Boarding / Alighting Steps

Abstract

It provides steps to facilitate getting on and off the vehicle. [Solution] The boarding / alighting step 3 includes a main step 4 positioned below the door 2 of the vehicle's cab 1, and an auxiliary step 5 rotatably attached to the main step 4 via a hinge having a pivot axis along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. When the door 2 is opened, the auxiliary step 5 rotates and is positioned between the main step 4 and the door 2, alongside the main step 4.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle boarding and alighting step.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a truck, the position of the driver's seat (hereinafter referred to as the cab) is high, and it is not easy for passengers to board and alight from the cab. Therefore, a boarding and alighting step is formed at a position that is below the cab door and in front of the front tire house and is exposed when the door is open. For example, when boarding, the passenger opens the door and steps on this exposed boarding and alighting step to board the vehicle.

[0003] In addition, in order to facilitate boarding and alighting from such a truck cab, for example, it is also known to provide a retractable multi-step on the lower surface of the cab (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] <000002*0*>

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional boarding and alighting step has a configuration in which it is difficult to step on the step when the door cannot be fully opened in a narrow place such as a parking lot, and boarding and alighting are not easy.

[0006] This case was conceived by paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a boarding and alighting step that facilitates boarding and alighting from a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This project was undertaken to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be implemented in the following forms or applications.

[0008] The boarding / alighting step according to this application example comprises a main step positioned below the cab door of the vehicle and an auxiliary step rotatably attached to the main step via a hinge having a pivot axis along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. When the door is opened, the auxiliary step rotates and is positioned between the main step and the door, alongside the main step.

[0009] According to this application example, when the door is opened, the auxiliary step rotates and is positioned between the main step and the door, alongside the main step. Therefore, even in narrow spaces such as parking lots where the door cannot be fully opened, passengers can easily step onto the auxiliary step and get into or out of the cab.

[0010] In the boarding / alighting step according to this application example, it is preferable to provide a biasing member that rotates the auxiliary step toward a position between the main step and the door.

[0011] In this case, the auxiliary step can be rotated in accordance with the opening and closing of the door, and positioned between the door and the main step, so that passengers can easily place their feet on the auxiliary step.

[0012] In the boarding / alighting step according to this application example, it is preferable to provide a guide member that protrudes toward the door from the side of the auxiliary step opposite to the side connected to the hinge, and guides the end of the auxiliary step facing the door in the vertical direction while abutting against a contact portion formed on the inner surface of the door.

[0013] In this case, the auxiliary step can be smoothly rotated in accordance with the opening and closing of the door, allowing it to be smoothly positioned between the door and the main step, which also makes it easy for passengers to place their feet on the auxiliary step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to this case, for example, even in narrow spaces such as parking lots where the doors cannot be fully opened, passengers can easily get into or out of the cab by placing their feet on the auxiliary step. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing a boarding / alighting step according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a partial cross-sectional view of the boarding / alighting step according to one embodiment, showing a cross-section of the vertical plane along the left-right direction near the rear frame of the boarding / alighting step shown in Figure 1, viewed from the rear. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view (corresponding to Figure 1) showing the state transitions associated with the opening and closing of the door of an entry / exit step according to one embodiment, where (A) shows the door opened to about 15°, (B) shows the door opened to about 30°, and (C) shows the door opened to its fullest extent. [Figure 4] This is a partial cross-sectional view (corresponding to Figure 2) showing the state transition associated with the opening and closing of the door of an entry / exit step according to one embodiment, where (A) shows the door in the closed state, (B) shows the door in the open state of approximately 15°, (C) shows the door in the open state of approximately 30°, and (D) shows the door in the fully open state. [Figure 5] This is a top view showing the state transition associated with the opening and closing of the door of the boarding / alighting step according to one embodiment, where (A) is a top view corresponding to Figure 4(A), (B) is a top view corresponding to Figure 4(B), (C) is a top view corresponding to Figure 4(C), and (D) is a top view corresponding to Figure 4(D). [Figure 6]It is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state transition accompanying the opening and closing of the door of the boarding and alighting step as a modified example. (A) is a view showing the door in a closed state, (B) is a view showing the door opened about 15°, (C) is a view showing the door opened about 30°, and (D) is a view showing the door opened until it is fully open. [Figure 7] It is a top view showing the state transition accompanying the opening and closing of the door of the boarding and alighting step as a modified example. (A) is a top view corresponding to FIG. 6(A), (B) is a top view corresponding to FIG. 6(B), (C) is a top view corresponding to FIG. 6(C), and (D) is a top view corresponding to FIG. 6(D).

