Abstract:
A soft top tonneau cover is formed from a plurality of hinged frame sections that are foldable between overlaying positions and extended positions. Camlock clamps are integrated into the frame so as to provide a stable, quick release latch to the walls of the bed with a minimum of spacial intrusion into the bed. The hinge between the frame sections has a double pivot so as to automatically tension the top when folded open. Strap clamps are integrated into the frame so as to permit the sections to be secured when folded closed.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to covers for the cargo bed of a pick up truck, and, more particularly, to flexible tonneau covers that are removable from the cargo bed of the pick up truck. 
     A wide variety of covers for the cargo bed of a pick up truck are presently known. In general, such covers are known as either “caps” or “tonneau covers,” the caps typically being an enclosure that extends substantially above the bed so as to increase the height of the cargo bed and the tonneau covers typically being a covering the lies substantially flush with the top walls of the cargo bed without significantly increasing the height of the cargo bed. Tonneau covers are generally of two types, hard top and soft top, meaning that the material covering the bed is either rigid, as with metal, fiberglass or the like, or that the material is flexible, as with canvas, vinyl, or a weather resistant fabric. 
     Tonneau covers provide protection for cargo carried in the bed of the pick up truck from adverse weather, such as rain, snow, wind, etc., and also from theft, vandalism, etc. Tonneau covers can also improve fuel efficiency of the pick up truck by reducing the drag on the vehicle caused by the configuration of the cargo bed. Tonneau covers can also improve the aesthetic appearance of the pick up truck by providing a more streamlined automotive appearance. 
     Most tonneau covers are releasably clamped to the bed of the pick up truck since it can be necessary on occasion to carry loads in the bed that exceed the height limitations of the tonneau cover. Hard top tonneau covers, while in general providing greater security for cargo and typically being preassembled, can be more easily clamped onto the bed of the pick up truck, but have substantially more weight and bulkiness than soft top tonneau covers. Thus, it typically requires two or more people to install or remove a hard top tonneau cover. Further, since most hard top tonneau covers maintain their full size and shape once removed, significant storage space is needed for the cover during the time it is removed from the pick up truck. Also, the clamps, mounting frame, hinges and hardware of many hard top tonneau covers are completely separable from the cover and must be kept track of when the cover is in storage. 
     Soft top tonneau covers, on the other hand, are generally lighter in weight, can be stored more compactly during non-use and may be installed and removed by a single person onto and off of the pick up truck. However, because they are typically not preassembled, much greater time is needed: often the frame has to be mounted to the bed of the pick up truck piece by piece and then the fabric covering stretched in place and secured to the frame. Also, soft top tonneau covers often to not allow as convenient access to the bed of the pick up truck once installed since they do not include hinged and spacious openings, as found on many hard top tonneau covers. For example, where a soft cover is unfastened at a corner to give access to the truck bed, one or more of the frame bows or the back rail may still extend across the bed and limit access to the bed. Similarly, many soft top tonneau covers cannot provide the same level of security as hard top tonneau covers since reliable lock and latch mechanisms are not available with the fabric cover structure. 
     Both types of tonneau covers need to include clamp systems that securely retain the cover to the truck at all vehicle speeds and over sustained periods of vibration and environmental exposure. Previously, various separate C-clamps and permanent rail structures have been used. In general, these have had the disadvantages of being relatively slow to position and properly install, overly intrusive of the cargo bed space (interfering with cargo movement or damaging cargo during loading and unloading, for example), relatively expensive to manufacture, and/or causing penetration of the cargo bed walls. Further, given the diversity of cargo bed construction and wall configurations, it is sometimes necessary to have specific clamps for specific models of pick up trucks. Moreover, some of the prior C-clamps used for tonneau covers have been prone to unstable installation due to mismatched surface configurations between the clamp and the portions of the bed walls to which they were applied. 
