Bi-fold tonneau moving center hinge
First Claim
1. A bi-fold hinge, comprising:
- a first arcuate bracket;
a second arcuate bracket, said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket being pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position;
a front base plate, said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said front base plate;
a rear base plate, said first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said rear base plate;
a central pivot point, said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to each other at said central pivot point such that said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket pivot relative to one another, said first arcuate bracket pivots relative to said rear base plate, said second arcuate bracket pivots relative to said front base plate, and said central pivot point moves as said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket are moved between said stowed position and said deployed position;
a first roller, said first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said first roller;
a second roller, said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said second roller;
a first pivot bracket pivotally connected to said first roller and said front base plate such that when said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket are moved between said stowed position and said deployed position, said first pivot bracket pivots relative to said first roller and said front base plate, and said first arcuate bracket pivots relative to said first roller; and
a second pivot bracket pivotally connected to said second roller and said rear base plate such that as said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket are moved between said stowed position and said deployed position, said second pivot bracket pivots relative to said second roller and said rear base plate, and said second arcuate bracket pivots relative to said second roller.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bi-fold hinge assembly for facilitating the more compact placement of a tonneau cover in a stowed position. The bi-fold hinge includes a first arcuate bracket and a second arcuate bracket, which are pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The bi-fold hinge also includes a front base plate, where the second arcuate bracket is pivotally connected to the front base plate, and a rear base plate, where the first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to the rear base plate. The front base plate is connected to a front side rail, and the rear base plate is pivotally connected to a rear side rail. The front side rail and the rear side rail are part of a frame assembly used for supporting and controlling the movement of the tonneau cover as the tonneau cover is moved between the deployed position and the stowed position.
27 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A bi-fold hinge, comprising:
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a first arcuate bracket; a second arcuate bracket, said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket being pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position; a front base plate, said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said front base plate; a rear base plate, said first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said rear base plate; a central pivot point, said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to each other at said central pivot point such that said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket pivot relative to one another, said first arcuate bracket pivots relative to said rear base plate, said second arcuate bracket pivots relative to said front base plate, and said central pivot point moves as said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket are moved between said stowed position and said deployed position; a first roller, said first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said first roller; a second roller, said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said second roller; a first pivot bracket pivotally connected to said first roller and said front base plate such that when said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket are moved between said stowed position and said deployed position, said first pivot bracket pivots relative to said first roller and said front base plate, and said first arcuate bracket pivots relative to said first roller; and a second pivot bracket pivotally connected to said second roller and said rear base plate such that as said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket are moved between said stowed position and said deployed position, said second pivot bracket pivots relative to said second roller and said rear base plate, and said second arcuate bracket pivots relative to said second roller. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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2. (canceled)
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9. A bi-fold hinge for use with a tonneau cover, comprising:
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a front base plate; a rear base plate; a first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said rear base plate; a second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said front base plate; a first pivot bracket pivotally connected to said front base plate and said first arcuate bracket such that said first arcuate bracket and said first pivot bracket are operable facilitating the movement of said tonneau cover between a stowed position and a deployed position; a second pivot bracket pivotally connected to said rear base plate and said second arcuate bracket such that said second arcuate bracket and said second pivot bracket are operable for facilitating the movement of said tonneau cover between said stowed position and said deployed position; a first roller for providing a pivot connection between said first arcuate bracket and said first pivot bracket, said first roller in rolling contact with said front base plate such that said first roller moves along a first contact surface formed as part of said front base plate when said tonneau cover is moved between said stowed position and said deployed position; and a second roller for providing a pivot connection between said second arcuate bracket and said second pivot bracket, said second roller in rolling contact with said rear base plate such that said second roller moves along a second contact surface formed as part of said second base plate when said tonneau cover is moved between said stowed position and said deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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10. (canceled)
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15. A bi-fold hinge for use with a tonneau cover, comprising:
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a first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to a first roller; a second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to a second roller; a front base plate mounted to a front side rail, said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said front base plate; a first recess formed as part of said front base plate, said first roller operable for being selectively disposed in said first recess; a first contact surface formed as part of said front base plate in proximity to said first recess, said first roller operable for movement along said first contact surface; a rear base plate mounted to a rear side rail, said first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said rear base plate; a second recess formed as part of said rear base plate, said second roller operable for being selectively disposed in said second recess; a second contact surface formed as part of said rear base plate in proximity to said second recess, said second roller operable for movement along said second contact surface; a first pivot bracket pivotally connected to said first roller and said front base plate; a second pivot bracket pivotally connected to said second roller and said rear base plate; and a central pivot point, said first arcuate bracket and said second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to each other at said central pivot point; wherein as said tonneau cover is moved between a stowed position and a deployed position, said first roller moves along said first contact surface, said second roller moves along said second contact surface, said first arcuate bracket pivots relative to said first pivot bracket, said first roller, and said rear base plate, said second arcuate bracket pivots relative to said second pivot bracket, said second roller, and said front base plate, and said first arcuate bracket pivots relative to said second arcuate bracket. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A bi-fold hinge for use with a tonneau cover, comprising:
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a front base plate; a rear base plate; a first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said rear base plate; a second arcuate bracket pivotally connected to said front base plate; a first pivot bracket pivotally connected to said front base plate and said first arcuate bracket such that said first arcuate bracket and said first pivot bracket are operable facilitating the movement of said tonneau cover between a stowed position and a deployed position; a second pivot bracket pivotally connected to said rear base plate and said second arcuate bracket such that said second arcuate bracket and said second pivot bracket are operable for facilitating the movement of said tonneau cover between said stowed position and said deployed position; a first recess formed as part of said front base plate in proximity to said first contact surface; and a second recess formed as part of said rear base plate in proximity to said second contact surface, said first roller operable for moving into said first recess and said second roller operable for moving into said second recess when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification