly without the use of fasteners.

12. The vehicle opening and closing member system according to claim 11, wherein the opening and closing member is a rear swing door.

13. A vehicle opening and closing member system as described in claim 11 or 12, wherein the first hinge assembly includes a body-side hinge bracket mounted to the vehicle body and a door-side hinge bracket mounted to the opening and closing member, and optionally wherein the accessory step is configured to hook to the door-side hinge bracket.

14. The vehicle opening and closing member system of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the accessory step comprises a step portion and a hook portion connected to the step portion, and optionally wherein the hook portion is configured to engage a hinge bracket of the first hinge assembly.

15. A method for providing an accessory step on a stationary motor vehicle, comprising: The accessory step according to claim 1 is hooked onto a hinge bracket of an opening and closing member system of the stationary motor vehicle.

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