Displaceable Step Assembly for Swim Platform

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the field of recreational boating and, more particularly, to a new and improved displaceable step assembly that may be inconspicuously mounted to a swim platform on a boat.

BACKGROUND

Many recreational boats are equipped with fixed swim platforms that extend outward from the boat transom making it easier to get in and out of the water. Such platforms can serve as a staging area for water sports and function to enhance the boating experience. This document relates to a new and improved displaceable step that may be lowered from the swim platform and extended into the water, providing even easier access to the swim platform for all users. Such easy access is a particularly significant benefit for children, older adults and pets. The displaceable step is inconspicuous when stowed and very easy to use. The displaceable step also incorporates a structure that tends to return the displaceable step to its stowed position when the boat is put into forward motion and the step is inadvertently left deployed in the water.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits set forth herein, a new and improved displaceable step assembly is provided for a swim platform. The displaceable step assembly comprises, consists of or consists essentially of a mounting fixture, including an elongated guide track, and a step assembly depending from the mounting fixture. The step assembly includes (a) a step, (b) a support arm for the step, and (c) a slide carried on the support arm and adapted to be displaced along the guide track between a first position, wherein the step assembly is held in a stowed position at least partially recessed within the mounting fixture, and a second position wherein the step assembly is held in a deployed position at least partially projecting from the mounting fixture.

In at least one of the many possible embodiments, the mounting fixture includes a mounting plate, a first side plate depending from a first end of the mounting plate and a second side plate depending from a second end of the mounting plate.

In at least some embodiments, the mounting plate includes a first plurality of mounting apertures. In at least some embodiments, the first side plate includes a second plurality of mounting apertures. In at least some embodiments, the second side plate includes a third plurality of mounting apertures. A first fastener is received in one of the first plurality of mounting apertures and one of the second plurality of mounting apertures to secure the first side plate to the mounting plate. A second fastener is received in one of the first plurality of mounting apertures and one of the third plurality of mounting apertures to secure the second side plate to the mounting plate. Advantageously, the first, second and third plurality of mounting apertures allow for adjustment of the mounting fixture when it is secured to the underside of the existing swim platform. This allows one to customize the location of the step with respect to the swim platform in accordance with his or her preferences.

In at least some embodiments, the elongated guide track includes a first end having a first width W1 and a second end having a second width W2, and the slide has a dimension D1 in a first direction and a dimension D2 in a second direction where D1<W1<D2<W2. As a result, (a) the longitudinal axis of the slide is held coincident with the longitudinal axis of the guide track when the step assembly is in the stowed position with the slide adjacent the first end of the guide track and (b) the longitudinal axis of the slide rotates downward under the influence of gravity when the step assembly is displaced into the deployed position with the slide adjacent the second end of the guide track.

In some embodiments of the displaceable step assembly, the slide includes a plurality of studs. In some embodiments, the displaceable step assembly includes a latch connected by a pin to the mounting fixture and adapted to be displaced by gravity into a latched position whereby the step assembly is held in the stowed position. The displaceable step assembly may further include a plurality of tangs carried on the mounting fixture and adapted to engage and control the extent of rotation of the latch about the pin between an opened position and the latched position.

The displaceable step assembly may further include a rotation cam carried on the support arm. The rotation cam may include a first stop seat opening in a first direction and a second stop seat opening in a second direction. The displaceable step may also include a first stop and a second stop carried on the mounting fixture wherein when the step assembly is fully deployed, the first stop is received in the first stop seat and the second stop is received in the second stop seat.

In at least some of the many possible embodiments of the displaceable step assembly, the displaceable step assembly further includes a shield carried on the support arm and overlying the rotation cam. The shield travels along the elongated guide track with the cam, concealing the rotation cam from view and limiting access thereto.

In at least some embodiments of the displaceable step assembly, the step is pivotally connected to a distal end of the support arm by a pivot pin whereby the step may be pivoted between a storage position along a length of the support arm and an extended position projecting from the support arm. The displaceable step may further include a water plate extending from the distal end of the support arm, the water plate being adapted to raise the step assembly from the deployed position when a boat to which the displaceable swim step is attached is advanced forward through a body of water by force of the water engaging the water plate. The step may be carried on a step support frame that is connected by the pivot pin to the support arm.

