Covering structure having automatic coupling system
OwnerDonald Wheatleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tonneau system for a cargo box of a vehicle having a support frame connectable to the cargo box. A cover spans the support frame and is positionable between a tensioned position and an untensioned position. A pivot block is mounted to the support frame, while the cover is coupled to a rear bracket member. The rear bracket member carries the cover and pivotally engages the pivot block such that the rear bracket member rotates between a raised position and a lowered position. The rear bracket member can be automatically locked in the lowered position.
Claims16
A method of locking a cover of a vehicle, said method comprising:
- providing a cover spanning at least a portion of a frame, said frame having a pivot block;
- coupling said cover to a bracket member;
- engaging and rotating said bracket member relative to said pivot block from a first position to a second position;
- and
- releasably locking said bracket member relative to said pivot block when said bracket member is in said second position.
A method of locking a cover of a vehicle, said method comprising:
- coupling a cover to a bracket member;
- slidably coupling a pivot block to the vehicle;
- engaging said bracket member to said pivot block and rotating said bracket member relative to said pivot block from a raised position to a lowered position;
- and
- automatically locking said bracket member relative to said pivot block when said bracket member is in said lowered position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.