US 8,348,328 B2 · Sealing hinge for a rigid tonneau cover

Abstract

A folding tonneau cover including a first substantially rigid panel having a laterally-extending front edge at least partially defined by an elongate edge rail, and a second substantially rigid panel having a laterally-extending rear edge at least partially defined by an elongate edge rail, the first and second panels having opposed exterior and interior sides. The first and second panels substantially lie in a plane when the cover is unfolded, the first and second panel exterior sides generally facing in a direction away from a first side of the plane when the cover is unfolded, the first and second panel exterior sides adjacently superposed when the cover is folded. The cover includes a hinge assembly having substantially rigid first and second portions pivotally connected together along a first pivot axis located on the one side of the plane, the hinge first portion affixed to the first panel edge rail, the hinge second portion affixed to the second panel edge rail. A seal is affixed to at least one of the first and second panel edge rails. When the cover is unfolded the seal extends from one of the first panel front edge and the second panel rear edge toward the other and is entirely disposed on the same side of the first pivot axis as is the plane.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A folding tonneau cover comprising:

a first panel having an exterior side;
a second panel having an exterior side aligning with said exterior side of said first panel to define an exterior plane and a gap disposed between said first and second panels when said tonneau cover is in an unfolded position, and said exterior sides facing one another when said tonneau cover is in a folded position;
a hinge mounted to each of said first and second panels with said hinge defining a pivot axis for allowing pivotal movement of said first and second panels relative to one another between said folded and unfolded positions and said hinge at least partially disposed within said gap when said tonneau cover is in said unfolded position;
and
a seal coupled to each of said first and second panels;
wherein said hinge is at least partially disposed below said exterior plane and said seal is disposed entirely below said exterior plane and said pivot axis when said tonneau cover is in said unfolded position for inhibiting intrusion of debris between said first and second panels and wherein said seal remains coupled to each of said first and said second panels when said tonneau cover is in said folded position.

3 more elements

A folding tonneau cover comprising:

a first panel having an exterior side;
a second panel having an exterior side aligning with said exterior side of said first panel to define an exterior plane and a gap disposed between said first and second panels when said tonneau cover is in an unfolded position, and said exterior sides facing one another when said tonneau cover is in a folded position;
a hinge mounted to each of said first and second panels with said hinge defining a pivot axis for allowing pivotal movement of said first and second panels relative to one another between said folded and unfolded positions and said hinge at least partially disposed within said gap when said tonneau cover is in said unfolded position;
and
a first seal coupled to said first panel;
a second seal coupled to said second panel;
wherein said hinge is at least partially disposed below said exterior plane and said first and second seals are disposed entirely below said exterior plane and said pivot axis and wherein said first seal abuts said second seal when said tonneau cover is in said unfolded position for inhibiting intrusion of debris between said first and second panels.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sealing hinge for a rigid tonneau cover

Life of this patent

Sealing hinge for a rigid tonneau cover

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20