DEPLOYING STEPWAYS FOR VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

The deploying stepway includes a guide frame and a step assembly. The step assembly includes a plurality of steps, a step frame pivotally coupled to the steps and including a pivot assembly, and a proximal portion and a distal portion defined on either side of the pivot assembly. The deploying stepway is configured to transition among a stair configuration, in which the proximal and distal portions are aligned and extend from the guide frame at a declined stair angle, a ladder configuration in which the distal portion is pivoted relative to the proximal portion and extends from the guide frame at a declined ladder angle, and a stowed configuration in which the step assembly is at least substantially received in the guide frame. The methods include deploying the deploying stepway from the stowed to the stair configuration and transitioning the deploying stepway from the stowed to the ladder configuration.