TONNEAU COVER FASTENING SYSTEM

Abstract

A fastener includes a generally planar plate, which is sewn into a cover. The fastener includes a first arm and a second arm, each extending from the plate to a distal end in spaced relationship. The first arm includes a concave portion having an arcuate shape. The second arm includes a concave portion having an arcuate shape opposing the concave portion of the first arm. The concave portions of the first and second arms cooperate together to define a generally circular cross section defining a non-compressed width, and are compressible toward each other to define a compressed width. A rail includes an elongated channel having a channel opening, with the first and second arms insertable through the channel opening when the first and second arms are compressed into the compressed diameter and biased into the non-compressed diameter to retain the first and second arms within the elongated channel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/864,315, filed on Nov. 3, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a fastening system, and more specifically to a fastener for detachably coupling a tonneau cover to a rail.

2. Description of the Related Art

Tonneau cover fastening systems for attaching a weatherproof tonneau cover to a bed of a truck are well known in the art. These fastening systems typically include a rail system disposed on the sidewalls of the truck bed, to which the tonneau cover is attached. A common fastening system includes a plurality of snap connectors disposed around the periphery of the tonneau cover and interconnecting the rails and the tonneau cover. The snap connectors include a male portion attached to the tonneau cover and a female portion attached to the rails. The rails define a channel, in which the female portion of the snap connectors are slideably disposed. Accordingly, the female portion of the snap connectors must be positioned longitudinally along the channel to mate with the male portion of the snap connectors attached to the tonneau cover.

In an attempt to minimize the hassle of attaching the tonneau cover to the rails, different fastening systems have been developed that do not require aligning the female portion of the snap connectors longitudinally along the rail with the male portions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,635 issued to Downey (the '635 patent) discloses a fastening system for tonneau covers that permits the male portion of the snap connectors to snap into a elongated female portion extending along an entire length of the rail. Accordingly, there is no need to longitudinally align the male portion of the snap connectors with the female portion. The male portion of the snap connectors may be inserted into the longitudinally extended female portion anywhere along the length of the elongated female portion and slide into the appropriate longitudinal position. As disclosed in the '635 patent, the rail defines a channel having lower grooves disposed in opposing sidewalls of the channel. The elongated female portion includes a flat base extending into each of the grooves in the sidewalls of the channel to secure the elongated female portion transversely within the channel. A pair of arms extends from the flat base of the elongated female portion to a detent end defining a down-turned lip. The male portion of the snap connectors includes a square panel, which is sewn into the tonneau cover to connect the male portion to the tonneau cover. A head extends from the square panel to a ridge at the end thereof. When connected together, the ridge of the male portion mechanically locks with the lips on the arms of the elongated female portion. While the fastening system disclosed in the '635 patent permits the male portion of the snap connectors to be attached to the elongated female portion, the snap connectors are still required to include separate male portions and female portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,652 issued to Rushford (the '652 patent) also provides a fastening system for attaching the tonneau cover to the rails. The fasteners disclosed in the '652 patent include a plate having a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism includes a first arm and a second arm extending from the plate in spaced parallel relationship to a distal end. The first and second arms each include a lip disposed at the distal end thereof for engaging the channel wall in a snap fit connection. A biasing device extends diagonally between the first arm and the plate to bias the first arm against the channel wall, thereby restraining the fastener to the rail. The fasteners may engage the rail at any location along the channel, and are slideably within the channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The subject invention provides a fastener for detachably coupling a flexible cover to a rail. The rail includes an elongated channel having a channel opening. The channel opening defines an opening width. The fastener comprises a plate. A first arm extends from the plate to a distal end, and includes a concave portion having an arcuate shape. A second arm extends from the plate in spaced relationship to the first arm. The second arm extends to a distal end and includes a concave portion having an arcuate shape opposing the concave portion of the first arm. The concave portion of the second arm cooperates with the concave portion of the first arm to define a generally circular cross section having a non-compressed diameter greater than the opening width of the channel opening. The first arm and the second arm compressible toward each other to define a compressed diameter less than the opening width of the channel opening, thereby permitting insertion of the first arm and the second arm into the elongated channel and removal of the first arm and the second arm from the elongated channel.

