Having Flexible Cover Patents (Class 296/100.18)
  • Publication number: 20040201240
    Abstract: A Collapsible Bed Cap for Trucks is disclosed. The cover has a plurality of collapsible or sectioned ribs extending longitudinally along the length of the bed in order to provide structural rigidity to the cover. The cap or cover is sectional and detachable such that it can be disassembled and/or collapsed and then stored in a single bag. When assembled, the cover has a tight, aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing material cover to protect truck bed contents from environmental effects. The bed cover further has front and rear arches for strength; these arches are also collapsible for storage. Still further, the cover may be removed from a bed while assembled so that it might be converted into a free-standing awning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Adrian Corbett
  • Patent number: 6799787
    Abstract: A transformable truck bed cover that mounts on a pickup truck having an open bed. The cover assembly is transformable in height between a tonneau cover-like configuration and a fully elevated truck cap-like configuration. The cover assembly is also transformable in length between a fully retracted position extending over the open bed only a few inches behind the truck's cab to a fully extended position covering the entire length of the bed. The cover assembly generally comprises two anchoring rails fixedly attached to the sides of the truck bed, and two or more articulated cover support assemblies, extending across the bed, with an attached flexible cover assembly. The support assemblies are pivotally secured to the anchoring rails such that they may be pivoted upward to form a cap-shaped covering. The cover support assemblies are also slidably attached to the anchoring rails such that the flexible cover may be extended or retracted, in an accordion-like fashion, along the truck bed's length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Mark M. Angelos
  • Patent number: 6758508
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a frame suitably shaped to fit within the confines of a vehicle bed. One or more securing members are structured to engage the frame and a surface of the vehicle bed to hold the frame in a fixed relationship relative to the vehicle. The apparatus is designed to be non-invasively installed in the vehicle bed, i.e. without modification to the bed such as drilling or cutting. A cargo tray unit is structured to slide relative to the frame, being rearwardly extensible from the vehicle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Richard L. Weyhrich
  • Publication number: 20040119314
    Abstract: The present invention provides a frame and cover assembly for use with a truck having a truck bed. The frame includes frame bars that are disposable on the top ends of the walls of the truck bed and corner brackets for connecting adjacent bars to form the support frame for the cover material. The cover material attaches to the support frame with fastening means disposed on the perimetric edge of the cover material. The support frame may be used to mount hard, soft or semi-rigid cover materials thereto without any additional components required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Haack, Louis Simko, Gary M. Bley
  • Patent number: 6752449
    Abstract: A tonneau system for a cargo box of a vehicle including a support frame, a cover spanning the support frame; and a clamp. The support frame includes side rails having an inboard section and an outboard section, such that the outboard section is positioned adjacent to the top surface of the sidewall of the cargo box to aid in the supporting and positioning of the support frame. The clamp is capable of hanging from the support frame during installation to improve the ease thereof. The clamp also includes a pair of members being positionable in any one of a plurality of discrete positions for improved installation. A front rail adjustment mechanism permits the selective tensioning of the cover to maintain a predetermined load therein. While a front rail retaining mechanism is slidably coupled to the front rail member to prevent the front rail member from being inadvertently disengaged from the side rail members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 6688668
    Abstract: A retainer system for vehicle soft tops and tonneau covers. The system includes a belt attached to the edge of the fabric of the top or tonneau cover and a channel member mounted on the vehicle to selectively receive the belt. The belt is provided with a stop mechanism to positively prevent the belt from peeling out of the retaining channel member farther than desired. In the preferred embodiments, the stop mechanism is a notch or cutout in the belt. With the present retainer system, the notch will effectively stop the peel or withdrawal of the belt from the retaining channel at a predetermined location along the channel. In this manner, the belt and attached top or tonneau cover can be partially removed from engagement along the channel member to make it easier and quicker for the operator to perform a number of desirable tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Stevens, Rick H. Troeger, Nancy L. Brunner, Timothy J. Gile
  • Patent number: 6655725
    Abstract: A canopy top for covering an open cargo area in a motor vehicle comprises a support frame having a plurality of elongated cylindrical support members forming the support frame and forming at least a portion of an outer periphery of said canopy top, a plurality of connectors connecting the plurality of elongated cylindrical support members together to form said support frame, a plurality of flanges, each individual member of the plurality of elongated cylindrical support members having at least one flange of the plurality of flanges extending along a lengthwise dimension of the member, a plurality of panels positioned on said support frame, each individual panel connected to at least two individual flanges of said plurality of flanges; and at least one access point in said canopy top to therethrough access the cargo area of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Rubens Soldatelli
