Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Load cover
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-10
2001-10-16
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Load cover
C296S100070, C296S100090
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302468
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a cover apparatus, particularly but not exclusively a cover apparatus for use on a vehicle, and especially an apparatus for covering the load area or a pick-up truck.
Existing covers for vehicles such as pick-up trucks, generally consist of covers of a textile material such as canvas. Such covers have the disadvantage that they are prone to wear. Also, they do not offer any protection against theft or damage. Finally, these covers can only cover the load area completely or not at all. One piece panel covers are available which are generally pivotally mounted immediately behind the cab. These however do not readily facilitate loading of the truck from the side.
According to the present invention there is provided a cover apparatus, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced track means, a plurality of interconnected covering elements which extend between the track means, the covering elements being sequentially interconnected such that each covering element extends respectively between the track means, each covering element being pivotally connected to an adjacent covering element, first and second pivotal connections being alternately provided between the covering elements, the first pivotal connection being slidable in the track means and the second pivotal connections being movable away from the track means, such that the apparatus is movable between a closed position wherein adjacent covering elements extend in a generally co-planar manner, and an open position wherein the covering elements are folded to lie substantially against each other extending away from the track means.
The respective pivotal connections may extend along opposite sides of the covering elements.
The first pivotal connection may comprise sliding members, each being engageable in a respective track means. The sliding member may comprise any of a wheel, plug or pin. The track means may comprise approximately C-shaped or inwardly facing channel sections, in which the sliding members are slidably moveable.
The second pivotal connections may comprise first locking members selectively engageable when locked with the track means so as to prevent the second pivotal connections from moving away from the track means, and hence preventing the apparatus from moving to an open position. The track means may comprise a formation or formations, with which the locking members can engage.
The pivotal connections, and desirably the second pivotal connections, may comprise a locking arrangement comprising means on adjacent covering elements which are lockable together to substantially prevent the respective covering elements from pivoting relative to each other.
The locking arrangement may comprise second locking members on each of the adjacent covering elements, which second locking members are selectively lockable together.
One or all of the second locking members on each second pivotal connection may be slidably moveable along the covering element towards or away from the track means. The second locking members may be spring urged into an unlocked position.
The first and second locking members may be provided by a single locking component. The locking components may comprise a finger which constitutes the first locking member interconnected to a locking formation which constitutes the second locking member. The finger and locking formation may be interconnected by a rigid member. Alignable holes may be provided in each of the locking formations, and a locking device such as a padlock may be selectively engageable through the aligned holes.
The track means may extend from fixed front and back points. The covering element extending from the front point may be provided with a front sealing arrangement, and said covering element is preferably permanently fixed to the front point. The front sealing arrangement may comprise a rubber seal. A cross member may extend between the track means at the front point. The cross member may be provided with a sealing arrangement. The covering element extending to the front point may be provided with connection means for allowing a restricted movement of the covering element along the track means. The connection means may comprise slots provided on each track means, and members provided on the covering element for engaging with the slots. The engaging members may comprise a plug and/or a pin.
Preferably the covering element extending to the back point is provided with a back sealing arrangement. The back sealing arrangement may comprise a flap. The flap may be provided with attachment means. The flap may engage with the track means. The flap may be releasably engageable with a fixture.
The first and second pivotal connections may comprise a hinge. The hinge may consist of a flexible material interconnecting the covering elements. The flexible material may comprise rubber or PVC.
The covering elements may comprise panels. The panels may comprise PVC and/or polyester. The covering elements may comprise a sandwich construction, and may have a foam or wood core construction.
The track means may comprise a flexible spring seal for supporting the covering elements. The flexible spring seal may be engageable between the covering elements and a part of the track means. The flexible spring seal may comprise any of rubber, a plastics material, PVC or polyester.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a cover apparatus for the load area of a pick-up truck, the apparatus being according to any of the preceding twelve paragraphs.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a cover apparatus according to any of the preceding thirteen paragraphs.
The cover apparatus may be mounted to selectively cover the load area of the vehicle. The cover apparatus may be mounted to extend from the rear of a vehicle cab to the tailgate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2086091 (1937-07-01), Payette
patent: 3768858 (1973-10-01), Bosimier
patent: 3986749 (1976-10-01), Hull et al.
patent: 4747441 (1988-05-01), Apolzer et al.
patent: 4946217 (1990-08-01), Steffens et al.
patent: 5427428 (1995-06-01), Ericson et al.
patent: 5653491 (1997-08-01), Steffens et al.
Engle Patricia
Gordon Stephen T.
Steadman William
Watts Hoffman Fisher Heinke Co LPA
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