Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Load cover
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-07-10
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Load cover
C296S100160, C296S100180, C160S328000, C160S290100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257647
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of tonneau covers and more particularly, to the field of tonneau covers for the beds of pickup trucks and similar vehicles.
2. Discussion of the Background
Tonneau covers for pickup trucks and similar vehicles (such as sport utility ones with exposed beds or decks) help to cover and protect the beds of the vehicles and any items in them. Such covers would ideally have a relatively low profile (i.e., extend relatively flat across the top of the bed walls) and would be easily moved to cover and uncover the bed and its contents. They would also be easily and conveniently storable on the vehicle when not in use or easily removed completely from the vehicle for separate storage.
With this in mind, the tonneau cover system of the present invention was developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention involves a system or arrangement for removably attaching a tonneau cover over the bed of a pickup truck or similar vehicle. The system includes front, rear, and side rails. The front and two side rails are respectively secured in fixed positions by clamps or other means atop the front and side walls of the bed. The rear rail is then suspended to extend between the two side rails across the mouth of the tailgate opening. The ends of the rear rail are inserted into longitudinally extending channels in the side rails and can be slid relative to the fixed, front and side rails. The system also can include one or more support bows that can be inserted into the channels in the fixed, side rails and slid relative to them to spaced positons intermediate the front and rear rails.
In operation and with the front and side rails secured atop the front and side walls of the bed, one or more of the support bows can be inserted directly (or through notches in the side rails) into the channels that extend longitudinally along the side rails. The tips or ends of the bows are preferably provided with spring-biased members. Once these end members are inserted into the channels of the side rails, the bows can be slid forwardly or rearwardly in the channels to the desired locations between the front and rear rails. The tonneau cover can then be placed over the bows and attached to the rails. This is preferably done by inserting belts sewn about the perimeter of the rectangular cover into retaining grooves in the front, rear, and side rails. In one embodiment, the rear rail at this time may be slightly spaced from its rearmost position. The flexible, tonneau cover at this point is slightly loose and the retaining belt on the rear of the cover can be easily inserted into the retaining groove in the rear rail. Thereafter, the tonneau cover can be stretched and drawn taut to its final tension by slidably moving the rear rail rearwardly until spring-biased pins lock into slots in the side rails. The tailgate can subsequently be closed to seal against a flexible seal mounted to and extending across the rear rail. Alternatively, the seal can be mounted on the tailgate to engage the rear rail to form a watertight seal.
To store the tonneau cover, the spring-biased pins of the rear rail are withdrawn from their locked positions to allow the rear rail and attached tonneau cover to move slightly forwardly. This relieves or lessens the tightness of the cover and permits the rear belt of the loosened cover to be easily removed from the retaining groove in the rear rail. It also allows the belts on the sides and front of the cover to be more easily removed from the front and side rails. The cover can then be rolled to a forward position or removed altogether. The bows can also be removed but in the preferred embodiments, they are slid forwardly to positions adjacent each other and the front wall. The rolled up tonneau cover is then supported on the bows adjacent the front wall and secured in place. The rear rail is also preferably slid forwardly in the channels in the side rails wherein the front and rear rails and bows are all positioned adjacent one another at the front of the bed. Alternatively, the bows can be removed and rolled up in the cover or the rear rail and bows can be slid rearwardly out of the channels in the side rails and stored separately if desired. In another approach, the tonneau cover can be attached to the bows and slid forwardly with the bows and rear rail to a position adjacent the front wall of the bed. In doing so, the cover would fold essentially like an accordion.
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Brower Gregory A.
Ninness Raymond W.
Bestop, Inc.
Carson W. Scott
Dayoan D. Glenn
Engle Patricia L.
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