Telescoping Vehicle Step with Nested Slide Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of pickup trucks often face difficulties in accessing the cargo bed due to the elevated height of the vehicle, as traditional makeshift steps are either unavailable, unstable, or damage the cargo, and existing hitch receivers are not designed to accommodate a telescoping step.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping vehicle step that fits within and slides within the hitch receiver, featuring a hollow polygonal first slide beam and secondary slide beams with limit pins and spring-loaded locking bosses, allowing secure extension and collapse, and includes a step attachment for safe and stable access to the cargo bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a telescoping step is designed to slide within the hitch receiver, then the step can be securely stored and deployed, but the device complexity increases due to multiple slide beams and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping step employs multiple slide beams nested within each other, with the second slide beam inserted into the first slide beam. This nesting arrangement allows the step to be compactly stored within the hitch receiver while providing a stable extended platform when deployed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The step assembly incorporates dynamic locking mechanisms including spring-loaded locking bosses that automatically engage with slots in the slide beams. This dynamic system provides secure stabilization when the step is extended, while allowing easy deployment and retraction, thereby achieving reliability without permanent complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hitch receiver is used to accommodate the telescoping step, then the step can be integrated into the vehicle, but the adaptability decreases because the hitch receiver is originally designed for trailer hitches
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping step assembly is designed to utilize the existing hitch receiver structure, allowing the same receiver to serve both its original purpose of accommodating trailer hitches and the new function of housing the telescoping step. The slide beams are dimensioned to fit within the rectangular opening of the hitch receiver, creating a universal solution that enhances adaptability without requiring separate mounting structures.
3Ease of operation
If the step is extended by pulling from the hitch receiver, then the step can be easily deployed, but the length of the step structure increases requiring longer slide beams
Solution Approach 1:
The step structure is segmented into multiple slide beams of progressively shorter lengths, with the first slide beam being the longest and subsequent beams being shorter. This segmentation allows the step to achieve sufficient extended length for easy deployment while keeping individual beam lengths manageable and the overall retracted length compact.
Data Source
AI summary
A telescoping vehicle step comprised of three slide beams and a step. The first slide beam is shaped to slide within the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The second slide beam is inserted into the first slide beam. The third slide beam is inserted into the second slide beam. A step is attached to the third slide beam. The slide beams and step form a telescoping vehicle step which can be used to facilitate entry into the cargo bed of a vehicle. During use, the beams form a telescopic extension member which positions the step beyond the outer perimeter of a lowered tailgate. When not being used, the beams form a collapsed configuration which holds the step near the opening of the hitch receiver.