BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Whenever driving on unpaved surfaces wheeled vehicles are prone to becoming stuck, particularly in sand, mud or the like when one or more wheels of the vehicle lose traction or when the surface over which the vehicle is to travel undulates to an excessive extent. Many off-road vehicles thus carry load carrying and distributing means in the form of an elongate, rigid planar member which can be inserted under wheel in order to provide traction or even to support the weight of a wheel and its associated load.

Such load carrying and distributing means are commonly known as"sand ladders"and shall be referred to as such hereafter irrespective of the actual configuration of the elongate rigid planar member.

Sand ladders assist in distributing the mass of the vehicle over a relatively large area and provide an improved traction surface for a driven wheel or support the weight of wheel whilst it passes over a depression for example.

It is a requirement that sand ladders be of a sufficiently robust construction in order to allow repeated use thereof. One problem often encountered with

conventional sand ladders in consequence of the strength required of them, is that they are bulky and thus difficult and unsightly to stow on the relevant vehicle when not in use.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a load distributing assembly which will at least partially alleviate the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention there is provided a vehicular load carrying and distributing assembly comprising a sand ladder and mounting means for releasably mounting the sand ladder on a vehicle, the sand ladder and mounting means being characterized in that the sand ladder, in the stored condition, forms at least a part of a running board.

Further features of the invention provide for the operatively upper surface of the sand ladder to be of, or have a finish of, a non-slip nature; and for the mounting means to be adapted to be releasably securable to the chassis of a vehicle.

Still further features of the invention provide for the sand ladder to be slidably receivable in the mounting means; for the mounting means to be in the form of a frame for holding the sand ladder releasably captive relative thereto; for the mounting means to be securable on one side of a vehicle intermediate the wheels thereof; and for a mud flap to be provided for attachment to the mounting means adjacent a wheel.

In one form of the invention the sand ladder is is of squat tubular shape in cross-section with a pair of flat oppositely disposed surfaces. In such a case

at least one, and preferably two elongate reinforcing elements are secured between the flat surfaces and these reinforcing elements are conveniently rectangular cross-sectioned tubes.

Alternatively, the sand ladder may be formed by at least one channel sectioned element and preferably a plurality of channel sectioned elements secured side by side. In this case the channel sectioned elements may be perforated to provide a non-slip surface.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood one embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BREEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 is an oblique view of a load distributing assembly ; Figure 2 is a sectional end elevation of the assembly in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the assembly in Figure 1 In use on a vehicle; Figure 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a sand ladder; and, Figure 5 is an end elevation of the sand ladder illustrated in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE E TO THE DRAWINGS A vehicular load carrying and distributing assembly (1) is shown In Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a sand ladder (3) and mounting means (4) therefor.

The sand ladder (3) is, in this case, in the form of an elongate steel tube of squat cross-section and having a pair of flat oppositely disposed surfaces (5). A pair of laterally spaced apart reinforcing elements, which in this embodiment of the invention are square cross-sectioned steel tubes (6), extend along the length of the squat tube and are secured within it, between the sides (5). The outer surface of each surface (5) has a series of intersecting grooves (not shown) formed therein to provide an non-slip surface in substantially known manner.

The mounting means (4) assumes the form of a frame including a transverse channel sectioned element (10) secured near each end of an elongate longitudinally extending channel sectioned main frame member (11). The transverse elements (10) each have a pair of flanges (12,13) extending normally from one side of a rectangular tube (14) which forms a web to the element. The operatively lowermost flange (13) of each element (10) forms one side of a further rectangular tube (15) carried by the tube (14).

Conveniently, the elements (10) and tubes (14,15) are extruded from aluminium.

A stay (16) extends longitudinally between the tubes (15) and is supported along its length by a pair of transverse spaced apart struts (17) which extend from the main frame member (11). A bracket (18) is secured to the end (19) of each stay (17) adjacent the main frame member (11). Each bracket (18) has a pair of apertures (20) spaced up the height thereof to receive a pair of bolts (21) for securing the mounting means to a vehicle.

An elongate retaining cover (25) is hingediy secured near each end to the lowermost surface of the tubes (14,15) to be movable between an open position (as shown in Figure 1) in which the free end of each element (10) is accessible and a closed position (as shown In Figure 2) in which the cover (25) extends over the free ends of the elements (10) and tubes (14,15). A latch (not shown) secures the cover in the closed position. In this embodiment, the cover is in the form of a longitudinally split tube closed at each end.

The sand ladder (3) is dimensioned to be accommodated in th channels of the main frame member, and those of the elements (10) so as to be held captive in the mounting means (4) when the cover (25) is closed. In this position the sand ladder forms the surface of a running board in the installed condition of the assembly.

The load carrying and distributing assembly (1) is shown in use in Figure 3.

The brackets (18) of the mounting means (4) are secured to the chassis of a vehicle (30) such that the mounting means (4) between the wheels (31,32) on one side (33) of the vehicle. As indicated above, with the sand ladder (3) attached to the mounting means (4) a running board is provided.

When the sand ladder (3) is required for use, for example to cross a ditch (35), or more frequently to assist in extrication from loose sand or mud (not shown), it is simply removed from the mounting means and used In conventional fashion. When the task is completed, the sand ladder (3) can be stowed once more in the mounting means (4) to provide a running board.

The cover (25) of the mounting means (4) not only assists in securing the sand ladder (3) in position, but also provides an aesthetically appealing finish. If desired, a mud flap (36) can be secured to an end, in this case a front end, of the mounting means (4) adjacent a wheel (31).

The load carrying and distributing assembly thus provides an effective sand ladder and means for stowing the sand ladder in a useful and aesthetically pleasing and useful manner.

It will be appreciated, however, that many other embodiments of a load carrying and distributing assembly exist which fall within the scope of the invention, especially as regards the configuration of the sand ladder and that of the mounting means.

For example, and as illustrated in Figs 4 and 5, the sand ladder could be formed by securing elongate channel sectioned elements (40) along their sides (41) such that the webs (42) of the elements form a substantially flat upper and operative surface. The sides (40) can conveniently be welded together and the elements (40) could have perforations therein to reduce mass and to provide a non-slip surface. The edges of the perforations could be bent upwardly in order to provide for additional grip. It will further be appreciated that the sand ladder so formed would be rigid in its length yet of fairly lightweight construction. Also, the sand ladder could be secured in mounting means as described above or an any other suitable means. For example, the sand ladder need not be a sliding fit in the mounting means but could be supported on arms or pins extending therefrom. Also the sand ladder could be secured directly to the vehicle by means of brackets which then constitute the mounting means. In such an instance quick release fasteners could be employed to attach the sand ladder to the brackets.

Clearly the mounting means and sand ladder will be configured to fit specific types or groups of vehicles and can be constructed using any suitable material.