Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Load cover
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-18
2001-10-30
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Load cover
C296S100170, C296S100180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309006
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an attachment system for attaching structures to truck beds, such as tonneau cover systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an attachment system which utilized the stake pockets of a truck bed.
2. The Background Art
Various structures are frequently mounted on pick-up truck beds, such as campers, shells, tonneau covers, equipment racks, sport racks, etc. Such structures typically are attached to the truck bed with fasteners, such as screws or bolts, or clamps. One disadvantage with screws or bolts is that holes must be drilling in the truck bed, thus increasing the cost of installation, and permanently altering the truck bed. The clamp members typically engage a portion of the structure and a portion of a flange of the side walls of the truck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop an attachment system capable of easily, inexpensively and effectively attaching structures to a truck bed. It has also been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop such an attachment system which utilized the stake pockets of the truck bed. It has also been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop an attachment system for attaching a tonneau cover system to a truck bed.
The invention provides an attachment system to attach a structure, such do a tonneau cover system, to a truck bed with side walls having stake pockets. The attachment system advantageously includes fastening plates which pivot after being received in the stake pockets to secure the structure to the truck bed. The fastening plates are pivotally coupled to the structure, and pivot between first and second different orientations. In the first orientation, the plates align with the stake pockets to pass therethrough. In the second orientation, the plates are rotated with respect to the first orientation in order to abut the stake pocket, and thus secure the structure to the side walls of the truck bed. The attachment system also advantageously includes tensioners which engage the fastening plates to draw the fastening plates towards the structure.
The stake pockets of the truck bed can have a large dimension or length, and a small dimension, or width. The fastening plates can have a larger dimension or length which is smaller than the length of the stake pockets, but larger than the width of the stake pockets. Thus, in the second orientation, the length of the plates can transverse the width of the stake pockets, to abut the side walls proximal the stake pockets.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the tensioners can include threaded fasteners, such as bolts. The plates can include a threaded bore which receives and is engaged by the threaded fasteners. The threaded fasteners can be rotatably coupled to the structure, and rotatable to pivot the plates with respect to the structure and the stake pockets, and to displace the plates towards the structure and the stake pockets.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the fastening plates can have intermediate portions to extend between the side walls proximal the stake pockets. The intermediate portions have opposite vertical abutment walls to oppose the side walls proximal the stake pockets. The abutment walls resist lateral movement between the fastening plates and the stake pockets, and thus between the structure and the side walls of the truck bed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the fastening plates can include a flange extending therefrom to engage the side walls proximal the stake pockets. The flange is inclined to force the flange against the side wall as the fastening plate pivots. The fastening plates can have an upper surface with an angled portion to force the upper surface into abutment with the side wall proximal the stake pockets. The angled portion can be arcuate and form a quarter arc, such that the fastening plates can be rotated a quarter turn.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the structure can include left and right belt rails to be disposed on respective left and right side walls of the truck bed. A flexible cover can be removably attached to the left and right belt rails.
The belt rails can have outer channels with an outwardly facing and a downwardly angled orientation. The cover can have a perimeter flange which is removably received within the outer channels of the left and right belt rails.
A front belt rail can be disposed at a front side wall of the truck bed, and coupled to and between the left and right belt rails. A rear belt rail can be disposed at a rear wall/tailgate of the truck bed, and coupled to and between the left and right belt rails.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which together illustrate by way of example, the features of the invention.
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Custom Form Mfg. Inc., “The Ultimate Tonneau,” 2100 Industrial Pkwy., Elkhart, IN 46516 5/95.
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Pape Joseph D.
Patel Kiran B.
Saddleman, Inc
Thorpe North & Western
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