Tonneau cover having securing plate with lock member
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B60P-007/04
B60P-007/00
출원번호
US-0045857
(2005-01-28)
등록번호
US-7472941
(2009-01-06)
발명자
/ 주소
Schmeichel,Charles
Schmeichel,Steven
출원인 / 주소
Agri Cover, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Moore & Hansen, PLLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
10인용 특허 :
47
초록▼
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, including two side rails removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated flexible cover securing
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, including two side rails removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover and a securing plate engagement member attached to the support frame, preferably one on each of the two side rails on each side of the support frame. The present invention simplifies securing and unsecuring of the securing plate to the support frame. The securing plate is preferably attached to an end of the flexible cover and is configured to cooperatively engage and pivot with respect to the securing plate engagement member and into and out of a closed or fixed stretching position wherein the flexible cover can be correspondingly be tensed and relaxed.
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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box, the support frame having two opposing side rails, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side walls, each side rail having a lock engaging surface, wherein the support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; and a flexible cover securing plate attached to the flexible cover, the flexible cover securing plate being engageable with the respective securing plate engagement members; wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes two locking members, each locking member being secured proximate an end of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein each respective locking member is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail, when each of the respective locking members are in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails when each of the respective locking members are in a second position; wherein each locking member has a draw cord. 2. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein each locking member is biased toward the first position with a spring selected from the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 3. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible cover securing plate can be disengaged from the opposing side rails when the locking members are in the second position. 4. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein the draw cords are passed through an eyebolt guide. 5. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein each locking member has a finger portion with a tapered shape. 6. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein each locking member is operatively connected to the underside of the flexible cover securing plate. 7. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that each locking member can be positioned below the respective lock engaging surface when in the first position. 8. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and each locking member is at least partially retained within the channel. 9. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 8, wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and each locking member is slidably retained within the channel. 10. The tonneau cover apparatus of 1, wherein the securing plate engagement members each include a stop, wherein the stop limits the lateral movement of the flexible cover securing plate along the length of the side rail. 11. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to an end of the flexible cover. 12. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover. 13. 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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box, the support frame having two opposing side rails, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side walls, at least one side rail having a lock engaging surface, wherein the support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; and a flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, the flexible cover securing plate being engageable with the respective securing plate engagement; wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes at least one locking member, each locking member being secured proximate an end of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein each respective locking member is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail when each respective locking member is in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails, when each respective locking member is in a second position; wherein each locking member has a draw cord. 14. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 13, wherein each locking member is biased towards the first position with a spring selected from the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 15. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 13, wherein each draw cord facilitates movement of the respective locking member from the first position to the second position. 16. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 14, wherein there is a first and a second locking member; wherein the draw cords are passed through an eyebolt guide. 17. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 13, wherein each locking member has a finger portion with a tapered shape. 18. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein each locking member is operatively connected to the underside of the flexible cover securing plate. 19. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that each locking member can be positioned below the lock engaging surface when in the first position. 20. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and each locking member is at least partially retained within the channel. 21. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 20, wherein each locking member is slidably retained within the channel. 22. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover. 23. 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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box; the support frame having two opposing side rails and a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; a flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, the flexible cover securing plate configured to cooperatively engage and pivot with respect to each of the respective securing plate engagement members at first and second engagement positions; wherein the securing plate engagement members cooperate to engage the flexible cover securing plate when the first end of the flexible cover is operatively connected to the support frame; and at least one locking member, each locking member being secured to the flexible cover securing plate proximate respective ends of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein at least one of the opposing side rails include a lock engaging surface and each locking member includes a finger portion, wherein each respective finger portion is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail when each respective finger portion is in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails, when each respective finger portion is in a second position; wherein each locking member has a draw cord. 24. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 23, wherein the draw cord facilitates movement of the respective locking member from the first position to the second position. 25. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 23, wherein each finger portion has a tapered shape. 26. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 23, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein each locking member is operatively connected to the underside of the flexible cover securing plate. 27. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 23, wherein each locking member is biased toward the first position with a spring selected from the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 28. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 23, wherein there is a first locking member and a second locking member; wherein the first locking member is a functional and structural mirror image of the second locking member. 29. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 23, wherein the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that the locking member can be positioned below the lock engaging surface when in the first position. 30. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 29, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover. 31. 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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box; the support frame having two opposing side rails, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side walls; at least one side rail having a lock engaging surface, wherein the support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; and a flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, the flexible cover securing plate being engageable with the support frame; wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and at least one locking member, each locking member being secured within the channel at an end of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein each respective locking member is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail when each respective locking member is in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails, when each respective locking member is in a second position; wherein each locking member has a draw cord. 32. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 31, wherein each locking member is biased towards the first position with a spring selected form the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 33. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 31, wherein each locking member is slidingly retained within the channel. 34. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 31, wherein the draw cord facilitates movement of the respective locking member from the first position to the second position. 35. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 34, wherein there is a first and a second locking member; wherein draw cords are passed through an eyebolt guide. 36. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 31, wherein each locking member has a finger portion with a tapered shape. 37. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 31, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein each locking member is operatively connected to the underside of the flexible cover securing plate. 38. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 31, where in the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that each locking member can be positioned below the lock engaging surface when in the first position. 39. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 31, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover. 40. 