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.

An extendable and a retractable vehicle step may comprise one or more assemblies. An assembly may comprise a first support arm pivotably coupled to a second support arm for extending and retracting a vehicle step. The second support arm may pass through a sleeve that may support and/or guide the second support arm. The sleeve may be rotatable and/or may comprise one or more rollers that may facilitate movement of the second support arm.

An electric pedal for an automobile comprises a driving support, a driving mechanism, and a pedal. The driving support and driving mechanism are both mounted on the same side of a bottom of an automobile body. The driving support comprises a first transmission mechanism and a first connecting rod, a front end of the first connecting rod is fixedly connected to the pedal, and the first transmission mechanism drives the first connecting rod to be extended and retracted. The driving shaft of the driving mechanism is directly fixedly connected to the first transmission mechanism and drives the first transmission mechanism to be extended and retracted, such that the first connecting rod is extended and retracted.

This disclosure relates to a projection for a vehicle frame rail and a corresponding method. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle, including: a frame rail; and a projection extending laterally outward from a laterally outer surface of the frame rail, wherein the projection is a part of a running board assembly.

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.

A running board comprising at least one composite material wherein the miming board is produced in a one continuous step pultrusion process wherein the pultrusion process parameters are selected to yield a miming board with specific one or more characteristics selected from dimensions, three dimensional shape, light weight/lightness, strength, fatigue, stiffness, rigidity, chemical resistance, fire resistance, reduced sensitivity to corrosion, UV resistance, thermal resistance, bending forces, impact resistance, wear resistance and visibility.

The present disclosure relates to a running board and a vehicle comprising the same. The running board includes an intermediate connector, a first running board body, and the second running board body. The intermediate connector includes a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a first mounting member, and a second mounting member. The first rotating shaft is connected to the second rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft is inserted into the first mounting member, and the first mounting member rotates about the first rotating shaft. The second rotating shaft is inserted into the second mounting member, and the second mounting member rotates about the second rotating shaft. The first running board body and the second running board body are foldable side-to-side through the intermediate connector.

An adjustable position automated running board step for a vehicle. A step member is attached to a linkage. The linkage is operable for moving the step from a deployed to a stowed position. An adjustable lead screw linkage is provided, which allows adjustable stop points between the stowed and the deployed positions. A typical stow position stows the step in a suitable position at the rocker interface and also provides a more easily tunable lowest position. The invention includes a method whereby the step can be infinitely positioned in a predetermined range between the lowest step position and the stow position by means of electronic control. The electronic control of the “mid variable position” could be programmable by either the customer or the manufacturer. For example, there exists the opportunity to have a “his and hers” selection by a number of methods such a key fob or instrument panel selection.

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.

A vehicle step apparatus comprises a first extending and retracting device comprising a first mounting bracket, a first step bracket, and a first arm assembly configured to drive the first step bracket to move between a first extended position and a first retracted position; a second extending and retracting device comprising a second mounting bracket, a second step bracket, and a second arm assembly configured to drive the second step bracket to move between a second extended position and a second retracted position; a step mounted on the first and second step bracket; a first permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the first mounting bracket and coupled with the first arm assembly to drive the first arm assembly; and a second permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the second mounting bracket and coupled with the second arm assembly to drive the second arm assembly.