U.S. patent application number 16/138190 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-26 for multi-position clamp assembly and tonneau cover.
The applicant listed for this patent is Winbo-Dongjian Automotive Technology Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yongtao Ma.
Application Number | 20200094660 16/138190 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69884125 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200094660 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ma; Yongtao |
March 26, 2020 |
MULTI-POSITION CLAMP ASSEMBLY AND TONNEAU COVER
Abstract
A tonneau cover for covering the cargo box of a pickup truck.
The tonneau cover includes a frame, a cover and a clamp assembly.
The frame includes opposing side rails, opposing end rails, and at
least one cross bow that extends between the opposing side rails.
The cross bow also includes portions defining a multiple mounting
regions. The clamp assembly is configured for selective mounting to
the cross bow in one of the mounting regions and is rotatably
moveable about the cross bow between a use position and a nonuse
position, while mounted in any of the mounting regions.
Inventors: |
Ma; Yongtao; (Foshan City,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Winbo-Dongjian Automotive Technology Co. Ltd. |
Foshan City |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
69884125 |
Appl. No.: |
16/138190 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/185 20130101;
B60J 7/104 20130101; B60J 7/1858 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/10 20060101
B60J007/10 |
Claims
1. A tonneau cover for covering a cargo box of a pickup truck, the
tonneau cover comprising: a frame having opposing side rails,
opposing end rails, and at least one cross bow extending between
the opposing side rails, the cross bow including multiple mounting
regions defined by outward facing circumferential surfaces, each of
the mounting regions being separated by an abutment; a cover
extending over the frame between the side rails and end rails and
supported by the cross bow; and a clamp assembly, the clamp
assembly being configured for alternative and removable mounting to
the cross bow in one of the mounting regions, the clamp assembly
also being rotatably coupled to the cross bow and rotatable about
the cross bow between a use position and a nonuse position while
mounted in either of the mounting regions.
2. The tonneau cover according to claim 1, wherein abutments render
the mounting regions as being discrete from one another.
3. (canceled)
4. The tonneau cover according to claim 1, wherein the abutment
prevents sliding movement of the mounting member between the
mounting regions.
5. The tonneau cover according to claim 1, wherein the abutment
defines a raised surface relative to surfaces of the mounting
regions.
6. A tonneau cover for covering a cargo box of a pickup truck, the
tonneau cover comprising: a frame having opposing side rails,
opposing end rails, and at least one cross bow extending between
the opposing side rails, the cross bow including multiple mounting
regions and an abutment being located between the mounting regions;
a cover extending over the frame between the side rails and end
rails and supported by the cross bow; and a clamp assembly, the
clamp assembly being configured for alternative and removable
mounting to the cross bow in one of the mounting regions, the clamp
assembly also being rotatably coupled to the cross bow and
rotatable about the cross bow between a use position and a nonuse
position while mounted in either of the mounting regions, the
mounting regions having a first effective diameter and the abutment
having a second effective diameter, the second effective diameter
being greater than the first effective diameter.
7. The tonneau cover according to claim 1, wherein the mounting
regions are defined at least in part by circular surfaces.
8. The tonneau cover according to claim 1, wherein the clamp
assembly includes a mounting member that substantially encircles
the cross bow and is removable therefrom.
9. The tonneau cover according to claim 8, wherein the mounting
member encircles the cross bow at one of the mounting regions.
10. The tonneau cover according to claim 8, wherein the mounting
member is coupled to a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw being moveable
relative to the mounting member.
11. The tonneau cover according to claim 8, wherein the mounting
member defines an inner diameter that is greater than an effective
diameter defined by any of the mounting regions.
12. The tonneau cover according to claim 8, wherein the mounting
member is coupled to a clamp jaw by a support bar extending from
the mounting member.
13. The tonneau cover according to claim 12, wherein the clamp jaw
is axially moveable along the support bar.
14. The tonneau cover according to claim 12, wherein the support
bar is pivotally coupled to the mounting member.
15. The tonneau cover according to claim 12, wherein the support
bar is pivotally coupled to the mounting member so as to pivot
between a transverse orientation and a parallel orientation, the
transverse and parallel orientations being defined relative to the
cross bow.
