US Patent 7900944 Retractable vehicle step

A step assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The step assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle. The step assembly also includes a step and an arm having a first end pivotal with respect to the mounting bracket and an opposing second end pivotal with respect to the step for pivotally moving the step between a retracted position and an extended position. A latch assembly is coupled to the mounting bracket and operably coupled to the arm. The latch assembly selectively prevents pivotal movement of the arm to retain the step in the retracted position.