A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover
A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, preferably one on each side of the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate is preferably attached to an end of the flexible cover and is configured to cooperatively engage the end plate engagement member or members. The end plate may be retained in an engaged position by the locking member. In alternate embodiments, a plurality of locking members are provided, preferably locking members that slide within a channel in the end plate. In preferred embodiments the locking member or members are spring biased toward a locking position where the locking member engages a flange of the support frame to prevent the end plate from moving out of the engaged position.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the perimeter of the cargo box including a forward end, two opposing sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate being positioned rearward of the forward end and having
What is claimed is: 1. A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the perimeter of the cargo box including a forward end, two opposing sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate being positioned rearward of the forward end and having an open position and a closed position, the tonneau cover apparatus comprising: a flexible cover, the flexible cover having first and second ends; a support structure for attachment to the cargo box; the support structure having two opposing side rails, each side rail including an end plate engagement member in a position rearward of the forward end when the tonneau cover apparatus is attached to the cargo box; an end plate attached to the second end of the flexible cover, the end plate configured to cooperatively engage the respective end plate engagement members; wherein each of the respective end plate engagement members include a surface for engagement with the end plate that faces rearward of the forward end, when the support structure is attached about the top of the perimeter of the cargo box, that is accessible to engagement by the end plate from a position rearward of such surface so that the respective end plate engagement members can engage respective ends of the end plate when the first end of the flexible cover is operatively connected to the support structure forward of the respective end plate engagement members; the end plate further including a locking member, the locking member being movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the locking member can prevent the end plate from being disengaged from the end plate engagement members when the locking member is in the first position and wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the respective end plate engagement members when the locking member is in the second position. 2. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end plate has an underside and the locking member is operatively connected to the underside. 3. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position. 4. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position and the locking member is operatively connected to an underside of the end plate and positioned in such a manner that the support structure displaces the locking member from the first position to the second position for a brief period of time when the end plate pivots with respect to the support structure into a closed position. 5. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 1, the locking member being a first locking member and the tonneau cover apparatus further including a second locking member, each of the respective first and second locking members being mounted proximate respective opposite ends of the end plate; wherein each of the opposing side rails include an inwardly extending flange portion, each locking member being engaged with the inwardly extending flange portion of the respective opposing side rail when the respective locking member is in a first position, each of the respective locking members disengaging from the inwardly extending flange portion of the respective side rail when the respective locking member is moved from the first position to a second position. 6. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the respective first and second locking members is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the respective first and second locking members from the first position. 7. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the end plate includes a pair of springs, each spring interconnected between an immoveable portion of the end plate and one of the locking members so as to provide a biasing force such that each of the respective locking members is biased toward the first position. 8. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the respective springs are selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs. 9. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the spring is a tension spring. 10. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side rail includes an inwardly extending flange portion, the locking member being engaged with the inwardly extending flange portion adjacent to the end plate and rearward of the respective first and second end plate engagement members with respect to the forward end when the tonneau cover apparatus is attached to the cargo box and the locking member is in the first position, the locking member disengaging from the inwardly extending flange portion when the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position. 11. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 10, the locking member being a first locking member and the tonneau cover apparatus further including a second locking member that is a functional and structural mirror image of the first locking member, the second locking member being secured to one end of the end plate and the first locking member being secured to the opposite end of the end plate. 12. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between an immoveable portion of the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 13. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the locking member has an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained within a channel in the end plate and the locking member is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the locking member from the first position. 14. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between an immoveable portion of the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 15. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs. 16. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the locking member includes an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained within a channel within the end plate, the locking member also including a finger portion spaced apart from the upper portion, extending outwardly beyond the main body of the upper portion. 17. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the end plate includes a generally "T" shaped channel and a cross-section of the upper portion of the locking member is generally "T" shaped, the generally "T" shaped channel of the end plate configured to slidingly receive and retain the generally "T" shaped cross-section of the upper portion. 18. A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the perimeter of the cargo box including a forward end, two opposing sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate being positioned rearward of the forward end and having an open position and a closed position, the tonneau cover apparatus comprising: a flexible cover, the flexible cover having first and second ends; a support structure for attachment to the cargo box; the support structure having two opposing side rails and a pair of end plate engagement members, each of which is mounted on one of the respective opposing side rails in a position rearward of the forward end when the tonneau cover apparatus is attached to the cargo box; an end plate attached to the second end of the flexible cover, the end plate configured to cooperatively engage the respective end plate engagement members at first and second engagement positions; wherein the end plate engagement members include openings for receiving the end plate facing rearward of the forward end when the support structure is attached about the top of the perimeter of the cargo box so that the respective end plate engagement members can receive respective ends of the end plate and cooperate to engage the end plate when the first end of the flexible cover is operatively connected to the support structure forward of the respective end plate engagement members; and a locking member, the locking member being attached to the end plate and movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the locking member can prevent the end plate from being disengaged from the respective end plate engagement members when the end plate is so engaged and the locking member is in the first position, and wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the end plate engagement members when the locking member is in the second position. 19. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the end plate has an underside and the locking member is operatively connected to the underside. 20. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position. 21. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position and the locking member is operatively connected to an underside of the end plate and positioned in such a manner that the support structure displaces the locking member from the first position to the second position for a brief period of time when the end plate pivots with respect to the support structure into a closed position. 22. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 18, the locking member being a first locking member and the tonneau cover apparatus further including a second locking member, each of the respective first and second locking members being mounted to the end plate proximate respective opposite ends of the end plate; wherein each of the opposing side rails include an inwardly extending flange portion, each locking member being engaged with the inwardly extending flange portion of the respective opposing side rail when the respective locking member is in a first position, each of the respective locking members disengaging from the inwardly extending flange portion of the respective side rail when the respective locking member is moved from the first position to a second position. 23. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 22, wherein each of the respective first and second locking members is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the respective first and second locking members from the first position. 24. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the end plate includes a pair of springs, each spring interconnected between the end plate and one of the locking members so as to provide a biasing force between the end plate and the respective spring such that each of the respective locking members is biased toward the first position. 25. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the respective springs are selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs. 26. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the spring is a tension spring. 27. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the side rail includes an inwardly extending flange portion, the locking member being engaged with the inwardly extending flange portion adjacent to the end plate and rearward of the respective first and second end plate engagement members with respect to the forward end when the tonneau cover apparatus is attached to the cargo box and the locking member is in the first position, the locking member disengaging from the inwardly extending flange portion when the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position. 28. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 27, the locking member being a first locking member and the tonneau cover apparatus further including a second locking member that is a functional and structural mirror image of the first locking member, the second locking member being secured to one end of the end plate and the first locking member being secured to the opposite end of the end plate. 29. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the spring such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 30. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the locking member has an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained by the end plate and the locking member is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the locking members from the first position. 31. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the spring such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 32. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs. 33. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the locking member includes an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained by the end plate, the locking member also including a finger portion spaced apart from the upper portion, extending outwardly beyond the main body of the upper portion. 34. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the end plate includes a generally "T" shaped channel and a cross-section of the upper portion of the locking member is generally "T" shaped, the generally "T" shaped channel of the end plate configured to slidingly receive and retain the generally "T" shaped cross-section of the upper portion. 35. A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the perimeter of the cargo box including a forward end, two opposing sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate being positioned rearward of the forward end and having an open position and a closed position, the tonneau cover apparatus comprising: a flexible cover having first and second ends; a support structure, the support structure being removably attachable to the cargo box of the pickup truck and the first end of the flexible cover being operatively attached to the support structure; the support structure including end plate receiving openings facing rearward of the forward end when the support structure is attached to the top of the perimeter of the cargo box, the receiving openings being accessible to an approach by the end plate from a position rearward of such openings; an end plate attached to the second end of the flexible cover, the end plate configured to cooperatively engage and pivot into and out of a closed position with respect to the support structure when the support structure is attached to the top of the perimeter of the cargo box; and a locking member, the locking member being secured to the end plate and movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the locking member prevents the end plate from being disengaged from the closed position when the locking member is in the first position, and wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the closed position when the locking member is in the second position. 36. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the end plate has an underside and the locking member is operatively connected to the underside. 37. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position. 38. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position and the locking member is operatively connected to an underside of the end plate and positioned in such a manner that the support structure displaces the locking member from the first position to the second position for a brief period of time when the end plate pivots with respect to the support structure into the closed position. 39. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the spring such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 40. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 35, further including an additional locking member, each of the respective locking members being operatively connected to the end plate proximate respective opposite ends of the end plate; wherein the support structure includes two opposing side rails and a pair of end plate engagement members, one of which is secured to each of the respective side rails rearward of the forward end when the tonneau cover apparatus is attached to the cargo box, the end plate configured to cooperatively engage and pivot with respect to the respective end plate engagement members; wherein the end plate engagement members cooperate to engage the end plate such that the end plate can pivot into and out of a closed position wherein the flexible cover may be correspondingly tensed and relaxed; wherein the locking members are each movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the locking members resist movement of the end plate from the closed position when the locking members are in the first position, and wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the closed position when the locking members are in the second position. 41. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the end plate includes a channel having a generally "T" shaped cross-section, and a cross-section of an upper portion of each locking member is generally "T" shaped, the generally "T" shaped channel of the end plate configured to slidingly receive and retain the generally "T" shaped cross-section of the upper portion. 42. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 40, wherein each of the respective locking members is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the respective locking members from the first position when the end plate is in the closed position. 43. