JPH04372434A - Step for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a structure of a step, improve easiness of getting on/off a vehicle when it is used, prevent it from being an obstacle for usage of a connection hook when it is used, and prevent it from getting in contact with an external obstable during running. CONSTITUTION:An arm 18 where a step main body 21 is installed is installed to a cross member 11b through a bracket 16 to rotate between a containing position for containing a step main body in a lower part of a car body 15 and a usage position protruding out of the car body. A stopper 27 is fixed to a rotation bar 26 rotatably provided at the arm at a counter position to the bracket, and this stopper is stopped to a first stopping part 16a at the usage position of the step main body, and a second stopping position 16b at the containing position. For pulling an operation cable 34, a lever 32 is oscillated to install/remove the stopper, and for loosening it, the stopper is energized in a direction for a spring 31 to be stopped at the first or second stopping part.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to steps for passengers to get on and off a vehicle.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art As a step of this type, a fixed type step for getting on and off the rear passenger compartment through a double door provided at the rear of a vehicle body is known. This step is usually fixed to the vehicle body below the door and protrudes rearward, so if a connecting hook is provided at the rear of this vehicle for towing another vehicle, the step will get in the way when towing another vehicle. Therefore, there was a problem in that the step could not be made to protrude rearward beyond the connecting hook. Furthermore, with the steps configured in this manner, there is a risk that the occupant may miss his or her foot when the occupant uses the step to get on or off the vehicle.

[0003] In order to solve these problems, an auxiliary step is horizontally suspended from the lower ends of a plurality of links that are pivotally connected directly below the vehicle entrance, and the auxiliary step forms a parallelogram link with these links. The auxiliary step is movably provided between a storage position where the auxiliary step is stored in the lower part of the vehicle body directly below the entrance and exit and a use position where the auxiliary step protrudes outward from the vehicle from the entrance. An auxiliary step device for a vehicle is disclosed in which a drive device rotates a link so as to move the link to a storage position or a use position (Utility Model Publication No. 60-171763). The drive device of this auxiliary step device consists of an electric motor, a worm speed reducer and a planetary gear set, and the carrier of the planetary gear of the planetary gear set is connected to the shaft that rotates the link.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-mentioned auxiliary step device requires the use of an expensive drive device and has a relatively complicated structure, which increases the number of parts and causes problems that push up costs. Ta.

[0005] The first object of the present invention is to improve the ease of getting on and off the vehicle when in use by having a simple structure and simple operation, and to not hinder the use of the connecting hook when not in use, and to prevent the vehicle from leaving the vehicle while the vehicle is running. An object of the present invention is to provide a step for a vehicle that does not come into contact with obstacles. A second object of the present invention is to provide a step for a vehicle that allows the step body to be easily switched to a use position or a storage position even when the vehicle is on the vehicle or when the vehicle is dismounted.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The structure of the present invention for achieving the above object will be explained using FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 which correspond to embodiments. The present invention provides a pair of brackets 16 and 17 whose upper ends are fixed to the chassis 11 or the lower part of the vehicle body 15.
, 56, and a step body 21 attached to a pair of brackets 16, 17, 56 via a pair of arms 18, 19, respectively, wherein the arms 18, 19 connect the step body 21 to the vehicle body. It is attached to brackets 16, 17, 56 so as to be rotatable between a storage position stored in the lower part of vehicle body 15 and a use position protruding outward from vehicle body 15, and is rotatably mounted on a pair of arms 18, 19. A pair of locking tools 27, 28 are fixed to positions facing the pair of brackets 16, 17, 56 of the rotating bar 26, respectively, and the locking tools 27, 28 lock the step main body 21 in the use position. The second locking tool 27, 28 locks the first locked portion 16a, 17a, 56a and the step main body 21 at the storage position.
The locked parts 16b, 17b are the brackets 16, 17, 5.
6, and the locking tools 27 and 28 are arranged in the first locked parts 16a and 1 at the use position and storage position of the step body 21, respectively.
7a, 56a or the second locked portions 16b, 17b are provided with a spring 31 that urges them in the locking direction, and a lever 32 for rotating the rotating bar is fixed to the rotating bar 26. It is characterized by Further, the vehicle step has an operating cable 3 extending to the top of the vehicle body 15 at the tip of the lever 32.
4 is attached, and when the cable 34 is pulled, the locking tools 27, 28 are detached from the first locked parts 16a, 17a, 56a or the second locked parts 16b, 17b, and are locked when the cable 34 is loosened. The tools 27 and 28 can be configured to be biased by the spring 31 and locked to the first locked parts 16a, 17a, 56a or the second locked parts 16b, 17b.

