초록 ▼

A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes a first pair of track members mountable to side walls of the bed. A cover unit includes a second pair of track members and a plurality of support members movably mounted on the second pair of track members. A cover is mounted to the support members. The co

A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes a first pair of track members mountable to side walls of the bed. A cover unit includes a second pair of track members and a plurality of support members movably mounted on the second pair of track members. A cover is mounted to the support members. The cover unit is to be removably mounted in an operative position to the bed with the second pair of track members aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the cover. At least one motor is connected to the support members for selectively moving them. At least one fastener secures the cover unit in the operative position and is releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the bed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for mounting a cover assembly to a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the method comprising:mounting a first pair of elongated track members to the first

1. A method for mounting a cover assembly to a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the method comprising:mounting a first pair of elongated track members to the first and second side walls, the first pair of elongated track members each having a cable receiving conduit; providing a removable cover unit comprising: (i) a second pair of elongated track members each having a cable receiving conduit; (ii) a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; (iii) a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; (iv) at least one motor; and (v) a pair of flexible drive cables respectively received in the cable receiving conduits of the second pair of track members, the drive cables being operatively connected to both the at least one motor and the plurality of support members; and removably mounting the cover unit in an operative position to the vehicle bed such that the second pair of track members are aligned with the first pair of track members with the cable receiving conduits of the first and second pairs of track members aligned with one another so that the support members can be selectively moved along the first and second pairs of track members by operating the at least one motor to drive the drive cables within the aligned cable receiving conduits to move the plurality of transverse support members along the aligned fist and second pairs of track members and extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed. 2. A cover assembly for a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space, having an upwardly facing opening, the cover assembly comprising:a first pair of elongated track members mountable to the first and second side walls, the first pair of elongated track members each having a cable receiving conduit; and a removable cover unit comprising: (i) a second pair of elongated track members each having a cable receiving conduit; (ii) a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; (iii) a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed, wherein the cable receiving conduits of the first and second pairs of track members are aligned with one another when the removable cover unit is in the operative position; (iv) at least one motor; and (v) a pair of flexible drive cables respectively received in the cable receiving conduits of the second pair of track members, the drive cables being operatively connected to the at least one motor and the plurality of support members to enable the at least one motor, when the cover unit is in the operative position, to drive the drive cables within the aligned cable receiving conduits to move the plurality of traverse support members along the aligned first and second pairs of track members and extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed. 3. A cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein the support members are movably arranged on the first and second pairs of track members such that (1) movement of a distal one of the support members in an opening direction causes the distal support member to push each of the other support members in a sequential manner in the opening direction and hence sequentially collapse the cover secured thereto, thereby facilitating access to the interior space of the vehicle bed, and (2) movement of the distal support member in a closing direction causes the distal support member to pull the other support members in a sequential manner in the closing direction and hence sequentially moves the cover secured thereto into covering relation to the interior space of the vehicle bed, thereby inhibiting access to the interior space of the vehicle bed;the distal support member being operatively connected at its first and second end portions to the flexible drive cables to enable the at least one motor to move the distal support member in the opening and closing directions. 4. A cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first pair of elongated track members have a length that is greater than a length of the second pair of elongated track members of the cover unit.5. A cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cover unit includes a pair of locking structures each having a pin structured to engage with a respective cover mount provided on the vehicle bed to facilitate alignment of the cover unit with the vehicle bed.6. A cover assembly according to claim 2, further comprising at least one releasable fastener constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed.7. A cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes a pair of clamps each structured to interlock with respective cover mounts provided on the vehicle bed.8. A cover assembly according to claim 7, wherein the cover mounts form a part of the existing vehicle bed.9. A cover assembly according to claim 7, wherein each clamp includes a handle portion that can be manually moved between a released position and a locked position, the clamp being interlocked with the respective cover mount in the locked position and being releasable from the respective cover mount in the released position.10. A cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes first and second fastening assemblies each having an interlocking slider member structured to be movable into interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members provided on the vehicle bed so as to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members.11. A cover assembly according to claim 10, wherein each fastening assembly includes a handle operatively engaged with a respective said slider member to control the movement of the slider member into and out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members, the handle being movable between (a) a locked position to move the slider member into interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members and (b) a released position to move the slider member out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members.12. A cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein each fastening assembly includes a lock block structured to control movement of the handle between the locked and released positions.13. A removable cover unit for removable installation in an operative position to a vehicle bed including at least opposing first and second side walls having a first pair of elongated track members mourned thereto and a floor, the first pair of elongated track members each having a cable receiving conduit, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover unit comprising:a second pair of elongated track members each having a cable receiving conduit; a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed, wherein the cable receiving conduits of the second pair of track members are positioned to align with the cable receiving conduits of the first pair of track members when the cover unit is in the operative position; at least one motor, and a pair of flexible drive cables respectively received in the cable