US 12,151,546 B2Granted

Touch release handle

AssigneeLeer Group

InventorsErnest M. McDonald, II, Eugene A. Dylewski, II, Christopher David Mattison

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A latching assembly for use on a pick-up truck, and particularly on a truck bed cover configured to sit over a truck bed section is provided. The latching assembly includes an electronic release assembly and a mechanical override system. An electronic release assembly includes a first rod coupled to a first electronic actuator and a second rod coupled to a second electronic actuator. The electronic release assembly also includes a first electronic actuator that selectively moves the first latch catch and the second electronic actuator that selectively moves the second latch catch. The mechanical override system moves the first and second rods to mechanically cause the first and second electronic actuators, respectively, to manually move the first and second latch catches, respectively, to unlatch the at least the portion of the truck bed cover from the truck bed section.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pick-up truck bed cover comprising:

a handle assembly;
wherein the handle assembly includes a key cylinder and a switch;
first and second rods in communication with the key cylinder from the handle assembly and extending in opposite directions;
first and second latches at opposite sides of the truck bed cover;
wherein the first latch comprises a first latch arm and the second latch comprises a second latch arm;
an electronic release assembly attached to the truck bed cover to selectively secure and release the truck bed cover to and from a truck;
wherein the electronic release assembly comprises:
first and second electronic actuators;
wherein the first electronic actuator includes a pull rod that extends exterior of the first electronic actuator;
wherein the second electronic actuator includes a pull rod that extends exterior of the second electronic actuator and extends opposite the pull rod of the first electronic actuator;
wherein the pull rod of the first electronic actuator is attached to the first latch arm;
wherein the pull rod of the second electronic actuator is attached to the second latch arm;
wherein the pull rod of the first electronic actuator is configured to selectively move the first latch arm;
wherein the pull rod of the second electronic actuator is configured to selectively move the second latch arm;
wherein the handle assembly is centrally located between the first and second electronic actuators;
wherein the first electronic actuator includes a mechanical override rod that extends exterior of the first electronic actuator axially opposed to the pull rod of the first electronic actuator;
wherein the second electronic actuator includes a mechanical override rod that extends exterior of the second electronic actuator axially opposed to the pull rod of the second electronic actuator;
wherein the first rod is coupled to the mechanical override rod of the first electronic actuator;
wherein the second rod is coupled to the mechanical override rod of the second electronic actuator;
and
wherein the switch is configured to send a signal to the first and second electronic actuators to cause the first and second latch arms to move;
and
wherein, if the first or second electronic actuators do not move the first latch arm or the second latch arm, respectively, the handle assembly can manually operate to move the first latch arm or the second latch arm, respectively, via the mechanical override rod of the first electronic actuator or the mechanical override rod of the second electronic actuator, respectively.

20 more elements

A truck bed cover comprising:

a release assembly that includes:
a handle;
a first rod extending from the handle;
a first electronic actuator;
wherein the first electronic actuator includes a pull rod that extends exterior of the first
electronic actuator;
wherein the first electronic actuator includes a mechanical override rod that extends exterior of the first electronic actuator axially opposed to the pull rod of the first electronic actuator;
a first latch located at one side of the truck bed cover;
wherein the first latch comprises a first latch arm;
wherein the pull rod of the first electronic actuator is attached to the first latch arm;
wherein the first rod is coupled to the mechanical override rod of the first electronic actuator;
wherein the first latch is coupled to the first latch arm;
and
wherein the pull rod of the first electronic actuator is configured to selectively move the first latch arm coupled to the first latch;
and
wherein, if the first electronic actuator does not move the first latch arm, the handle assembly can manually operate to move the first latch arm via the mechanical override rod of the first electronic actuator.

13 more elements

A truck bed cover comprising:

a release assembly that includes:
a first rod;
a first electronic actuator;
wherein the first rod is coupled to the first electronic actuator;
and
a first latch located at one side of the truck bed cover;
wherein the first latch comprises a first latch arm;
wherein the first latch includes a latch arm;
wherein the first electronic actuator is configured to selectively move the latch arm of the first latch;
wherein the first electronic actuator includes a pull rod that extends exterior of the second electronic actuator and extends opposite the pull rod of the first electronic actuator;
wherein the pull rod of the first electronic actuator is coupled to the latch arm of the first latch;
wherein the first electronic actuator includes a mechanical override rod that extends exterior of the first electronic actuator actually opposed to the pull rod of the first electronic actuator;
wherein the mechanical override rod of the first electronic actuator is coupled to the first rod;
and
wherein, if the first electronic actuator does not move the first latch arm, the handle assembly can manually operate to move the first latch arm via the mechanical override rod of the first electronic actuator.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/145,493Filed 11 Jan 2021 · continuation
Priority: 8 Mar 2016
Published: US 2021/0129646 A16 May 2021
Granted: 26 Nov 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B60J 7/198
For rigid panels: for locking tonneau covers such as covers for roof storage compartments or for pick-up truck beds
E05B 47/0001
Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means: with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof
E05B 79/12
Connections between movable lock parts: using connecting rods
E05B 83/18
Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets: for car boot lids or rear luggage compartments

Family

Application62/305,243Us provisional application · filed 8 Mar 2016
Application15/451,844Parent of this continuation · filed 7 Mar 2017
Application16/171,850Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Oct 2018
US 10,118,473 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 6 Nov 2018
US 10,889,169 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 12 Jan 2021
US 2021/0129646 A1Pre-grant publication · published 6 May 2021
US 2017/0259654 A1Published application
US 2019/0061499 A1Published application
US 12,151,546 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.