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:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 07, 1997
Ross Weldy, Elkhart, IN (US);
Jack G Barben, Union, MI (US);
Custom Creative Products, Inc., Elkhart, IN (US);
Abstract
A cover for the cargo area of a vehicle includes two rails secured to opposite sides of the cargo area of the vehicle. A cover material is bounded by four peripheral rails. Two of the rails have the same cross-section and are located on two sides of the cover material. The other two rails are of a different configuration and are located on other two sides of the cover. A biasing member, such as a torsion bar, is inserted into the ends of each of the rails secured to the vehicle bed. The opposite end of the torsion bar is located in and slides within a cylinder. The opposite end of the cylinder includes a slide member. The slide members are located in channels formed in two of the rails. In the closed position, latches engage the torsion bars and hold the cover in place. To open the cover, two of the latches are disengaged, thereby allowing the cover to rise in response to the force of the biasing members. The cover pivots about a hinge formed by the engagement of the secured latches with the torsion bars.