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0016] Referring to the drawings, the embodiments of the present case will be described. This embodiment is merely an example, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly stated in the following embodiments. Each configuration of this embodiment can be implemented with various modifications without departing from their gist. Also, it can be selected as necessary, or appropriately combined.

[0017] [1. Configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a boarding and alighting step 3 according to an embodiment.

[0018] The boarding and alighting step 3 is mounted on a vehicle such as a truck, is located below the door 2 of the cab 1 of the vehicle, and is arranged in a step space 9 formed at each front position of the left and right front tire houses 7. In FIG. 1, the boarding and alighting step 3 arranged in the step space 9 arranged on the left side of the cab 1 is shown.

[0019] In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as the front FR, the opposite direction (the reverse direction of the vehicle) is defined as the rear RR, and the left and right (left LH and right RH) are defined based on the state where the vehicle faces the front FR. Also, the front-rear direction is also referred to as the vehicle length direction, and the left-right direction is also referred to as the vehicle width direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to both the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction is referred to as the vertical direction (upward UP and downward DN). The vehicle is on a horizontal road surface and is in a posture where the vertical direction coincides with the gravitational direction (the downward direction coincides with the direction of gravitational action). In this posture, the vertically upward direction is defined as the height direction. Also, hereinafter, the side facing the inside of the vehicle (cab 1) is referred to as the inner side, and the side facing the outside of the cab 1 is referred to as the outer side.

[0020] The step space 9 is formed as a substantially rectangular recess that is recessed inward of the vehicle on the lower portions of both side surfaces of the cab 1, and each opens toward the outside on the side of the vehicle. The opening of the step space 9 is exposed by opening the door 2 of the cab 1 and hidden by closing the door 2. The step space 9 may be connected to the space inside the cab 1 at its upper portion. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a floor mat 8 is laid on the floor surface of the cab 1, and a part of the bottom surface of this floor mat 8 covers at least a part of the upper side of the step space 9. A boarding step 3 is arranged on the lower surface (bottom surface) of the step space 9.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the boarding step 3 has a main step 4 and an auxiliary step 5. Both the main step 4 and the auxiliary step 5 may be made of, for example, resin.

[0022] [[ID=II]] The main step 4 is fixed to the lower surface of the step space 9 so as to cover the lower surface of the step space 9. The upper surface of the main step 4 may be referred to as the main footrest surface 41. In the main step 4, the main footrest surface 41 is formed to be substantially horizontal. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the main footrest surface 41 is formed as a substantially rectangle. The main step 4 is arranged on the bottom surface of the step space 9 such that the long side of the main footrest surface 41 extends along the front-rear direction.

[0023] As illustrated in Figure 1, the main footrest surface 41 has multiple geometrically shaped holes arranged in a row, with multiple square and approximately square holes formed on the main footrest surface 41. This increases the frictional resistance of the main footrest surface 41, preventing slippage when the rider places their feet on the main footrest surface 41 when getting on or off, and also helps to remove mud and other debris attached to the rider's shoes.

