Patent ID: 6234561
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
An arrangement including a lockable, soft, flexible tonneau cover for a bed of a vehicle having at least a front wall and two side walls forming three walls of the bed, means for positioning said soft, flexible tonneau cover in a closed position to cover the bed of the vehicle, and means for selectively locking said tonneau cover in said closed position over said bed,said positioning means for said tonneau cover including a rear rail, means for mounting said rear rail to extend substantially between said two side walls of the bed, and means for attaching said tonneau cover to said rear rail, said rear rail being mounted for movement relative to said two side walls toward and away from said front wall between at least first and second positions, said rear rail in said second position being farther away from the front wall than in said first position, said rear rail in said second position extending substantially horizontally between the two side walls, said tonneau cover being in said closed position when said attached rear rail is moved to said second position, andsaid locking means for said tonneau cover including means for selectively keeping said rear rail in said second position wherein said mounting means for said rear rail mounts said rear rail for pivotal movement about an axis between said first and second positions, said mounting means having an end section spaced from said pivotal axis, said end section moving along a predetermined path about the pivotal axis as said rear rail is pivotally moved between said first and second positions, said means for selectively keeping said rear rail in said second position including a catch selectively movable into and away from said predetermined path to selectively prevent and permit said rear rail to be moved from said second position to said first position, said catch being supported for sliding movement between respective positions preventing and permitting said rear rail to be moved from said second position to said first position.