US Patent 11260797 Retractable vehicle step assemblies and methods

A retractable vehicle step assembly includes a drive shaft having a spline and a step coupled to the drive shaft through a step linkage system. The step is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The step linkage system includes a first step linkage defining a spline engagement opening for engagement with the spline of the drive shaft and a fastener. The fastener is adjustably coupled to the first step linkage so as to clamp the spline engagement opening of the first step linkage around the drive shaft. Upon loosening the fastener, the first step linkage is disengageable from the drive shaft and the step is moveable from the extended position to the retracted position regardless of rotation of the drive shaft.