receiving conduits of the second pair of track members, the drive cables being operatively connected to the at least one motor and the plurality of support members to enable the at least one motor, when the cover unit is in the operative position, to drive the drive cables within the aligned cable receiving conduits to move the plurality of transverse support members along the aligned first and second pairs of track members and extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed. 14. A removable cover unit according to claim 13, wherein the support members are movably arranged on the first and second pairs of track members such that (1) movement of a distal one of the support members in an opening direction causes the distal support member to push each of the other support members in a sequential manner in the opening direction and hence sequentially collapse the cover secured thereto, thereby facilitating access to the interior space of the vehicle bed, and (2) movement of the distal support member in a closing direction causes the distal support member to pull the other support members in a sequential manner in the closing direction and hence sequentially moves the cover secured thereto into covering relation to the interior space of the vehicle bed, thereby inhibiting access to the interior space of the vehicle bed;the distal support member being operatively connected at its first and second end portions to the flexible drive cables to enable the at least one motor to move the distal support member in the opening and closing directions. 15. A removable cover unit according to claim 13, further comprising at least one releasable fastener constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be released to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed.16. A removable cover unit according to claim 15, wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes a pair of clamps each structured to interlock with respective cover mounts provided on the vehicle bed.17. A removable cover unit according to claim 16, wherein the cover mounts form a part of the existing vehicle bed.18. A removable cover unit according to claim 16, wherein each clamp includes a handle portion that can be manually moved between a released position and a locked position, the clamp being interlocked with the respective cover mount in the locked position and being releasable from the respective cover mount in the released position.19. A removable cover unit according to claim 15, wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes first and second fastening assemblies each having an interlocking slider member structured to be movable into interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members provided on the vehicle bed so as to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members.20. A removable cover unit according to claim 19, wherein each fastening assembly includes a handle operatively engaged with a respective said slider member to control the movement of the slider member into and out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members, the handle being movable between (a) locked position to move the slider member into interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members and (b) a released position to move the slider member out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members.21. A removable cover unit according to claim 20, wherein each fastening assembly includes a lock block structured to control movement of the handle between the locked and released positions.22. A removable cover unit according to claim 13, wherein the first pair of elongated track members have a length that is greater than a length of the second pair of elongated track members of the cover unit.23. A removable cover unit according to claim 13, wherein the cover unit includes a pair of locking structures each having a pin structured to engage with a respective cover mount provided on the vehicle bed to facilitate alignment of the cover unit with the vehicle bed.24. A cover assembly for a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover assembly comprising:a first pair of elongated track members mountable to the first and second side walls; and a removable cover unit comprising: (i) a second pair of elongated track members; (ii) a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; (iii) a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; (iv) at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; and (v) at least one releasable fastener movable between a locking position to secure the cover unit in the operative position and an unlocking position to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed; wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes a lock constructed to prevent movement of the at least one releasable fastener from the locking position to the unlocking position, the lock being movable to permit movement of the at least one releasable fastener from the locking position to the unlocking position in response to the flexible cover being retracted such that all the transverse support members are received on the second pair of track members. 25. A removable cover unit for removable installation in an operative position to a vehicle bed including at least opposing first and second side walls having a first pair of elongated track members mounted thereto and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover unit comprising:a second pair of elongated track members; a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in the operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; and at least one releasable fastener movable between a locking position to secure the cover unit in the operative position and an unlocking position to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed; wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes a lock constructed to prevent movement of the at least one releasable fastener from the locking position to the unlocking position, the lock being movable to permit movement of the at least one releasable fastener from the locking position to the unlocking position in response to the flexible cover being retracted such that all the transverse support members are received on the second pair of track members. 26. A method for mounting a cover assembly to a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the method comprising:mounting a first pair of elongated track members to the first and second side walls; providing a removable cover unit comprising: (i) a second pair of elongated track members; (ii) a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; (iii) a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; (iv) a pair of releasable fasteners each movable between (a) a locking position and (b) an unlocking position, each releasable fastener being provided on a respective one of the second track members. (v) a pair of interlocking structures movable between an extended position and a retracted position, each interlocking structures being provided on a respective one of the second track members and linked to a respective one of the releasable fasteners such the movement of the releasable fasteners to the unlocking positions moves the interlocking structures to the retracted positions and movement of the releasable fasteners to the locking positions moves the interlocking structures to the extended positions; and (vi) at least one motor operatively connected to the support members; removably mounting the cover unit in an operative position to the vehicle bed such that the second pair of track members are aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can be selectively moved along the first and second pairs of track members by the at least one motor to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; and moving the releasable fasteners to the locking positions to secure the cover in the operative position and to move the interlocking structure to the extended positions, wherein in the extended positions the interlocking structures engage the first track members to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members with one another. 