The present invention pertains to a running board system for vehicles, which comprises at least two drive groups at each side of the running board system and a driving member, where said driving member is fixed onto a drive flange such that rotational motion provided by said driving member is transferred through to a worm gear. Said running board system further comprises a bracket gear whereby movement is transferred from worm gear to bracket gear and a middle bracket centered to bracket gear. Said running board system further comprises a torque arm whereby movement from the side with driving member is transferred to the side without driving member in a synchronized manner and thereby running board is opened and closed parallel to vehicle, and the running board is driven parallel to the ground in a horizontal and vertical opening-closing motion.

A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Rock rail assemblies are provided for motor vehicles. An exemplary rock rail assembly may include a beam structure, an energy absorbing structure, and an outer skin. The energy absorbing structure may reinforce the beam structure and may be configured to distribute point loads when an obstacle impinges upon the rock rail assembly. The beam structure may be made of a metallic material, the energy absorbing structure may be made of a foamed polymer-based material, and the outer skin may be made of a polymer-based material. The rock rail assemblies may be constructed in a manufacturing method that involves roll forming and extrusion processes.

A primary support has an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The upper and inner surfaces form an arcuate upper-inner corner. The upper and outer surfaces form an arcuate upper-outer corner. The lower and outer surfaces form an arcuate lower-outer corner. The primary support is extruded of a polymeric material. A decorative panel has an upper region positioned over the upper surface of the primary support with an inner end terminating adjacent to the upper-inner corner. The decorative panel has an outer region positioned over the outer surface of the primary support with a lower end terminating adjacent to the lower-outer corner. The decorative panel has an intermediate region formed arcuately and positioned over the upper-outer corner. The decorative panel is fabricated of a rigid, shiny material.

Motor vehicles may be equipped with running board activated powered closure member systems. A powered opening or closing sequence of a closure member may be initiated by activating a running board assembly of the powered closure member system in response to a user input. The user input can be provided by a limb of the user, for example. In some embodiments, the running board assembly may include integrated sensors for receiving the user input. In other embodiments, the running board assembly may be configured to function as a switch for receiving the user input.

A vehicle rock slider having a removable cover and methods of using the same. The rock slider may be attachable to a rocker panel of the vehicle along a length of the rocker panel such that an edge of the rock slider extends below a rocker flange extending downward from a bottom of the rocker panel. The rock slider may have a cover removably attachable onto the rock slider. The cover may be shaped and sized to conceal the rock slider when the rock slider is not in use.

A side step system and a vehicle including a side step have a side step including an inner space that is open in an opening direction and a means of transportation that is mounted in the inner space and that is operable when separated from the inner space.

A linkage for an electric pedal is provided. The linkage includes a dual-output motor, a first linkage group including a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and a second linkage group; and the first output terminal of the dual-output motor is connected to the first linkage group, and the second output terminal of the dual-output motor is connected to the second linkage group. Furthermore, the electric pedal is provided. The electric pedal includes a pedal assembly and the linkage, and the pedal assembly is connected to the linkage.

Powered retractable vehicle step assist systems and methods are provided. The steps systems are configured for installation (e.g., after market installation) and use with a vehicle. The system can include a stepping member movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. The system can further include a vehicle interface. A controller of the step system can be configured to process information received from the vehicle interface and, based at least partly on the processing of the information, cause movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position.

Powered retractable vehicle step assist systems and methods are provided. The steps systems are configured for installation (e.g., after market installation) and use with a vehicle. The system can include a stepping member movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. The system can further include a vehicle interface. A controller of the step system can be configured to process information received from the vehicle interface and, based at least partly on the processing of the information, cause movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position.