16. The tonneau cover according to claim 12, wherein in the cross
bow include a retainer, the support bar engaging the retainer in
the parallel orientation.
17. The tonneau cover according to claim 16, wherein the retainer
is engaged with the support bar in a snap-fit engagement.
18. A tonneau cover for covering a cargo box of a pickup truck, the
tonneau cover comprising: a frame having opposing side rails,
opposing end rails, and at least one cross bow extending between
the opposing side rails, the cross bow including multiple mounting
regions and an abutment being located between the mounting regions;
a cover extending over the frame between the side rails and end
rails and supported by the cross bow; and a clamp assembly, the
clamp assembly being configured for alternative and removable
mounting to the cross bow in one of the mounting regions, the clamp
assembly also being rotatably coupled to the cross bow and
rotatable about the cross bow between a use position and a nonuse
position while mounted in either of the mounting regions, the clamp
assembly further including a mounting member defining an inner
diameter that is greater than an effective diameter defined by any
of the mounting regions, the inner diameter defined by the mounting
member being less than an effective diameter defined by the
abutment.
19. The tonneau cover according to claim 18, wherein the clamp
assembly further includes a support bar pivotally coupled to the
mounting member, a clamp jaw supported by and moveable along the
support bar, and a clamp actuator coupled to the support bar
20. The tonneau cover according to claim 19, wherein the clamp
actuator is pivotal clamp handle, the clamp handle including a
portion defining a cam surface contacting the clamp jaw and
operable to move the clamp jaw along the support bar during
pivoting of the clamp handle relative to the support bar.
21. The tonneau cover according to claim 19, wherein the clamp
actuator is rotatable clamp knob, the clamp knob being threadably
engaged with the support bar and being operable to move the clamp
jaw along the support bar during rotation of the clamp knob
relative to the support bar.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to tonneau covers.
More specifically, the invention relates to a clamp assembly for
selectively securing a tonneau cover to the bed or cargo box of a
pickup truck.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] Tonneau covers for covering the cargo boxes, also referred
to as a bed, of pickup trucks are well known for protecting the
contents in the cargo box from environmental factors, shielding
such contents from view and/or for enhancing the aesthetics of the
pickup truck. Generally, tonneau covers are movable so as to
selectively close off or provide access to the cargo box, without
requiring complete removal of the tonneau cover. In this regard,
the tonneau covers are typically of a roll-up variety, a tilting
variety or a folding variety.
[0003] Regarding the tiltable and foldable varieties of tonneau
covers, the varieties typically include a frame disposed about the
upper surfaces of the side and end bed rails of the cargo box with
transverse bows extending between the side rails. If of the
foldable variety, one or more hinged connections are provided in
the frame to allow the tonneau cover to progressively fold upon
itself in a direction typically proceeding from the tailgate toward
the cab of the pickup truck.
[0004] To cover the open areas between the various frame members of
the tonneau cover, the tonneau cover may be provided with a
flexible cover extending over the frame. This is generally known as
a soft-top tonneau cover. Alternatively, the tonneau cover may be
provided with one or more rigid panels between the frame members.
This is often referred to as a hardtop tonneau cover. In either
instance, a clamp assembly is typically located toward the rear of
the tonneau cover (generally adjacent to the tailgate of the pickup
truck). This clamp assembly provides quick and easy engagement and
disengagement of the rear section of the tonneau cover with and
from the cargo box, thereby allowing the tonneau cover to be folded
or secured over the cargo box.
[0005] While many clamp assemblies work for their intended purposes
of securing the tonneau cover and allowing it to be folded, there
is always a need to improve upon the functionality and workability
of the clamp assembly.
SUMMARY
[0006] In satisfying the above need, as well as overcoming various
drawbacks and other limitations of the related art, the present
invention provides a tonneau cover for covering the cargo box of a
pickup truck.