[0024] An auxiliary step 5 is attached to the outer side of the main step 4 in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] In the boarding / alighting step 3 illustrated in Figure 1, the auxiliary step 5 is formed as a roughly rectangular plate-shaped member that is the same size as or smaller than the main footrest surface 41, and is positioned with one of its two long sides aligned with the outer long side of the main step 4.

[0026] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the boarding / alighting step 3 according to one embodiment, and shows a cross-section of the vertical plane along the left-right direction near the rear frame 52a, which will be described later, of the boarding / alighting step 3 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the rear.

[0027] A hinge 53 having a pivot axis 53a along the longitudinal direction is provided inside (to the right in the example shown in Figure 2) of the outer end of the main step 4 in the vehicle width direction, and the auxiliary step 5 is rotatably attached to the main step 4 via this hinge 53 at its inner end.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary step 5 shown by the solid line represents the fully open state, while the auxiliary step 5 shown by the dashed line (two-dot dashed line) represents the state during rotation. The surface of the auxiliary step 5 facing upwards in the fully open state can be called the auxiliary footrest surface 51.

[0029] Furthermore, in auxiliary step 5, the auxiliary footrest surface 51, like the main footrest surface 41, has multiple geometrically shaped holes arranged in a row. This increases the frictional resistance of the auxiliary footrest surface 51, preventing the rider from slipping when placing their feet on the auxiliary footrest surface 51 when getting on or off, and also helps to remove mud and other debris attached to the rider's shoes.

[0030] In some cases, when the auxiliary step 5 rotates by the hinge 53 so that the auxiliary footrest surface 51 faces the main footrest surface 41, this is referred to as the auxiliary step 5 closing. In other cases, when the auxiliary step 5 rotates by the hinge 53 so that the auxiliary footrest surface 51 moves away from the main footrest surface 41, this is referred to as the auxiliary step 5 opening.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, a stopper surface 42 is formed on the upper part of the main step 4 near the outer end (left side in the example shown in Figure 2) in the vehicle width direction, relative to the hinge 53, and is roughly horizontal in the front-rear direction. The stopper surface 42 is formed below the main footrest surface 41. In the fully open auxiliary step 5, the side opposite to the auxiliary footrest surface 51 abuts against this stopper surface 42, making the auxiliary footrest surface 51 nearly horizontal. The side of the auxiliary step 5 opposite to the auxiliary footrest surface 51 can be called the back surface of the auxiliary step 5.

[0032] The height difference between the stopper surface 42 and the main footrest surface 41 is formed to be approximately equal to the thickness of the auxiliary step 5. As a result, in the fully open auxiliary step 5, the auxiliary footrest surface 51 is almost flush with the main footrest surface 41 of the main step 4.

[0033] One arm of a torsion spring 54, which is wound around the pivot axis 53a of the hinge 53, is fixed to the main step 4, and the other arm of the torsion spring 54 is fixed to the auxiliary step 5. The torsion spring 54 biases the auxiliary step 5 in the direction of being fully open. The torsion spring 54 is an example of a biasing member that rotates the auxiliary step 5 toward a position between the main step 4 and the door 2.

[0034] In auxiliary step 5, the front portion of the outer long side (for example, about half of the front portion) is sloped such that its width decreases as it moves forward. This sloped edge formed on the outer front in auxiliary step 5 can be called a sloped edge.

[0035] Furthermore, the portion of the outer long side of auxiliary step 5 other than the inclined side (for example, the rear half) is formed approximately parallel to the inner long side. As a result, auxiliary step 5, as illustrated in Figure 1, is formed in an approximately pentagonal shape.

[0036] Furthermore, a frame 52 is formed along the outer circumference of the auxiliary footrest surface 51 of the auxiliary step 5. The frame 52 may be erected from the auxiliary footrest surface 51. The portion of the frame 52 formed on the rear short side of the auxiliary footrest surface 51 may be called the rear frame 52a. The portion of the frame 52 formed on the outer long side may be called the side frame 52b, and the portion formed on the inclined side may be called the front frame 52c.