[0007]

[Operation] When using the step main body 21, pull the operating cable 34 and attach the locking tools 27, 28 to the brackets 16, 1.
7, the cable 34 is instantly relaxed and the arms 18 and 19 are rotated in the direction of protruding from the vehicle body 15 due to the weight of the step body 21. When the arms 18, 19 rotate to the use position of the step main body 21, the locking tools 27, 28 are biased by the spring 31, and the first locked parts 16a,
17a. When storing the step body 21, pull the operation cable 34 to remove the locking tools 27, 28 from the first locked parts 16a, 17a of the brackets 16, 17, and then pull the cable 34 further to store the step body 21. Rotate to position. With the arms 18 and 19 pulled up further from the storage position of the step body 21, the cable 34
When the brackets 16 and 17 are loosened instantaneously, the locking tools 27 and 28 are biased by the spring 31 and the second locked portions 16 of the brackets 16 and 17 are
b, 17b.

[0008]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the vehicle 10 includes a chassis frame 11 serving as a chassis and a vehicle body 15, and the chassis frame 11 supports the vehicle body 15. The chassis frame 11 includes a pair of side members 11a, 11a provided parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle 10, and a cross member 11b installed at the rear of these members. Double doors 12, 12 for getting on and off are attached to the back of the vehicle 10. Further, a connecting hook 13 is attached toward the rear of the vehicle 10 approximately at the center of the cross member 11b. A step 14 is attached to the cross member 11b, and this step includes a pair of brackets 16, 17 whose upper ends are fixed to the cross member 11b, and a step body attached to these brackets via a pair of arms 18, 19, respectively. 21.

The base ends of the arms 18 and 19 are fitted with nuts 23 and bolts 22 and 22 fitted with insert members (not shown).
The step body 21 is pivotally attached to the brackets 16 and 17 by screwing the arms 18 and 19 together, and the step body 21 is fixed to the tips of the arms 18 and 19 by screwing bolts 24 and 24 together. The arms 18 and 19 have two positions: a storage position where the step main body 21 is stored in the lower part of the vehicle body 15 (the position shown in FIG. 2), and a use position where the step body 21 is protruded to the outside of the vehicle body 15, in this example, to the rear of the vehicle body 15 (the position shown in FIG. 1). position). The connecting hook 13 is located above the step body 21 in the use position, and the step body 21 in the use position is configured to protrude to the rear of the vehicle body 15 from the connecting hook 13.

A rotating bar 26 is rotatably installed approximately in the center of the pair of arms 18 and 19, and a pair of locking tools 27 and 28 are installed at positions where the rotating bar faces the pair of brackets 16 and 17, respectively. The proximal end of is fixed. Approximately J-shaped claw portions 27a, 28a are formed at the tips of the locking tools, and the pair of brackets 16, 17 have first locked portions 16a, 28a, respectively.
17a and second locked portions 16b, 17b are provided. The first locked parts 16a, 17a are flat parts formed at the lower ends of the brackets 16, 17, and the first locked parts 16a, 17a are attached to the locking tools 27, 17a in the use position of the step body 21.
The tops of the claw portions 27a and 28a of 8 are provided so as to be able to abut and lock. The second locked parts 16b, 17b are recesses formed in the brackets 16, 17 near the cross member 11b, and the second locked parts 16b, 17b are recesses formed in the brackets 16, 17 near the cross member 11b.
Claws 27a, 28a of locking tools 27, 28 are attached to 6b, 17b.
is provided so that it can be locked. The bracket extending from the first locked portion to the second locked portion is formed with a curved surface portion centered around the bolt and a flat portion smoothly connected to the curved surface. Additionally, a reinforcing bar 2 is provided between the lower ends of the pair of brackets 16 and 17.
9 will be erected.

One end of the rotating bar 26 installed on the pair of arms 18 and 19 connects one arm 18 to the other arm 1.
It is provided so as to protrude by a predetermined length in the direction opposite to 9. A spring 31 is wound around this protruding portion, and a lever 32 is fixed to the tip of this protruding portion (FIG. 3). Spring 31 is a torsion coil spring in this example;
1, one arm 31a is locked to one arm 18, and the other arm 31b is locked to a lever 32 (FIG. 1). The spring 31 connects the locking tools 27 and 28 to the first locked portions 16a and 17a in the use position and storage position of the step body 21, respectively.
Alternatively, it is biased in the direction of locking the second locked portions 16b and 17b (FIG. 3).

