Actuation mechanism for the deployment of a laterally extendable running board to provide rollover resistance

[0050]Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an automotive vehicle utilizing a laterally extendable running board apparatus incorporating the principles of the instant invention can best be seen. The vehicle 10 is depicted as a sport utility vehicle; however, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that any vehicle 10 on which a running board can be mounted can utilize the instant invention, including sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, vans, mini-vans, and the like. Any left and right references used within this description are used as a matter of convenience and are determined by standing at the rear of the vehicle and facing the forward direction. The principles of the instant invention are applicable to many different types or configurations of running boards, three of which are depicted in a representative manner in FIGS. 1-7.

[0051]The running board 15 is supported from the frame 12 of the vehicle 10 and is typically positioned on both the left and right sides of the vehicle