     Also, such C-clamps are typically mounted under the tonneau covers. Thus, with tonneau covers where the top and some or all of the frame can be removed as a single unit, the low clearance height of the cover over the bed can make access to the clamps inconvenient when the clamps are to be applied or released. On the other hand, with tonneau covers where it is necessary to separate the top from the frame in order to remover the tonneau cover from the vehicle, the clamps are more easily accessible once the top is removed, but then the top often has to be stretched or tensioned over the frame and/or additionally aligned and secured in place. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide and improved tonneau cover for the bed of pick up trucks. Other objects include the provision of a tonneau cover that:
         a. can be pre-assembled prior to installation and readily mounted to the vehicle as a complete unit,   b. is readily attachable to a variety of different model pick up trucks with a common latching mechanism,   c. is compact in dimension and lightweight when positioned for storage and/or shipment,   d. provides a lockable enclosure for the bed of a pick up truck,   e. includes a secure, quick release clamping system that is not prone to misalignment during use and misplacement during storage and/or shipping,   f. is inexpensive to manufacture and easily installed by a single person,   g. provides amble and easy access to the bed of the pick up truck when needed,   h. maintains its cover configuration over an extended period of time, and   i. minimizes intrusion into the cargo area.       

     These and other objects of the present invention are attained by the provision of a soft top tonneau cover formed from a plurality of hinged frame sections that are foldable between overlaying positions and extended positions. Camlock clamps are integrated into the frame so as to provide a stable, quick release latch to the walls of the bed with a minimum of spacial intrusion into the bed. The hinge between the frame sections has a double pivot so as to automatically tension the top when folded open. Strap clamps are integrated into the frame so as to permit the sections to be secured when folded closed. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a top view of an exemplary installation of the present invention on a pick up truck in the fully extended position. 
         FIG. 2  shows a partial side view of the installation of  FIG. 1  with one section of the tonneau cover folded closed to overlay another section of the tonneau cover. 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial side view of the installation of  FIG. 1  with two sections of the tonneau cover folded closed to overlay a third section of the tonneau cover. 
         FIG. 4  shows an enlarged, rear left side, top perspective view of a portion of the pick up truck with the tonneau cover in the position of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a further enlarged cross-sectional view of the side of one section when folded onto another section, as in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  shows an rearward, underside partial view of the right interior side of the bed of a pick up truck with the tonneau cover in the position of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  shows an enlarged underside view of a corner portion of a tonneau cover of the present invention with the cam lock clamp folded for storage. 
         FIG. 8  shows a further enlarged, partial top schematic view of the cam lock clamp in the folded position of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  shows an enlarged, partial underside view of the cam lock clamp of the present invention as positioned onto the bed wall during installation or removal of the tonneau cover. 
         FIG. 10  shows a further enlarged, partial side schematic view of the cam lock clamp in the installation/removal position of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows an enlarged, partial side perspective view of one section of a tonneau cover of the present invention folded onto another section at the location of the hinge. 
         FIG. 12  shows a front, right top perspective view of a tonneau cover according to the present position with the sections overlaid and using an alternative means of securing the sections in place. 
         FIG. 13  shows an enlarged, perspective partial view of the underside of a tonneau cover employing an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The drawings show various aspects of preferred embodiments of the present invention from different perspectives and in different scales of enlargement, as needed for ease of viewing. In preferred embodiments, the present invention is formed as a soft top tonneau cover  20  mounted onto the cargo bed of an exemplary pick up truck  10 . Cover  20  is formed from multiple sections that are foldable to overlay one another or opened to extend over the cargo bed. Cover  20  is shown with sections  22 ,  24  and  26  as an example. In other embodiments two, four or more sections can be used as desired for a given application. In many embodiments, each section will have approximately the same dimensions. It is expected, however that some dimensional differences can be employed in given embodiments, as, for example, to facilitate alignment of the section sides and/or edges when fully folded. 
     Using the example of a three section embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows sections  22 ,  24  and  26  fully opened and extended to cover the entire cargo bed.  FIG. 2  shows section  26  folded to overlay section  24  such that approximately two thirds of the cargo bed is covered by tonneau cover  20 .  FIG. 3  shows section  24  folded to overlay section  22 , with section  26  still folded over section  24 , such that approximately one third of the cargo bed is covered by tonneau cover  20 . 
