Abstract:
A tonneau cover assembly is provided including a front rail, a rear rail, and two side rails. The rear rail and two side rails include a pair of opposed lips defining a channel therein. The channel slidably receives a plurality of snap receptacles for cooperating with mating snaps of a tonneau cover having a snap-type mechanism. The channel also receives a hook-type retention member and retains it therein so that a tonneau cover having a hook-type fastening mechanism can be secured thereto. Accordingly, a single rail network can be used with either a snap-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism or a hook-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to tonneau covers for truck beds and, more particularly, to a tonneau cover rail assembly which universally accommodates tonneau covers having snap-type fastening mechanisms and tonneau covers having hook-type fastening mechanisms. 
     2. Discussion 
     Tonneau covers are used to cover openings within vehicles. Tonneau covers are commonly used to cover seating sections of boats and convertible cars, as well as pick-up truck beds. Tonneau covers are advantageous since they provide protection from the elements for the contents thereunder and improve aerodynamics. 
     For years, tonneau covers utilized snap-type fastening mechanisms for securing the cover to the vehicle. In this type of mechanism, several snap receptacles are secured directly to a vehicle. The tonneau cover is provided with mating snaps which are snapped onto the snap receptacles. While adequate, this type of fastening arrangement requires extensive tooling to embed the snap receptacles into the vehicle and, once the snap receptacles are in place, they cannot be easily removed. 
     Today, most tonneau cover assemblies include a rail network which is attached to the top of the vehicle bed sidewalls. U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,033 to Wheatley et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,184 to Byrd et al. show tonneau cover assemblies using a rail network. After the rail network is secured to the vehicle, the tonneau cover is secured to the rails. 
     Rail networks commonly employ one of two types of fastening mechanisms for interconnecting with a tonneau cover. The first type includes a plurality of snap receptacles which cooperate with mating snaps coupled about the perimeter of the cover. The second type employs an elongated slot for cooperating with an elongated hook coupled about the perimeter of the cover. As such, a different rail network is required for use in conjunction with each type of cover. That is, a cover having a snap-type fastening mechanism requires a rail network having mating snap receptacles. Similarly, a cover having hook-type fastening mechanisms requires a rail network having mating channels. As such, a retailer must maintain an inventory of both snap-type and hook-type rail networks for use with each type of cover. 
     In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a rail network for a tonneau cover which universally accommodates both snap-type fastening mechanisms and hook-type fastening mechanisms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other objects are provided by a tonneau cover assembly including a front rail, a rear rail, and two side rails. Each of the rear and two side rails includes a pair of opposed lips defining a channel therein. The channel slidably receives a plurality of snap receptacles for cooperating with mating snaps of a tonneau cover having a snap-type fastening mechanism. The channel also receives a hook-type retention member and retains it therein so that a tonneau cover having a hook-type fastening mechanism can be secured thereto. Accordingly, a single rail network can be used with either a snap-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism or a hook-type tonneau cover fastening mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order to appreciate the manner in which the advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings only depict preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting in scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck including a tonneau cover assembly coupled thereto according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom view of the tonneau cover assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating both interchangeable cover members; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a corner assembly of the tonneau cover assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the front rail of the tonneau cover assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line  4 — 4 ; 
     FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the side rail of the tonneau cover assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line  5 — 5  with a cover secured thereto using a snap-type fastening mechanism; and 
     FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the side rail of the tonneau cover assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line  5 — 5  with a cover secured thereto using a hook-type fastening mechanism. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed towards a tonneau cover assembly for the cargo area of a truck. The tonneau cover assembly includes a plurality of rails adapted to accommodate a cover having either a plurality of snap members coupled thereto or a plurality of hook members coupled thereto. As such, the plurality of rails can be interchangeably used with either style of cover. 
     Referring now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle  10  in the form of a truck having a tonneau cover assembly  12  coupled thereto in accordance with the present invention. The vehicle  10  includes a bed  14  defined by a frontwall  16 , rearwall  18 , and a pair of sidewalls  20 A and  20 B. The tonneau cover assembly  12  includes a rail network  21  coupled to the frontwall  16 , rearwall  18 , and sidewalls  20  of the bed  14 . 
     Referring now also to FIG. 2, the rail network  21  includes a front rail  22  coupled to the frontwall  16 , a rear rail  24  coupled to the rearwall  18 , and a pair of side rails  26 A and  26 B coupled to the sidewalls  20 A and  20 B. The side rails  26 A, and  26 B are connected to the front rail  22  and rear rail  24  by corner members  28 . Rail network  21  may be attached to the bed  14  in any number of conventional ways such as by screws, bolts, or clamps. However, to prevent permanent disfiguration of the vehicle  10 , it is preferred to use a plurality of clamps (not shown). If desired, padding may be inserted between the rail network  21  and bed  14  to reduce the potential for scratching and to act as a seal. 