  • Patent number: 6641199
    Abstract: A dual side tarp (10) is disclosed which allows the operator to shift the fixed tube of the tarp from one side of the trailer (12) to the other very quickly and efficiently to allow one side or the other of the trailer to be unencumbered to facilitate side dumping, for example. Use of pivoting tarp roll stops allows the shifting to be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: W. Glen Hicks
  • Patent number: 6619719
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus comprises a frame structure having a pair of laterally spaced apart side rails, an end rail, and a pair of connector assemblies. The connector assemblies are coupled to the end rail, and are movably mounted to an associated side rail to thereby movably interconnect the end rail to the side rails. A pair of springs bias the connector assemblies in a direction outwardly from the side rails such that the end rail applies a force to the flexible cover to maintain the flexible cover in a taut state. Each connector assembly includes a fixed component and a rotatable component. The fixed component includes an aperture and a first plug end secured to an associated side rail. The rotatable component includes a post end and a third plug end removably secured to the end rail. The post end is thus removably secured to the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 6616212
    Abstract: A truck bed tarp support assembly for quick assembly to be positioned in a bed of a pickup truck to facilitate providing shelter over the pickup truck bed includes a plurality of tubes interconnected to from a support frame having a base that rests on the bottom of a pickup truck bed. A base portion of the support frame further has a pair of raised portions positioned to receive wheel wells in the pickup truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Richard L. Bishop
  • Patent number: 6607234
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 6595573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bow configuration for sliding convertible tops of vehicle constructions or containers with rigid or flexible bulkheads and sidewalls and to longitudinal belts being formed of profile rails and limiting the height of the configuration. A tarpaulin which goes over the top area of the configuration is supported by bows (1) which are arranged in predetermined, regular distances from each other and which span over the width of the loading area and which are supported at the longitudinal belts of the configuration. Said bows are supported at both ends horizontally as well as vertically by means of a roller trolley (5) or a corresponding roller arrangement which encompass the longitudinal belts at least partially. Said bows are guided in the longitudinal direction along complementary configured guide rails of the upper longitudinal belts of the construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Edscha LKW-Schiebeverdecke GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Drasch, Roger Remmel
  • Patent number: 6588825
    Abstract: A diverter for diverting rain water and inhibiting it from leaking into a cargo box of an automotive vehicles, such as a pick-up truck. The diverter is positioned below a front rail of a tonneau cover frame and includes a horizontal portion extending along the length of the front rail of the tonneau cover frame. A plurality of ribs in a top of the horizontal portion define channels for diverting rain water. The diverter includes a vertical portion coupled to the horizontal portion and adapted to be positioned adjacent to a storage container. Preferably, a width of the horizontal portion is such to accommodate a range of different sized storage containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 6588826
    Abstract: A hard cover is easily installed, removed, replaced, and inspected on the open bed of a pickup truck. The hard cover is a unitary thermoformed sheet material mounted on a rail frame assembly secured to side walls of the truck bed. The hard cover is hingedly connected by a bar fastened to the cover and extending into a slot of a bracket connected to the frame assembly. The bar is pivotal on the bracket to move the cover between open and closed positions over the bed of the pickup truck. The hinged connection of the bar to the bracket is released by manually disconnecting the bar from the cover, permitting the bar to be released from the bracket only after the bar is disconnected from the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Arthur William Muirhead
  • Patent number: 6547311
    Abstract: A releasable and adjustable clamp-on track assembly is provided for releasably and adjustably attaching an overhead rack, or the like, to the walls of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. The clamp-on track assembly includes a track having an elongate body mountable on the side wall of the pickup truck by a clamp member. One end of the clamp member engages the elongate body, while the opposite end of the clamp is supported by the underside of the side wall of the truck. The clamp may be slidably received within a slot formed in the elongate body so that the clamp can be positioned anywhere along the length of the track, as desired. An adjustable fastener may additionally be provided which, when tightened, secures the clamp to the underside of the side wall of the truck in order to mount the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Tracrac Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Derecktor
  • Patent number: 6543659
    Abstract: A collapsible container for a truck bed includes a weather resistant, flexible envelope. There are two frames engaged with two ends of the envelope, respectively, and two support members connected with each of two side walls of the envelope. The support members are pivotable relative to each other and the frames. The collapsible container may be extended for use as a container with the envelope supported by the frames and the support members to define a substantially box shaped enclosure. The collapsible container may also be folded for storing, with the frames and the support members arranged in a stacked relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Saint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Blair