One end of an operating cable 34 extending into the vehicle interior is attached to the tip of the lever 32 via a pin 33, and the other end is attached to an operating knob (not shown) provided in the driver's seat. The operating cable 34 is covered by an outer cable 36 and is provided to be slidable within the outer cable 36. A guide plate 37 formed by bending a plate to have a predetermined radius of curvature is fixed to one arm 18, and a cable support 38 is fixed to the cross member 11b. One end of the outer cable 36 is attached to a cable support 38, and the other end is attached to a member (not shown) that holds an operating knob. The guide plate 37 is adapted to guide the operating cable 34 slidably in its longitudinal direction from the tip of the lever 32 toward the support 38. When the operating knob is pulled, the operating cable 34 is pulled and the locking tool 27,
28 is the first locked part 16a, 17a or the second locked part 1
6b, 17b and when the operating knob is released, the operating cable 34 is relaxed and the locking tools 27, 28 are biased by the spring 31, and the first locked parts 16a, 17a or the second locked part 16b are , 17b.

A method of using the vehicle step constructed as described above will be explained. When using the step body 21 protruding from the vehicle body 15, the operating cable 34 is pulled in the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. 2 by pulling the operating knob (not shown), and the lever 32 is rotated in the direction of the broken arrow. At the same time, the locking tools 27 and 28 rotate in the direction of the dashed-dotted arrow, and the second locked parts 16b and 17b of the brackets 16 and 17 are rotated.
arm 18, due to the weight of the step body 21.
19 rotates slightly in the direction of the two-dot chain arrow. In this state, if you release the operating knob and instantly relax the operating cable 34, the arms 18, 19 will be moved by the weight of the step body 21, etc.
rotates in the direction of the two-dot chain arrow. When the arms 18, 19 rotate to the use position of the step main body 21, the locking tools 27, 28 are biased by the spring 31 to the first locked parts 16a, 17a of the brackets 16, 17, as shown in FIG. to lock. As a result, the occupant can easily get on or off the vehicle from the entrance by opening the double doors on the back of the vehicle and placing his or her feet on the step body 21. At this time, since the step body 21 protrudes rearward from the connecting hook 13 and the vehicle body 15, the occupant does not step off the step body 21.

When the step main body 21 is stored in the lower part of the vehicle body 15, the operating cable 34 is pulled in the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. 1 by pulling the operating knob, and the lever 32 is rotated in the direction of the broken arrow at the same time. Locking tool 27,
28 rotates in the direction of the dashed line arrow, and the bracket 16,
17 first locked parts 16a, 17a. In this state, pull the operating cable 34 further to remove the arms 18 and 19.
When the operating cable 34 is instantly relaxed while being rotated in the direction of the two-dot chain arrow and pulled further up from the storage position of the step body 21, the arms 18 and 19 will move in the direction of the two-dot chain arrow in FIG. 2 due to their own weight. The bracket 1 begins to rotate, but at the same time the locking tools 27 and 28 are biased by the spring 31.
Since it is locked to the first locked parts 16a and 17a of 6 and 17, the step main body 21 is held at its stored position. As a result, a connecting hook (not shown) of another vehicle towed easily can be engaged with the connecting hook 13 without the step body 21 getting in the way. Further, when the vehicle 10 moves backward, the step body 21 does not come into contact with any obstacle behind the vehicle. Furthermore, the step main body 21 can be switched to the storage position or the use position by the simple operation described above while sitting in the driver's seat without getting off the vehicle 10.

In the embodiment, the bracket has a first locked part to which the locking tool locks at the use position of the step body, and a second locked part to which the locking tool locks to the step body at the storage position. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a third locked portion 56c to which the locking tool 27 can be locked may be formed at the lower end of the bracket 56. In this case, since the rotation of the arm 18 from the storage position of the step body 21 to the use position is due to the weight of the step body 21 etc., the arm 18 may not rotate to the use position of the step body 21, and in such a case, the arm 18 may not be locked. The tool 27 is locked to the third locked portion 56c. Since the step body 21 in this state is not held horizontally, by pulling the step body 21 in the direction of the solid arrow, the locking tool 27 locks on the first locked portion 56a and the step body 21
1 is held horizontally. In addition, in the embodiment, one end of the operating cable extending into the passenger compartment was attached to the tip of the lever, and the other end of the operating cable was attached to the operating knob in the driver's cab, but this is just an example, and the operation of attaching the other end of the operating cable The knob may be installed anywhere on the vehicle body as long as it is easy to operate. Alternatively, the lever may be operated directly without using a cable or operating knob. In addition, in the embodiment, a torsion coil spring is wound around the rotating bar so that one arm is locked to one arm and the other arm is locked to a lever, but the use position and storage of the step body are not limited to this. the first or second locking device respectively in the position
A tension coil spring may be used as long as it can be biased in the direction of locking the locked portion. Further, in the embodiment, a step is provided below the door at the rear of the vehicle, but a step may be provided below the side door. Further, in the embodiment, the bracket is fixed to the cross member of the chassis frame, but it may be attached to the chassis frame other than the cross member or to the lower part of the vehicle body. can also be applied.

