Custom Form Manufacturing, Inc.

Benjamin M Kersting

Ross A Weldy

Jack Barben

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.

Tonneau cover assembly clamping assembly

A tonneau cover assembly includes a frame attached to the sidewalls of a pick-up truck, one or more clamps to secure the frame in place, a flexible cover which spans the bed of the vehicle, one or more cross-bows which support the flexible cover, and a plurality of cross-bow clips. The cross-bow clips are telescopically engageable with the distal ends of the cross-bow, and can effectively lengthen or shorten the cross-bow. The cross-bow clips are engageable with the top rail of the tonneau cover frame. More specifically, the cross-bow clip includes a pair of projections which are engageable with the two longitudinally extending channels of the top rail. The first projection is hollow, and is somewhat resilient. Thus, it may snugly fit and form to the dimensions of the first channel. The second projection is solid, and rests within the second channel. The cross-bow clip of the present invention allows the cross-bows to be easily mounted to or dismounted from the top rail of the tonneau cover frame.

Tonneau cover assembly and cross-bow clip

A tonneau cover assembly is provided having a rail network, a plurality of clamps, one or more crossbars and a flexible top. The rail network is secured about the bed of a pick-up truck, using clamps. Thus, no holes are made in the vehicle, and the entire tonneau cover assembly can be mounted without the use of tools. After the rail network is secured to the truck, the crossbars are placed over the truck bed, and snap onto the clamps. Insert tips allow the crossbars to adjust to various lengths. A tang on the clamp is received by the insert tip, and provides resistance to torsional forces. A hook assembly is sewn about the periphery of the flexible cover and is secured to the rail network. To disengage the flexible cover from the rail network, a stripping member is used. In the first preferred embodiment, the stripping member rests within the rail network and forcibly ejects a portion of the hook assembly from the rail network. In a second preferred embodiment, the stripping member is a part of the hook assembly. Exerting a force on the stripping member disengages a portion of the hook assembly from the rail network. Once a portion of the hook assembly is disengaged from the rail, the remainder of the flexible cover can be easily peeled away.

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Bristol, IN, United States of America

Benjamin M Kersting