Vehicle side steps

Abstract

We disclose a vehicle side step that is easy to assemble. [Solution] The vehicle side step according to the embodiment includes a step plate having a first guide groove formed longitudinally on its lower surface, a second guide groove communicating with the upper part of the first guide groove and having a wider width than the first guide groove, and an insertion groove formed near the first guide groove on the lower surface and communicating with the second guide groove; a fixing member having a main body that is movable along the first guide groove with its upper part housed in the second guide groove, and which is fixed to the step plate when its upper part descends and is inserted into the insertion groove; and a bracket having a coupling plate with a coupling groove at one end to which the main body of the fixing member is coupled, and the other end being coupled to a vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle side step. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Generally, in the case of high-body SUVs, recreational vehicles or trucks, a side step is provided at the lower part of the side surface of the vehicle to facilitate passengers getting on and off the vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a bracket assembly for a vehicle side step.

[0004] The bracket assembly for a vehicle side step disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached to a lower frame of a vehicle body that is provided with a flange in the longitudinal direction along the lower surface thereof, and is for mounting and fixing a side step tread under the side surface of the vehicle body, wherein the bracket assembly comprises: a main bracket that integrally comprises a frame fixing portion attached to the side surface of the lower frame of the vehicle body via a mounting bolt, a tread mounting portion provided to extend outward from the vehicle body from the lower end of the frame fixing portion, on which the side step tread is mounted and fixed, and a corner portion bent from the lower end of the frame fixing portion for forming the tread mounting portion; a sub-bracket integrally formed with a mounting portion having an upper end abutted against one side surface of the flange, a lower end bent at an acute angle and attached to the upper surface of the corner portion of the main bracket; and a fixing plate having an upper end abutted against the other side surface of the flange, attached to the sub-bracket with a bolt, and preventing deflection of the corner portion of the main bracket.

[0005] The aforementioned bracket assembly for vehicle side steps has a problem in that, when connecting the step plate to the bracket, the connection hole of the bracket is difficult to see, forcing the worker to lie down under the vehicle to perform the work. Furthermore, the aforementioned bracket assembly for vehicle side steps constantly protrudes to the side of the vehicle, making it prone to damage and also undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0425588 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The problem that this disclosure aims to solve is to provide a vehicle side step that is easy to assemble. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle side step according to this embodiment includes a step plate having a first guide groove formed longitudinally on its lower surface, a second guide groove formed longitudinally inside and communicating with the upper part of the first guide groove and having a wider width than the first guide groove, and an insertion groove formed near the first guide groove on the lower surface and communicating with the second guide groove; a fixing member having a main body that is movable along the first guide groove with its upper part housed in the second guide groove, and fixed to the step plate by its upper part descending and being inserted into the insertion groove; and a bracket having a coupling plate with a coupling groove at one end to which the main body of the fixing member is coupled, and the other end being coupled to a vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, the fixing member for the vehicle side step according to the embodiment includes a box-shaped body with an open top that is coupled to a coupling groove, a support plate that covers the top of the body, a rod that penetrates the body and the support plate and is configured to move vertically with its top exposed, and a fixing claw that is coupled to the top of the rod and has its end pointing downward, wherein the end of the fixing claw is inserted into the insertion groove when it descends while housed in the second guide groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the fixing member of the vehicle side step according to the embodiment may further include an elastic body provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rod and elastically supporting the rod.

[0011] Furthermore, the body of the vehicle side step according to the embodiment may further include locking projections provided on the outer surface of the body, and is characterized in that it is locked to a connecting plate by the locking projections.

[0012] Furthermore, the coupling plate of the vehicle side step according to the embodiment may further include a fixing groove formed near the coupling groove into which the end of the fixing claw is inserted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In this embodiment, the vehicle side step has a fixing claw of a fixing member that moves along the second guide groove of the step plate and automatically descends due to an elastic body, engaging with the insertion groove of the step plate. This eliminates the need for the worker to separately search for bolt holes to connect the step plate and eliminates the need to lie on the floor while working, thus improving work efficiency.

[0014] Furthermore, in the vehicle side step according to this embodiment, a fixing groove is formed in the connecting plate to which the fixing member is attached, into which the end of the fixing claw is inserted. This further strengthens the connection of the step plate to the bracket.

[0015] Further, in the vehicle side step according to the embodiment, a locking protrusion locked to the coupling plate is formed on the outer surface of the body. With this configuration, since the fixing claw and the locking protrusion are locked to the coupling plate, the fixing claw is prevented from detaching from the coupling plate in the process of coupling the fixing member and the tread plate.

