Patent Publication Number: US-11642947-B2

Title: Rolling tonneau cover

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/655,664 filed on Oct. 17, 2019, entitled “Rolling Tonneau Cover.” The present application also relates to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/750,343 filed on Oct. 25, 2018. The subject matter disclosed in these applications is hereby expressly incorporated into the present Application. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD AND SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to trucks, such as pickup trucks, and truck beds used on pickup trucks and like vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a flexible rollable truck bed cover, also known as a rollable tonneau cover that releasably secures to the truck. 
     Flexible tonneau or truck bed covers provide a covering for a truck bed when used in combination with the truck bed&#39;s upward-extending sidewalls and tailgate. Supported by the sidewalls and suspended over the bed of the truck, the truck bed cover helps create a concealed compartment where items may be stored out of view when the tailgate is up. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tonneau cover assembly that selectively covers a truck bed of a truck. The tonneau cover assembly comprises a cover and a longitudinally extending rail located adjacent a sidewall of the truck bed. The longitudinally extending rail includes an attachment member. At least a portion of the attachment member has a planar body. The attachment member also extends longitudinally with the longitudinally extending rail and the at least a portion of the attachment member is located over a portion of the truck bed. The at least a portion of the attachment member is inclined with respect to a top surface of the sidewall. The cover includes a stiffener located on an underside of the cover and adjacent the attachment member of the longitudinally extending rail. The stiffener also has a body that is more rigid than the cover. The stiffener further includes a depending rib extending from the stiffener toward the attachment member. The rib also engages a surface of the attachment member to space apart a portion of the cover from the attachment member. 
     In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the tonneau cover assembly may further comprise: the cover being made of a flexible material; the attachment member including an attachment slot sized and configured to receive a portion of a hook and loop fastener; the stiffener being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of at least one of an extruded rubber and a thermoplastic elastomer; the stiffener and rib extending longitudinally adjacent the attachment member; a hook and loop fastener oriented transversely to the top surface of the sidewall to create a tension force; and the rail including a bracket that extends downwardly with respect to the attachment member and located adjacent the sidewall. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tonneau cover assembly that selectively covers a truck bed of a truck. The tonneau cover assembly comprises a cover and a longitudinally extending rail located adjacent a sidewall of the truck bed. The longitudinally extending rail includes an attachment member. At least a portion of the attachment member has a planar body. The attachment member extends longitudinally along with the rail and the at least a portion of the attachment member is located over a portion of the bed. The cover includes a stiffener located adjacent the attachment member of the longitudinally extending rail. The stiffener also includes a rib extending from the stiffener and the rib contacts a surface of the attachment. 
     In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the tonneau cover assembly may further comprise: at least a portion of the attachment member being inclined with respect to a top surface of the sidewall; the stiffener being located on an underside of the cover; the stiffener has a body that is more rigid than the cover; the rib extends downwardly from the stiffener; and the rib separates a portion of the cover from the attachment member. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tonneau cover assembly that selectively covers a truck bed of a truck. The tonneau cover assembly comprises a cover. A portion of the cover includes a longitudinally extending stiffener. The longitudinally extending stiffener includes a rib extending from the longitudinally extending stiffener. The rib contacts a surface of the attachment. 
     In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the tonneau cover assembly may further comprise: a longitudinally extending rail located adjacent a sidewall of the truck bed; the longitudinally extending rail includes an attachment member, the at least a portion of the attachment member has a planar body; the attachment member extends longitudinally with the rail and the at least a portion of the attachment member is located over a portion of the truck bed; and the stiffener is located on an underside surface of the cover and located adjacent the attachment member of the longitudinally extending rail. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tonneau cover assembly that selectively covers a truck bed of a truck. The tonneau cover assembly comprises a cover and a longitudinally extending rail located adjacent a sidewall of the truck bed. The longitudinally extending rail includes an attachment member. At least a portion of the attachment member has a planar body. The attachment member extends longitudinally along the rail. The at least a portion of the attachment member is inclined with respect to a top surface the sidewall. The cover includes a stiffener located on an underside of the cover and adjacent the attachment member of the longitudinally extending rail. 
     In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the tonneau cover assembly may further comprise the stiffener having a body that is more rigid than the cover. 
