Abstract: 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, end plate engagement members attached to the support frame and first and second locking members movably connected with the end plate. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by first and second locking members that preferably slide within a channel in the end plate. In one embodiment, an elongated member is secured to the respective locking members and to a turn knob such that force can be placed upon each respective locking member by turning the turn knob and pulling the elongated member so as to draw each of the respective locking members away from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: A Strap Assembly for a tonneau cover and a tonneau cover apparatus including a strap assembly. The apparatus preferably includes, a flexible cover, the flexible cover having first and second ends; a support frame for attachment to a cargo box of a pick-up truck; the support frame having a front bar to which the first end of the flexible cover is secured. The strap assembly includes a strap bracket; and a buckle insertion member; a strap to secure the flexible cover in a rolled up configuration proximate the front bar when the flexible cover is not in use to cover an opening defined by the perimeter of the cargo box. The strap has first and second ends; the buckle insertion member being secured to the first end of the strap; and a strap bracket attached to the front bar. The strap bracket includes a buckle insertion receiving member and a strap receiving opening.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus including a strap assembly. The apparatus preferably including a flexible cover and a support frame for attachment to a cargo box of a pick-up truck; the support frame having a front bar to the first end of the flexible cover is secured. The strap assembly including a strap bracket; a buckle insertion member and a strap to secure the flexible cover in a rolled up configuration proximate the front bar. The buckle insertion member is secured to a first end of the strap and the strap bracket is attached to the front bar. The strap bracket including a buckle insertion receiving member and a strap receiving opening. The buckle insertion receiving member resists movement forward of the front bar of a rolled-up segment of the flexible cover, when the rolled-up segment is secured to the front bar by the strap.

Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus can attach 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, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are preferably provided with complimentarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by a latching member that operatively connects the end plate to the support frame or a locking member that operatively connects the support frame to the end plate.

Abstract: 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, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are provided with complimentarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed, stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed. The end plate may be retained in the fixed, stretching position by a latching member that operatively connects the end plate to the support frame or a locking member that operatively connects the support frame to the end plate.

Abstract: A covering system that includes a first membrane, a first flotation member coupled to the first membrane. The first flotation member includes a first float and a first float compartment membrane, and the first float compartment membrane is coupled to the first membrane. The covering system also includes a first plurality of gas-relief passageways positioned either within the first float compartment membrane, or within the first membrane and adjacent to the first flotation member. And at least one of the gas-relief passageways within the first plurality is structured so that gas flows unobstructed through it when the system is used. Gas-relief openings formed between overlapping membranes may also be utilized as avenues through which gas may escape to atmosphere from beneath the covers and covering systems. Venting methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: 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, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are preferably provided with complementarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed, stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed.

Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.

Abstract: A method of employing an electric motor that is used to roll and unroll tarpaulin covers that is mounted to the front portion of a belly dump trailer in a fashion that allows it to move both fore and aft as the tarpaulin is rolled over the trailer box is provided. This mounting of the motor is primarily accomplished by the use of a pair of tubular slide rails that are horizontally positioned above a cross member of the trailer frame. The mounting of the electric motor to these slide rails is accomplished by the use of a pair of tubular motor runners that fit over the slide rails prior to the mount's final assembly. This design allows the electric motor assembly to move freely fore and aft within the confines of the horizontal slide rails. The motor assembly is then connected through a universal joint to the solid drive shaft which is connected through an additional universal joint to the tarpaulin roll tube.

Abstract: A crank handle (40) which is used in a roll-up flexible cover assembly (64) for an open container, such as a truck (68), includes a longitudinal tube (42) and a rotatable tube (44). The rotatable tube (44) has a longitudinal portion (46) being telescopically disposed in the longitudinal tube (42). The rotatable tube (44) is adjustable among a stored location, an adjusting position, and a working location. The crank handle (40) is extended at the working location, so that the operator can stand away from the side of the truck (68) and easily operate the crank handle (40). The crank handle (40) is retracted to the stored location, preferably on the side of the truck (68). The rotatable tube (44) of the crank handle (40) is turned to a desired direction at the adjusting position so that the crank handle (40) can be vertically stored in a desire location.

Abstract: A roll-up assembly for covering or uncovering an open container, such as a truck, includes a roll tube transversely extending over the container, a flexible cover being rolling about the roll tube whereby one end of the flexible cover is attached to the roll tube, a cross bar transversely extending over the container whereby the other end of the flexible cover interconnects to the cross bar, a flexible arm being integral with each end of cross bar whereby the flexible arm has a pivot point mounted on the side walls of the container, a pulley being disposed on the side walls of the container, a spool being connected to each end of the roll tube, a cable whereby one end of the cable is attached to the spool and the other end of the cable is attached to tension device for adjusting tension of the cable whereby the cable is looped around the pulley whereby the tension device is disposed on the side walls of the container, and a rotating device interconnected to one end of the roll tube rotating the roll tube so t

Abstract: A cover (10) including a generally L-shaped end plate (20) for stretching and fastening the cover (10) to a frame structure (30). End plate (20) is lockable into a fixed, stretching position with respect to the frame structure (30). Different locking arrangements for accomplishing this are disclosed. Structure (160) is provided for mounting the frame structure (30) to the box of a pickup truck or an equivalent apparatus. Structure is also provided for preventing the cover (10) from ballooning during use.

Abstract: A cover (10) including a generally L-shaped end plate (20) for stretching and fastening the cover (10) to a frame structure (30). End plate (20) is lockable into a fixed, stretching position with respect to the frame structure (30). Different locking arrangements for accomplishing this are disclosed. Structure (160) is provided for mounting the frame structure (30) to the box of a pickup truck or an equivalent apparatus. Structure is also provided for preventing the cover (10) from ballooning during use.