[0007] In one aspect of the invention, a tonneau cover is provided
for covering the cargo box of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover
includes a frame, a cover and a clamp assembly. The frame includes
opposing side rails, opposing end rails, and at least one cross bow
that extends between the opposing side rails. The cross bow also
includes portions defining multiple mounting regions. A cover
extends over the frame, between the side rails and end rails and is
supported by the cross bow. A clamp assembly, configured for
selective mounting to the cross bow in one of the mounting regions,
is mounted to the cross bow and is rotatably moveable about the
cross bow between a use position and a nonuse position while being
mounted in either of the mounting regions.
[0008] In another aspect, the mounting regions are discrete from
one another.
[0009] In another aspect, an abutment is located between the
mounting regions.
[0010] In a further aspect, the abutment prevents sliding movement
of the mounting member between the mounting regions.
[0011] In an additional aspect, the abutment defines a raised
surface relative to surfaces of the mounting regions.
[0012] In yet another aspect, the mounting regions have a first
effective diameter and the abutment has a second effective
diameter, the second effective diameter being greater than the
first effective diameter.
[0013] In still a further aspect, the mounting regions are defined
at least in part by circular surfaces.
[0014] An additional aspect, the clamp assembly includes a mounting
member that substantially encircles the cross bow and is removable
therefrom.
[0015] In another aspect, the mounting member encircles the cross
bow at one of the mounting regions.
[0016] In yet a further aspect, the mounting member is coupled to a
clamp jaw, the clamp jaw being moveable relative to the mounting
member.
[0017] Still an additional aspect, the mounting member defines an
inner diameter that is greater than an effective diameter defined
by any of the mounting regions.
[0018] In yet another aspect, the mounting member is coupled to a
clamp jaw by a support bar extending from the mounting member.
[0019] In a further aspect, the clamp jaw is axially moveable along
the support bar.
[0020] In an additional aspect, the support bar is pivotally
coupled to the mounting member.
[0021] In another aspect, the support bar is pivotally coupled to
the mounting bar so as to pivot between a transverse orientation
and a parallel orientation, the transvers and parallel orientations
being defined relative to the cross bow.
[0022] In yet another aspect, in the cross bow include a retainer,
the support bar engaging the retainer in the parallel
orientation.
[0023] In still a further aspect, the retainer is engaged with the
support bar in a snap-fit engagement.
[0024] An additional aspect, an abutment is located between the
mounting regions, the clamp assembly including a mounting member
defining an inner diameter that is greater than an effective
diameter defined by any of the mounting regions, the inner diameter
defined by the mounting member being less than an effective
diameter defined by the abutment.
[0025] In another aspect, the clamp assembly further includes a
support bar pivotally coupled to the mounting member, a clamp jaw
supported by and moveable along the support bar, and a clamp
actuator coupled to the support bar
[0026] In a further aspect, the clamp actuator is a clamp handle
including a portion defining a cam surface contacting the clamp jaw
and operable to move the clamp jaw along the support bar during
pivoting of the clamp handle relative to the support bar.
[0027] Further objects, features and advantages of this invention
will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after
review of the description provided herein with reference to the
drawings and claims that are appended to and form a part of this
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pickup truck with a
tonneau cover positioned over the cargo box of the pickup
truck.
[0029] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a clamp assembly of the
tonneau cover seen in FIG. 1 with the clamp assembly in a latched,
use position.
[0030] FIG. 3 is perspective view of the clamp assembly of the
tonneau cover seen in FIG. 1, with the clamp assembly in a second
latched, use position.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly, as seen
in FIG. 2, with the latch assembly in an unlatched, use
position.
[0032] FIG. 5 is side sectional view showing the clamp assembly in
a latched, use position and also showing, in phantom, the clamp
assembly in an unlatched, use position.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clamp assembly of the
tonneau cover seen in FIG. 1, with the clamp assembly in a nonuse
position.
[0034] FIG. 7 is perspective view, showing the clamp assembly in a
stowed position.
[0035] And FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing alternate
constructions of the clamp assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] As used in the description that follows, directional terms
such as "upper" and "lower" are used with reference to the
orientation of the elements as presented in the figures.
