Injection molded tonneau cover for pick-up truck

Details Injection molded tonneau cover for pick-up truck Injection molded tonneau cover for pick-up truck

1999-04-23

2001-04-24

Kuhns, Allan R. (Department: 1732)

Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes

Pore forming in situ

Composite article making

C029S897200, C264S051000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06221290

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pick-up truck bed covers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an injection molded plastic tonneau cover for a pick-up truck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The popularity of the pick-up truck with the handyman, the camper, the hunter and the vacationer has significantly increased because of the pick-up trucks utility combined with the recent improvements in both styling and comfort. One of the disadvantages associated with the pick-up truck is its open cargo box. Any item placed in the open cargo box is susceptible to weathering and/or loss by theft.
A variety of pick-up box or tonneau covers for covering the open boxes of trucks exist in the prior art. These prior art covers are manufactured from canvas, single panels and caps, and multi-piece covers of interconnected panels. Despite the recognized need for tonneau covers, the majority of pick-up owners have been dissuaded from purchasing them because of various reasons including high cost, poor appearance, inadequate security, difficult installation, lack of utility and difficult storage of the cover. Consequently, a large number of prospective customers are available for an improved pick-up truck tonneau cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides the art with an injection molded plastic tonneau cover (typically one-piece) molded from a rigid polyurethane or polyurea structural foam reaction injection molding (RIM) system. The material's properties include large-part moldability, low-viscosity liquid molding, high strength, stiffness and excellent surface quality. A blowing agent is added to the material, causing the material to expand as the material fills the mold producing an internal micro-cellular structure (foam) while developing a hard skin. If desired, a reinforcing filler can be added to the material. The injection molded foamed material design provides a better combination of rigidity, flexibility, low weight, and surface finish. The injection molded foamed materials also provide the ability to modify this combination depending upon the customer's or the motor vehicle's requirements.
Other advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the subsequent detailed description, appended claims and drawings.


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