Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Load cover
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-01
2001-10-09
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Load cover
C296S100090, C292SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299232
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to vehicle compartment covers, and more particularly, to truck bed covers.
The truck bed of a pickup truck is well adapted for hauling and storing any number of assorted items because it is open and easy to access. Unfortunately, the materials hauled in the truck bed are typically exposed to the elements as well as to theft and vandalism. It is desirable to cover the contents and provide security, while still maintaining easy access to the contents.
Some truck bed covers utilize snaps along the edges of a cover material and along the edges of the truck bed to affix the cover over the truck bed. However, snaps break off or become damaged.
Another approach previously taken to cover a truck bed and protect its contents is to provide hinged sections locked closed using a mechanism that activates a pair of locking rods. The locking rods engage locking lugs mounted on the side walls of the truck bed. Unfortunately, this mechanism is heavy, does not allow the cover arrangement to be readily completely removed from the truck bed, and requires a locking lug be mounted to the truck bed, which can potentially damage the truck bed.
Accordingly, there is a need for a secure, readily removeable, easily manufactured, relatively lightweight, and inexpensive apparatus to cover truck beds that does not require installation of any hardware that may damage or mar the truck bed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention improves upon the earlier truck bed cover by providing a cover for a vehicle bed having side walls having: a fixed portion with a front edge, a back edge, a first side, and a second side; a moveable portion having a front edge, a back edge, a first side, and a second side; a hinge connecting the fixed portion to the moveable portion; and first and second clamps operatively connected to the moveable portion along the sides of the moveable portion. The first and second clamps engage and disengage the moveable portion from the side walls of the vehicle bed.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle bed cover for covering a truck bed having a stationary cover portion shaped to partially cover the truck bed, and a moveable cover portion shaped to cover the remaining portion of the truck bed. The stationary cover portion includes first toggle operated clamps arranged around edges of the stationary cover portion that are configured to releasably engage the side walls of the truck bed. The moveable cover portion includes second toggle operated clamps arranged around edges of the moveable cover portion that are configured to releasably engage the side walls of the truck bed.
According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a pickup truck bed cover including a truck bed having side walls, a front end, and an end gate defining the interior of the truck bed; a stationery cover portion shaped to partially cover the truck bed; a moveable cover portion shaped to cover a remaining portion of the truck bed; a piano hinge extending across the width of the truck bed and connecting the stationary cover portion and the moveable cover portion; and an elastomeric water resistant operatively connected to the stationary cover portion and the moveable cover portion. The stationary cover portion includes first quick release toggle clamps arranged around the edges of the stationary cover portion that are configured to releasably engage the side walls of the truck bed from the interior of the truck bed. The moveable portion includes second quick release toggle clamps arranged around the edges of the moveable cover portion that are configured to releasably engage the side walls of the truck bed from the interior of the truck bed. The piano hinge is adapted to allow the moveable portion to be operable between an open position and a closed position. The waterproof seal is adapted to prevent water and other substances from entering the truck bed.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
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Dayoan D. Glenn
Engle Patricia
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