Solid fold tonneau system

• US 7,484,788 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2006
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Extang Corporation (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Extang Corporation (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wheatley, Donald Edward, Calder, Dylan, Wheatley, Donald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/591,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20080100088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 296/100.01, 296/100.06, 296/100.07, 296/100.08, 296/100.09, 16/50, 162/21, 162/50
• US Class Current: 296/100.09
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/141 for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks

Abstract

A tonneau system for a cargo box of a pickup truck having panels and hinge assemblies pivotally coupling the panels is provided. The hinge assemblies can define gutters to collect fluid and guide the fluid away from the cargo box. The hinge assemblies can include covers between pivoting components which can be configured to reduce friction during pivoting. The panels and hinge assemblies can include features to receive excess adhesive material during assembly.

Claims

1. A tonneau system for a cargo box of a pickup truck, said tonneau system comprising:

at least a first panel and a second panel extending across the cargo box of the pickup truck; and

a first hinge assembly pivotally connecting said first and second panels, said first hinge assembly including;

a base component having a first edge, and

a first pivot member fixed to said first panel and pivotally coupled to said base component proximate said first edge, said first pivot member having a first flange and a plurality of inner surfaces defining a first gutter facing and aligned with said first flange, said first flange engaging said first edge and forming a first primary seal for inhibiting fluid communication between said base component and said first pivot member, said first gutter collecting a fluid which passes said first primary seal and discharging the fluid outside of the cargo box of the pickup truck.

2. The tonneau system according to claim 1, wherein said base component further includes a second edge defined opposite said first edge, and

said first hinge assembly further includes a second pivot member fixed to said second panel, said second pivot member being pivotally coupled to said base component proximate said second edge, said second pivot member having a second flange and a plurality of inner surfaces defining a second gutter facing and aligned with said second flange, said second flange engaging said second edge and forming a second primary seal for inhibiting fluid communication between said base component and said second pivot member, said second gutter collecting a fluid which passes said second primary seal and discharging the fluid outside of the cargo box of the pickup truck.

3. The tonneau system according to claim 2, wherein said base component includes first and second primary sealing members each disposed proximate said first and second edges, respectively, said first and second flanges each directly engaging one of said first and second primary sealing members and forming said first and second primary seals.

4. The tonneau system according to claim 3, wherein said base component includes first and second sidewalls, and

said first and second pivot members include first and second secondary sealing members, respectively, said first and second secondary sealing members engaging one of said first and second sidewalls and forming first and second secondary seals.

5. The tonneau system according to claim 2, wherein said first panel includes a top sheet, and

said first pivot member further includes a top surface and a projection extending away from said first flange, said first pivot member including a first concave feature proximate said top surface and said projection, said top sheet of said first panel engaging said top surface and extending in between said top surface and said projection, said first concave feature receiving excess adhesive material displaced from an interface of said top sheet and said top surface.

6. The tonneau system according to claim 5, wherein said first panel further includes a bottom sheet, and

said first pivot member further includes a bottom surface having a second concave feature defined therein, said bottom sheet of said first panel engaging said bottom surface, said second concave feature receiving excess adhesive material displaced from an interface of said bottom sheet and said bottom surface.

7. The tonneau system according to claim 1, wherein said base component has a first channel formed therein, and

said first pivot member has a first cylindrical portion formed therein, said first pivot member pivotally coupling said base component with said first cylindrical portion disposed in said first channel, said first pivot member including a first cover disposed over said first cylindrical portion, said first cover engaging said first cylindrical portion so as to rotate with said first cylindrical portion relative to said first channel.

8. The tonneau system according to claim 7, wherein said first cylindrical portion has an outer surface having a plurality of grooves defined therein, said first cover has an inner surface having a plurality of projections extending therefrom, each of said grooves receiving one of said projections so as to engage said first cover and said first cylindrical portion for rotation with one another.