[0037] The arm 6 protrudes from the front frame 52c of the auxiliary footrest surface 51. As shown in Figure 1, in the fully open auxiliary step 5, the arm 6 is erected so as to protrude from the auxiliary footrest surface 51 at an angle upward and diagonally forward. The side of the arm 6 opposite to the front frame 52c can be called the tip side. Furthermore, the direction along the horizontal plane in the diagonally forward direction from which the arm 6 protrudes from the front frame 52c can be called the outward direction of the arm 6, and the direction opposite to this outward direction of the arm 6 can be called the inward direction of the arm 6.

[0038] The tip portion of arm 6 is bent so as to be approximately vertical when the auxiliary footrest surface 51 is fully extended, or so as to be inclined toward the inside of arm 6.

[0039] Furthermore, it is desirable that the outer surface of the arm 6 be formed smoothly so that the coefficient of friction is low.

[0040] A plate 21 is attached to the lower part of the inner surface of the door 2 at a position where the tip of the arm 6 abuts when the door 2 is opened and closed. The plate 21 is formed on the inside of the door 2 at a position where the arm 6 of the rotating auxiliary step 5 abuts. For example, the plate 21 extends vertically on the inside of the door 2, and it is desirable that its lower end be below the position of the tip of the arm 6 when the auxiliary step 5 is fully open. It is also desirable that the upper end of the plate 21 be above the position where the back surface of the auxiliary step 5 abuts when the door 2 is closed.

[0041] Plate 21 is an example of a contact portion formed on the inner surface of door 2. It is desirable that plate 21 be made of a material that is smooth and has a low coefficient of friction on its surface.

[0042] Arm 6 is an example of a guide member that protrudes toward the door 2 from the side opposite to the side connected to the hinge 53 in the auxiliary step 5 (left side in Figure 2), and guides the door in the vertical direction while bringing the end facing the door 2 in the auxiliary step 5 (left side in Figure 2) into contact with the plate 21 (contact portion) formed on the inner surface of the door 2.

[0043] [2. Action and Effects] Figures 3(A)-(C), 4(A)-(D), and 5(A)-(D) are diagrams showing the state transitions of boarding / alighting step 3 in conjunction with the opening and closing of door 2. Figures 3(A)-(C) are perspective views of boarding / alighting step 3, with Figure 3(A) showing door 2 opened to approximately 15°, Figure 3(B) showing door 2 opened to approximately 30°, and Figure 3(C) showing door 2 fully opened.

[0044] In Figures 3(A) to 3(C), when opening door 2 of cab 1, the states transition in the order of (A), (B), and (C), and when closing door 2 of cab 1, the states transition in the order of (C), (B), and (A).

[0045] Figures 4(A) to 4(D) are partial cross-sectional views of the boarding / alighting step 3, and, similar to Figure 2, they show a cross-section of the vertical plane along the left-right direction near the rear frame 52a of the boarding / alighting step 3 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the rear. Figure 4(A) shows the door 2 in the closed position, Figure 4(B) shows the door 2 open to about 15°, Figure 4(C) shows the door 2 open to about 30°, and Figure 4(D) shows the door 2 fully open.

[0046] Furthermore, Figures 5(A) to 5(D) are top views of the boarding / alighting step 3, with Figure 5(A) corresponding to Figure 4(A), Figure 5(B) to Figure 4(B), Figure 5(C) to Figure 4(C), and Figure 5(D) to Figure 4(D). For convenience, the illustration of the multiple geometric holes formed in the auxiliary footrest surface 51 has been omitted in Figures 5(A) to 5(D).

[0047] In Figures 4(A)-(D) and 5(A)-(D), when opening door 2 of cab 1, the states transition in the order of (A), (B), (C), (D), and when closing door 2 of cab 1, the states transition in the order of (D), (C), (B), (A).

