Tonneau cover with linkage free bow system
AssigneeBestop, Inc.
InventorTavis Lutzka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tonneau cover assembly including a plurality of biasing pivots assisting and operably dampening the movement of a plurality of fabric management bows when moving the tonneau cover between a closed position and open position and back. Biasing pivots help to load the plurality of fabric management bows and, when the tonneau cover is opening, the bows manage the fabric. According to aspects of the present invention, at least two pairs of biasing pivots are biased away from each other to maintain tonneau cover fabric tension. At least one addition biasing pivot dampens the fall of the plurality of fabric management bows opening and also assists with the tonneau cover assembly's balance when closing and prevent binding.
Claims20
A soft tonneau top cover assembly operably adapted for a pickup truck vehicle, comprising:
- a first fabric management bow;
- a pair of first arms operably connected to said first fabric management bow;
- a second fabric management bow;
- a pair of second arms operably connected to said second fabric management bow;
- a plurality of operably biased pivots, operable to dampen the movement of the soft tonneau top cover and provide a lift assist when selectively moving between at least a closed position and open position, said pairs of first arms and second arms operably connected to said plurality of operably biased pivots.
A soft tonneau top cover assembly operably adapted for connecting at a cargo bed top opening of a vehicle, comprising:
- a cover;
- at least two fabric management bows operably coupled to said cover;
- and
- a plurality of operably biased pivots, operable to dampen the movement of a pivotable portion of the soft tonneau top cover assembly and also to provide a lift assist to said soft tonneau top cover assembly, said soft tonneau top cover assembly selectively movable between at least an open position and a closed position, wherein said at least two fabric management bows manage the cover when folding to said open position.
A soft tonneau top cover assembly operably adapted for a cargo bed of a vehicle, comprising:
- a cover operable to selectively close off a cargo bed top opening;
- at least two fabric management bows, wherein said soft tonneau top cover assembly has no linkages between said at least two fabric management bows;
- a plurality of biased pivot joints incorporating springs, wherein said springs of two of said pivot joints are biased away from each other to load said two fabric management bows and, when the soft tonneau top cover assembly is opening, said at least two fabric management bows manage said cover,
- wherein the spring of another pivot joint is located between the said two pivot joints and is biased toward closing the soft tonneau top cover assembly in order to dampen the fall of the soft tonneau top cover assembly into an open position and to assist the soft tonneau top cover assembly balance when closing to a closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.