     Additional features and advantages of the rolling tonneau cover assembly will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed descriptions of carrying out the rolling tonneau cover assembly as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The concepts described in the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity, and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference labels may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
         FIG.  1    is a rear perspective view of a portion of a pickup truck including its bed section and a cab section located forward of the bed section, and a tonneau cover covering the bed section; 
         FIG.  2    is a similar rear perspective view of the pickup truck of  FIG.  1    showing the tonneau cover in its stowed condition uncovering the bed section; 
         FIG.  3    is an isolated perspective view of a rail assembly and tonneau cover bars for the tonneau cover; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional profile view of a portion of the rail assembly; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of another illustrative embodiment of a rail assembly; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective sectional detail view of a portion of the rail and endplate assemblies of the tonneau cover; 
         FIG.  7    is another perspective sectional detail view of a portion of the rail and endplate assemblies of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective detail view of the rail and endplate assemblies; 
         FIGS.  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C  are isolated detail views of portions of a latching assembly portion of the tonneau cover, as well the end sectional detail view of a portion of the rail assembly; 
         FIG.  10    is an underside detail view of the tonneau cover and rail, and including a tensioning assembly; 
         FIG.  11    is an underside perspective and partially exploded detail view of the rail and tensioning assemblies; 
         FIG.  12    is a top perspective isolated detail view of a portion of the tensioning assembly and rail; 
         FIG.  13    is a side cross-sectional detail view of the tensioning assembly; 
         FIG.  14    is another side cross-sectional detail view of the tensioning assembly; and 
         FIG.  15    is another side cross-sectional detail view of the tensioning assembly. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the rolling tonneau cover assembly, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the rolling tonneau cover assembly in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typical devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Because such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tonneau cover that can be rolled and unrolled over the truck bed. Rails, one on each side of the truck bed, attach to the sidewalls to provide a fastening surface for the cover. By employing engaging panels of a hook and loop fastener (otherwise known as VELCRO®) installed longitudinally along each rail and edge of the rollable cover, accessibility or restriction to or from the truck bed may be provided. Because the cover is flexible, the VELCRO® hook and loop fastener on the rail and cover, respectively, may be separated. The cover may then be rolled up to allow access to the truck&#39;s bed underneath. Conversely, the cover may be unrolled with the panels of the VELCRO® hook and loop fastener engaging each other to secure the cover onto the rails. Because the rails line the sidewalls of the truck bed, it will be shrouded by the cover. It is appreciated that such roll-up covers of the present disclosure may be made of vinyl, other flexible polymer, fabric, or other like durable flexible sheet. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides railing systems for attachment to the upward-extending sidewalls of the truck bed. These railing systems are configured to receive end portions of the rolled-up cover. Illustratively, the rails have cross sectional profiles that assist in improving the securement between the hook and loop fastener of the rail and cover. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a latching system that also assists in securing an end of the roll-up cover to the rails. Furthermore, the latch system is fully accessible with the tailgate unlatched and pivoted downward toward the open position. This offers a level of security that inhibits the cover from being rolled up without accessing the latching system underneath. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tensioning system that allows adjustment of the roll-up cover from front to back when in its unrolled position covering the truck&#39;s bed. The cover may be tensioned as needed to help create a planar surface over the truck&#39;s bed. This, among other aspects, allows water to shed from the top surface of the roll-up cover instead of pooling because of its accumulated weight remaining on the top surface of the cover. 
     Roll-Up Cover Rail System 
     A rear perspective view of a truck or pickup truck  2 , with a bed section  4  and a cap section  6  located forward of bed section  4 , is shown in  FIG.  1   . Upward extending sidewalls  8  and  10 , with tailgate  12  extending therebetween as shown, form the side and rear bounds of bed section  4  of truck  2 . Extending across upward extending sidewalls  8  and  10  is roll-up cover  14 . As illustrated, roll-up cover  14 , is shown in its unrolled condition covering bed section  4 . As also shown, roll-up cover  14  shrouds the interior of bed section  4 . 
     A similar rear perspective view of pickup truck  2  is shown in  FIG.  2   . Again, bed section  4  is depicted positioned rear of cab section  6 . In this view, however, interior  16  of bed section  4  is shown because roll-up cover  14  has been rolled up illustratively from rear section  18  to forward section  20 . Thus, the general operation of roll-up cover  14  is appreciated by comparing the views of  FIGS.  1  and  2   . Further shown in  FIG.  2    are rails  22  and  24 . Illustratively, rail  22  is located on upward extending sidewall  8  while rail  24  is positioned atop upward extending sidewall  10 . As further disclosed herein, a portion of a hook and loop fastener extends along each rail and engages the corresponding portion of the hook and loop fastener on the underside of roll-up cover  14  to secure same over bed section  4  (see  FIGS.  4  and  5   ). 