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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box, the support frame having two opposing side rails, each of which can be secured to one of the respective opposing side walls, each side rail having a lock engaging surface, wherein the support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which can be secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; and a flexible cover securing plate having a first end and a second end, the flexible cover securing plate attached to the flexible cover, wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel that extends from the first end to the second end, the flexible cover securing plate being engageable with the respective securing plate engagement members; wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes two locking members, each locking member being slidably secured within the channel proximate one of the ends of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein each respective locking member is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail, when each of the respective locking members are in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails when each of the respective locking members are in a second position. 41. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 40, wherein each locking member is biased toward the first position with a spring selected from the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 42. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 40, wherein the flexible cover securing plate can be disengaged from the opposing side rails when the locking members are in the second position. 43. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a draw cord connected to each respective locking member. 44. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 43, wherein the draw cords are passed through an eyebolt guide. 45. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 40, wherein each locking member has a finger portion with a tapered shape. 46. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 40, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein the channel is proximate the underside. 47. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 40, wherein the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that each locking member can be positioned below the respective lock engaging surface when in the first position. 48. The tonneau cover apparatus of 40, wherein the securing plate engagement members each include a stop, wherein the stop limits the lateral movement of the flexible cover securing plate along the length of the side rail. 49. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 40, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to an end of the flexible cover. 50. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 49, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover. 51. 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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box, the support frame having two opposing side rails, each of which can be secured to one of the respective opposing side walls, at least one side rail having a lock engaging surface, wherein the support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which can be secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; and a flexible cover securing plate having a first end and a second end, the flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel that extends from the first end to the second end, the flexible cover securing plate being engageable with the respective securing plate engagement; wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes at least one locking member, each locking member being slidably secured within the channel proximate an end of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein each respective locking member is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail when each respective locking member is in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails, when each respective locking member is in a second position. 52. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 51, wherein each locking member is biased towards the first position with a spring selected from the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 53. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 51, further comprising a draw cord interconnected to each respective locking member such that the draw cord facilitates movement of the locking member from the first position to the second position. 54. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 53, wherein there is a first and a second locking member each having a draw cord; wherein the first and second draw cords are passed through an eyebolt guide. 55. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 51, wherein each locking member has a finger portion with a tapered shape. 56. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 51, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein the channel is located proximate the underside. 57. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 51, wherein the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that each locking member can be positioned below the lock engaging surface when in the first position. 58. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 51, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover. 59. 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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box; the support frame having two opposing side rails and a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; a flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, the flexible cover securing plate having a first end and a second end, wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel that extends from the first end to the second end, the flexible cover securing plate configured to cooperatively engage and pivot with respect to each of the respective securing plate engagement members at first and second engagement positions; wherein the securing plate engagement members cooperate to engage the flexible cover securing plate when the first end of the flexible cover is operatively connected to the support frame; and at least one locking member, each locking member being slidably secured within the channel proximate respective ends of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein each of the opposing side rails include a lock engaging surface and each locking member includes a finger portion, wherein each respective finger portion is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail when each respective finger portion is in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails, when each respective finger portion is in a second position. 60. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 59, further comprising a draw cord interconnected to each respective locking member such that the draw cord facilitates movement of the locking member from the first position to the second position. 61. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 59, wherein each finger portion has a tapered shape. 62. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 59, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein the channel is located proximate the underside. 63. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 59, wherein each locking member is biased toward the first position with a spring selected from the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 64. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 59, wherein there is a first locking member and a second locking member; wherein the first locking member is a functional and structural mirror image of the second locking member. 65. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 59, wherein the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that the locking member can be positioned below the lock engaging surface when in the first position. 66. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 64, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover. 67. 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; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box; the support frame having two opposing side rails, each of which can be secured to one of the respective opposing side walls; each side rail having a lock engaging surface, wherein the support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which can be secured to one of the respective opposing side rails; and a flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, the flexible cover securing plate having a first end and a second end, the flexible cover securing plate being engageable with the support frame; wherein the flexible cover securing plate includes a channel that extends from the first end to the second end, the flexible cover securing plate further having at least one locking member, each locking member being slidably secured within the channel at an end of the flexible cover securing plate; wherein each respective locking member is engaged with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail and the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from pivoting with respect to the respective side rail when each respective locking member is in a first position and the flexible cover securing plate is secured to each of the respective side rails; and wherein the flexible cover securing plate can pivot with respect to the respective side rails, when each respective locking member is in a second position. 68. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 67, wherein each locking member is biased towards the first position with a spring selected form the group consisting of a tension spring and a compression spring. 69. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 67, further comprising a draw cord interconnected to each respective locking member such that the draw cord facilitates movement of the locking member from the first position to the second position. 70. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 67, wherein there is a first and a second locking member each having a draw cord; wherein the first and second draw cords are passed through an eyebolt guide. 71. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 67, wherein each locking member has a finger portion with a tapered shape. 72. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 67, wherein the flexible cover securing plate has an underside and wherein the channel is located proximate the underside. 73. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 67, wherein the lock engaging surface is constructed and arranged so that each locking member can be positioned below the lock engaging surface when in the first position. 74. The tonneau cover apparatus of claim 67, wherein the flexible cover securing plate is operatively connected proximate to the most rearward end of the flexible cover.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (47)
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.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.