     In general, tonneau cover  20  is formed from a rigid frame of side rails and support rails or bows covered by a sheet  28  of flexible material. The frame members are, for example, formed from extruded aluminum or a like structural material, and sheet  28  is, for example, formed from weather proof vinyl or a similar plastic material. A variety of such materials have been used in tonneau covers and may be readily selected according to the desired durability, availability and cost of manufacture. Each section of tonneau cover  20  is preassembled to include a left and right side rail  30  and at least one support rail  40  spanning between the left and right side rails. Preferably, two or three support rails  40  so span the side rails and are rigidly connected to the side rails. Side rails  30  include, for example, a groove  32  for receiving an edge or bead on sheet  28  in a conventional manner to secure sheet  28  to the side rails. At the front and rear of tonneau cover  20  (the unhinged end edges of sections  22  and  26 ), the support rails, serving as front or back rails are formed with a similar groove for the same purpose. Other conventional means of attaching the cover sheet to the frame can also be employed as desired in particular applications. Insulating tape  31  can be advantageously applied to the portion of the side rails engaging the walls of the cargo bed so as to minimize abrasion and vibration effects. 
     The result of this construction is that each section is self supporting as a unit. The sections are then hinged together at the respective side rails and joined by the common cover sheet  28 . This hinging allows the sections to be folded onto each other to reduce the effective dimensions of the tonneau cover for storage and shipping and to provide access to the cargo bed. Also, since the cover sheet need never be removed from the frame, greater security and weather protection is permitted for the cargo bed. A conventional lock mechanism can be attached to the tonneau cover at, for example the back rail of section  26 , to restrain that section from folding back to overlay section  24 , by either engagement with the tail gate or side walls of the cargo bed or by blocking the hinge movement between sections. 
     When the sections are folded to overlay one another, they can be secured in that position for travel. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , strap clamps  42  are attached to side rails  30  of sections  24  and  26  (only one of which is shown in use in each of the figures). When the sections are folded to overlay one another, strap clamps  42  are then wrapped over both of the now adjacent side rails and secured in place. Strap clamps  42  are, for example, formed with an enlarged end  44  for that purpose which is removably connected to a groove or slot  45  in the side rails. Thus, oversized cargo can be hauled by the pick up truck without totally removing the tonneau cover. Further, the tonneau cover can be secured in a compact position for movement on and off the cargo bed. 
     Various alternative devices can be used to hold the sections in place when folded to overlay one another. For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , instead of strap clamps  42  attached at the sides of the sections, one or more straps  142  can be mounted to a support rail  140  which is forwardmost and exposed when the sections are so overlaid. Each strap  142  can include conventional snap fittings  144  that matingly receive conventional projections mounted on the surface of the front edge  150  of the tonneau cover. To secure strap  142  from loose movement when not in use, a conventional projection  146  can also be mounted on the portion of strap  142  to matingly receive at least one of snap fittings  144  when the sections are not overlaid. 
     To retain tonneau cover  20  to the cargo bed, a plurality of quick release, cam lock clamps  50  is provided in especially preferred embodiments of this invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when these clamps are locked onto the walls of the cargo bed, they fold flush against the walls of the cargo bed with minimal protrusion into the area of the cargo bed. At the same time, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the section on the tonneau cover to which the clamp is associated is folded or removed from the cargo bed, clamps  50  are then folded to lie flush with cover sheet  28 . 
     Preferably, clamps  50  are integrated into some of the support rails and are slidable within grooves or slots of a track of the support rail between the locked and storage positions desired at a given time. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , a support rail  40  can be formed with a clamp base  52  at its ends, slide into an opening of the support rail. Clamp base  52  is formed, for example, with intersecting horizontal slot  54  and vertical slot  56 . Each clamp  50  includes an arm member  58  mounted into and movable with respect to these slots. For example, arm member  58  can be a threaded bolt whose head  60  is retained within the slots and whose shank  62  extends out of the slots. In the locked position, shank  62  extends out of horizontal slot  54  such that it extends downwardly, and in the storage position, shank  62  extends out of vertical slot  56  such that it extends roughly parallel and adjacent to cover sheet  28 . 
