Apparatus for covering an opening defined in a structure
AssigneeAgri-Cover, Inc.
InventorsSteven C. Schmeichel, Charles M. Schmeichel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cover (10) including a generally L-shaped end plate (20) for stretching and fastening the cover (10) to a frame structure (30). End plate (20) is lockable into a fixed, stretching position with respect to the frame structure (30). Different locking arrangements for accomplishing this are disclosed. Structure (160) is provided for mounting the frame structure (30) to the box of a pickup truck or an equivalent apparatus. Structure is also provided for preventing the cover (10) from ballooning during use.
Claims19
A cover apparatus for covering an opening defined in a structure, such as the bed of a pickup, the apparatus being configurable in an uncovered state wherein the opening is uncovered and a covered state wherein the opening is covered, the apparatus comprising:
- a stretchable cover having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, a front end and a back end, and two spaced apart longitudinally extending opposite side edges;
- a frame fixedly positionable about the opening;
- a first hook-and-loop fastener disposed along the opposite side edges of said cover;
- a second hook-and-loop fastener disposed along opposite sides of said rigid frame and detachably fastenable to said first hook-and-loop fastener of said cover when said cover is in the covered state;
- attachment means for attaching the cover to a front end of the opening;
- means attached to said back end of said cover for stretching said cover and for releasably securing said back end of said cover to said frame;
- means for locking said stretching means into a fixed, stretching position with respect to said frame;
- and
- means for releasing said locking means so that said cover may be removed from its position over the opening, said releasing means being constructed so as to be actuatable by an operator when the operator applies a downward force through said cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.