[0016]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the arm to which the step body is attached connects the step body between the storing position where the step body is stored in the lower part of the vehicle body and the use position where the step body protrudes outward from the vehicle body. A locking device is fixed to a position opposite to the bracket of a rotation bar that is rotatably attached to the chassis or a bracket at the bottom of the vehicle body, and is rotatably installed on the arm. A first locked part that is locked by the step body and a second locked part that is locked by the locking tool at the stored position of the step body are disposed on the bracket, and a spring is attached to the first or second locked part. Since the lever for rotating the rotation bar is fixed to the rotation bar, the connection hook of the other vehicle being towed is engaged with the connection hook of the own vehicle. Sometimes, by storing the step body in the lower part of the vehicle body, the step can be easily engaged without getting in the way. In addition, since the steps do not protrude outside the vehicle when the vehicle is running, the steps will not come into contact with obstacles outside the vehicle and damage the obstacles or the steps, and the step body will only protrude from the vehicle body when the steps are used, so passengers can Using this step, you can easily get on and off the vehicle. Furthermore, since the structure is simple and does not require expensive equipment such as an electric motor, worm reducer, or planetary gear, only a slight increase in cost is achieved. In addition, one end of the operating cable extending to the upper part of the vehicle body is attached to the tip of the lever, and when the operating cable is pulled, the locking tool separates from the first or second locked part, and when the operating cable is loosened, the locking tool is moved by the spring. energized to the first or second
Since it is configured to be locked to the locked part, the step main body can be switched to the storage position or the use position with a simple operation at a position that is easy to operate while riding in the vehicle or even after getting off the vehicle. can. Furthermore, if a third locked part to which a locking tool can be locked is formed at the lower end of the bracket, the locking tool can be locked to the third locked part even when the arm does not rotate to the use position of the step body. Therefore, by pulling the step body toward you, the top of the locking tool locks with the first locked portion, and the step body can be held horizontally.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3 showing a step body of a vehicle step according to an embodiment of the present invention in a use position.

[Figure 2] Figure 1 showing the step body in the storage position
A cross-sectional view corresponding to .

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main part of the step showing a state in which the step body is in the use position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a step.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Vehicle 11 Chassis frame (car chassis) 14 Step 15 Vehicle body 16, 17, 56 Bracket 16a, 17a, 56a First locked portion 16b, 17
b Second locked parts 18, 19 Arm 21 Step body 26 Rotating bars 27, 28 Locking tool 31 Spring 32 Lever 34 Operation cable

Claims (2)

[Claims] [Claim 1] The upper end is a chassis (11) or a vehicle body (15)
A pair of brackets (16, 17, 5) fixed to the bottom of the
6) and a step body (21) attached to the pair of brackets (16, 17, 56) via a pair of arms (18, 19), the step body (21) comprising: The bracket (16) is rotatable between a storage position in which the step main body (21) is stored in the lower part of the vehicle body (15) and a use position in which the step main body (21) is protruded outward from the vehicle body (15). , 17, 56), and the rotation bar (26) is rotatably installed on the pair of arms (18, 19).
A pair of locking tools (27, 28) are fixed at positions facing the step body (16, 17, 56), respectively.
The first locked part (16a, 17a, 56a) that the locking tool (27, 28) locks in the use position of 1) and the locking tool (27, 28) in the storage position of the step body (21). 28)
A second locked portion (16b, 17b) that is locked is disposed on the bracket (16, 17, 56), and the second locked portion (16b, 17b) that locks the step body (21) at the use position and storage position, respectively. The tools (27, 28) are attached to the first locked portion (16).
a, 17a, 56a) or the second locked part (16b, 17
b) is provided with a spring (31) that urges it in the locking direction, and a lever (32) for rotating the rotation bar is fixed to the rotation bar (26). Vehicle steps. [Claim 2] The vehicle body (15) is attached to the tip of the lever (32).
One end of an operating cable (34) extending upward is attached, and the locking tools (27, 28) are attached when the cable (34) is pulled.
) is the first locked part (16a, 17a, 56a) or the second
The cable (
When the spring (34) is relaxed, the locking tool (27, 28)
1), the first locked portions (16a, 17
The vehicle step according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle step is configured to be locked to the second locked portion (16b, 17b).