The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 1994
Filed:
Apr. 24, 1992
Custom Form Manufacturing, Inc., Elkhart, IN (US);
Abstract
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.