Tonneau cover assembly clamping assembly

• US 5,540,475 A
• Filed: 07/05/1994
• Issued: 07/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Custom Bows Manufacturing Incorporated, Penda Corporation (Kruger Family Industries, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Custom Bows Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Kersting, Benjamin, Weldy, Ross
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROBINSON, KIA MONIQUE
• Application Number:
  US08/270,479
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 296/100, 296/36, 248/316.1, 248/316.4, 248/316.6, 248/231.6, 248/231.4, 248/231.3, 24/458, 24/455, 24/514, 24/522, 224/329, 224/331, 403/388, 403/409.1, 403/405.1, 269/43, 269/210, 269/236
• US Class Current: 296/100.16
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/185 Locking arrangements locks in general E05B
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44573 including track or way guided and retained gripping member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7123 Traversed by connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/76 having a cam, wedge, or tapered portion

Abstract

A tonneau cover assembly is provided having a rail system, a cover and one or more clamping mechanisms. The clamping mechanism includes a two-piece clamp. The first member is engageable with the rail, and includes an abutment mechanism thereon to contact the rail. The first member also includes a pivotable lever which can be used to exert a force on the second member. The first member includes an opening therein to receive the second member therethrough. The second member includes an extension having one or more teeth thereon. The extension is positioned through the opening in the first member, such that the teeth may engage a portion of the first member. The second member also includes a portion which is engageable with a vertical rail of the side wall of the vehicle. By actuating the lever, the clamp is positioned securely to the rail and the vehicle side wall.

Claims

1. The tonneau cover which may be attached to a vehicle, the tonneau cover including a cover, at least one rail, and a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising:

a first member having an opening therein, the first member being engageable with the rail;

a second member being engageable with a portion of the vehicle, the second member having a portion thereof which is receivable within the opening of the first member to engage the first member to the second member; and

wherein the second member includes at least one tooth thereon which engages a ledge adjacent the opening in the first member.

2. The tonneau cover according to claim 1 wherein the first member includes a camming surface which exerts a camming force on the second member.

3. The tonneau cover according to claim 1 wherein the first member includes an abutment mechanism thereon which abuts the rail.

4. The tonneau cover according to claim 3 wherein the abutment mechanism is adjustable.

5. The tonneau cover according to claim 3 wherein the abutment mechanism includes a block which is pivotable on the first member.

6. The tonneau cover according to claim 1 wherein the first member includes a groove therein for engaging a lip on the rail.

7. The tonneau cover according to claim 1 wherein the second member has a plurality of teeth thereon which are engageable with the ledge adjacent the opening in the first member.

8. A tonneau cover which is attachable to a vehicle, the tonneau cover including a cover, at least one rail, and a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising:

a first member engageable with the rail, the first member having a lever thereon;

a second member engageable with a portion of the vehicle and engageable with the first member; and

wherein the lever on the first member may be actuated to exert a camming force onto the second member, to secure the rail to the vehicle.

9. The tonneau cover according to claim 8 wherein the lever is pivotable on the first member.

10. The tonneau cover according to claim 9 wherein the lever includes a camming surface thereon which exerts the a camming force on the second member when the lever is actuated.

11. The tonneau cover according to claim 8 wherein the first member includes an opening therein, such that the second member is adjustably disposed within the opening in the first member.

12. The tonneau cover according to claim 11 wherein the second member has at least one tooth thereon which is engageable with the first member adjacent the opening.

13. The tonneau cover according to claim 8 wherein the first member includes an abutment mechanism thereon which abuts the rail.

14. The tonneau cover according to claim 13 wherein the abutment mechanism includes a block which is pivotable on the first member.

15. A tonneau cover attachable to a vehicle, the tonneau cover including a cover, at least one rail, and a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising:

a first member engageable with the rail having an opening therein and a lever thereon, the lever having a camming surface thereon, the lever being pivotable about a portion of the first member; and

a second member engageable with a portion of the vehicle, the second member having at least one tooth thereon which is engageable through the opening in the first member to secure the first member to the second member.

16. The tonneau cover according to claim 15 Wherein the second member includes a plurality of teeth thereon which are engageable with the first member, allowing the second member to be adjustably positioned with respect to the first member.