[0016] Further, in the vehicle side step according to the embodiment, a plurality of insertion grooves of the tread plate into which the fixing claws of the fixing member are inserted can be formed along the longitudinal direction of the tread plate. Thereby, the coupling position of the tread plate can be easily adjusted, and the side step is not affected by the interval between brackets coupled to the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle side step according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle side step according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the vehicle side step according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fixing member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a process of assembling the vehicle side step according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a process of assembling the vehicle side step according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a process of assembling the vehicle side step according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a process of assembling the vehicle side step according to the embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The advantages, features and methods for achieving the same of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood by reference to the embodiments described in detail below, taken together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and can be embodied in various different forms. It should be noted that the present embodiments are provided to complete the present disclosure and to allow a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains to fully understand the scope of the invention, and the present disclosure is defined only by the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1 which is a perspective view of a vehicle side step 100 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle side step 100") according to the embodiment, and to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 which are exploded views of the vehicle side step 100, the vehicle side step 100 includes a tread plate 110, a fixing member 120, and a bracket 130.

[0020] The tread plate 110 has a predetermined length and is made of a material capable of supporting a person's load. The tread plate 110 includes a first guide groove 111, a second guide groove 112, and an insertion groove 113.

[0021] The first guide groove 111 is formed in a longitudinal direction on a lower surface of the tread plate 110. As an example, the first guide groove 111 may be formed in the longitudinal direction of the tread plate 110 on one side in the width direction of the tread plate 110.

[0022] The second guide groove 112 is formed in a longitudinal direction inside the tread plate 110, is formed in communication with an upper portion of the first guide groove 111, and has a width wider than that of the first guide groove 111. That is, the second guide groove 112 is located inside the tread plate 110, and based on a vertical cross-section in the longitudinal direction of the tread plate 110, the first guide groove 111 and the second guide groove 112 are formed in an inverted "convex" shape.

[0023] The insertion groove 113 is formed on the lower surface of the foot plate 110 near the first guide groove 111 and is formed in communication with the second guide groove 112. Furthermore, multiple insertion grooves 113 can be provided and configured to correspond to the spacing of the brackets 130 connected to the vehicle.

[0024] Furthermore, the footplate 110 may further include an input opening 114.

[0025] The input opening 114 can be formed on the underside of the foot plate 110 and has a length longer than the length of the fixing member 120, which will be described later. The input opening 114 communicates with the first guide groove 111 and the second guide groove 112 and functions as an entrance for inserting the upper part of the fixing member 120 into the second guide groove 112.

[0026] Furthermore, the upper surface of the tread 110 may be provided with an anti-slip pad (not shown) to prevent slipping, or grooves may be formed therein.

[0027] The fixing member 120 includes a body 121, a support plate 122, a rod 123, and a fixing claw 124.

[0028] The body 121 is sized to fit into the first guide groove 111 and has a box-like shape with an open top. For example, the body 121 may have a slot-shaped box-like shape with an open top.

[0029] Furthermore, a locking projection 121a can be formed on the body 121.

[0030] Multiple locking projections 121a may be provided along the outer surface of the body 121, so that the body 121 can be locked to the connecting plate 131 of the bracket 130, which will be described later.

[0031] The support plate 122 is formed to cover the upper part of the body 121.

[0032] The rod 123 is configured to pass through the body 121 and the support plate 122, and to be able to move up and down with its upper part exposed.

[0033] The fixing claws 124 are coupled to the upper surface of the support plate 122, and their ends are formed to extend outwards and then face downwards. For example, the fixing claws 124 can have their ends extending from the upper surface of the support plate 122 to both sides of the outer casing and then facing downwards.

[0034] Furthermore, the fixing member 120 may further include an elastic body 125.

[0035] The elastic body 125 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rod 123 and elastically supports the rod 123. For example, one end of the elastic body 125 may be supported on the lower surface of the support plate 122, and the other end may be supported on a flange 123a protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the rod 123.

[0036] The operation of the fixing member 120 will be explained with reference to Figure 4, a perspective view of the fixing member 120.

[0037] Figure 4(a) shows the state in which no external force is acting on the fixing member 120.

[0038] In this state, the fixing claw 124 is supported on the upper surface of the support plate 122.

[0039] Figure 4(b) shows the state in which the rod 123 is pushed upward by an external force acting above the fixing member 120.

[0040] In this state, the upper end of the rod 123 rises due to an upward external force, and the fixing claw 124 is positioned above the support plate 122 at a distance.

