# US 11,440,386 B2 · Drive chain element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,386 B2 - Document ID: US11440386B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/058,307 - Filed: 2019-05-22 - Published: 2021-07-15 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-31 - Assignees: Oakmoore Pty Ltd. - Applicants: Oakmoore Pty Ltd - Inventors: Shane Fowler; Wolfgang Schollhammer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440386B2 ## CPC - B60J 7/068: {for utility vehicles, e.g. of tarpaulin or roller-blind type} - B60J 7/1607: {for covering load areas, e.g. rigid panels for pick-up truck beds} - B60J 7/085: {winding up, e.g. for utility vehicles} - B60J 7/141: {for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks} - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) ## Abstract A drive chain element for operably connecting a slat of a roll top cover to a drive rail enables more efficient roll top cover operation. The drive chain element includes: an elongate body that defines a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, an inner side of the elongate body configured for engaging an end portion of the slat; first and second hinge elements disposed at the respective first and second ends of the body, the first and second hinge elements configured to define a hinge arrangement between adjacent drive chain elements that facilitates relative pivotal movement therebetween; and first and second pins disposed in a spaced arrangement along an outer side of the body and extending outwardly therefrom; wherein the first and second pins are configured for operably contacting a drive system during operation of the roll top cover. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drive chain element for operably connecting a slat of a roll top cover to a drive rail comprising: an elongate body that defines a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, an inner side of the elongate body configured for engaging an end portion of the slat; first and second hinge elements disposed at the respective first and second ends of the body, the first and second hinge elements configured to define a hinge arrangement between adjacent drive chain elements that facilitates relative pivotal movement therebetween; and first and second pins disposed in a spaced arrangement along an outer side of the body and extending outwardly therefrom; wherein the first and second pins are configured for operably contacting a drive system during operation of the roll top cover; and wherein the first pin is rounded rectangular in cross section to reduce a size of the drive system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drive chain element of claim 1, wherein the first and second hinge elements are integral with the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drive chain element of claim 1, wherein the second pin is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drive chain element of claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the body comprises first and second curved projections in a spaced arrangement therealong and extending outwardly therefrom, the first and second curved projections for slidably supporting the drive chain element within the drive rail. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The drive chain element of claim 4, wherein the lower surface comprises a flattened portion disposed between the first and second curved projections. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drive chain element of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second hinge elements comprises a male mating element and one of the first and second hinge elements comprises a female mating element for operably receiving the male mating element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The drive chain element of claim 1, wherein the hinge arrangement between adjacent drive chain elements defines a pivot point that substantially overlies a further pivot defined by respective adjacent slats. ### Claim 8 A drive chain assembly for operably connecting a slat assembly of a roll top cover to a drive rail, the drive chain assembly comprising: a plurality of operably connected drive chain elements; each drive chain elements including: an elongate body that defines a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, an inner side of the elongate body configured for engaging an end portion of the slat, first and second hinge elements disposed at the respective first and second ends of the body, the first and second hinge elements configured to define a hinge arrangement between adjacent drive chain elements that facilitates relative pivotal movement therebetween, and first and second pins disposed in a spaced arrangement along an outer side of the body and extending outwardly therefrom; wherein the first and second pins are configured for operably contacting a drive system during operation of the roll top cover; and wherein the first pin is rounded rectangular in cross section to reduce a size of the drive system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The drive chain assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second hinge elements are integral with the body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The drive chain assembly of claim 8, wherein the second pin is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The drive chain assembly of claim 8, wherein a lower surface of the body comprises first and second curved projections in a spaced arrangement therealong and extending outwardly therefrom, the first and second curved projections for slidably supporting the drive chain element within the drive rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The drive chain assembly of claim 11, wherein the lower surface comprises a flattened portion disposed between the first and second curved projections. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The drive chain assembly of claim 8, wherein one of the first and second hinge elements comprises a male mating element and one of the first and second hinge elements comprises a female mating element for operably receiving the male mating element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The drive chain assembly of claim 8, wherein the hinge arrangement between adjacent drive chain elements defines a pivot point that substantially overlies a further pivot defined by respective adjacent slats. ### Claim 15 A roll top cover assembly, comprising: a drive system including a track and a cog; a drive chain including a plurality of operably connected drive chain elements, each of the drive chain elements including: an elongate body that defines a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, an inner side of the elongate body configured for engaging an end portion of the slat, first and second hinge elements disposed at the respective first and second ends of the body, the first and second hinge elements configured to define a hinge arrangement between adjacent drive chain elements that facilitates relative pivotal movement therebetween, and a first pin and a second pin disposed in a spaced arrangement along an outer side of the body and extending outwardly therefrom, the first pin driving and not guiding the drive chain and the second pin guiding the drive chain around the drive system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The roll top cover assembly of claim 15, wherein the first pin is rounded rectangular in cross section to reduce a diameter of the cog and the second pin is circular in cross section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The roll top cover assembly of claim 16, wherein the first pin is curved in profile and contacts a rounded profile of the cog. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The roll top cover assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of operably connected drive chain elements includes a lower surface having first and second curved projections in a spaced arrangement therealong and extending outwardly therefrom, the first and second curved projections in contact with the track. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The roll top cover assembly of claim 18, wherein the lower surface comprises a flattened portion disposed between the first and second curved projections.