In accordance with an additional aspect, a displaceable step for a swim platform, comprises, consists of or consists essentially of: a mounting fixture and a step, depending on a support arm from the mounting fixture. The step is adapted to be selectively displaceable by sliding and rotating movement between a stowed position at least partially recessed within the mounting fixture and a deployed position at least partially projecting from said mounting fixture.

The displaceable step may further include a water plate on the support arm forward of the step. The water plate is adapted to raise the step from the deployed position when a boat to which the displaceable step is attached is advanced through a body of water by force of the water engaging the water plate.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a method of lowering a displaceable step on a swim platform, comprises, consists of or consists essentially of the steps of: (a) sliding a step assembly from a stowed position within a mounting fixture, (b) pivoting a support arm for the displaceable step downward from the mounting fixture, and (c) pivoting the displaceable step downward on the support arm into a fully deployed position.

The sliding step, noted above, may include pulling a slide along an elongated guide track. The pivoting step, noted above, may include engaging a rotation cam carried on the support arm with at least one stop on the mounting fixture.

In the following description, there are shown and described several different embodiments of the new and improved displaceable step assembly, for mounting to a swim platform of a boat, and related method of lowering a displaceable step on a swim platform. As it should be realized, the displaceable step assembly and method are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the displaceable step assembly and method as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate certain aspects of the new and improved displaceable step assembly and method and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the displaceable step assembly and method may be employed without departing from the principles described below.

FIG. 1A is a detailed perspective view illustrating the displaceable step in a deployed position.

FIG. 1B is a detailed perspective view illustrating the displaceable step in a stowed position.

FIG. 2A is a detailed perspective view of the mounting plate.

FIG. 2B is a detailed perspective view of the right side plate, the left side plate being a substantial mirror image thereof.

FIG. 2C is a detailed view illustrating the dimensions D1 and D2 of the slide.

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the right side plate illustrating the step assembly in the second or stowed position and recessed within the mounting fixture.

FIG. 4 is a detailed plan view of the rotation cam.

FIG. 5A-5H are a series of views illustrating operation of the step assembly as the step is displaced from the stowed position to the deployed position.

More particularly, FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating the step assembly in the stowed position with the latch, displaced by gravity, holding the step assembly in the stowed position.

FIG. 5B is a detailed view of the tab on the latch holding the step in the stowed position as shown previously in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a view similar to FIG. 5B but showing manipulation of the latch to release the latch and allow deployment of the step assembly.

FIG. 5D is a perspective view illustrating the step assembly partially deployed along the elongated guide track in the right side plate.

FIG. 5E is a perspective view illustrating the step assembly fully deployed along the elongated guide track in the right side plate prior to rotating of the step assembly in a downward direction.

FIG. 5F is a detailed perspective view illustrating the step assembly fully rotated in a downward direction with the stop seats on the cam engaging with the stops carried on/formed in the right side plate.

FIG. 5G is a perspective view illustrating the step partially folded down on the support arms.

FIG. 5H is a perspective view illustrating the step in the fully folded down and deployed position.

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of an optional shield that conceals the rotation cam of the step assembly.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the displaceable step assembly and method, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawing figures which illustrate one possible embodiment of the displaceable step assembly 10 adapted for mounting to a swim platform SP, of a type known in the art, that is secured to the transom of a recreational boat (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, the displaceable step assembly 10 includes a mounting fixture, generally designated by reference numeral 12. Mounting fixture 12 includes a mounting plate 14, a first or right side plate 16, depending from a first end 18 of the mounting plate, and a second or left side plate 20, depending from a second end 22 of the mounting plate.

As best shown in FIG. 2A, the mounting plate 14 includes a top wall 24 having a center cutout 26, to save weight and material, and a plurality of mounting apertures 28 along two rows, one adjacent each of the two ends 18, 22 of the mounting plate. Fasteners (not shown) of a type known in the art may be inserted in any of the mounting apertures 28 to secure the mounting plate 14 to the underside of the swim platform SP. This allows for adjustability and versatility when securing the mounting plate to the swim platform SP. A first mounting flange 30 depends from the first end 18 of the mounting plate 14. A second mounting flange 32 depends from the second end 22 of the mounting plate 14. Each flange 30, 32 includes multiple rows of mounting apertures 34.