     A cover  30  is coupled to the front rail  22 , rear rail  24 , and side rails  26  so as to enclose the bed  14 . As described in greater detail below, cover  30  may have either a snap-type fastening mechanism or a hook-type fastening mechanism (see cover  30 ′) and still be used with rail network  21 . Cover  30  is preferably made of flexible vinyl although any similar weather-resistant flexible material may be used. 
     As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 2, the first side rail  26 A is coupled to the front rail  22  by a first corner member  28 A. The second side rail  26 B is coupled to the front rail  22  by a second corner member  28 B such that the second side rail  26 B is opposite the first side rail  26 A. The rear rail  24  is coupled to the first side rail  26 A by a third corner member  28 C and is coupled to the second side rail  26 B by a fourth corner member  28 D such that it is opposite the front rail  22 . The rails are preferably constructed of a sturdy, lightweight material, such as aluminum. The corner members are preferably constructed of a rigid material, such as plastic. 
     Referring momentarily to FIG. 3, a more detailed view of the connection between the front rail  22  and first side rail  26 A is illustrated. This connection is exemplary of each corner connection described above. Comer member  28 A includes two pairs of rectangular plugs  32 A and  32 B laterally extending therefrom. Plugs  32 A and  32 B preferably form an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Each plug  32 A and  32 B also contains a threaded bore  34  formed therein. 
     The generally triangularly shaped front rail  22  and side rail  26 A include a pair of slots  36 A and  36 B extending the entire length thereof slots  36 A and  36 B have a generally rectangular cross-section and are designed to telescopically receive plugs  32 . The front rail  22  is connected to the side rail  26 A by positioning corner member  28 A therebetween. Plugs  32 A are positioned within slots  36 A and  36 B of the front rail  22  and plugs  32 B are positioned in the slots  36 A and  36 B of the side rail  26 A. A threaded fastener (not shown) is then threaded into the threaded bores  34  to fictionally secure the corner member  28 A to the front rail  22  and side rail  26 A. As such, the front rail  22  and side rail  26 A are secured together. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, first and second embodiment covers  30  and  30 ′ are illustrated. Cover  30  is preferably rectangularly shaped and includes a front edge  38 , rear edge  40 , and a pair of side edges  42 A and  42 B. A T-shaped bead  44  is coupled to the cover  30  proximate the front edge  38 . Further, a plurality of snap members  46  are coupled about the perimeter of the cover  30  proximate the rear edge  40  and side edges  42 . In contrast, the perimeter of cover  30 ′ includes elongated hook members  48  coupled thereto proximate the rear edge  40  and side edges  42 . Conveniently, the rail network  21  accommodates both types of covers  30  and  30 ′. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the front rail  22  will be described in greater detail. The front rail  22  includes a top surface  50  and bottom surface  52  interconnected by an intermediate member  54 . The top surface  50  includes a generally horizontal portion  56  and a downwardly angled portion  58 . The horizontal portion  56  terminates in a first downturned lip  60  while the angled portion  58  terminates in a second downturned lip  62 . The bottom surface  52  is generally horizontal and terminates at a first upturned lip  64  at one end and a second upturned lip  66  at an opposite end. Preferably, the second downturned lip  62  is offset from or overhangs the second upturned lip  66 . 
     The intermediate member  54  includes a generally vertical portion  68  and an outwardly angled portion  70 . The intermediate member  54  also includes a horizontal member  72  laterally extending therefrom between the top surface  50  and bottom surface  52 . The horizontal member  72  terminates in an upturned lip  74  and a downturned lip  76 . 
     The first downturned lip  60  and upturned lip  74  form a pair of opposed lips defining an opening to slot  36 . Similarly, the first upturned lip  64  and downturned lip  76  form an opening into slot  36 ′. As described above, the slots  36  and  36 ′ retain plugs  32  of corner member  28 . The second downturned lip  62  and second upturned lip  66  form a pair of opposed lips defining an opening to a channel  78  bordered by the bottom surface  52 , intermediate member  54  and top surface  50 . 
     Referring now primarily to FIG. 4, the T-shaped bead  44  of the covers  30  and  30 ′ is illustrated in greater detail. The T-shaped bead  44  includes a flanged end  80  sewn to the cover  30 . A post  82  projects from the flanged end  80  and terminates in a overhanging bead portion  84 . The shoulder portion  86  of the bead portion  84  interferes with the second upturned lip  66  while post  82  interferes with the second downturned lip  62  to retain the T-shaped bead  44  in channel  78 . As such, the T-shaped bead  44  may be slidably received in channel  78  by first removing a corner member  28 , inserting the T-shaped bead  44  into one end of channel  78  and sliding it toward the opposite end, and then replacing the corner member  28 , or may be snap-fit in place through a leveraging motion. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5A, the side rail  26 A will be described in greater detail. The side rail  26 A is exemplary of the configuration of the side rail  26 B and rear rail  24 . The side rail  26 A includes a top surface  88  and a bottom surface  90  interconnected by an intermediate member  92 . The top surface  88  includes a horizontal portion  94 , a downwardly angled portion  96  and a C-shaped portion  98  (a reverse C as illustrated in FIG.  5 A). The horizontal portion  94  terminates in a first downturned lip  100  while the C-shaped portion  98  terminates in a second downturned lip  102 . The second downturned lip includes a pair of fingers  104  defining a slot  106  therebetween. Preferably, the second downturned lip  102  is oriented at an angle relative to the horizontal such that it is essentially parallel to the angled portion  96  of the top surface. 