Accordingly, "upper" indicates a direction toward the top of the
figure and "lower" indicates a direction toward the bottom of the
figure. The terms "left" and "right" are similarly interpreted. The
terms "inward" or "inner" and "outward" or "outer" indicate a
direction that is generally toward or away from a central axis of
the referred to part, whether or not such an access is designated
in the figures. An axial surface is one that faces in the axial
direction. In other words, an axial surface faces in a direction
along the central axis. A radial surface therefore faces radially,
either away from or toward the central axis. It will be understood,
however, that in actual implementation, the directional references
used herein may not necessarily correspond with the installation
and orientation of the corresponding components or device.
[0037] Referring now to the drawings, shown in FIG. 1, and
designated at 10, is a tonneau cover disposed over the cargo
box/bed 12 of a pickup truck 14. The tonneau cover 10 is supported
over the cargo box 12 on the upper surfaces 16 of the various walls
defining the cargo box 12. Those walls include the bed sidewalls
18, the bed front wall (not shown) and the tailgate 20.
[0038] While the tonneau cover 10 may be of the tilting variety
mentioned above, for the purposes of the following discussion, but
not intended to be limited thereby, the various aspects and
features embodying the principles of the present invention will be
described in the context of a folding, soft-top tonneau cover.
[0039] The tonneau cover 10, as seen in FIG. 1, is unfolded and in
its fully extended position. In this position, it will be
appreciated that the tonneau cover 10 substantially covers the
upper opening into the cargo box 12. In a tri-fold embodiment, the
tonneau cover 10 is comprised of three portions that are foldable
over one another so as to selectively uncover some or all of the
cargo box 12. In the folded position, a rear portion 22r (located
closest to the tailgate 20) is folded onto a center portion 22c,
and then both of the rear and center portions 22r, 22c are folded
together onto the front portion 22f, which is located closest to
the cab 24 of the pickup 14. Since the folding aspect of the
tonneau cover 10 is not the particular focus hereof, the folded
positions of the tonneau cover 10 are not illustrated in connection
with the present description. Notwithstanding the above, and in the
interest of completeness, general aspects of the tonneau cover 10,
and its ability to fold, are variously discussed herein.
[0040] Generally, the tonneau cover 10 is bounded about its
perimeter by a series of frame members. These frame members include
side frame members 26 overlying the bed sidewalls 18, a front frame
member (not shown) overlying the front end wall and a rear frame
member (also not shown) overlying the tailgate 20. Extending
between the side frame members 26, at spaced apart locations there
along, are cross bows 28. Preferably, at least one cross bow 28 is
provided in each of the rear, center and front portions 22r, 22c,
22f of the tonneau cover 10. The cross bows 28 may be centered
relative to their respective portions of the tonneau cover 10 or
may be offset to the rear or front of their respective portions.
Collectively, the frame members and the cross bows 28 make up the
skeletal framework or frame 30 of the tonneau cover 10.
[0041] Extended over and supported by the frame 30 is a flexible
cover 32, which is typically constructed of a vinyl coated
polyester fabric but may be formed of other materials. The
perimeter of the cover 32 is provided with an attachment strip 34
that engages with corresponding features of the frame members to
retain the cover 32 to the frame 30. While illustrated and
discussed as have a flexible cover 32, it will be appreciated that
the cover 32 may be formed as a rigid cover made of metal, such as
aluminum, or another rigid material.
[0042] To enable folding of the tonneau cover 10, the side frame
members 26 are made up of a plurality of frame segments, three in a
tri-fold construction, that are connected together by hinge
assemblies. Frame segments connected by hinge assemblies are well
known in the field of folding tonneau covers and a number of
different possible construction will be readily appreciated by
those skilled in the art. For those reasons, these structures are
not further described herein.
[0043] At the corner intersections of the front, side and rear
frame members, corner members interconnect the frame members to one
another. Such corner members are likewise well known.