As best shown in FIG. 2B, the right side plate 16 includes a row of mounting apertures 36 extending along and adjacent to the upper edge 38 thereof. The left side plate 20 is a substantial mirror image of the right side plate 16 shown and also includes the row of mounting apertures 36 along the upper edge thereof. The mounting apertures 36 in the side plates 16, 20 are aligned with any of the mounting apertures 34 in the mounting flanges 30, 32 and the side plates are then secured to the mounting plate 14 with fasteners 40 (see FIG. 3) to complete the assembly of the mounting fixture 12. During the assembly of the mounting fixture 12, one may shift the relative position of the two side plates 16, 20 relative to the mounting plate 14, horizontally, to provide for relative fore/aft adjustment and vertically, to provide for height adjustment. As should be appreciated, the adjustability of the mounting fixture 12 during assembly allows one to adjust both the fore-aft distance and height of the step 42 from the swim platform when the step is fully deployed as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Thus, the displaceable step assembly 10 may be customized to meet the preference of the user.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2B, each side plate 16, 20 includes an elongated guide track 44. A first, closed end 46 of the elongated guide track 44 has a first width W1 while a second, closed end 48 of the elongated guide track has a second width W2 where W1<W2. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 3, a slide 50, adapted to be displaced and slide along the elongated guide track 44, has dimension D1 in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated guide track 44 and a dimension D2 in a second direction along the longitudinal axis of the slide where D1<W1<D2<W2. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide 50 comprises three aligned studs.

The step 42 is carried on a support frame 52 that is partially hidden in the drawing figures (See FIGS. 1A, 5D and 5G). The support frame 52 is connected by a pivot pin 54 at each end to a support arm 56. As a result, the step 42 may be pivoted between a storage position along a length of the support arms 56 (see FIG. 5E) and an extended position projecting from the support arm (see FIGS. 5G and 5H). A stop 57 prevents the step from over-rotating when fully deployed. A water plate 58 connects across the distal ends of the two support arms 56. The water plate 58 is adapted to raise the step assembly 55 from the deployed position (see FIG. 1A) toward the stowed position (see FIG. 1B) when a boat to which the displaceable step assembly 10 is attached is advanced forward through a body of water by the force of the water engaging the water plate.

A slide 50 is connected to the proximal end of each support arm 56. As will be explained in greater detail below, the slide 50 pivotally connects the support arm 56, to which it is attached, to the associated side plate 16, 20 at the guide track 44. When in the fully retracted and stowed position illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 4A, the slides 50 on each support arm 56 are held in alignment with the first, relatively narrow end 46 of elongated guide tracks 44 (that is the longitudinal axis of the guide track 44 and the slide 50 are coincident) and the step 42 is maintained aligned with the elongated guide tracks and concealed under the mounting bracket 14. As the step 42 is pulled rearward along the elongated guide tracks 44 (note Action arrows A in FIGS. 5D and 5E), the slides 50 are displaced toward the wider, second end 48 of the guide tracks where sufficient clearance is provided to allow the slides and the step 42 to rotate downward under the force of gravity in the direction of action arrow B as illustrated in FIG. 5F toward the deployed position illustrated in FIG. 1A.

The rotation of the step 42 between the fully retracted and stowed position illustrated in FIG. 1B and the fully extended and deployed position illustrated in FIG. 1A is controlled by the rotation cam 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation cam 60 is mounted to the slide 50. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment the rotation cam 60 includes three apertures 62 for receiving the three studs of the slide 50. The rotation cam 60 also includes a first stop seat 64 opening in a first direction and a second stop seat 66 opening in a second opposite direction.

