Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Load cover
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-05-01
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Load cover
C296S100010, C296S100070, C296S100180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224140
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tonneau cover for use with conventional pick up trucks having a truck box.
BACKGROUND
Conventional pick up trucks generally have a truck box on a rearward end for carrying cargo. The use of a tonneau cover which is secured to the truck box is common for enclosing the truck box and for preventing theft of the cargo while the vehicle is unattended.
SUMMARY
It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved tonneau cover.
According to the present invention there is provided a tonneau cover for a conventional pick up truck having a truck box, the cover comprising:
a pair of mounting elements being arranged to mount on respective sides of the truck box;
a pair of door panels pivotally mounted on the respective mounting elements, each panel extending inward from the corresponding mounting element to a free end such that the free ends of the panels engage each other in a closed position of the panels, each panel extending generally upward from the corresponding mounting element such that the free ends are spaced apart in an extended position of the panels; and
at least one frame element mounted between the panels in the extended position such that the panels are supported in an upright orientation for containing cargo in the truck box.
Frame elements are used securely support the panels in an upright orientation for additional cargo space. The panels are lightweight members having rigid supports mounted thereon such that the cover forms a rigid structure in the extended position. The frame elements can be used as a rack for hauling additional cargo thereon. The panels form extensions to the side walls of the truck box for increasing the storage capacity of the truck box as desired. Cargo can thus be located on top of the frame elements or below and above the truck box. Long materials can be carried while the tail gate is properly closed.
Preferably, each frame element extends in a generally horizontal manner between the free ends of the panels in the extended position such that the frame elements define a rack for supporting additional cargo thereon.
Preferably there is provided a pair of frame elements, each extending between the panels, the frame elements being mounted adjacent respective forward and rearward ends of the panels.
In this arrangement of the frame element, each frame element is pivotally mounted at a first end on one of the panels and includes a coupling on a second end for selectively coupling the frame element to the other panel.
A latch may be provided for securing each frame element adjacent to the corresponding panel which pivotally mounts said frame element thereon for securing the frame element in the closed position.
Preferably a gusset is mounted on each end of the each frame elements such that each gusset mounts between the corresponding frame element and the corresponding panel in the extended position.
Preferably, at least one strut is mounted between each panel and the truck box, each strut being mounted at a first end on the panel at a position spaced from the corresponding side of the truck box and being mounted at a second end on the truck box.
The second end of each strut may be mounted adjacent to the corresponding side of truck box such that the strut extends generally upright along the corresponding panel in the extended position of the panels.
The second end of each strut may be mounted on the truck box at a position spaced from the corresponding side of truck box such that the strut extends at an upward incline towards the panel in the extended position of the panels for added structural support.
There may be a coupling mounted on the second end of each strut such that the second end of the strut may be selectively mounted at each or two positions on the truck box in relation to the respective sides of the truck box for varying the inclination of the strut when the panels are in the extended position. One of the positions is on the side wall away from the tail gate so as not to interfered with the opening of the tail gate and the other is on the tail gate to provide an increased mechanical advantage.
A flange is preferably mounted on the free end of one of the panels.
The flange extends outwardly from the bottom side of said panel defining a shoulder for supporting the free end of the other panel thereon in the closed position.
Each panel preferably includes a forward flange extending forwardly over the front end of the truck box and a rear flange extending rearwardly over the rear gate of the truck box.
The rear flange preferably includes a downwardly extending portion for partially engaging a rearward face of the rear gate such that the rear gate is secured in a closed and upright orientation when the panels are in the closed position.
Each panel preferably comprises a rectangular sheet supported on a frame of rigid members.
A first one of the panels preferably has a first locking member mounted thereon for securing the first panel to the truck box and a second one of the panels preferably has a second locking member mounted thereon for securing the second panel to the first panel.
The first locking member may comprise a pair of rods slidably mounted to extend from respective front and rear ends of the first panel and an actuator for selectively engaging the rods into the respective front and rear ends of the truck box for securing the first panel to the truck box.
The first locking member is preferably mounted on an inner side of the first panel such that the locking member is inaccessible from an outer side when the panels are in the closed position.
The second locking member may comprise an engaging member which is slidably mounted within the second panel and a keyed actuator mounted on an outer side of the second panel for selectively engaging the engaging member into the first panel for locking the second panel adjacent to the first panel in the closed position.
An extended cover may be connected between the free ends of the panels when the panels are positioned to extend laterally outward from the respective sides of the truck box for enclosing the truck box.
The extended cover preferably comprises a plurality of frame members mounted on the panels to form a domed structure and a membrane extending over the frame members such that the cover forms a tent like structure.
A more simple cover may simply extend across the top edges of the panels when in the raised position so as to form a simple tent construction for camping.
Preferably, a gutter is provided underneath the hinges connecting the panel to the respective mounting element which transmits rain or washing water along the gutter to one end for disposal. The gutter is preferably formed as one edge of the mounting element with a flexible seal on the edge of the gutter for engaging an edge of the panel to improve water tightness.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3737190 (1973-06-01), Smith et al.
patent: 4036521 (1977-07-01), Clenet
patent: 4181351 (1980-01-01), Spanke
patent: 4261611 (1981-04-01), Barry et al.
patent: 4272119 (1981-06-01), Adams
patent: 5110021 (1992-05-01), Dawson, Jr.
patent: 5395985 (1995-03-01), Robinson
patent: 5971469 (1999-10-01), Lund et al.
Battison Adrian D.
Blankenship Greg
Dayoan D. Glenn
KBS Industries Ltd.
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