     A perspective isolated view of rail assembly  26 , which includes rails  22  and  24 , are shown in  FIG.  3   . In addition to rails  22  and  24 , rail assembly  26  includes end plate assembly  28  extending between rails  22  and  24  at, illustratively, rear section  18  of same. Located opposite end plate assembly  28 , but also between rails  22  and  24 , is tensioning assembly  30 , illustratively, at forward section  20  of rail assembly  26 . In the illustrative embodiment, end plate assembly  28  is configured to unlatch from rails  22  and  24  and unroll along their longitudinal extent in directions  32  and  34 . Roll-up cover  14 , thus, selectively uncovers and covers bed section  4 . 
     Also shown herein are rafter bars  36 ,  38 , and  40  which extend from rail  22  to rail  24  suspended over bed section  4  (see, also  FIG.  2   ). Rafter bars  36 ,  38 , and  40  are stiffening members extending along the open span of bed section  4  to assist roll-up cover  14  in maintaining a relatively flat surface. Because water or other material may be able to accumulate on the top surface of roll-up cover  14 , rafter bars  36 ,  38 , and  40  provide support to help maintain an otherwise flexible surface to be generally flat. This helps shed the water or other material off of roll-up cover  14 . Indeed, rafter bars  36 ,  38 , and  40  may be bowed in a convex manner (not shown) to provide some degree of pitch to roll-up cover  14  when in the unrolled and bed covering position. This further assists shedding water or other material from the top surface of roll-up cover  14 . This view also includes a plurality of clamps  42  periodically positioned along each of rails  22  and  24 . Clamps  42  assist in providing the securement for rails  22  and  24  onto corresponding upward extending sidewalls  8  and  10 . Because, typically, such bed covers are not integrally built into the truck bed sidewalls, the rails to support the covers are added as an after-market accessory. 
     A cross sectional profile view of a portion of rail assembly  26 , with roll-up cover  14  attached thereon, is shown in  FIG.  4   . Particularly, this view shows rail  22  attached to upward extending sidewall  8 , with roll-up cover  14  attached to rail  22 , via hook and loop fastener  44 . It is to be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure that the descriptions herein with regard to the cross section of rail  22  and associated structures, will be substantially the same (with some structures in mirror image) with regard to rail  24  on the opposed upward extending sidewall  10 . Rail  24 , thus, includes roll-up cover  14  attached thereto via hook and loop fastener  44  as well. Accordingly, the descriptions herein with respect to the interaction between rail  22  and roll-up cover  14  apply to rail  24  and roll-up cover  14  as well. 
     As shown herein, rail  22  includes an attachment member  46  which extends over bed section  4  and is inclined with respect to the top surface  48  of upward extending sidewall  8 . For appearances, it may be preferable to have as low a profile (i.e., as little incline with respect to surface  48 ) of attachment member  46  as possible. This lack of incline, however, causes a problem when using a hook and loop fastener. A hook and loop fastener, such as hook and loop fastener  44 , is essentially a longitudinally extending strip of randomly placed loops on one surface that are configured to engage and secure to a separate panel of longitudinally extending and randomly placed hooks on a second surface (e.g., VELCRO®). 
     As illustratively shown herein, attachment member  46  includes an attachment slot  66  sized and configured to receive hook panel  54 . It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure that attachment slot  66  and hook panel  54  are longitudinally extending in directions  32  and  34  along an extent of rail  22  on attachment member  46 . This means, as roll-up cover  14  is being rolled up, loop panel  56 , which also extends a length of the underside of roll-up cover  14 , will be caused to continuously separate from the longitudinal extent of hook panel  54 . Having such a longitudinally extending securement between roll-up cover  14  and rail  22  ensures a secure connection between the two structures. It will also be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, hook panel  54  may be affixed to roll-up cover  14  while loop panel  56  may be affixed to attachment member  46 . 