Accordingly, the fastener of the subject invention relies on the concave portion of the first arm and the concave portion of the second arm being positioned within the elongated channel and defining the non-compressed diameter to retain the fastener on the rail. The opposing concave portions act as a spring against the rail to draw the plate of the fastener against the rail. Additionally, the generally circular cross section defined by the concave portion of the first arm and the concave portion of the second arm are self-aligning within the channel opening. Thus, the fastener of the subject invention is easier to use than the fasteners previously utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tonneau cover fastening system on a bed of a truck;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along cut line 2-2 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a fastener in a non-compressed state;

FIG. 3a is an end view of the fastener in a compressed state

FIG. 4 is a first side view of the fastener;

FIG. 5 is a second side view of the fastener opposite that shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the fastener; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a fastening system is generally shown at 20. Referring to FIG. 1, the fastening system 20 is for a tonneau cover 22. The cover 22 is typically disposed over an open truck bed 24 to enclose the truck bed 24, and is manufactured from a waterproof or water resistant material, such as vinyl, leather, plastic, or some other suitable material. It should be understood, however, that the cover 22 may also be utilized for boats, containers, or for covering other similar objects.

The fastening system 20 includes at least one rail 26. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the rail 26 includes a base wall 28, a top wall 30 spaced from and generally parallel to the base wall 28, and a generally vertical wall 32 extending from the base wall 28 to the top wall 30. Preferably, the vertical wall 32 extends from an approximate midsection of the base wall 28, to an approximate midsection of the top wall 30. As shown, the vertical wall 32 includes a stepped or z shape

The rail 26 further includes an elongated channel 34. The elongated channel 34 includes a channel opening 36, which defines an opening width W. The base wall 28 includes a first lip 38 and the top wall 30 includes a second lip 40 opposing the first lip 38. The first lip 38 and the second lip 40 extend toward each other to define the channel opening 36 between the first lip 38 and the second lip 40. Accordingly, the elongated channel 34 is bounded and defined by the top wall 30, the vertical wall 32, the bottom wall, and extends the length of the rail 26. The first lip 38 on the base wall 28 and the second lip 40 on the top wall 30 define the channel width therebetween.

Typically, when the cover 22 is utilized to cover 22 a truck bed 24, a rail 26 is disposed on top of each of the two sidewalls, a front wall, and the tail gate of the truck bed 24 as is shown in FIG. 1. It should be understood, however, that when the cover 22 is utilized in other circumstances, the rails 26 may be otherwise disposed than as required to attach the cover 22 to the truck bed 24. Preferably, the rails 26 are manufactured from and comprise a metal. More preferably, the metal comprises aluminum. However, it should be appreciated that other suitable materials may also be utilized. The rails 26 are typically attached to the walls of the truck bed 24 by clamps, but other methods of attaching the rails 26 to the truck bed 24 may also be utilized.

The fastener 42 system 20 further comprises a plurality of fasteners 42. The fasteners 42 are attached to the cover 22 for detachably coupling the cover 22 to the rail 26. Accordingly, the fasteners 42 are releasably engaged within the elongated channel 34 to couple the cover 22 to the rail 26 as is shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the fasteners 42 are sewn into the cover 22. However, it should be appreciated, that the fasteners 42 may be attached to the cover 22 by other methods, such as by an adhesive or some other suitable method, depending upon the materials utilized for the cover 22 and the fasteners 42.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, each of the fasteners 42 includes a generally planar plate 44. The plate 44 is preferably square. However, it should be appreciated that the plate 44 may also be rectangular, circular, or some other shape if so desired.

As best shown in FIG. 3, a first arm 46 extends from the plate 44 to a distal end. The first arm 46 includes a first concave portion 48 having an arcuate shape, and a first convex portion 50 having an arcuate shape open opposite the first concave portion 48 of the first arm 46. The first convex portion 50 of the first arm 46 interconnects the plate 44 and the first concave portion 48 of the first arm 46. Accordingly, the first convex portion 50 and the first concave portion 48 of the first arm 46 cooperate to define a generally vertical sinusoidal shape. The first convex portion 50 of the first arm 46 defines a first pocket 52 for engaging the rail 26 therein when the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 of the fastener 42 are fully disposed within the elongated channel 34.

As best shown in FIG. 3, a second arm 54 extends from the plate 44 in spaced relationship to the first arm 46 to a distal end. The second arm 54 includes a second concave portion 56 having an arcuate shape, which opposes the first concave portion 48 of the first arm 46. The second arm 54 further includes a second convex portion 58 having an arcuate shape open opposite the second concave portion 56 of the second arm 54. The second convex portion 58 of the second arm 54 interconnects the plate 44 and the second concave portion 56 of the second arm 54. Accordingly, the second convex portion 58 and the second concave portion 56 of the second arm 54 cooperate together to define a generally vertical sinusoidal shape, which is generally a mirror image of the generally vertical sinusoidal shape defined by the first convex portion 50 and the first concave portion 48 of the first arm 46. The second convex portion 58 of the second arm 54 defines a second pocket 60 for engaging the rail 26 therein when the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 of the fastener 42 are fully disposed within the elongated channel 34.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first concave portion 48 of the first arm 46 and the second concave portion 56 of the second arm 54 cooperate together to define a generally circular cross section. The generally circular cross section includes a non-compressed diameter D1 greater than the opening width W of the channel opening 36 to retain the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 within the elongated channel 34 and secure the fastener 42 to the rail 26. Referring to FIG. 3a, the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 are compressible toward each other to define a compressed diameter D2 less than the opening width W of the channel opening 36 to permit insertion of the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 of the fastener 42 into the elongated channel 34 and removal of the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 of the fastener 42 from the elongated channel 34.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a, each of the fasteners 42 further includes a biasing device 62 for biasing the distal end of the first arm 46 and the distal end of the second arm 54 into a neutral position. The neutral position defines the non-compressed diameter D1. Preferably, the biasing device 62 includes a spring. As shown, the spring includes a bent spring bar having a first end attached to the distal end of the first arm 46 and a second end attached to the distal end of the second arm 54. However, it should be appreciated that the spring, and the biasing device 62 in general, may be configured and include devices other than shown or described herein.

The distal end of the second arm 54 is spaced from the plate 44 a distance, which is greater than the distance the distal end of the first arm 46 is spaced from the plate 44. This prevents the distal end of the first arm 46 from interfering with the distal end of the second arm 54 during compression of the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 towards each other.

The second arm 54 includes a tab 64 extending from the distal end of the second arm 54 towards and over the distal end of the first arm 46 in overlapping relationship. Accordingly, the tab 64 spans the space or gap between the distal end of the first arm 46 and the distal end of the second arm 54. This helps align the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 within the channel opening 36 by preventing any portion of the rail 26 from extending between the first arm 46 and the second arm 54, which would prevent the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 from being compressed toward each other.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 include a fastener length FL extending along an axis X. The tab 64 may include a tab length TL along the axis X less than the fastener length FL. Alternatively, the tab 64 may include a tab length TL substantially equal to the fastener length FL. It should be appreciated that if the tab length TL is substantially equal to the fastener length FL, the tab 64 will appear to be merely a continuation of the distal end of the second arm 54 over the distal end of the first arm 46.

Preferably, the fasteners 42 are manufactured from and comprise a polymer. The polymer preferably includes nylon 6/6. However, it should be appreciated that the polymer may include a polymer other than nylon 6/6, and that the fastener 42 may be manufactured from and comprise a material other than a polymer, so long as the material permits the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 to compress toward each other without fracturing or otherwise breaking.