     Clamps  50  also include a truck grip member  64  that is, for example, slidably mounted onto arm member  58 . Truck grip member  64  includes a recess or lip  66  to matingly receive or abut a portion of the wall of the cargo bed. Clamps  50  also include a cam lock member  68  mounted onto arm member  58 . Preferably, cam lock member  68  is threaded onto shank  62  and positioned adjacent to truck grip member  64 . Camlock member  68  includes a handle portion  70  which is pivotably connected to a cam base  72 . Handle portion  70  includes a cam surface  74  for engaging and applying clamping force to truck grip member  64 . In the example shown, cam surface  74  is formed with a ramped portion  76  and a flat portion  78 . In use, handle portion  70  is, for example, in a horizontal position when the truck grip member is initially positioned to receiving the wall and then moved to downwardly to a vertical position as the truck grip member is then urged to clamp tighter against the wall. Handle portion  70  is left in a vertical position when truck grip member is fully locked in place. By integrating clamps  50  into the support rails in this manner, the clamps are automatically properly positioned with respect to the walls of the cargo bed and stabilized for ease and security of clamping connection. 
     Various alternative constructions of clamps  50  can also be used with the present invention. For example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , clamp base  152  can be joined to support rail  140  via a set screw  153 . Thus, in those applications where the cargo bed of the pick up truck has curved walls, a common length support rail can be used with the clamp base adjusting the effective length of the support rail according to the position of set screw clamping. This adjustment can be made at the factory according to the particular model of pick up truck so that the tonneau cover is provided to the user fully prepared for installation. Similar set screws can be used at all the joints between support rails  140  and side rails  130 , regardless of whether that joint uses a base clamp  152 . 
     Also, in order to hold handle portion  70  flush against the underside of the tonneau cover when clamp  50  is not in use, various means can be used. For example, the clearance between slot  56  and shank  62  can be restricted, with the material forming slot  56  being slightly resilient and the lateral distance across slot  56  being dimensionally smaller than the diameter of shank  62  such that an interference fit results when shank  62  is placed with slot  56 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 13 , a sleeve  163  can be placed about the upper portion of shank  162  and clamping bosses or ledges  157  formed at the entrance to slot  156 . The material of sleeve  163  and ledges  157  are, for example, relatively resilient and ledges  157  serve to narrow the lateral area across slot  156  so as to somewhat resist, but not completely prevent, passageway between slot  156  and slot  154 . Thus, once the user (or shipper) places handle  170  into the non use position, shank  162  is retained in slot  156  until the user affirmatively moves shank  162  out of that slot, ledges  163  being formed to prevent movement of shank  162  out of slot  156  without application of additional motive force by the user. 
     The hinge arrangement between the sections of tonneau cover  20  can be used to automatically stretch and tighten cover sheet  28  when the sections are unfolded and extended over the cargo bed. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the side rails of each section are joined by hinge member  80 , having two pivot pins  82  and  84  mounted in brackets  86  and  88 , respectively. Spacer  90  is mounted between brackets  86  and  88  and held in place by the pivot pins. Thus, when the sections are folded to overlay one another, cover sheet  28  folds with a curved portion  92 , rather than a sharp crease. When the sections unfold, that curve is stretched flat to provide the tension to tighten cover sheet  28 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail above with regard to specific embodiments, the same has been for illustration and example only. Not all of the features of preferred embodiments need to be employed in every embodiment. For example, the folding sections of the present invention can also be employed with conventional C-clamps if desired. Also, while a flexible cover sheet is often preferred for weight and cost savings, a rigid cover sheet can be employed in certain embodiments if greater cover strength, for example, is desired. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is limited only by the terms of the following claims.