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:
Dec. 17, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 22, 1994
Richard C Hathaway, Greenville, OH (US);
Mearl K Bridges, New Madison, OH (US);
Donald R Klein, Greenville, OH (US);
CR&I Inc., Greenville, OH (US);
Abstract
A modular rail system supports accessories on a pickup truck bed. The system comprises first and second rail assemblies overlying the top surfaces of the first and second truck bed side walls for releasably connecting with the side walls. A flexible cover overlies the bed for covering and providing protection for the bed. A locking mechanism is likewise provided and is associated with the cover and the rail assemblies for lockingly attaching the cover to the rail assemblies and securing the cover in place over the truck bed. The first and second rail assemblies include first and second elongate members having at least one outboard elongated channel and at least two inboard elongated channels for receiving a mating portion of an accessory or an attachment for an accessory. The rail system may additionally include a decorative strip, light strip, protective cap, tie-down bar, light bar, utility box, camper top, and single or multi-piece bed liner, airfoiler, headache rack cab protection attachment, simulated roll bar, portable work bench, liquid storage tank, cargo compartment, advertising panel, ice chest, and various types of racks (motorcycle, bicycle, ski, ladder, etc.) or tracks for slidably receiving a hard shell, hard tonneau cover, camper top, or other accessory, each of which is supported by mating portions or attachments received in the elongated channels in the elongate members making up the rail assemblies.