To attach the tonneau cover 22, the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 of each of the fasteners 42 are disposed adjacent the channel opening 36. Pressure is applied to each of the fasteners 42 in turn, thereby compressing the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 together to a point at which the circular cross section defines the compressed diameter D2, which is less than the width of the channel opening 36. Once the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 are pressed through the channel opening 36, the biasing device 62 spreads the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 back into the neutral position, in which the circular cross section defines the non-compressed diameter D1 that is greater than the channel width, thereby restraining the first arm 46 and the second arm 54 of the fastener 42 within the rail 26 and urging the first lip 38 and the second lip 40 into the pockets 52, 60 defined by the convex portions 50, 58 of the first arm 46 and the second arm 54. The fasteners 42 may engage the rail 26 at any location along the elongated channel 34, and are slideably within the elongated channel 34.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards; thus, the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

1. A fastener for detachably coupling a flexible cover to a rail including an elongated channel having a channel opening defining an opening width, said fastener comprising:

a plate;

a first arm extending from said plate to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape; and

a second arm extending from said plate in spaced relationship to said first arm to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape opposing said concave portion of said first arm and cooperating with said concave portion of said first arm to define a generally circular cross section having a non-compressed diameter greater than the opening width of the channel opening with said first arm and said second arm compressible toward each other to define a compressed diameter less than the opening width of the channel opening to permit insertion of said first arm and said second arm into the elongated channel and removal of said first arm and said second arm from the elongated channel.

2. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a biasing device for biasing said distal end of said first arm and said distal end of said second arm into a neutral position defining said non-compressed diameter.

3. A fastener as set forth in claim 2 wherein said biasing device includes a spring.

4. A fastener as set forth in claim 3 wherein said spring includes a bent spring bar.

5. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said distal end of said second arm is spaced from said plate a distance greater than said distal end of said first arm is spaced.

6. A fastener as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second arm includes a tab extending from said distal end of said second arm towards and over said distal end of said first arm in overlapping relationship.

7. A fastener as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis less than said fastener length.

8. A fastener as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis equal to said fastener length.

9. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said first arm and said second arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said second arm wherein each of said convex portions of said first arm and said second arm defines a pocket for engaging said rail when said fastener is disposed within said elongated channel.

10. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a polymer.

11. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said polymer includes nylon.

12. A fastening system comprising:

a cover;

a rail including an elongated channel having a channel opening defining an opening width; and

a plurality of fasteners attached to said cover for detachably coupling said cover to said rail, each of said plurality of fasteners including:

a plate;

a first arm extending from said plate to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape; and

a second arm extending from said plate in spaced relationship to said first arm to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape opposing said concave portion of said first arm and cooperating with said concave portion of said first arm to define a generally circular cross section having a non-compressed diameter greater than said opening width of said channel opening with said first arm and said second arm compressible toward each other to define a compressed diameter less than said opening width of said channel opening to permit insertion of said plurality of fasteners into said elongated channel and removal of said plurality of fasteners from said elongated channel.

13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said plurality of fasteners further includes a biasing device for biasing said distal end of said first arm and said distal end of said second arm into a neutral position defining said non-compressed diameter.

14. A system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said biasing device includes a spring.

15. A system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said spring includes a bent spring bar.

16. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said distal end of said second arm is spaced from said plate a distance greater than said distal end of said first arm is spaced.

17. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second arm includes a tab extending from said distal end of said second arm towards and over said distal end of said first arm in overlapping relationship.

18. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis less than said fastener length.

19. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis equal to said fastener length.

20. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said first arm and said second arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said second arm wherein each of said convex portions of said first arm and said second arm defines a pocket for engaging said rail when said fastener is disposed within said elongated channel.

21. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise a polymer.

22. A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said polymer includes nylon.

23. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said rail includes:

a base wall;

a top wall spaced from and generally parallel to said base wall; and

a vertical wall extending from said base wall to said top wall;

said base wall including a first lip and said top wall including a second lip with said first lip and said second lip extending toward each other to define said channel opening between said first lip and said second lip.

24. A system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said rail comprises a metal.

25. A system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said metal comprises aluminum.