Tonneau cover

• US 7,334,830 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advantage Truck Accessories Incorporated (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ross Weldy
• Inventors: Weldy, Ross
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/286,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20070108792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,940 Days
• Field of Search: 296/100.11, 296/100.16, 296/100.18, 296/100.09, 296/100.06, 296/100.07
• US Class Current: 296/100.09
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/08 of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/198 for locking tonneau covers such as covers for roof storage compartments or for pick-up truck beds

Abstract

A soft top tonneau cover is formed from a plurality of hinged frame sections that are foldable between overlaying positions and extended positions. Camlock clamps are integrated into the frame so as to provide a stable, quick release latch to the walls of the bed with a minimum of spacial intrusion into the bed. The hinge between the frame sections has a double pivot so as to automatically tension the top when folded open. Strap clamps are integrated into the frame so as to permit the sections to be secured when folded closed.

Claims

1. A cover for the bed of a pick up truck, comprising:

a first section and a second section,

a covering overlaying the first and second sections, and

the second section being joined to the first section so as to be moveable between an extended position adjacent to the first section and a folded position overlaying at least part of the first section,

wherein the second section is hinged to the first section, the second section is releasably clamped to the pick up truck when in the extended position, and the second section is releasably clamped to the first section when in the folded position,

and a third section hinged to the second section, the third section is releasably clamped to the pick up truck when in the extended position, the third section is releasably clamped to the second section when in its folded position, and the second and third sections are releasably clamped to the first section when in their folded positions.

2. The cover according to claim 1 wherein the first and second sections are each formed from a frame having at least two opposing side rails connected by at least one support rail.

3. The cover according to claim 2 wherein the respective side rails of each frame are hinged together, the covering is formed from a flexible material, and the covering material being selected so as to be self tightening when the second section is in the extended position.

4. The cover according to claim 2 wherein the first and second sections are removeably attached to the pick up truck when the second section is in its folded position, and the second section remains in the folded position with respect to the first section once so removed.

5. The cover according to claim 2 wherein at least one clamp is mounted to the frame of the first section which releasably secures that section to the pick up truck.

6. The cover according to claim 5 wherein the clamp includes a base portion fixed with respect to the frame, an arm connected to the base, a truck grip member movably mounted on the arm, and a cam lock adjustably mounted on the arm and movably engaging the truck grip member.

7. The cover according to claim 6 wherein the base portion is integrated into the support rail and includes a slotted track for receiving the arm, the arm is formed as a threaded post mounted within the slotted tract and movable along that track, the truck grip member includes a portion for engaging a surface of the pick up truck.

8. The cover according to claim 7 wherein the frame of the second section and the truck grip member are positionable to be able to receive a portion of the pick up truck therebetween and releasably clamp onto that portion of the pick up truck.

9. The cover according to claim 7 wherein the slotted track extends in at least two directions, allowing the arm to move between horizontal and vertical orientations.

10. The cover according to claim 5 wherein a hinge clamp is mounted to the frame of the second section which is able to releasably engage the frame of the first section when the second section is in the folded position.

11. The cover according to claim 10 wherein the hinge clamp is mounted to at least one of the side rails of the second section and is able to releasably engage the respective side rail of the first section.

12. A tonneau cover for the bed of a pick up truck, comprising:

first, second and third sections, each section including a frame having left and right side rails joined by a pair of support rails,

a flexible, weather-resistant covering overlaying and connected to each of the sections,

the left side rails of the second and third sections being hinged together and the right side rails of the second and third sections being hinged together so as to allow the third section to fold onto the second section,

the left side rails of the second and first sections being hinged together and the right side rails of the second and first sections being hinged together so as to allow the second section to fold onto the first section when the third section was already folded onto the second section,

at least one clamp is mounted to the frame of the first section which releasably secures that section to the pick up truck, the at least one clamp includes a base portion fixed with respect to the frame of the first section, an arm connected to the base, a truck grip member movably mounted on the arm, and a cam lock adjustably mounted on the arm and movably engaging the truck grip member, and the base portion is integrated into one of said support rails and includes a slotted track for receiving the arm, the arm is formed as a threaded post mounted within the slotted track and movable along the track, the truck grip member includes a portion for engaging a surface of the pick up truck.

13. The tonneau cover according to claim 12 wherein side rails of the second and first sections are hinged together using an articulated hinge having two spaced apart pivot points.