Abstract: A snap fastener assembly useful for attaching a tonneau cover to a base structure such as a pick-up truck cargo box. The assembly includes a pair of mating fasteners, one of which is attached to the edge of the tonneau cover. The other fastener is slidably mounted along a rail on the sidewall of the cargo box. The rail-mounted fastener can be mounted in any of a plurality of positions in the direction the user pulls the cover to tighten it so that the user can adjust the tautness of the cover depending upon the position of the rail-mounted fastener.

Abstract: An mounting apparatus for a vehicle cargo box is disclosed which provides for attachment of a tonneau cover to cover the cargo box and which provides for attachment of additional accessories to the cargo box above the tonneau cover. The apparatus includes mounting rails for the tonneau cover which are substantially covered by the cover and mounting brackets which are coupled to the rails and extend outward and above the rails for attaching additional accessories to the cargo box above the tonneau cover.

Abstract: A clamp for use in attaching a cap or other accessory to the bed of a pickup truck comprising a receiving member forming a receiving pocket and a received member having a leg insertable into the pocket of the receiving member. The received leg is contacted on both sides by the receiving pocket to maintain alignment of the two members to keep the clamping surfaces parallel to one another. Single point contact is provided between the received leg and the walls of the pocket to reduce friction. The two sided contact with the received leg eliminates bending stress in the attaching bolt.

Abstract: A tonneau cover structure in which the rear rail of the frame is at least partially movable by pivotal or longitudinal movement between a location relatively closer to the front rail to facilitate attaching the flexible sheet to the frame or detaching it from the frame and a second location at a greater distance from the front rail to hold the attached cover taut.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for releasably attaching a flexible tonneau cover to the upper flange of a pickup truck cargo box sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame having a rail mounted around the top of the sidewall. The rail has a slot facing away from the cargo area for connecting the tonneau cover edge to the rail. The rail has a second slot facing inwardly toward the cargo area for releasably receiving the end of a L-shaped upper clamping clip. The clip is received in the slot and slid along the rail to a desired position. Each upper clip has a vertical leg mounted adjacent the inside flange of the cargo box sidewall. A C-shaped lower clip, mounted behind the flange, has a midsection adapted to receive a threaded fastener which is also passed through an opening in the vertical leg of the upper clip. The upper clip also has structure at an adjusted height above the cargo box floor for receiving the end of a slat which supports the tonneau cover.

Abstract: A flexible cover for mounting over the cargo area of a vehicle such as a pick-up truck, boat or the like, having resilient, J-shaped extruded fasteners attached along the edges of the cover for fastening it to outwardly extending longitudinal edges on rails on the vehicle sidewalls. The J-shaped fasteners are formed of a resilient plastic which is mated with the rails in such a manner as to accommodate variations in the distance between the cargo box sidewalls, as well as variations in the flexibility of the flexible cover. The extruded members are adapted to be snapped together by applying a downward force on the J-shaped fasteners toward the rail until the edge of the rail snaps into the resilient fastener. The cover is removed by unzipping the J-shaped fastener from the rail to expose the cargo box area.

Abstract: A flexible cover for mounting over the cargo area of a vehicle such as a pickup truck, boat or the like, having resilient, J-shaped extruded fasteners attached along the edges of the cover for fastening it to extruded aluminum rails mounted on the vehicle sidewalls. The J-shaped fasteners are formed of a resilient plastic which is mated with the rails in such a manner as to accommodate variations in the distance between the cargo box sidewalls, as well as variations in the flexibility of the flexible cover. The extruded members are adapted to be snapped together by applying a downward force on the J-shaped fasteners toward the rail until a lip on the rail snaps into the resilient fastener. The cover is removed by unzipping the J-shaped fastener from the rail to expose the cargo box area.

Abstract: This invention relates to an independent suspension system for the front steerable wheels of a motor vehicle having front wheel drive. The suspension for one of the wheels includes a transverse suspension arm and a longitudinal radius arm that are rigidly interconnected. The suspension for the other wheel includes a pivotally mounted housing that contains both differential gearing and an axle shaft connected to the other wheel. A second radius arm is connected to the housing. The wheels are angularly displaced during jounce and rebound movement about diagonally arranged pivot axes that intersect.