     The bottom surface  90  includes a horizontal portion  108  and an arcuately angled portion  110 . The horizontal portion terminates in a first upturned lip  112  while the angled portion  110  terminates in a second upturned lip  114 . The second upturned lip  114  is preferably formed at an angle such that it is parallel to or co-planar with the second downturned lip  102 . The bottom surface  90  also includes a projection  116  extending proximate the second upturned lip  114  but spaced apart therefrom so as to define a channel  118 . 
     The intermediate member  92  includes a horizontal member  120  laterally projecting from the intersection of the C-shaped portion  98  of the top surface  88 . The horizontal member  120  terminates in a third upturned lip  122  and a third downturned lip  124 . The first upturned lip  112  and third downturned lip  124  define an opening to the charnel  36 B. Similarly, the first downturned lip  100  and third upturned lip  122  form a pair of opposed lips defining the channel  36 A. As described above, the channels  36 ,  36 ′ retain the plugs  32  of the corner member  28 . 
     The second downturned lip  102  and second upturned lip  114  form a pair of opposed lips defining an opening to a channel  126 . A plurality of snap retaining members  128  (only one of which is illustrated) are dimensioned so as to be retained within channel  126 . The snap retaining members  128  cooperate with the snap members  46  of the cover  30  to secure the cover  30  to the side rail  26 . 
     The snap retaining members  128  include a snap body  129  coupled to a flange  131  having a first flange end  130  and an oppositely projecting second flange end  132 . The first flange  130  includes a first portion  134  laterally projecting away from the body  129  of the snap retaining member  128 , a second portion  136  extending essentially orthogonally to the first portion  134 , and a third portion  138  extending essentially orthogonally to the second portion  136  so as to be virtually parallel to the first portion  134 . The third portion  138  is retained in the channel  118  by engaging the projection  116  and angled portion  110 . The first portion  134  and second portion  136  form a shoulder  140  for engaging the second upturned lip  114 . 
     The second flange  132  includes a first portion  142  laterally extending opposite the body  129  of the snap retaining member  128 , and a second portion  144  extending essentially orthogonally to the first portion  142  which includes an underturned section  146 . The second portion  144  resides within the slot  106  such that the shoulder  148  defined by the first portion  142  and second portion  144  engages the outboard finger  104  of the second downturned lip  102 . 
     The snap retaining members  128  are slidably received within the channel  126  through cooperation of the first flange  130  with the second upturned lip  114  and cooperation of the second flange  132  with the second downturned lip  102 . This is preferably accomplished by removing a corner piece  28 , sliding a desired number of snap retaining members  128  into channel  126 , and then replacing the corner member  128 . Removal is accomplished by reversing these steps. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5B, the side rail  26 A will be described in conjunction with the alternate embodiment cover  30 ′ including hook members  48 . Advantageously, the identical rail network can be used with either the first embodiment cover  30  including snap members  46  or the second embodiment cover  30 ′ with hook members  48 . When converted to use with the cover  30 ′, the snap retaining members  128  are removed therefrom or slid to a stored location, e.g., to one end of the slot. Since the side rail  26 A of FIG. 5A is identical to that of FIG. 5B, its description will not be repeated here. 
     The hook member  48  includes a pair of base flanges  150 A and  150 B sewn to cover  30 ′. The body  152  of hook member  48  extends from base flanges  150 A and  150 B and is generally U-shaped. A projection  154  laterally extends from the body  152  proximate the outboard flange  150 A. The projection  154  cooperates with the outboard base flange  150 A to form a recess  156 . In operation, the projection  154  resides within the channel  118  such that the second upturned lip  114  engages the body  152  and base flange  150 A along the recess  156 . Preferably, the hook member  48  is dimensioned so as to snap fit within the channel  126  by placing the body  152  adjacent the second downturned lip  102  and rotating about this pivot point until the projection  154  snaps beyond the second upturned lip  114 . 
     Thus, the present invention provides universal tonneau cover assembly for the cargo area of a truck. The tonneau cover assembly includes a plurality of rails having a universal channel formed therein for interchangeably accommodating a snap-type fastening system or a hook-type fastening system of a cover. As such, a consumer need only purchase one set of rails for either style of cover. 
     Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.