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the end plate includes a pair of springs, each spring interconnected between the end plate and one of the respective locking members so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the respective spring such that each of the respective locking members is biased toward the first position. 44. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the respective springs are selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs. 45. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the support structure includes an inwardly extending flange portion and the locking member includes a finger portion, the finger portion of the locking member extending below the inwardly extending flange portion of the support structure when the locking member is in the first position, the finger portion of the locking member being removed from below the inwardly extending flange portion of the support structure when the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position such that the finger portion will not engage the inwardly extending flange portion of the support structure when the end plate is disengaged from the closed position. 46. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the locking member includes an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained by the end plate and the finger portion is spaced apart from the upper portion and extends outwardly beyond the main body of the upper portion. 47. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the locking member such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 48. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the locking member has an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained by the end plate, the finger portion is spaced apart from the upper portion and extends outwardly beyond the main body of the upper portion, and the locking member is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the locking member from the first position. 49. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs. 50. A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the perimeter of the cargo box including a forward end, two opposing sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate being positioned rearward of the forward end and having an open position and a closed position, the tonneau cover apparatus comprising: a flexible cover having first and second ends; a support structure, the support structure being removably attachable to the cargo box of the pickup truck and the first end of the flexible cover being operatively attached to the support structure; the support structure including end plate engagement members having end plate receiving openings facing rearward of the forward end when the support structure is attached to the top of the perimeter of the cargo box, the receiving openings being accessible to engagement by the end plate from a position rearward of such openings; an end plate attached to the second end of the flexible cover, the end plate configured to cooperatively engage the end plate engagement members when the support structure is attached to the top of the perimeter of the cargo box; and a locking member, the locking member being secured to the end plate and movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the locking member can prevent the end plate from being disengaged from the end plate engagement members when the locking member is in the first position, and wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the closed position when the locking member is in the second position. 51. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the end plate has an underside and the locking member is operatively connected to the underside. 52. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position. 53. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the locking member is biased toward the first position and the locking member is operatively connected to an underside of the end plate and positioned in such a manner that the support structure displaces the locking member from the first position to the second position for a brief period of time when the end plate pivots with respect to the support structure into the closed position. 54. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the spring such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 55. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 50, further including an additional locking member, each of the respective locking members being operatively connected to the end plate proximate respective opposite ends of the end plate; wherein the support structure includes two opposing side rails and a pair of end plate engagement members, one of which is secured to each of the respective side rails rearward of the forward end when the tonneau cover apparatus is attached to the cargo box, the end plate configured to cooperatively engage and pivot with respect to the respective end plate engagement members; wherein the end plate engagement members cooperate to engage the end plate such that the end plate can pivot into and out of a closed position wherein the flexible cover may be correspondingly tensed and relaxed; wherein the locking members are each movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the locking members resist movement of the end plate from the closed position when the locking members are in the first position, and wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the closed position when the locking members are in the second position. 56. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the end plate includes a channel having a generally "T" shaped cross-section, and a cross-section of an upper portion of each locking member is generally "T" shaped, the generally "T" shaped channel of the end plate configured to slidingly receive and retain the generally "T" shaped cross-section of the upper portion. 57. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 55, wherein each of the respective locking members is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the respective locking members from the first position when the end plate is in the closed position. 58. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the end plate includes a pair of springs, each spring interconnected between the end plate and one of the respective locking members so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the respective spring such that each of the respective locking members is biased toward the first position. 59. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the respective springs are selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs. 60. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the support structure includes an inwardly extending flange portion and the locking member includes a finger portion, the finger portion of the locking member extending below the inwardly extending flange portion of the support structure when the locking member is in the first position, the finger portion of the locking member being removed from below the inwardly extending flange portion of the support structure when the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position such that the finger portion will not engage the inwardly extending flange portion of the support structure when the end plate is disengaged from the closed position. 61. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the locking member includes an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained by the end plate and the finger portion is spaced apart from the upper portion and extends outwardly beyond the main body of the upper portion. 62. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the end plate includes a spring, the spring being interconnected between the end plate and the locking member so as to provide a biasing tension between the end plate and the locking member such that the locking member is biased toward the first position. 63. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the locking member has an upper portion having a main body which is slidably retained by the end plate, the finger portion is spaced apart from the upper portion and extends outwardly beyond the main body of the upper portion, and the locking member is biased toward the first position and force is required to displace the locking member from the first position. 64. The tonneau cover apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of compression springs and tension springs.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (43)
Wheatley Donald G., Accessory system for a vehicle cargo box.
Hathaway Richard C. (Greenville OH) Bridges Mearl K. (New Madison OH) Klein Donald R. (Greenville OH), Vehicle modular rail system having cover locking attachment.
Williamson, Scott; Kosinski, David; Yang, Michael; Yan, Xichang; Tong, Jianfeng; Wei, Chengping; Smith, Ronald Brian; Burger, Daniel David; Mays, James, Tonneau cover system for a cargo bed of a vehicle.
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