Cooperating first and second stops 68, 70 are carried on the side plates 16, 20 of the mounting fixture 14 adjacent the second ends 48 of the elongated guide tracks 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the stops 68, 70 may be formed integrally with the plates 16, 20 by punching or other machining operation. As the step 42 is rotated downward into the fully deployed position, the first stop 68 engages with the first stop seat 64 and the second stop 70 engages with the second stop seat 66 (See FIG. 5F) as the slide studs 50 engage with the end 48 of the guide track 44. As a result, the rotation of the support arms 56 toward the fully deployed position is controlled and limited.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A-5C, the displaceable step assembly 10 also includes a latch 72 connected by a pivot pin 74 to the right side plate 16 of the mounting fixture 14. The latch 72 is adapted to be displaced by gravity into a latched position where the tab 76 on the latch is positioned to interfere with any movement of the head of the pivot pin 54 past the raised lip 80 of the step stud receiver 82 at the rear of the right side plate 16. More specifically, when in the latched position, the tang 84, formed in the right side plate 16, prevents the latch 72 from pivoting in a clockwise direction to allow the head of the pivot pin 54 to pass, thereby securing the step in the fully recessed and stowed position and preventing inadvertent deployment. In contrast, when one wishes to deploy the step 42 into the deployed position, one depresses the latch arm 86 to pivot the latch 72 in the counter clockwise direction (note action arrow C in FIG. 5C) to provide the necessary clearance to displace the head of the pivot pin 54 over the raised lip 80 past the latch for deployment of the step 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 5D to 5H. The tang 88, formed in the right side plate 16, prevents the latch 72 from over-rotating in the counterclockwise direction.

The displaceable step assembly 10, described above, may be used in a new and improved method of lowering or deploying a displaceable step 42 for a swim platform SP as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5H. As show in FIGS. 5A-5C one first releases the latch 72 by depressing the latch arm 86 to pivot the latch counterclockwise as shown by action arrow C in FIG. 5C. One then grasps the step 42 pulling outward in the direction of action arrows A (see FIGS. 5D and 5E). The pivoted latch 72 provides the necessary clearance to allow the step 42 and associated components, including the slides 50, to slide outward along the guide tracks 44 from the stowed position within the mounting fixture 14. As the slides 50 reach the second ends 48 of the guide tracks 44, sufficient clearance is provided for the slides to rotate downward under the action of gravity until the first and second stop seats 64, 66 on the rotation cam engage with the first and second stops 68, 70 on the right side plate 14 and the studs engage the guide track end 48. As a result, the support arms 56 pivot downward from the mounting fixture 12. See FIG. 5F and note action arrow B. Next one pivots the step 42 downward about the pivot pins 54 relative to the support arms 56 into the fully deployed position. See FIGS. 5G and 5H.

After use, one may stow the step 42 by completing the operation in the reverse order. Thus, first the step 42 is pivoted upward and back between the support arms 56. Then the support arms 56 are pivoted upward at the slides 50 so that the longitudinal axis of the slides are brought into alignment with the longitudinal axis of the elongated guide tracks 44. The step 42 is then pushed back under the mounting plate 14 with the slides 50 being displaced toward the first ends 46 of the guide tracks 44. When the step assembly 55 is almost fully retracted, one raises the step assembly slightly so that the head of the pivot pin 54 will clear the raised lip 80 and then rest securely in the receiver 82. The latch 72 freely pivots counterclockwise to allow this movement. Once the head of the pivot pin 54 is resting in the bottom of the receiver 82, clearance exists and gravity pulls the latch 72 back into the latching position so that any inadvertent release of the step from the stowed position is resisted by engagement of the head of the pivot pin 54 with the tab 76 of the latch 72.

Each of the following terms written in singular grammatical form: “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used herein, means “at least one”, or “one or more”. Use of the phrase “One or more” herein does not alter this intended meaning of “a”, “an”, or “the”. Accordingly, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of the stated entity or object, unless otherwise specifically defined or stated herein, or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase: “a fastener”, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of fasteners.

Each of the following terms: “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, “comprises”, and “comprising”, and, their linguistic/grammatical variants, derivatives, or/and conjugates, as used herein, means “including, but not limited to”, and is to be taken as specifying the stated component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), or step(s), and does not preclude addition of one or more additional component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), step(s), or groups thereof.

The phrase “consisting of”, as used herein, is closed-ended and excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specifically mentioned. The phrase “consisting essentially of”, as used herein, is a semi-closed term indicating that an item is limited to the components specified and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of what is specified.

Terms of approximation, such as the terms about, substantially, approximately, etc., as used herein, refers to ±10 % of the stated numerical value.

Although the displaceable step assembly and method of this disclosure have been illustratively described and presented by way of specific exemplary embodiments, and examples thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, or/and variations, thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the displaceable step assembly 10 may include a shield 80 that overlies the rotation cam 60, concealing the rotation cam from view and access. The shield 80 may be secured in position by means of the studs that function as the slide 50. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alternatives, modifications, or/and variations, fall within the spirit of, and are encompassed by, the broad scope of the appended claims.