US 4,747,441 AGranted

Foldable cover assembly

OwnerDonald G. Apolzer, Charles H. Richardsinventors

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Abstract

A foldable cover assembly is particularly adapted for pick-up trucks and has a plurality of slat members with a longitudinal slot extending along each end. Each slot communicates with a more extensive cavity. A plurality of hinge members connect the slat members together. The hinge members are flexible and resilient, having a center portion and relatively thin flange portions extending longitudinally along each end of the center portion. The hinge members have enlarged, elongated portions extending along outer ends of the flange portions. The flange portions and protrusions are shaped so the flange portions extend through the slots of the slat members, while the protrusions are retained in the cavities of the slat members. A pair of guide members are positioned in parallel, spaced-apart relationship. The guide members have inner portions for slidably receiving sides of the slat members and the hinge members thereon. A plurality of retainers slidably connect alternating hinge members to the guide members. Preferably a pair of flap members are hingedly connected to each guide member for covering sides of the slat members and the hinge members when the cover assembly is unfolded.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A foldable cover assembly comprising:

a frame including a pair of parallel guide channel members;
a foldable cover on the guide channel members including interconnected, alternating rigid slat members and flexible hinge members , the slat members each having a longitudinal slot extending along each end thereof, each said slot communicating with a more extensive interior cavity, the hinge members each being flexible and resilient and having a centre portion, a relatively thin flange portion extending longitudinally along each end of the centre portion, and an enlarged, elongated portion extending along an outer end of each said flange portion, the flange portions and enlarged portions being shaped so the flange portions can extend through the slots of the slat members while the enlarged portions are retained in the cavities of the slat members;
connecting means for connecting every second hinge member to each said guide channel member in a manner to permit sliding along the guide channel members and to prevent lifting of said every second hinge member away from the guide channel members so the slat members and the hinge members are flat against the guide channel members and the cover extends along the lengths of the guide channel members when the cover is unfolded, and the slat members are stacked adjacent each other in a vertical position near one end of the guide channel members and the hinge members form curved loops interconnecting adjacent slat members when the cover is folded.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/878,719Filed 25 Jun 1986
Granted: 31 May 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

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…
B60J 7/041
With rigid plate-like element or elements , e.g. open roofs with harmonica-type folding rigid panels: for utility vehicles, e.g. with slidable and…
E06B 3/481
Wings connected at their edges, e.g. foldable wings: wings foldable in a zig-zag manner or bi-fold wings
B60J
Windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors, or similar devices for vehicles