[0044] Preferably, the tonneau cover 10 includes two sets of latch
or clamp assemblies, a pair of front clamp assemblies (not shown)
associated with the forward most cross bow 28 and a pair of rear
clamp assemblies 36 associated with the rearmost cross bow 28. The
front clamp assemblies may be of the same or similar construction
as that of the rear clamp assemblies 36. Generally, however, the
rear clamp assemblies 36 require a greater ease of operation since
these assemblies must be disconnected in order for the tonneau
cover 10 to be folded. The front clamp assemblies, once installed,
can remain installed until the tonneau cover 10 needs to be
removed, unless, of course, the tonneau cover 10 is designed such
that the front portion 22f can be folded rearward. In that latter
case, the front clamp assemblies must also be readily and easily
engaged and disengaged. In view the above, the rear clamp
assemblies 36 are described in detail herein, it being understood
that the front clamp assemblies may have the same, a similar or
different construction, such as including a rotatable knob 75 as an
alternative clamp actuator, as seen in FIG. 8.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 2, one of a pair of rear clamp
assemblies 36 is illustrated therein in a latched position. In this
position, the clamp assembly 36 engages a downwardly extending
inner flange 38 of the bed sidewall 18 so as to secure the tonneau
cover 10 over the cargo box 12 of the pickup truck 14. The force
applied to the flange 38 by the clamp assembly 36 pulls the
remaining portions of the tonneau cover 10 downward, toward the
upper surface 16 of the bed sidewall 18, thereby rigidly securing
the tonneau cover 10 to the pickup truck 14.
[0046] As also seen in FIG. 2, the cross bow 28 is extended across
the opening of the cargo box 12 and engaged with the side frame
member 26. In the illustrated construction, the terminal end of the
cross bow 28 is provided with a T-shaped retainer 40. The T-shaped
retainer 40 is received in a slotted channel 42 of the side frame
member 26. The dimension across the opening of the slot portion of
the slotted channel 42 is smaller than the corresponding width of
the cross bow of the T-shaped member 40. As a result, the T-shaped
member 40 and the end of the cross bow 28 is captively retained in
the slotted channel 42 of the side frame member 26. Notably, this
captive retention is such that the cross bow 28 may be slid along
the slotted channel 42, therefore forward and rearward relative to
the cargo box 12, when the clamp assembly 36 is in its unlatched or
disengaged position.
[0047] The cross bow 28 itself includes a support member 44 and end
pieces 46. The support member 44 principally spans the gap between
the opposing bed sidewalls 18, while the end pieces 46 are mounted
at the opposing ends of the support member 44. The T-shaped
retainer 40 mentioned above is preferably formed as the terminal
portion of each of the end pieces 46.
[0048] The support member 44 is formed of a light weight material
that is strong enough to support the cover 32 and aid in
maintaining rigidity of the frame 30 and the three portions 22 of
the tonneau cover 10 during folding and unfolding of the tonneau
cover 10. As such, metal materials, for example aluminum, are
preferred, but other materials meeting the above criteria could
also be utilized.
[0049] The end pieces 46 are preferably formed of injection molded
reinforced nylon and formed in place on the ends of the support
member 44. Alternatively, the end pieces 46 may include a bore
allowing the end pieces 46 to be inserted onto the ends of the
support member 44. In the latter instance the end pieces 46 may be
retained with the support member 44 through the use of adhesives or
mechanical means, including resilient tabs provided on the end
pieces 46 and engaging in openings provided in the support member
44.
[0050] The end pieces 46 are provided with multiple spaced apart
mounting regions 48 at which the clamp assembly 36 may be secured.
The mounting regions 48 are axially spaced along the length of the
cross bow 28. This allows for the clamp assemblies 36 on the
opposing ends of the cross bow 28 to be mounted in positions
accommodating cargo boxes 12 different widths. As seen in FIG. 2,
the clamp assembly 36 is mounted in a narrow width position, which
is defined by the mounting region 48 located closer to the support
member 44 of the cross bow 28. This allows the tonneau cover 10 to
be mounted to a cargo box 12 in which the upper surface 16 of the
bed sidewall 18 has a relatively wide width. In FIG. 3, the clamp
assembly 36 is mounted in a wide width position, which is defined
by the mounting region 48 located closest to the side frame member
26 of the frame 30. This position allows the tonneau cover 10 to be
mounted to a cargo box 12 in which the upper surface 16 of the bed
sidewall 18 has a more narrow width. Accordingly, one tonneau cover
10 of a given width can be used in connection with multiple pickup
trucks 14 having different width cargo boxes 12.