[0048] As shown in Figures 4(A) and 5(A), when the door 2 is closed, the auxiliary step 5 is supported with its back surface in contact with the inner surface (plate 21) of the door 2, and stands approximately vertically with the side frame 52b above it.

[0049] As a result, the auxiliary footrest surface 51 closes the opening of the step space 9. In this state, although the arm 6 protrudes into the step space 9, most of the space within the step space 9 remains open. Therefore, for example, the rider's shoes can be stored inside the step space 9.

[0050] Furthermore, since the auxiliary step 5 is pressed against the door 2 by the torsion spring 54 and tightly sealed, the generation of noise and other vibrations can be suppressed even when the vehicle vibrates while driving.

[0051] Furthermore, when the door 2 is opened slightly (for example, to about 15°) from the closed position shown in Figures 4(A) and 5(A), the auxiliary step 5 is pressed outward by the torsion spring 54 and rotates to open in accordance with the movement of the door 2. At this time, the tip of the arm 6 slides downward while contacting the inner plate 21 of the door 2. As a result, the part of the auxiliary step 5 facing the door 2 (the outer part) is guided downward by the arm 6, and the auxiliary step 5 becomes inclined during rotation, as shown in Figures 3(A), 4(B), and 5(B). In other words, the auxiliary step 5 opens in conjunction with the opening of the door 2.

[0052] Furthermore, when the door 2 is opened to approximately 30° from the state shown in Figures 3(A), 4(B), and 5(B), the auxiliary step 5 is pressed outward by the torsion spring 54 and rotates further to open in accordance with the movement of the door 2. As a result, the auxiliary step 5 is fully open, as shown in Figures 3(B), 4(C), and 5(C). In this fully open state, the back surface of the auxiliary step 5 is maintained in contact with the stopper surface 42 of the main step 4.

[0053] In other words, with door 2 open to about 30°, the auxiliary step 5 is positioned between cab 1 and door 2, alongside the main step 4. This allows passengers to easily get in and out of cab 1, for example, by placing their feet on the auxiliary footrest surface 51, even in narrow parking spaces.

[0054] Furthermore, from a state where the door 2 is open to about 30° as shown in Figures 3(B), 4(C), and 5(C), the door 2 is fully opened as shown in Figures 3(C), 4(D), and 5(D). In this state, the door 2 is separated from the arm 6 of the auxiliary step 5, but the auxiliary step 5 is pressed by the torsion spring 54, and the back surface of the auxiliary step 5 is maintained in contact with the stopper surface 42 of the main step 4.

[0055] Furthermore, since door 2 is fully open, passengers can easily get in and out of cab 1 by placing their feet on the auxiliary footrest surface 51 or the main footrest surface 41.

[0056] On the other hand, by closing door 2 from a fully open state as shown in Figures 3(C), 4(D), and 5(D) to a state where door 2 is opened to about 30° as shown in Figures 3(B), 4(C), and 5(C), the plate 21 of door 2 comes into contact with the tip of the arm 6 of auxiliary step 5. In this state, auxiliary step 5 remains in the fully open state.

[0057] Furthermore, the door 2 is closed from a state where it is open about 30°, as shown in Figures 3(B), 4(C), and 5(C), to a state where it is open about 15°, as shown in Figures 3(A), 4(B), and 5(B). During this process, as the door 2 is closed, the tip of the arm 6 of the auxiliary step 5 is pushed inward by the plate 21 of the door 2.

[0058] As described above, the tip of the arm 6 is bent so as to be approximately vertical when the auxiliary footrest surface 51 is fully open, or so as to be inclined toward the inside of the arm 6, and is smoothly formed so as to reduce the frictional resistance of the plate 21 that the tip of the arm 6 abuts against. Furthermore, the auxiliary step 5 on which the arm 6 is formed is rotatably attached to the main step 4 via a hinge 53 at its inner end.

[0059] Therefore, the tip of the arm 6 slides (is guided) upward on the plate 21 in conjunction with the closing door 2, and consequently, the auxiliary step 5 rotates in the closing direction. In other words, the auxiliary step 5 closes in conjunction with the closing door 2.

[0060] Furthermore, the door 2 is closed from a state where it is open to about 15°, as shown in Figures 3(A), 4(B), and 5(B), to a fully closed state, as shown in Figures 4(A) and 5(A). During this process, the auxiliary step 5 also closes in conjunction with the closing of the door 2. As a result, the auxiliary step 5 is supported with its back surface in contact with the inner surface (plate 21) of the door 2, and stands almost vertically with the side frame 52b above it.

[0061] Thus, in boarding / alighting step 3, the auxiliary step 5 opens and closes autonomously in conjunction with the opening and closing of door 2, so boarding / alighting step 3 does not interfere with the opening and closing of door 2.

[0062] [3. Others] The configuration of the boarding / alighting step 3 shown in the above embodiment is just one example. For example, in the above embodiment, the boarding / alighting step 3 is shown as being located in a step space 9 on the left side of the cab 1, but it is not limited to this. A similar boarding / alighting step 3 may also be provided in a step space 9 located on the right side of the cab 1.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the upper end portion of the arm 6 formed on the auxiliary step 5 is bent so as to incline toward the inside of the arm 6, and the outer surface of the arm 6 is formed smoothly to reduce the coefficient of friction. In addition, a plate 21 made of a material with no irregularities and a low coefficient of friction is attached to the lower part of the inner surface of the door 2 at the position where the tip of the arm 6 abuts when the door 2 is opened and closed. The tip of the arm 6 is configured to slide on the plate 21 as the door 2 is opened and closed, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0064] Figures 6(A)-(D) and 7(A)-(D) show the state transitions in boarding / alighting step 3 as modified examples.

[0065] Figures 6(A) to 6(D) are partial cross-sectional views of the boarding / alighting step 3 as modified examples, and show the cross-section of the vertical plane along the left-right direction near the rear frame 52a of the boarding / alighting step 3 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the rear. Figure 6(A) shows the door 2 in the closed position, Figure 6(B) shows the door 2 open to about 15°, Figure 6(C) shows the door 2 open to about 30°, and Figure 6(D) shows the door 2 fully open.

[0066] Furthermore, Figures 7(A) to 7(D) are top views of the boarding / alighting step 3 as modified examples, with Figure 7(A) corresponding to Figure 6(A), Figure 7(B) to Figure 6(B), Figure 7(C) to Figure 6(C), and Figure 7(D) to Figure 6(D).

[0067] In the modified boarding / alighting step 3 illustrated in Figures 6(A)-(D) and 7(A)-(D), a roller 6a is provided instead of the arm 6 of the boarding / alighting step 3 of the embodiment described above, and a ramp 21a is provided instead of the plate 21 of the door 2. The other parts are configured the same as the boarding / alighting step 3 of the embodiment described above. Note that in Figures 7(A)-(D), for convenience, the illustration of the multiple geometric holes formed in the auxiliary footrest surface 51 is omitted.

[0068] Furthermore, in the figure, the same symbols as those previously described indicate the same parts, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0069] The side frame 52b of the auxiliary step 5 is provided with a roller 6a supported by a rotation axis (not shown) oriented in the front-rear direction, and this roller 6a protrudes outward from the side frame 52b. The roller 6a is rotatably mounted on the rotation axis. The roller 6a may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. The rotation axis of the roller 6a may also be positioned along the inclined edge of the front frame 52c.

[0070] At the lower part of the inner surface of the door 2, a slope 21a is formed at a position where the roller 6a contacts the door 2 as the auxiliary step 5 rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 2.

[0071] As shown in Figures 6(A) to (D), the slope 21a is formed to protrude from the inner surface of the door 2 with a predetermined width greater than the width of the roller 6a, and the roller 6a rolls in contact with this surface (hereinafter referred to as the slope surface).