27. A cover assembly for a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover assembly comprising:a first pair of elongated track members mountable to the first and second side walls; and a removable cover unit comprising: (i) a second pair of elongated track members; (ii) a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; (iii) a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; (iv) at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; (v) a pair of releasable fasteners each movable between (a) a locking position and (b) an unlocking position, each releasable fastener being provided on a respective one of the second track members; and (vi) a pair of interlocking structures movable between an extended position and a retracted position, each interlocking structure being provided on a respective one of the second track members and linked to a respective one of the releasable fasteners such that the movement of the releasable fasteners to the unlocking positions moves the interlocking structures to the retracted positions and movement of the releasable fasteners to the locking positions moves the interlocking structures to the extended positions; and wherein in the locking positions the releasable fasteners secure the removable cover unit in the operative position and wherein in the extended positions the interlocking structures engage the first pair of track members to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members with one another. 28. A removable cover unit for removable installation in an operative position to a vehicle bed including at least opposing first and second side walls having a first pair of elongated track members mounted thereto and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover unit comprising:a second pair of elongated track members; a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted the other of the second pair of track members; a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in the operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; a pair of releasable fasteners each movable between (a) a locking position and (b) an unlocking position, each releasable fastener being provided on a respective one of the second track members; and a pair of interlocking structures movable between an extended position and a retracted position, each interlocking structure being provided on a respective one of the second track members and linked to a respective one of the releasable fasteners such that the movement of the releasable fasteners to the unlocking positions moves the interlocking structures to the retracted positions and movement of the releasable fasteners to the locking positions moves the interlocking structures to the extended positions; and wherein in the locking positions the releasable fasteners secure the removable cover unit in the operative position and wherein in the extended positions the interlocking structures engage the first pair of track members to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members with one another. 29. A cover assembly for a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover assembly comprising:a first pair of elongated track members mountable to the first and second side walls; and a removable cover unit comprising: (i) a second pair of elongated track members; (ii) a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; (iii) a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; (iv) at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; and (v) at least one releasable fastener constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed; wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes first and second fastening assemblies each having an interlocking slider member structured to be movable into interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members provided on the vehicle bed so as to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members; wherein each fastening assembly includes a handle operatively engaged with a respective said slider member to control the movement of the slider member into and out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members, the handle being movable between (a) a locked position to move the slider member into interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members and (b) a released position to move the slider member out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members. 30. A cover assembly according to claim 29, wherein each fastening assembly includes a lock block structured to control movement of the handle between the locked and released positions.31. A cover assembly for a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover assembly comprising:a first pair of elongated track members mountable to the first and second side walls; and a removable cover unit comprising: (i) a second pair of elongated track members; (ii) a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably in mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; (iii) a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; (iv) at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; and (v) at least one releasable fastener constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed; wherein the cover unit includes a pair of locking structures each having a pin structured to engage with a respective cover mount provided on the vehicle bed to facilitate alignment of the cover unit with the vehicle bed. 32. A removable cover unit for removable installation in an operative position to a vehicle bed including at least opposing first and second side walls having a first pair of elongated track members mounted thereto and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover unit comprising:a second pair of elongated track members; a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in the operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; and at least one releasable fastener being constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed; wherein the at least one releasable fastener includes first and second fastening assemblies each having an interlocking slider member structured to be movable into interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members provided on the vehicle bed so as to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members. wherein each fastening assembly includes a handle operatively engaged with a respective said slider member to control the movement of the slider member into and out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members, the handle being movable between (a) a locked position to move the slider member into interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members and (b) a released position to move the slider member out of interlocking engagement with the respective one of the first pair of track members. 33. A removable cover unit according to claim 32, wherein each fastening assembly includes a lock block structured to control movement of the handle between the locked and released positions.34. A removable cover unit for removable installation in an operative position to a vehicle bed including at least opposing first and second side walls having a first pair of elongated track members mounted thereto and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening, the cover unit comprising:a second pair of elongated track members; a plurality of transverse support members, each of the plurality of support members having first and second end portions, the first end portions being movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions being movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members; a flexible cover mounted to the plurality of transverse support members; the cover unit being constructed to be removably mounted in the operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed; at least one motor operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover; and at least one releasable fastener being constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed; wherein the cover unit includes a pair of locking structures each having a pin structured to engage with a respective cover mount provided on the vehicle bed to facilitate alignment of the cover unit with the vehicle bed.