Tonneau cover attaching system

#This invention related to a method of attaching a flexible cover to a rectangle storage space, such as a pickup truck bed or boat cockpit. This attaching method seals the flexible cover to the sides of the space to provide weatherproof storage, retain the contents within that space, and reduce the aerodynamic drag of that space, when the vehicle is travelling. By supporting the cover continuously, with a metal frame, it has greater strength to withstand the forces, of the vehicle movement, than other attaching methods. This invention fills the need for an attaching method, which does not require any holes drilled in the top or outside of the truck bed.

#Present attaching systems consist of metal closing devices such as snaps or switch toggles. These need a metal part in the cover and on the vehicle, result in a rust problem and paint damage if the cover should flap against the vehicle. Also the support they offer is intermittent and not continuous like this invention. Another method is the hook and loop fastener such as "Velcro", which is stuck onto the vehicle, and was designed for clothing and does not have the strength to withstand the forces of the vehicle in motion.

#The invention consists of a flexible cover, made to the exact size of the storage space or truck bed, plus the width of the rails. Into the edges of this cover, is sewn a flexible plastic strip one inch wide and an eight of an inch thick. This plastic strip fits into a gap created by the L shaped rails, which are fitted to the truck bed and the truck bed itself.

#FIG. 1 Perspective view of pickup truck with cover installed, also shows direction of all other drawings.

#FIG. 2 shows open truck bed with L shaped rails installed to the top inside edge of the bed.

#FIG. 3 closer view of top inside edge of truck bed with rail attached with screws to truck bed.

#The essence of this invention is the use of extruded plastic strip (11), measuring one to two inches wide, and an eighth of an inch thick, depending on it's application; to hold a flexible cover to aluminum rails (7) fitted to a square storage area such as a bed of a pickup truck, boat cockpit or swimming pool. Because the plastic strip is sewn into the edge of the cover, with enough of a seam, to offer strength, and this method of attachment needs the cover to fit the open storage space excactly, each application needs to be made exactly.

#The exact sizing for each application allows the plastic strip in the cover to fold into the gap between the rails and the truck bed. And to be retained there, by the downward forces on the cover and the contraction of the cover, once it has been stretched to allow this to happen.

#Each rail has to be sized to the storage space to support the cover continuously, while allowing the cover to turn the corners. It is the use of leverage, by standing the plastic strip vertical against the rail and folding horizontal, which is the originality of this invention and accounts for it's workability under the varying conditions of the environment in which it survives.