[0072] Furthermore, the slope 21a is formed such that the amount of protrusion is greater towards the bottom and smaller towards the top, and the slope surface is curved in a concave shape with the middle portion in the vertical direction recessed toward the outside (back side) of the door 2.

[0073] The slope 21a is preferably made of a material with a low surface friction coefficient, and may be made of resin, for example.

[0074] In the boarding / alighting step 3 configured in this way, when the door 2 is opened, the auxiliary step 5 is pressed outward by the torsion spring 54 and opens in accordance with the movement of the door 2. At this time, the roller 6a rolls while contacting the slope surface of the slope 21a formed on the inside of the door 2 and moves downward. As a result, the part of the auxiliary step 5 facing the door 2 (the outer part) is guided downward by the roller 6a, and the auxiliary step 5 rotates in the opening direction. In other words, the auxiliary step 5 opens in conjunction with the door 2.

[0075] On the other hand, when closing door 2, the roller 6a of the auxiliary step 5 is pushed by the slope 21a of door 2 as door 2 is closing. The roller 6a rolls upward on the slope surface of the slope 21a in conjunction with the closing door 2, and as a result, the auxiliary step 5 rotates in the closing direction. In other words, the auxiliary step 5 closes in conjunction with door 2.

[0076] Thus, even in the modified boarding / alighting step 3, which has a roller 6a instead of the arm 6 and a ramp 21a instead of the plate 21 of the door 2, the same effects and advantages as the boarding / alighting step 3 according to the above embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in this modified boarding / alighting step 3, the arm 6 does not protrude into the step space 9, and the step space 9 can be used more efficiently than in the above embodiment. As a result, for example, more of the passenger's dirty shoes can be stored in the step space 9.

[0077] Furthermore, in the embodiments and modifications described above, the auxiliary step 5 is formed as a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that is the same size as or smaller than the main footrest surface 41, but is not limited to this.

[0078] For example, the front-to-back length of auxiliary step 5 may be shorter than the front-to-back length of main step 4, and can be modified as appropriate. Also, although the shape of auxiliary step 5 was described as a pentagon, it may be an arc or a triangle, and can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, although holes were provided in main step 4 and auxiliary step 5, the holes may be through-holes, not through-holes, or they may be flat.

[0079] [4. Addendum]

[0080] (Note 1) The main step is located below the cab door of the vehicle, It has an auxiliary step that is rotatably attached to the main step via a hinge having a rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, When the door is opened, the auxiliary step rotates and is positioned alongside the main step between the main step and the door. A boarding / alighting step characterized by the following features.

[0081] (Note 2) The auxiliary step is provided with a biasing member that rotates it toward a position between the main step and the door. The boarding / alighting step described in Appendix 1, characterized by the features described herein.

[0082] (Note 3) The auxiliary step includes a guide member that protrudes toward the door from the side opposite to the side connected to the hinge, and guides the end of the auxiliary step facing the door in the vertical direction while abutting against a contact portion formed on the inner surface of the door. A boarding / alighting step as described in Appendix 1 or 2, characterized by the above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1 Cab 2 doors 21 Plate (contact area) 21a Slope (contact area) 3. Steps for boarding and alighting 4 Main Steps 41 Main footrest surface 42 Stopper surface 5. Auxiliary Steps 51 Auxiliary footrest surface 52 frames 52a Rear frame 52b Side Frame 52c front frame 53 Hinge 53a Rotation axis 54 Torsion spring (biasing member) 6. Arm (guide member) 6a Roller (guide member) 7 Front wheel well 8 Floor Mats 9 Step Spaces

Claims

[Claim 1] The main step is located below the cab door of the vehicle, It has an auxiliary step that is rotatably attached to the main step via a hinge having a rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, When the door is opened, the auxiliary step rotates and is positioned between the main step and the door, alongside the main step. A boarding / alighting step characterized by the following features.

Images