Retractable low-profile fold-down step system for boats

Abstract

A simple and elegant sliding entry/exit system for a boat that mounts below a pontoon boat deck or other similar boat structure. The system has a slide track assembly and a fold-down step assembly. The fold-down step assembly includes a sliding frame that slides along a slide track and pivots to a pre-set step pitch orientation where the step can be folded out of a compact seated position within the sliding frame to provide a generally horizontal surface for entering or exiting the boat. The system can easily be folded back up to provide a compact and low-profile stowaway position underneath the boat deck that is out of the way and does not impact boating activities.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A sliding retractable step system for a boat, comprising:
 a slide track assembly having:
 a pair of slide tracks; 
 a pair of holders each of the holders being uniquely associated with a corresponding one of the pair of slide tracks, wherein each of the holders are disposed toward an end of the corresponding one of the pair of slide tracks; 
 a pair of slides slidably coupled to the slide tracks for sliding between an extended position where the pair of slides are disposed proximal to the pair of holders and a stowed position where the pair of slides are disposed distal to the pair of holders; and 
   a fold-down step assembly having:
 a sliding frame having a pair of primary rails joined by a slide frame pivot member, wherein the slide frame pivot member is rotatably coupled to the pair of slides about a sliding frame pivot point between a stow orientation and a step pitch orientation, wherein the sliding frame is slidable relative to the slide track, by virtue of coupling to the pair of slides within the pair of slide tracks, between the extended position and the stowed position while the sliding frame is pivoted in the stow orientation, and wherein the sliding frame is rotatable from the stow orientation to the step pitch orientation while the sliding frame is in the extended position; and 
 a step having a pair of step brackets joined by step framework and a stowaway handle, wherein the pair of step brackets are rotatably coupled to the pair of primary rails about a step pivot point between a seated orientation and a step orientation; and 
   wherein the pair of holders of the slide track are configured to receive the stowaway handle of the step.   
     
     
         2 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1  wherein the pair of slide tracks comprise a pair of C-channels. 
     
     
         3 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1  wherein the step pitch orientation is about 60 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1  wherein the slide track assembly includes a cross member spanning the pair of slide tracks, and wherein the cross-member, sliding frame pivot point, and the pair of primary rails cooperate to provide the step pitch orientation while the sliding frame is slid to the extended position by the cross-member preventing rotation of the pair of primary rails about the sliding frame pivot point past the step pitch orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding frame includes a cross-member spanning the pair of primary rails and wherein in the seated orientation, the step seats against the cross-member of the sliding frame. 
     
     
         6 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1 , wherein the step framework includes a tread, and wherein in the step orientation, the step framework provides a generally horizontal surface for entering or exiting the boat. 
     
     
         7 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1  wherein the sliding frame includes a cross member spanning the pair of primary rails, and wherein the cross-member, step pivot point, and the pair of step brackets cooperate to provide the step orientation by the cross-member preventing rotation of the pair of step brackets about the step pivot point past the step orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1  wherein, in the stowed position, the height of the sliding track assembly and fold-down step assembly is less than 10 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1  wherein the slide track assembly is configured to mount to the undersurface of a pontoon boat dock. 
     
     
         10 . The sliding retractable step system of  claim 1 , further comprising a stowaway assist handle attached to the stowaway handle, wherein the stowaway assist handle assists in both folding the fold-down step assembly from the deployed position to the stowed position and unfolding the fold-down step assembly from the stowed position to the deployed position. 
     
     
         11 . A retractable step system for a boat, comprising:
 a slide track assembly having a pair of slide tracks;   a fold-down step assembly slidably coupled to the slide track assembly, wherein the fold-down step assembly comprises:   a stowaway handle configured to engage with a pair of holders within the slide track assembly to secure the fold-down step assembly in a stowed position;   a stowaway assist handle attached to the stowaway handle, wherein the stowaway assist handle assists in both folding the fold-down step assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position and unfolding the fold-down step assembly from the stowed position to the deployed position;   wherein the fold-down step assembly is configured to move between a stowed position within the slide track assembly and an extended position where the fold-down step assembly is deployed for use.   
     
     
         12 . The retractable step system of  claim 11 , wherein the stowaway assist handle is welded to the stowaway handle at an angle to accommodate access from off the boat when the fold-down step assembly is in the stowed position. 
     
     
         13 . The retractable step system of  claim 11 , wherein the stowaway assist handle is constructed from corrosion-resistant materials selected from the group consisting of marine-grade stainless steel, aluminum, or composite materials. 
     
     
         14 . The retractable step system of  claim 11 , wherein the slide tracks are C-channels that receive slides attached to the fold-down step assembly, allowing the fold-down step assembly to slide between the stowed and extended positions. 
     
     
         15 . The retractable step system of  claim 11 , wherein the stowaway assist handle allows an operator to disengage the stowaway handle from the holders and transition the fold-down step assembly from the stowed position to the extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The retractable step system of  claim 11 , wherein the fold-down step assembly further comprises a step framework having a pair of step brackets and a tread, and wherein the step framework is rotatable between a seated orientation and a step orientation to provide a generally horizontal surface for entering or exiting the boat. 
     
     
         17 . The retractable step system of  claim 16 , wherein the step framework is configured to seat against a cross-member in the slide track assembly when the fold-down step assembly is in the seated orientation. 
     
     
         18 . The retractable step system of  claim 11 , wherein the height of the slide track assembly and fold-down step assembly in the stowed position is less than 10 inches, allowing for a low-profile installation beneath a pontoon boat dock or similar structure.