  • Patent number: 6543836
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system for covering an area of a vehicle, the vehicle area being bounded by spaced sidewalls each having a top surface. The tonneau cover system including a flexible fabric cover having side edges and a central region bounded by the side edges, the side edges being positionable above the vehicle spaced sidewalls so that the cover can extend over the vehicle area to be covered. A frame having a plurality of elongated rails each having two ends, one of the rails being mounted on the top surface of each vehicle sidewall. A plurality of flanged members coupled to the frame and mounted on the interior of the spaced sidewalls. At least one bowed member flexibly coupled to the flanged members and having spring biased end plungers for varying the length of the bowed member and tensioning the bowed member, where the bowed member supports the flexible fabric cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20030057726
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system for covering an area of a vehicle, the vehicle area being bounded by spaced sidewalls each having a top surface. The tonneau cover system including a flexible fabric cover having side edges and a central region bounded by the side edges, the side edges being positionable above the vehicle spaced sidewalls so that the cover can extend over the vehicle area to be covered. A frame having a plurality of elongated rails each having two ends, one of the rails being mounted on the top surface of each vehicle sidewall. A plurality of flanged members coupled to the frame and mounted on the interior of the spaced sidewalls. At least one bowed member flexibly coupled to the flanged members and having spring biased end plungers for varying the length of the bowed member and tensioning the bowed member, where the bowed member supports the flexible fabric cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 6527331
    Abstract: A bow system is disclosed for an open top of a truck bed. A pair of brackets are fastened to the truck bed proximate a side wall, and have an extension extending generally inwardly and upwardly. A bow having a width greater than its height spans the open top of the truck bed, and is fastened to the extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
  • Patent number: 6505879
    Abstract: A collapsible truck box cover for providing protective shelter for the outdoors person. The collapsible truck box cover includes a frame assembly being adapted to be removably mounted upon a truck box and including curved elongate support members and also including elongate cross members; and also includes a plurality of connectors interconnecting the elongate support members and the elongate cross members; and further includes a sheet of material being securely and removably fastened about the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Oran J. Arviso
  • Patent number: 6499791
    Abstract: A vehicle tonneau system having a flexible fabric cover and a rail system having flanges attached to a vehicle for mounting the flexible fabric cover in which elongated fasteners for attaching the flexible cover to the rail flanges are provided with a hinging portion. A portion of the fastener is pivoted about the hinging portion which eases the initial removal of the fastener. Once a distal end of the fastener is moved past a terminal edge of the rail flange, the remainder of the fastener easily peels from the frame, by lifting the flexible fabric cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 6485083
    Abstract: A net is located on the top surface of a truck trailer or box body on a truck that traps and holds in place snow or ice that forms on the flat tops of the truck or trailer. The mesh of the net aids in breaking up the snow or ice into smaller lumps and thus redices the hazard from sheet of ice or snow slipping from the top of trucks or trailers as they travel on highways. A plastic or rope mesh material held above the surface of the truck or trailer top is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis Giannias
  • Patent number: 6481780
    Abstract: A golf bag cover attachment for the rear compartment of a golf cart that protects golf bags and equipment from inclement weather, such as rainfall. The golf bag cover attachment includes a plurality of elongate members that are secured together to form a semi-rigid structure that can be selectively moved into and out of an operative condition to cover the equipment platform on which the golf bags are placed. The golf bag cover attachment is strong, lightweight, durable, easy to install, and can be attached to golf carts with little effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eagle Parts and Products, Incorporated
    Inventors: Frank Dolan, Robert Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6439646
    Abstract: A soft shell camper top for use on pickup truck cargo compartments is disclosed. The invention consists of a space frame and a flexible outer covering. The frame is removably attachable to the pickup truck bed and includes provisions for the attachment of a roof rack. The outer covering includes front and rear curtains and side curtains. The curtains may be securely fixed to attachments on the frame to protect cargo from the elements or may be rolled up to facilitate easy access to the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Charles S. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 6439640