[0051] In addition to the mounting regions 48, the end pieces 46
include mounting blocks 50, 52 on opposite ends of the end pieces
46, and an abutment 54 located between the mounting regions 48. The
inner mounting block 50 is utilized to secure the end piece 46 to
the support member 44, and the outer mounting block 52 is utilized
to secure the end piece 46 to the side frame member 26 via the
T-shaped retainer 40. The abutment 54, in conjunction with the
mounting blocks 50, 52, operates to define the mounting regions 48
and prevent the clamp assembly 36 from sliding along the end piece
46 between the mounting regions 48. For this purpose, the abutment
54 defines an effective diameter (a diameter equal to the largest
cross-sectional dimension of the component) that is greater than
the effective diameters of the mounting regions 48. This difference
in effective diameters is generally discernible from the cross
sectional view of FIG. 5. However, it is noted that the effective
diameters of the abutment 54 and the mounting regions 48 will be
greater than that shown in FIG. 5 when the diameter is measured
cross-sectional along an axis directed into the page of FIG. 5.
This is further appreciated from the perspective views of FIGS. 2,
3, 4 and 6.
[0052] Preferably, the radial surface of each mounting region 48
defines at least one, and preferably two, partial circular surface
56. In this regard the full circumference of the radial surface
need not define a circle so long as the non-circular portions of
the surface do not define a greater radius than the circular
surface 56. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, both of the radial surfaces
of the outer and inner mounting regions 48 have chordal surfaces
58, namely surfaces defined by a plane in which lies a chord of the
radial surface and a line on the radial surface that is
perpendicular to the chord. In the illustrated embodiments, chordal
surfaces 58 are provided on the uppermost and lower must portions
of the radial surfaces of the mounting regions 48. Similarly, the
abutment 54 includes a radial surface having a partial circular
surface 60 and a chordal surface 62.
[0053] As previously noted, the clamp assembly 36 is supported by
the cross bow 28 at one of the mounting regions 48. To achieve the
above, the clamp assembly 36 includes a mounting ring 64 that
extends substantially completely about the radial surface of the
mounting regions 48. The mounting ring 64 is circular and has an
inner diameter that is the substantially the same as or greater
than the effective diameter of the mounting region 48. The diameter
of the mounting ring 64, as used herein, is substantially the same
as or greater than the effective diameter of the mounting region 48
if the mounting ring 48, and the clamp assembly 36, can be rotated
about the cross bow 28, and more particularly rotated between use
and nonuse positions.
[0054] The use position of the clamp assembly 36 is a position
where the clamp assembly 36 generally extends into the cargo box 12
can be moved between the unlatched and latched positions. The use
position of the clamp assembly 36 is seen in FIGS. 2-5. The nonuse
position of the clamp assembly 36 is a position where the clamp
assembly 36 has been rotated approximately 90.degree. from the use
position toward the cover 32 of the tonneau cover 10. This position
is seen in FIG. 6.
[0055] In addition to the mounting ring 64, the clamp assembly 36
includes a support bar 66 upon which a clamp jaw 68 is supported
and freely movable, both in translation and rotation, their along.
The support bar 66 is pivotally mounted at its upper end between
radial flanges 70 extending from the mounting ring 64. In this
regard, an upper pivot pin 72 extends through the radial flange is
70 and the end of the support bar 66. At the lower end of the
support bar 66, beyond the clamp jaw 68, a clamp actuator is
provided. In one embodiment, the clamp actuator is a clamp handle
74 and in another embodiment the claim actuator is a clamp knob
75.
[0056] The clamp handle 74 is pivotally mounted to the support bar
66. In mounting the clamp handle 74, a lower pivot pin 76, having
an internally threaded bore provided transversely therein, extends
through the clamp handle 74 perpendicular to the support bar 66.
The end of the support bar 66 is correspondingly threaded and
received in the threaded bore of the lower pivot pin 76. By
rotating the lower pivot pin 76, and therefore the clamp handle 74,
the positioning of the clamp handle 74 and the clamp jaw 68 along
the support bar 66, and therefore the inner flange 38 of the bed
sidewall 18, can be adjusted.
