US 2016/0096422 A1Published application

Tonneau cover system and ratchet clamp

AssigneeExtang Corporation

InventorsJerome J. FACCHINELLO, Charles A. FABROS, Brian P. KOZLOWSKI

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Abstract

A threaded rod can be pivotably coupled to the tonneau cover via a proximal end. A housing can have first and second housing portions slidably coupled to the threaded rod and moveable along the threaded rod relative to each other between locked and unlocked positions. The second housing portion can include a channel positioned to receive a downwardly disposed distal edge of an inboard flange. Locking pawls within the housing can move to engage threads of the rod to prevent movement of the channel relative to the elongate member when in the locked position. The locking pawls can move to release the threads of the rod to allow movement of the channel relative to the rod when in the unlocked position. A biasing member can apply a biasing force biasing the housing toward the proximal end of the elongate member and biasing the housing toward the locked position.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A tonneau cover system for a cargo box of a pickup truck, the cargo box comprising a flange having a downwardly disposed edge, the tonneau cover system comprising:

a tonneau cover for covering the cargo box;
and
a clamp to secure the tonneau cover to the cargo box, the clamp comprising:
an elongate member having a distal end pivotably coupled to the tonneau cover;
a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion slidably coupled to the elongate member, the second housing portion including a channel positioned to receive the downwardly disposed edge and being slidable along the elongate member relative to the first housing portion between a locked position and an unlocked position;
a locking mechanism within the housing and movable to engage the elongate member to prevent movement of the channel relative to the elongate member when the first and second housing portions are in the locked position;
and the locking mechanism being movable to release the elongate member to allow movement of the channel relative to the elongate member when the first and second housing portions are in the unlocked position;
a biasing member applying a biasing force biasing the housing toward the proximal end of the elongate member.

5 more elements

A tonneau cover clamp for clamping a tonneau cover to a downwardly disposed distal edge of a flange of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the tonneau cover clamp comprising:

a threaded rod having a proximal end with a pivotable coupling structured to couple the threaded rod to the tonneau cover;
a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion slidably coupled to the threaded rod, the second housing portion including a channel positioned to receive the downwardly disposed distal edge and being slidable along the threaded rod relative to the first housing portion between a locked position and an unlocked position;
at least one locking pawl within the housing, each pawl being movable to engage a thread of the threaded rod to prevent movement of the channel relative to the threaded rod when the first and second housing portions are in the locked position;
and being movable to release the thread of the threaded rod to allow movement of the channel relative to the threaded rod when the first and second housing portions are in the unlocked position;
a biasing member applying a biasing force biasing the housing toward the proximal end of the threaded rod and the biasing force biasing the housing toward the locked position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/875,006Filed 5 Oct 2015
Priority: 7 Oct 2014
Published: 7 Apr 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B60J 7/198
For rigid panels: for locking tonneau covers such as covers for roof storage compartments or for pick-up truck beds
B60J 7/106
Readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins: readily detachable hard-tops
B60J 7/141
With a plurality of rigid plate-like elements or rigid non plate-like elements, e.g. with non-slidable, but pivotable or foldable movement: for…
F16B 2/185
Using cams, levers, eccentrics, or toggles: using levers