Adjustable Door Latch Footboard for Automobiles

Abstract

This invention relates to an auxiliary tool for automobiles, specifically an adjustable car latch footboard that includes a footboard, a hook, a bracket component, and a pivot. The footboard hinges on the bracket component through the pivot, and the hook is mounted at one end of the bracket component opposite to the other end of the footboard. The hook is attached to the car latch, and the other end of the bracket component is pressed against the car door frame. One end of the footboard is pressed against the hook or the car latch. When the footboard is pressed against the hook, the car latch is positioned between the footboard and the hook. When the footboard is pressed against the car latch, the footboard and the hook grip onto the car latch.

Claims

1. The adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: a footboard, a hook, a bracket component and a pivot. The footboard hinges on the bracket component through the pivot, and the hook is mounted at one end of the bracket component opposite to the other end of the footboard. The hook is attached to the car latch, and the other end of the bracket component is pressed against the car door frame. One end of the footboard is pressed against the hook or the car latch. When the footboard is pressed onto the hook, the car latch is positioned between the footboard and the hook. When the footboard is pressed onto the car latch, the footboard and the hook grip onto the car latch.

2. According to claim 1, the adjustable car latch footboard is also characterized by: blocks at one end of the footboard, opposite to the hook and at both sides of the hook.

3. According to claim 1, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: a reinforcing block secured to the end of the footboard, opposite to and in contact with the hook and the car latch.

4. According to claim 3, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: a fixture block secured to the reinforcing block, opposite to the hook and at both sides of the hook.

5. According to claim 1, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: a support block installed at the other end of the bracket component and pressed against the car door frame.

6. According to claim 5, the adjustable car latch footboard is also characterized by: at least two adjusting surfaces on the support block.

7. According to claim 5, the adjustable car latch footboard is also characterized by: two support blocks symmetrically installed on both sides of the bracket component.

8. According to claim 1, the adjustable car latch footboard is also characterized by: non-slip stripes on the footboard surface.

9. According to claim 1, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: a ratchet, the first pawl and the first spring. The ratchet is installed on the pivot and the hook is mounted on the ratchet; the first pawl is movably mounted on the bracket component and at one side of the ratchet; the first spring is connected to the bracket component and the first pawl at both ends, and presses the first pawl against the ratchet.

10. According to claim 9, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: the first toggle part mounted on the first pawl and at one side of the hook.

11. According to claim 9, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: the second pawl and the second spring. The second pawl is movably mounted on the footboard; the second spring is connected to the footboard and the second pawl at both ends, and presses the second pawl against the ratchet.

12. According to claim 11, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: the second toggle part mounted on the second pawl and in the toggle hole of the footboard.

13. According to claim 1, the adjustable car latch footboard is characterized by: a bracket component comprising a bracket base hinged to the pivot and a sliding bar inserted into the bracket base; The present invention also comprises a ratchet, a fifth pawl and a fifth spring. The ratchet is rotatably mounted on the pivot and the hook is mounted on the ratchet; the fifth pawl is mounted on the end of the sliding bar opposite to the ratchet; the fifth spring is connected to the sliding bar and the bracket base at both ends, and presses the fifth pawl against the ratchet.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 Schematic view of Embodiment 1;

[0034] FIG. 2 Schematic view of Embodiment 6;

[0035] FIG. 3 Exploded schematic view of Embodiment 6;

[0036] FIG. 4 Section view of Embodiment 6, in which the footboard is folded;

[0037] FIG. 5 Schematic view of Embodiment 6, in which the adjustable car latch press is pressed against the second pawl to open the bracket component and hook;

[0038] FIG. 6 Schematic view of Embodiment 6, in which the adjustable car latch footboard is opened and ready to be inserted into the car latch;

[0039] FIG. 7 Schematic view of Embodiment 6, in which the hook is hung on the car latch;

[0040] FIG. 8 Schematic view of Embodiment 6, in which the adjustable car latch footboard is in service and the door frame has a large slope;

