Patent ID: 7066524
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: B60J,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the perimeter of the cargo box including a forward end, two opposing sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate being positioned rearward of the forward end, the tonneau cover apparatus comprising: a flexible cover, the flexible cover having first and second ends; a support frame for attachment to the cargo box; the support frame having two opposing side rails and a pair of end plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails in a position rearward of the forward end when the tonneau cover apparatus is attached to the cargo box; wherein when the first end of the flexible cover is operatively connected to the support frame forward of the respective end plate engagement members an end plate attached to the second end of the flexible cover, wherein the end plate is configured to cooperatively engage the respective end plate engagement members when the flexible cover is drawn over the cargo box and the end plate is in a closed position, wherein the flexible cover is stretched so as to place a tension on the flexible cover; first and second locking members, each of the respective first and second locking members being slidably retained at least in part within the end plate proximate respective opposite ends of the end plate and movable between a first position and a second position when the end plate is in the closed position; wherein the respective locking members prevent the end plate from being disengaged from the closed position when each of the respective locking members are in the first position, and wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the closed position when the respective locking members are each in the second position; an elongated member secured to respective first and second locking members such that force can be placed upon each respective locking member by pulling the elongated member so as to draw each of the respective locking members away from the respective first position toward the respective second position; and a pivotal turn knob interconnected with the elongated member, the turn knob being configured to draw each of the respective first and second locking members generally toward a region between the two first and second locking members and out of the respective first position when a force is placed upon the turn knob that causes the turn knob to pivot with respect to an axis about which the turn knob turns, thereby urging the respective first and second locking members toward the second position wherein the end plate can be disengaged from the closed position.