    Abstract: A pivoting rail assembly for use in a tonneau cover for covering an area of a vehicle, the vehicle area being bounded by spaced walls and the walls including a forward wall, side walls and a rear wall. The pivoting rail assembly comprises an elongated base rail having a pivot portion and a conjunct feature and further comprises a pivot rail having pivot portion and a conjunct feature. The pivot portions are cooperatively engaged and permit relative rotational movement of the base and pivot rails between a closed position, an open position and a release position. The conjunct features are cooperatively engaged in the closed and open positions to prevent the base and pivot rails from disengaging. In the release position, the conjunct features are not cooperatively engaged and the pivot rail is disengageable from the base rail. The conjunct features are disengaged from one another solely as a result of movement of the base rail and the pivot rail into the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20020109371
    Abstract: A pivoting rail assembly for use in a tonneau cover for covering an area of a vehicle, the vehicle area being bounded by spaced walls and the walls including a forward wall, side walls and a rear wall. The pivoting rail assembly comprises an elongated base rail having a pivot portion and a conjunct feature and further comprises a pivot rail having pivot portion and a conjunct feature. The pivot portions are cooperatively engaged and permit relative rotational movement of the base and pivot rails between a closed position, an open position and a release position. The conjunct features are cooperatively engaged in the closed and open positions to prevent the base and pivot rails from disengaging. In the release position, the conjunct features are not cooperatively engaged and the pivot rail is disengageable from the base rail. The conjunct features are disengaged from one another solely as a result of movement of the base rail and the pivot rail into the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Donald G. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20020093216
    Abstract: A collapsible truck shell assembly for use with a truck bed having a first bed wall and a second bed wall. The shell assembly is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, and includes a pair of elongate tracks mounted to the sides of the truck bed and configured to support a plurality of generally U-shaped frame members. A covering is attachable to and extensible between the frame members and substantially encloses the truck bed when the truck shell assembly is in the extended position. The frame members may be of progressively decreasing sizes so as to be nestable within each other and assume a generally planar configuration when the truck shell assembly is in the collapsed position. The frame members may be mounted to the elongate tracks in a manner which allows the frame members to be adjusted horizontally. Additionally, a storage box and storage rack are configured to be slidably engageable to the tracks mounted to the sides of the truck bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Fredrick Ananian
  • Publication number: 20020084672
    Abstract: A bow system is disclosed for an open top of a truck bed. A pair of brackets are fastened to the truck bed proximate a side wall, and have an extension extending generally inwardly and upwardly. A bow having a width greater than its height spans the open top of the truck bed, and is fastened to the extensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
  • Publication number: 20020063439
    Abstract: A device for protecting a vehicle top surface and for removing snow from the vehicle top surface. The device includes a generally flexible membrane and a mounting mechanism allowing the membrane to slidably move between a covering configuration wherein the membrane covers the vehicle top surface and a retracted configuration wherein the membrane is removed from the vehicle top surface and is in an overlying relationship relative to the vehicle first side wall. The mounting mechanism allows the membrane to remain in a generally taut state as it is moved between the covering and retracted configurations, the membrane being bent according to a membrane bending angle that dislodges snow having adhered to the membrane. Optionally, the device further includes a binding snow breaking component mounted on the vehicle for locally breaking slabs of binding snow that may form between the membrane peripheral edges and adjacent structures part of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Laureat Bouchard
  • Patent number: 6361100
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing open bed truck tarp support bows from their position over a truck bed. The apparatus includes a control bar positioned along the upper edge of one side of a truck bed, with a multiplicity of truck tarp bows extending radially from the bar. A lever for rotating the control bar is also attached to the bar. When the control bar is rotated outward, the bows rotate upward and away from the open truck bed providing uninhibited access to the truck bed for loading and unloading. When the control bar is rotated inward, the bows are lowered to extend across the truck bed to support the truck tarp thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Leon Koester
  • Patent number: 6309006
    Abstract: An attachment system attaches a structure or tonneau cover to a truck bed with side walls having stake pockets. Fastening plates are pivotally coupled to the structure or the belt rails of the tonneau cover. The plates pivotal between a first orientation in which the plates align with the stake pockets to pass therethrough, and a second orientation in which the plates rotate with respect to the first orientation to abut the stake pockets and secure the structure to the side walls of the truck bed. Tensioners can be coupled to the structure, and engage the fastening plates, to draw the fastening plates towards the structure. A cover can be removably attached to the belt rails to cover the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Saddleman, Inc
    Inventor: Gary Rippberger
  • Patent number: 6293608