[0041] FIG. 9 Schematic view of Embodiment 6, in which the adjustable car latch footboard is being removed;

[0042] FIG. 10 3D schematic view of FIG. 9;

[0043] FIG. 11 Schematic view of Embodiment 6, in which the adjustable car latch footboard is in service and the door frame has a small slope;

[0044] FIG. 12 is the 3D schematic view of FIG. 11;

[0045] FIG. 13 Schematic view of Embodiment 8, in which the adjustable car latch footboard is folded;

[0046] FIG. 14 Schematic view of Embodiment 8, in which the adjustable car latch footboard is installed on the car latch;

[0047] FIG. 15 Schematic view of the adjustable car latch footboard in Embodiment 8;

[0048] FIG. 16 Schematic view of the adjustable car latch footboard in Embodiment 9;

[0049] FIG. 17 Exploded schematic view of the adjustable car latch footboard in Embodiment 9;

[0050] FIG. 18 Schematic view of Embodiment 9, in which the adjustable car latch footboard is installed on the car latch;

[0051] FIG. 19 Schematic view of the reinforcing block and the fixture blocks as an integral structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 19, the adjustable car latch footboard comprises footboard 1, hook 3, bracket component 2 and pivot 4. Footboard 1 hinges on bracket component 2 through pivot 4, and hook 3 is mounted at one end of bracket component 2 and opposite to one end of footboard 1. Hook 3 is attached to car latch 92, and the other end of bracket component 2 is pressed against car door frame 91. One end of footboard 1 is pressed against hook 3 or car latch 92. When footboard 1 is pressed against hook 3, car latch 92 is positioned between footboard 1 and hook 3. When the footboard 1 is pressed against car latch 92, footboard 1 and hook 3 grip onto car latch 92.

[0054] Specifically, one end of footboard 1 is mounted with rotary groove 12, in which pivot 14 is secured. Bracket component 2 is rotatably mounted on pivot 4, and movably inserted into rotary groove 12. Hook 3 and bracket component 2 can form an integral structure and are located in bracket component 2. Bracket component 2, footboard 1 and hook 3 form a foldable scissor structure.

[0055] Bracket component 2 and footboard 1 form a structure similar to a scissor through pivot 4. Hook 3 is inserted from the top of car latch 92 and hung on car latch 92 located in the groove of hook 3. The other end of bracket component 2 is pressed against car door frame 91. Footboard 1 is at one end of car latch 92 and pressed against car latch 92 or hook 3. When the top of footboard 1 is pressed against hook 3, footboard 1 closes the groove on hook 3 and forms a closed structure with hook 3 to constrain it on car latch 92 so that car door latch 92 is fixed in the groove of hook 3 to prevent hook 3 from falling out during use and improves safety. When the end of footboard 1 is pressed against car latch 92, footboard 1 grips hook 3 and both footboard 1 and hook 2 are pressed against car latch 92, so as to enhance the stability of the adjustable car latch footboard on car latch 92 and avoid the adjustable car latch footboard wobbling. Footboard 1 is leveled or nearly leveled through pivot 4 and bracket component 2 facilitates its use. Since the position of car latch 92 is usually positioned at the lower middle point of the car height, people can conveniently load and unload items onto or off the car roof when stepping on footboard 1.

[0056] For storage, bracket component 2 is folded to occupy a little space under footboard 1.

[0057] In some embodiments, footboard 1 is designed with non-slip stripes 11 to prevent slipping when a person stands on footboard 1 and improve safety.

Embodiment 2

[0058] On the basis of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one end of footboard 1 is mounted with fixture block 13, which is opposite and at both sides of hook 3.

[0059] Fixture block 13 is on both sides of hook 3 and forms an intermeshed structure with hook 3,forming a reliable locking structure that constrains hook 3 and footboard 1 on car latch 92. Fixture block 13 and hook 3 can also be pressed against car latch 92 together. In this case, the contact area between fixture block 13 and car latch 92 is increased to achieve higher stability and reliability, and effectively reduces the wobbling of the adjustable car latch footboard.

