Patents Assigned to Agri Covers, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20230331074
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11685242
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11642948
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20230121434
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20220219516
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges. Elongated support members having hinge support flanges help to secure the flexible hinges to the rigid panels. In preferred embodiments, the support flanges of the elongated support members cooperate with the underside of the respective rigid panels to which the support members are secured, to form a partial enclosure within which a side portion of the respective flexible hinge is secured. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20220153105
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20210114446
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20200331329
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges. Elongated support members having hinge support flanges help to secure the flexible hinges to the rigid panels. In preferred embodiments, the support flanges of the elongated support members cooperate with the underside of the respective rigid panels to which the support members are secured, to form a partial enclosure within which a side portion of the respective flexible hinge is secured. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20190225064
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 10189340
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 10086879
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having two side portions secured to a center portion to which the securing assembly is attached. The center portion of the frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The frame includes two side portions having channels within which reside at least a portion of fasteners that attach mud flap panels to each of the respective side portions. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies and attaching the flap panels are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Patent number: 10086682
    Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for attachment to an open-top truck trailer, with a flexible tarp that rolls onto and unrolls from a roll bar as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The roll bar is connected to the trailer by two telescoping arms which each have a lower portion that slides within an upper portion to telescope and adjust the length of the telescoping arms as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The telescoping arms each have two bearings, which are on opposite sides of the telescoping arm and which are separated along the length of the telescoping arm, so that when forces are applied to the telescoping arm during use, the bearing surfaces aid in sliding the lower portion within the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Patent number: 10000113
    Abstract: A tonneau cover securing apparatus for removably securing a cover to a support frame attached to a pickup truck. The support frame preferably includes two opposing side rails that can be secured to respective sidewalls of the pickup truck, such that the cover can be secured to the side rails and the pickup truck by the securing apparatus, which preferably includes a channel, a locking member and a draw cord secured to the locking member. The locking member is biased toward a first position in which the securing apparatus can be prevented from disengaging from the respective side rail; wherein the draw cord can draw the locking member from the first position to a second position, in which the securing apparatus can be disengaged from the respective side rail. The securing apparatus preferably includes two locking members. Methods of securing a cover to a pickup truck are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Steven C. Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20180118004
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 9724974
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that preferably includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to engage or rest upon a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably includes a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to engage or rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Patent number: D830282
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: D830283
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: D843285
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Wock, Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: D843286
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Wock, Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: D843287
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Wock, Charles M. Schmeichel