Foldable cargo cover

• US 5,620,040 A
• Filed: 04/03/1996
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global Accessories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Performance Marketing, Inc.
• Inventors: Swanner, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEV, BRUCE ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US08/626,912
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 160/264, 160/328, 160/354, 160/368.1, 160/371, 160/377, 160/372, 160/379, 160/380, 160/381, 160/388, 160/390, 296/100, 296/118, 296/122, 296/99.1, 296/119, 296/120.1, 296/130
• US Class Current: 160/354
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/10 readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins covering of loads on vehicles by tarpaulins B60P7/04

Abstract

A foldable cargo cover comprising a pliable sheet having a plurality of elongate stiffener members attached thereto at selected locations thereon. The stiffener members are of sufficient rigidity to maintain the sheet in a substantially planar configuration when fully unfolded, and bendable for allowing the sheet to be folded into a compact configuration.

Claims

1. A cover releasably attached to an internal cargo area of a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of stationary members attached along a perimeter of internal walls of said vehicle cargo area;

a pliable sheet having a substantially rectangular configuration defining opposed longitudinal side edges and opposed lateral side edges;

a first pair of stiffener members extending along respective longitudinal side edges of said sheet, each said longitudinal stiffener member having an arcuately contoured cross-section;

a second pair of stiffener members extending along respective lateral side edges of said sheet, each said lateral stiffener member having an arcuately contoured cross-section;

elongated pocket defined in said sheet for each one of said first and second pair of stiffener members, each pocket sized and configured to receive one stiffener member and seal the stiffener member within said pocket; and

a plurality of fastener members attached to said pliable sheet for attaching to respective ones of said stationary members.

2. The cargo cover of claim 1 wherein each of said stiffener members is fabricated from plastic.

3. The cargo cover of claim 1 wherein each of said fastener members comprises an elongate strap having one end attached to said sheet and a buckle disposed thereon.

4. The cargo cover of claim 1 wherein each of said fastener members comprises an elongate strap having one end attached to said sheet and a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon.

5. The cargo cover of claim 1 wherein each of said fastener members comprises an elongate, elastic cord having opposed ends which are attached to said sheet in a manner causing said cord to assume a loop configuration.

6. The cargo cover of claim 1 wherein said sheet is fabricated from nylon.

7. The cargo cover of claim 6 wherein said sheet defines top and bottom surfaces, and said bottom surface is coated with a layer of rubberized material.

8. A foldable cargo cover releasably attached to an internal cargo area of a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of stationary sheet members attached to internal walls of said vehicle;

a pliable sheet having a configuration configuration defining opposed longitudinal side edges and opposed lateral side edges;

a first pair of stiffener members extending along respective longitudinal side edges of said sheet, each stiffener member having an arcuately contoured cross-section;

a second pair of stiffener members extending along respective lateral side edges of the sheet, each stiffener member having an arcuately contoured cross-section

a third pair of stiffener members extending perpendicularly in spaced relation between the first pair of stiffener members, each stiffener member having an arcuately contoured cross-section; and

a plurality of fastener members attached to said sheet for attaching to respective ones of said stationary members and covering the internal cargo area.

9. The cargo cover of claim 8 further comprising four (4) elongate fastener members attached to respective corners of said sheet.

10. The foldable cover of claim 8 wherein said stiffener members are fabricated from plastic.

11. The foldable cover of claim 8 wherein said sheet is fabricated from nylon.

12. The foldable cover of claim 8 wherein said sheet defines top and bottom surfaces, and said bottom surface is coated with a layer of rubberized material.

13. The foldable cover of claim 8 wherein said sheet defines a plurality of pockets which are sized and configured to receive respective ones of said stiffener members, said stiffener members being sealed within said pockets.