Embodiment 3

[0060] On the basis of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, reinforcing block 15 is included and secured to the end of footboard 1, opposite to and in contact with hook 3 and car latch 92. Reinforcing block 15 is made of steel and alloy steel characterized by a high degree of hardness and is pressed against the latch 92 without deformation.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 19, the adjustable car latch footboard also compromises fixture block 13 secured to reinforcing block 15, opposite to hook 3 and at both sides of hook 3. Fixture block 13 is pressed against the inner side of car latch 92. In this case, the contact area between fixture block 13 and car latch 92 is increased to achieve higher stability and reliability, and effectively eliminates the wobbling of the adjustable car latch footboard. Fixture block 13 and reinforcing block 15 are an integral structure.

Embodiment 4

[0062] On the basis of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 19, support block 15 is also included and installed on the other end of bracket component 2. The support block is made of plastic or an elastic material to avoid pressure damage to car door frame 91. No trace will be left on the car door frame 91 nor will its paint be damaged.

[0063] Wherein, two support blocks 5 can be symmetrically installed at both sides of the bracket component 2. The support blocks 5 are symmetrically mounted on both sides of the bracket component 2 to increase its contact area with the door frame 91 and provide support from both sides of the bracket component 2 to improve the stability of the bottom part of it, so as to raise the overall stability of the adjustable car latch footboard and reduce wobbling.

[0064] In some embodiments, at least two adjusting surfaces 51 are mounted on the support block 5. Specifically, the support block 5 has 3, 4 or 6 adjustment surfaces. The adjustment surface can be rotated according to the angle of the car door frame 91, so that the footboard 1 is level or nearly level.

Embodiment 5

[0065] On the basis of any above-mentioned embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 12, the invention also comprises a ratchet 7, a first pawl 61 and a first spring 62. The ratchet 7 is rotatably mounted on the pivot 4 and the hook 3 is mounted on the ratchet 7 to form an integral structure; the first pawl 61 is hinged to the bracket component 2 and at one side of the ratchet 7; the first spring 62 is connected to the bracket component 2 and the first pawl 61 at both ends, and presses the first pawl 61 against the ratchet 7.

[0066] The ratchet 7 and the first pawl can be used to adjust the footboard 1 to any level. When folding or adjusting the footboard angle, a person can press the first toggle 611 to rotate and separate first pawl 61 from the ratchet 7 and then rotate downwards or fold the footboard 1; it is not required to press the first toggle 611 when the footboard 1 is unfolded or adjusted upwards. Instead, the footboard 1 can be directly pulled away from the bracket component 2, during which, the first pawl 61 locks the ratchet 7 by being pushed by the first spring, so that the footboard 1 can be fixed at any whatever angle is required to adapt to any vehicle model. The ratchet 7 and the first pawl 61 can rapidly adjust the footboard 1 to a level status. To remove the adjustable car latch footboard, the footboard 1 is pulled upward to separate its end from the hook 3, and then the adjustable car latch footboard is removed and the first pawl 61 is pressed to rotate the bracket component 2 towards the footboard 1, so that the bracket component 2 is folded to the space beneath the footboard 1.

[0067] Wherein, the first pawl 61 is mounted with the first toggle 611 at one side of the hook 3, namely, the first pawl 61 is at one side of the car door frame 91 to facilitate toggling the first pawl 61. The first toggle 611 can also be designed with non-slip stripes 11.

[0068] When in use, the hook 3 is hung on the car latch 92, and the end of the bracket component 2 is pressed against the car door frame 91 and beneath the car latch 92. One end of the footboard 1 is pressed against the car latch 92, and the footboard 1 is adjusted to be level or nearly level. The hook 3 and the footboard 1 grip the car latch to secure the adjustable car latch footboard. To remove the adjustable car latch footboard, the footboard 1 is pulled upwards to separate its end from the hook 3, and then the adjustable car latch footboard is removed directly when the gap between the footboard 1 and the hook 3 is larger than the diameter of the car latch 92 and the first pawl 61 is pressed to rotate the bracket component 2 towards the footboard 1, so that the bracket component 2 is folded into the space beneath the footboard 1.

[0069] When the footboard is designed with a fixture block 13, to remove the adjustable car latch footboard from the car latch 92, the gap between the fixture block 13 and the hook 3 shall be larger than the diameter of the car latch 92.

Embodiment 6

[0070] On the basis of Embodiment 5, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 12, the invention also comprises a second pawl 63 and a second spring 64. The second pawl 63 is hinged on the footboard 1; the second spring 64 is connected to the footboard 1 and the second pawl 63 at both ends, and presses the second pawl 63 against the ratchet 7.

[0071] The second pawl 63 achieves the relative fixation of the footboard 1 and the ratchet 7. When the footboard 1 is adjusted upwards, the second spring 64 pushes the second pawl 63 to lock the ratchet 7 in place to facilitate its use.

[0072] The second pawl 63 is mounted with the second toggle 631, which is located in the toggle hole 14 of the footboard 1. To remove the adjustable car latch footboard, the second toggle 631 is pressed to separate the second pawl 63 from the ratchet 7, and then the footboard 1 is rotated upwards to separate the end of the footboard 1 from the hook 3. The adjustable car latch footboard is directly removed when the gap between the footboard 1 and the hook 3 is larger than the diameter of the car latch 92 and the first pawl 61 is pressed to rotate the bracket component 2 towards the footboard 1, so that the bracket component 2 is folded to the space beneath the footboard 1. To remove the adjustable car latch footboard, the second toggle 631 and the first part 611 are pressed at the same time, and then the footboard 1 rotates upwards. The adjustable car latch footboard is directly removed from the car latch 92 when the gap between the footboard 1 and the hook 3 permits. The bracket component 2 is then folded towards the footboard 1 to store the adjustable car latch footboard.

[0073] The surface of the second toggle 631 shall be lower than the surface of the footboard 1.

[0074] The second toggle 631 is designed with non-slip stripes 11.

[0075] When in use, as shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the adjustable car latch footboard is folded, the toggle 631 of the second pawl 63 is pressed, and the bracket component 2 is held and pulled. When the hook 3 opens to a certain degree, the second pawl 63 is released to prevent the hook 3 from rotating. The hook 3 is then inserted into the car latch 92 and the bracket component 2 is pressed against the car door frame 91. The footboard 1 is rotated upwards to a level or nearly level position. One end of the footboard 1 is pressed beneath the car latch 92 to secure the adjustable car latch footboard. To remove the adjustable car latch footboard, the second toggle 631 is pressed to separate the second pawl 63 from the ratchet 7. The footboard 1 is then elevated upwards to separate the fixture block 13 on the footboard from the hook. The adjustable car latch footboard is removed from the car latch 92 when the fixture block 13 and the hook 3 open to a certain degree. The first toggle 611 is pressed to separate the first pawl 61 from the ratchet 7. The bracket component 2 is then elevated so it is in contact with the footboard 1 for the footboard to be folded.

Embodiment 7

[0076] On the basis of any above-mentioned Embodiments 1 to 4, as shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the third pawl 65 is slidably installed in the third slide hole 28 of the bracket component 2 and opposite to the ratchet 7. The third spring 66 is between the third pawl 65 and the bottom of the third slide hole 28 and presses the third pawl 65 against the ratchet 7. The third pawl 65 is also provided with the third toggle 651 to toggle the third pawl 65. The third toggle 651 is located on one side of the hook 3 to facilitate the separation of the third pawl 65 from the ratchet 7 during removal and folding.

[0077] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 5 lies in the installation method of the pawl, but the functions of the pawl remains the same. The pawl can rotate or translate to achieve the purpose of blocking, which means that the pawl is installed on the bracket component 2 by hinging or sliding.

Embodiment 8

[0078] On the basis of Embodiment 7, as shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 15, this embodiment also contains a fourth pawl 67 and a fourth spring 68. The fourth pawl 67 is slidably installed in the fourth slide hole 19 of the footboard 1 and opposite to the ratchet 7. The fourth spring 68 is between the fourth pawl 67 and the bottom of the fourth slide hole 19 and presses the fourth pawl 67 against the ratchet 7. The fourth pawl 67 is also provided with the fourth toggle 671 to toggle the fourth pawl 67. The fourth toggle 671 is located beneath the footboard 1 surface to facilitate the separation of the fourth pawl 67 from the ratchet 7 during removal and folding.

Embodiment 9

[0079] On the basis of any above-mentioned Embodiments 1 to 4, as shown in FIG. 16-FIG. 18, the bracket component 2 consists of the bracket base 21 and the sliding bar 22. The bracket base 21 is hinged to the pivot 4 and the sliding bar is slidably inserted into the bracket base 21; it also comprises the ratchet 7, the fifth pawl 25 and the fifth spring 24. The ratchet 7 is rotatably mounted on the pivot 4 and the hook 3 is mounted on the ratchet 7; the fifth pawl 25 is mounted on the end of the sliding bar 22 and opposite to the ratchet 7; the fifth spring 24 is connected to the sliding bar 22 and the bracket base 21 at both ends, and presses the fifth pawl 25 against the ratchet 7.

[0080] The bracket base 21 is equipped with a fifth slide hole 211, in which a spring rod 23 is mounted. The sliding bar 22 is slidably inserted into the fifth slide hole 211 and is equipped with the sixth slide hole 221 which is movably inserted on the spring rod 23, and the fifth spring 24 is movably inserted in the sixth slide hole 221. Both ends of the fifth spring 24 are connected to the bottom of the spring rod 23 and the sixth slide hole 221, to press the pawl 25 on the ratchet 7.

[0081] The fifth pawl 25 and the ratchet 7 work to adjust the hook 3 position, so as to adjust the level of the footboard 1.The structure is simple and easy to use.

[0082] When in use, the footboard 1 is rotated to separate its end from the hook 3, and hook 3 is hung on the car latch 92. The footboard 1 is dropped, and its end is pressed against the car latch 92. The hook 3 is pressed and the sliding bar 22 moves toward the car door frame 1 to press the bottom of the sliding rod 22 on the car door frame 91, and then the footboard 1 is adjusted upwards to level or nearly level, so as to accomplish the installation of the adjustable car latch footboard.

[0083] To remove the adjustable car latch footboard, the footboard 1 is pulled upwards to separate its end from the hook 3, and then the adjustable car latch footboard is removed directly when the gap between the footboard 1 and the hook 3 is larger than the diameter of the car latch 92 and the sliding rod 22 is pulled away from the ratchet 7 to separate the fifth pawl 25 from the ratchet 7. The sliding rod 22 is stored beneath the footboard land loosened to fold the adjustable car latch footboard.

[0084] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 4 lies in the installation method of the pawl, and the functions of the pawl remain the same. The pawl can be installed on the footboard 1 by hinging or sliding.

[0085] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0086] 1. The footboard angle can be adjusted according to the slope of the car door frame so that the footboard is always parallel to the ground;

[0087] 2. The support block is in contact with the car door to increase the contact area with the car door frame and effectively reduce damage to the car body;

[0088] 3. The footboard is more stably and securely installed on the car latch by the upper and lower gripping structure, so that the footboard will not fall off.

[0089] 4. The footboard surface is flat and at a higher position to facilitate its operation;

[0090] 5. Easy to use and light, the footboard can be folded and stored in the car glove compartment when not in use.

[0091] The technical principles of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the specific embodiments. These descriptions are to explain the principle of the present invention and shall not be construed in any way as a restriction to the scope of protection for the present invention. Based on the explanations herein, any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention that a person skilled in the art can easily think of shall be covered by the scope of the present invention.