    Abstract: An assembly is provided including a front rail, a rear rail, a pair of side rails and a plurality of corner pieces. A pair of self-adjusting devices interconnect the two side rails and the rear rail. Each self-adjusting device includes a stop coupled to a side rail, a biasing device disposed between the stop and a corner piece, and an interconnecting plate fixedly coupled to the side rail and slidably coupled to the corner piece for accommodating relative movement therebetween. According to one aspect of the present invention, the interconnecting plate is coupled to the stop. According to another aspect of the present invention, the biasing device is a coil spring. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the interconnecting plate includes a slot for accommodating sliding movement of a fastener passing through the interconnecting plate and coupling the interconnecting plate to the corner piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Penda Corporation
    Inventors: Terry D. Dicke, Kwang Yol Kim
  • Patent number: 6264266
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for mounting a tonneau cover on a motor vehicle having a cargo area defined by first and second side walls, an end wall and a tailgate, the side walls having an inner panel and an outer panel includes a fastener, a first coupler plate and a bracket. The first coupler plate has a first end and a second end. The first coupler plate is articulable from an operable position to a disengaged position. The bracket has a generally horizontal rail and a vertical rail. The bracket is adapted for contacting the outer panel of the first side wall and further has a seat pivotally retaining the first end of the first coupler plate. The second end of the first coupler plate is adapted for engaging the inner panel of the first side wall defining a first restraining area between the horizontal rail and the second end of the first coupler plate. A second restraining area between the vertical rail and the second end of the first coupler plate is also defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: William D. Rusu, Timothy J. Miller, Samuel A. Hochstetler, Robert G. Prince
  • Patent number: 6257647
    Abstract: A system for removably attaching a tonneau cover over the bed of a pickup truck or similar vehicle. The system includes front, rear, and side rails. The front and two side rails are respectively secured in fixed positions atop the front and side walls of the bed. The rear rail is then suspended to extend between the two side rails across the mouth of the tailgate opening. The ends of the rear rail are inserted into longitudinally extending channels in the side rails and can be slid relative to the fixed, front and side rails. The system also can include one or more support bows that can be inserted into the channels in the fixed, side rails and slid relative to them to spaced positions intermediate the front and rear rails. With the slidable, rear rail, the cover can be selectively tensioned or loosen to ease putting the cover over the bed and taking it off. The tailgate and rear rail sealingly engage each other when the tailgate is closed to make the system substantially watertight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Ninness, Gregory A. Brower
  • Patent number: 6257260
    Abstract: A retractable truck canvas is provided for use with a truck having a cab and a bed defined by a bottom with a peripheral side wall coupled to a periphery of the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom for forming an interior space and an upper peripheral edge. Also included is a retractable frame assembly having a plurality of inverted U-shaped members each including a horizontally oriented upper portion and a pair of a vertically oriented side portions. Each vertically oriented side portion has a lower end that is slidably coupled to a side extent of the upper peripheral edge of the bed of the truck. Next provided is a canvas mounted on the inverted U-shaped members of the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6257306
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is provided including a front rail, a rear rail, and two side rails. The rear rail and two side rails include a pair of opposed lips defining a channel therein. The channel slidably receives a plurality of snap receptacles for cooperating with mating snaps of a tonneau cover having a snap-type mechanism. The channel also receives a hook-type retention member and retains it therein so that a tonneau cover having a hook-type fastening mechanism can be secured thereto. Accordingly, a single rail network can be used with either a snap-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism or a hook-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Penda Corporation
    Inventor: Ross Weldy
  • Patent number: 6224140
    Abstract: A tonneau cover is arranged to mount on the truck box of a conventional pick up truck for enclosing the box. The cover comprises a pair of panels which are pivotally mounted on respective sides of the box. The panels extend laterally inward such that free ends of the panels engage each other in a closed position. The panels may be pivoted upward and secured in an upward orientation by a pair of rails connected between the free ends of the respective panels in an extended position of the panels. The panels form a pair of side walls in the extended position for supporting large cargo in the box. The rails form a rack in the extended position for supporting additional cargo thereon. A locking device secures the panels in the closed position while a plurality of struts provide additional support to the panels when pivoting the panels between the closed and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: KBS Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Burnie Hoplock
  • Patent number: 6224139
    Abstract: A tarpaulin cover having a fabric cover sheet which has an elastic band extending around portions of its perimeter and contained in a hem. A number of spaced cutouts are provided along the hem for exposing the elastic band for tie down hooking and unhooking access. Opposite ends of the elastic cord are secured within the hem around respective rivets that in turn are secured to and passed through the hem with respective terminating ends of the elastic cord secured to itself whereby opposite terminating loop ends of the elastic cord are secured respectively within the hem around these rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: David K. Weyand