[0041] Referring again to Figures 2 and 3, the bracket 130 has a connecting plate 131 at one end and the other end is connected to the lower part of the side of a vehicle (not shown). The bracket 130 can be hinged so that one end protrudes to the side of the vehicle or is located at the bottom of the vehicle.

[0042] The connecting plate 131 includes a connecting groove 131a for connecting the fixing member 120.

[0043] The coupling groove 131a is shaped to correspond to the body 121 of the fixing member 120 and is formed to penetrate the coupling plate 131.

[0044] Furthermore, the connecting plate 131 may include a fixing groove 131b.

[0045] The fixing groove 131b is shaped to correspond to the end of the fixing claw 124 and is formed to penetrate along the outer edge of the coupling groove 131a.

[0046] Furthermore, multiple brackets 130 can be provided along the side of the vehicle.

[0047] The process of assembling the vehicle side step 100 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 8, which show the process of assembling the vehicle side step 100.

[0048] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the state before the fixing member 120 is inserted into the first guide groove 111 and the second guide groove 112 of the tread plate 110, and Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5.

[0049] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the body 121 of the fixing member 120 is connected to the connecting plate 131 of the bracket 130, and the fixing claw 124 rises from the body 121 by the rod 123. At this time, the body 121 does not detach from the connecting plate 131 by the locking projection 121a. Next, the body 121 is inserted into the first guide groove 111 so that the end of the fixing claw 124 abuts against the lower part of the second guide groove 112.

[0050] Figures 7 and 8 are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, showing how the fixing claws 124 of the fixing member 120 are connected to the insertion groove 113 of the tread plate 110.

[0051] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the body 121 of the fixing member 120 is moved along the first guide groove 111 and positioned above the insertion groove 113 of the tread 110. When the end of the fixing claw 124 and the insertion groove 113 are precisely aligned, the fixing claw 124 is lowered by the elastic body 125 and inserted into the insertion groove 113. This connects the fixing member 120 to the tread 110. Furthermore, the end of the fixing claw 124 is inserted into the fixing groove 131b of the connecting plate 131, thereby firmly fixing the tread 110 and the fixing member 120 to the bracket 130.

[0052] The expressions (terminology, visualized images, etc.) used in describing the embodiments of this disclosure have been selected solely for the instrumental purpose of enhancing the understanding of the technical content.

[0053] Furthermore, for the sake of illustrative purposes, this disclosure is described by a limited number of embodiments, and a person of ordinary skill can conceive of various modifications and new embodiments based on the embodiments described without departing from the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.

[0054] Therefore, the claims of this disclosure should not be limited by any expression shown in the "Description of the Invention" and the "Drawings," but should be interpreted broadly based on the technical idea of ​​the application inherent in the entire specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 100 Vehicle Side Steps 110 Stepping board 111 First guide groove 112 Second guide groove 113 Insertion groove 114 Inlet 120 Fixing member 121 Body 121a Locking protrusion 122 Support plate 123 Rod 123a Flange 124 Fixed claw 125 Elastic body 130 bracket 131 Connection plate 131a Connection groove 131b Fixed groove

Claims

1. A footplate comprising: a first guide groove formed longitudinally on its lower surface; a second guide groove formed longitudinally inside, communicating with the upper part of the first guide groove and having a wider width than the first guide groove; and an insertion groove formed near the first guide groove on the lower surface and communicating with the second guide groove. With its upper part housed in the second guide groove, the main body is configured to be movable along the first guide groove, and when the upper part descends and is inserted into the insertion groove, the fixing member is fixed to the foot plate. A coupling plate is provided at one end, having a coupling groove to which the main body of the fixing member is coupled, and the other end is a bracket to which the vehicle is coupled, Vehicle side steps, including...

2. The aforementioned fixing member is A box-shaped structure with an open top, comprising a body that is coupled to the coupling groove, A support plate covering the upper part of the body, A rod that penetrates the body and the support plate, and is configured to move up and down with its upper end exposed, A fixing claw is attached to the upper part of the rod, with its end facing downwards, Includes, The end of the aforementioned fixing claw is When it descends while housed in the second guide groove, it is inserted into the insertion groove, characterized in that A vehicle side step according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned fixing member is The rod further includes an elastic body provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rod, which elastically supports the rod. A vehicle side step according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned body is The body further includes a locking projection provided on the outer surface of the body, It is characterized by being locked to the connecting plate by the aforementioned locking projection, A vehicle side step according to claim 2.

5. The aforementioned connecting plate is It further includes a fixing groove formed near the coupling groove into which the end of the fixing claw is inserted, A vehicle side step according to claim 2.

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