Patent ID: 6273491
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B60J,Y10T

Abstract:
An improved arrangement for mounting tonneau covers and the like to the bed of a pick up truck type vehicle, comprising:first and second spaced-apart front mounting bracket assemblies for releasable attachment of the front portion of the tonneau cover to the vehicle at discrete locations, each such bracket assembly including a rotary latch member mounted on a strap hinge, that strap hinge being secured to the front portion of the tonneau cover, a self-centering bracket member mounted on a rail, that rail being releasably clampable to the of vehicle side wall, and a self-contained trip handle extending from the rotary latch member to selectively disconnect the rotary latch member from the bracket member,a prop bracket member with means for improved distribution of tonneau cover weight away from the vehicle side wall, including a removable, cantilevered connection of the prop bracket member to the vehicle below the level of the rail and substantially inwardly therefrom,means for releasably securing the prop to the tonneau when the prop is disconnected from the prop bracket,at least one rear catch bracket mounted t o a rail with engagement means to accommodate latch alignment in response to longitudinal and lateral thermal expansion of the tonneau cover, that engagement means including an inwardly inclined catch arm for releasable connection to a rear locking member mounted to the tonneau cover,means for counteracting bowing and sagging of the tonneau cover through the application of counteracting forces during use, including weighted portions intermediate the front and rear of the tonneau cover and leveling nibs along the rails, andthe rails having contoured cross-sectional configurations to closely match the vehicle side wall portion to which the rails abut.