9. The tonneau system according to claim 7, wherein said base component and said first pivot member include aluminum, and said first cover includes plastic.

10. A tonneau system for a cargo box of a pickup truck, said tonneau system comprising:

at least a first panel and a second panel extending across the cargo box of the pickup truck; and

a first hinge assembly pivotally connecting said first and second panels, said first hinge assembly including;

a base component having a first channel formed therein, and

a first pivot member fixed to said first panel and having a first cylindrical portion formed therein, said first pivot member pivotally coupling said base component with said first cylindrical portion disposed in said first channel, said first pivot member including a first cover disposed over said first cylindrical portion, said first cover engaging said first cylindrical portion so as to rotate with said first cylindrical portion relative to said first channel.

11. The tonneau system according to claim 10, wherein said base component further includes a second channel formed therein, and

said first hinge assembly further includes a second pivot member fixed to said second panel, said second pivot member having a second cylindrical portion formed therein, said second pivot member pivotally coupling said base component with said second cylindrical portion disposed in said second channel, said second pivot member including a second cover disposed over said second cylindrical portion, said second cover engaging said second cylindrical portion so as to rotate with said second cylindrical portion relative to said second channel.

12. The tonneau system according to claim 10, wherein said base component includes first and second primary sealing members each disposed proximate said first and second channels, respectively, said first and second pivot member each directly engaging one of said first and second primary sealing members and forming first and second primary seals.

13. The tonneau system according to claim 12, wherein said base component includes first and second sidewalls, and

said first and second pivot members include first and second secondary sealing members, respectively, said first and second secondary sealing members engaging one of said first and second sidewalls and forming first and second secondary seals.

14. The tonneau system according to claim 10, wherein said first panel includes a top sheet, and

said first pivot member further includes a top surface and a projection, said first pivot member including a first concave feature proximate said top surface and said projection, said top sheet of said first panel engaging said top surface and extending in between said top surface and said projection, said first concave feature receiving excess adhesive material displaced from an interface of said top sheet and said top surface.

15. The tonneau system according to claim 14, wherein said first panel further includes a bottom sheet, and

said first pivot member further includes a bottom surface having a second concave feature defined therein, said bottom sheet of said first panel engaging said bottom surface, said second concave feature receiving excess adhesive material displaced from an interface of said bottom sheet and said bottom surface.

16. The tonneau system according to claim 10, wherein said base component and said first pivot member include aluminum, and said first cover includes plastic.

17. The tonneau system according to claim 10, wherein said first cylindrical portion has an outer surface having a plurality of grooves defined therein, said first cover has an inner surface having a plurality of projections extending therefrom, each of said grooves receiving one of said projections so as to engage said first cover and said first cylindrical portion for rotation with one another.

18. The tonneau system according to claim 10, wherein said base component further includes a first edge proximate said first channel, and

said first pivot member has a first flange and a plurality of inner surfaces defining a first gutter facing and aligned with said first flange, said first flange engaging said first edge and forming a first primary seal for inhibiting fluid communication between said base component and said first pivot member, said first gutter collecting a fluid which passes said first primary seal and discharging the fluid outside of the cargo box of the pickup truck.

19. A tonneau system for a cargo box of a pickup truck, said tonneau system comprising:

at least a first panel and a second panel extending across the cargo box of the pickup truck, at least one of said first panel and said second panel including a top sheet and a bow member fixed to said top sheet, said bow member having a top surface with a plurality of ribs extending therefrom, said ribs defining a plurality of gaps adjacent thereto, said top sheet engaging said ribs, said gaps receiving excess adhesive material displaced from an interface of said top sheet and said ribs; and

a first hinge assembly pivotally connecting said first and second panels.

20. The tonneau system according to claim 19, wherein said at least one of said first panel and said second panel further includes a bottom sheet and a core disposed between said top and bottom sheets.

21. The tonneau system according to claim 20, wherein said core has a honeycomb design.