[0057] With the clamp jaw 68 adjusted along the support bar 66 to a
position where the inner flange 38 is received within the crotch 78
of the clamp jaw 68, the clamp handle 74 can be rotated downward
into the latched position where the clamp handle 74 is aligned with
the support bar 66. The clamp handle 74 includes a cam surface 80
adjacent to the clamp jaw 68. Upon movement of the clamp handle 74
into the latched position, the cam surface 80 is configured to move
the clamp jaw 68 along the support bar 66 towards the cross bow 28,
captively retaining the inner flange 38 within the crotch 78 and
thereby securing the tonneau cover 10 to the bed sidewall 18.
Movement of the clamp assembly 36 from the latched position to the
unlatched position is done in reverse.
[0058] If desired, a locking pin 82 may be provided with the clamp
assembly 36. In the latched position, the locking pin 82 may be
inserted into a bore through the clamp handle 74. In this position,
the locking pin 82 interferes with the support bar 66 and prevents
the clamp handle 74 from being moved from the latched position to
the unlatched position.
[0059] The clamp knob 75, seen in FIG. 8, includes an internally
threaded bore 77 in which threaded end of the support bar 66 is
received. By rotating the clamp knob 75, the positioning of the
clamp knob 75 and the clamp jaw 68 along the support bar 66 can be
adjusted relative to the inner flange 38 of the bed sidewall
18.
[0060] As discussed above, the nonuse position of the clamp
assembly 36 is seen in FIG. 6. In this position, the clamp assembly
36 has been rotated 90.degree. upward from the use position and
lies adjacent to the cover 32 of the tonneau cover 10. From this
position, the clamp assembly 36 can be moved to the stowed position
seen in FIG. 7.
[0061] To retain the clamp assembly 36 in the stowed position, the
end piece 46 is provided with a retainer 84. The retainer 84 is
formed by a flange extending laterally from the inner mounting
block 50 and provided with a C-shaped recess 86 at its lateral most
extent. The diameter of the recess 86 approximates the diameter of
the support bar 66 and the dimension of the opening into the
C-shaped recess 86 is less than the diameter of the support bar 66.
Pivoting the clamp assembly 36 about the upper pivot pin 72 from
the nonuse position generally towards the cross bow 28 allows the
support bar 66 to be received through the opening and retained in
the C-shaped recess 86. In this position, the tonneau cover 10 can
be folded without the clamp assembly 36 interfering with this
folding or deforming the cover 32.
[0062] As noted above, the clamp assembly 36 is movable between two
mounting regions 48 on the cross bow 28, and more particularly the
end piece 46. As also noted above the abutment 54 prevents the
clamp assembly 36 from sliding between the two mounting regions 48.
To effectuate movement of the clamp assembly 36 between the
mounting regions 48, the upper pivot pin 72 may be provided as a
threaded fastener including a bolt and nut combination. By
unthreading the nut from the bolt, the bolt may be removed allowing
the end of the support bar 66 to be removed from between the radial
flange is 70 of the mounting ring 64. The radial flange is 70 of
the mounting ring may then be moved apart or separated so as to
open up the mounting ring 64, allowing it to be removed from the
mounting region 48 of the end piece 46. In this regard, the chordal
surfaces 58 of the radial surfaces of the mounting regions 48
reduce the extent to which the mounting ring 64 needs to be opened
in order to be removed from the mounting regions 48 and the end
pieces 46.
[0063] Once removed from one of the mounting regions 48, the
mounting ring 64 may be moved, opened and placed over the other
mounting region 48. Once positioned over the other mounting region
48, the upper end of the support bar 66 is positioned between the
radial flange is 70 of the mounting ring 64 and the upper pivot pin
72 is reinserted through the corresponding openings of the radial
flange is 70 and the upper end of the support bar 66. The upper
pivot pin 72 is then secured, such as through the engagement of a
net with the threaded end of a bolt, thereby securing the support
bar 66 and additional portions of the clamp assembly 36 to the
mounting ring 64.
[0064] As a person skilled in the art will really appreciate, the
above description is meant as an illustration of at least one
implementation of the principles of the present invention. This
description is not intended to limit the scope or application of
this invention since the invention is susceptible to modification,
variation and change without departing from the spirit of this
invention, as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *