| CPC B60R 3/02 (2013.01) | 22 Claims |

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1. A stair system attached to a cargo platform of a vehicle and movable between a deployed configuration providing access to a storage area of the cargo platform and a road-ready stowed configuration, the stair system comprising:
a mounting plate configured to be attached to the cargo platform of the vehicle, the mounting plate including a backwall and a pair of sidewalls that extend from the backwall;
a stair assembly including a top platform slidably received within the mounting plate and a plurality of step platforms pivotally attached to the top platform;
a pair of handles pivotally attached to the stair assembly on opposing sides of the stair assembly, wherein each handle including a handrail and a first connecting bar that is attached to the handrail at a first bar end and attached to the stair assembly at a second bar end;
a linkage assembly comprising:
a pair of slotted links attached to the backwall of the mounting plate, each slotted link includes a slot that extends between a first link end and a second link end;
a pair of first links disposed on opposing sides of the stair assembly, each first link includes a third link end that is slidable relative to the slot and a fourth link end that is pivotally attached to the stair assembly;
wherein, when in the road-ready stowed configuration, the stair system is configured to be positioned beneath the cargo platform; and
wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the stair system is configured to extend outwardly from a side of the cargo platform.
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