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:
Jul. 10, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 15, 1999
Raymond W. Ninness, Eastpointe, MI (US);
Gregory A. Brower, Fenton, MI (US);
Bestop, Inc., Broomfield, CO (US);
Abstract
A system for removably attaching a tonneau cover over the bed of a pickup truck or similar vehicle. The system includes front, rear, and side rails. The front and two side rails are respectively secured in fixed positions atop the front and side walls of the bed. The rear rail is then suspended to extend between the two side rails across the mouth of the tailgate opening. The ends of the rear rail are inserted into longitudinally extending channels in the side rails and can be slid relative to the fixed, front and side rails. The system also can include one or more support bows that can be inserted into the channels in the fixed, side rails and slid relative to them to spaced positions intermediate the front and rear rails. With the slidable, rear rail, the cover can be selectively tensioned or loosen to ease putting the cover over the bed and taking it off. The tailgate and rear rail sealingly engage each other when the tailgate is closed to make the system substantially watertight.