     As will be further appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure, hook and loop fastener  44  may not present optimum holding characteristics if sheer forces such as forces moving in directions  32  or  34  (see  FIG.  3   ) along each of the hook and loop panels. In other words, the hooks do not securely engage the loops on VELCRO® fasteners when forces are being applied laterally with respect to the placement of the VELCRO® components. Such hook and loop fasteners are believed to only have a limited amount of holding strength. In order to hold the correct amount of tension on cover attachment member  46 , it is angled upward as shown and roll-up cover  14  bends around rail  22 . Bending around rail  22  creates a reactionary normal force at the contact point producing a friction force between roll-up cover  14  and rail  22 . For demonstrative purposes, angled line segments  62  and  64  are shown in  FIG.  4    as well. Illustratively, securement portion  58  of roll-up cover  14  is oriented at an angle  60  represented by line  62  from horizontal line  64 , which is generally parallel to the orientation of top surface  50  of roll-up cover  14 . This aids hook and loop fastener  44  to allow securement portion  58 , as a whole, to hold a greater amount of tension on roll-up cover  14 . The steeper the angle (e.g.,  60  or  96  from  FIGS.  4  and  5   , respectively), the greater this effect is. 
     As a further aid to create a tensioned engagement between hook panel  54  and loop panel  56 , side cover stiffener  82  is attached to underside surface  84  of roll-up cover  14  as shown. In the illustrative embodiment, loop panel  56  may be attached to side cover stiffener  82 . Illustratively, side cover stiffener  82  may be made of an extruded rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or other rubber and like materials. 
     Also part of side cover stiffener  82 , on roll-up cover  14 , is a downward depending rib  86 . It is appreciated that side cover stiffener  82 , with rib  86 , extends longitudinally along securement portion  58  of roll-up cover  14  in directions  32  and  34 . Rib  86  is configured to provide additional space between roll-up cover  14  and attachment member  46  by being supported at downward depending surface member  80 . Separation  88 , that is produced, assists in creating further tension between hook panel  54  and loop panel  56  in general direction  52 . Rib  86  helps to create a sharper corner, which produces a greater friction force than a similar cover without the rib at a given rail angle. Without a steeper angle or rib, the pull force direction on the hook and loop fastener is believed to change so it will have a greater component that is perpendicular to the face of the hook and loop fastener. Hence, as shown in  FIG.  4   , attachment member  46  is positioned at a transverse angle with respect to surface  48  of sidewall  8  and top surface  50  of roll-up cover  14 . Because much of top surface  50  of roll-up cover  14  is oriented generally parallel to top surface  48  of sidewall  8  (or generally horizontal with the ground), having hook and loop fastener  44  oriented at some transverse angle to the horizontal portion of top surface  50  tends to produce a tension force in generally direction  52 . In other words, hook panel  54  and loop panel  56  are better able to secure to each other under such a tension force (i.e., generally in direction  52 ) rather than sheer force and directions  32  and  34 . This provides more secure engagement between these structures and hence securement between roll-up cover  14  and rail  22 . 
     Also part of rail  22  is a downward depending securement bracket  68  as illustratively shown. Securement bracket  68  depends downward from attachment member  46  to be located adjacent wall portion  70  of upward extending sidewall  8 . A clamp bracket  72  forms an illustrative channel slot  74  that is sized to receive a portion of clamp  42  so as to secure securement bracket  68  to wall portion  70  of upward extending sidewall  8 . An illustrative seal  76  may be positioned between securement bracket  68  and wall portion  70  to fill space in between as shown. This also prevents rattling or other intermittent vibratory contact between rail  22  and upward extending sidewall  8 . Also extending laterally from securement bracket  68  is rail ledge  78 . Rafter bars  36 ,  38 , and  40  may be supported on rail ledge  78  to support the span of roll-up cover  14 . As shown in this illustrative embodiment, rail ledge  78  is generally parallel to horizontal line  64  and a portion of roll-up cover  14  extending between rails  22  and  24 . Also shown herein is a generally downward extending surface member  80  that extends from attachment member  46  as illustratively shown. It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure that rail  22  (as well as rail  24 ) may be formed via aluminum extrusion to create the cross sectional profile as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   . 
     Another illustrative embodiment of a rail  22 ′ is shown in  FIG.  5   . Like the embodiment of rail  22 , shown in  FIG.  4   , rail  22 ′, shown in  FIG.  5   , includes an attachment member  90  and a securement bracket  92  extending downwardly from attachment member  90 . Rail ledge  94  extends from securement bracket  92  as shown (and is similar to rail ledge  78  extending from securement bracket  68 ). In contrast, attachment member  90  is oriented at a steeper incline with respect to surface  48  of upward extending sidewall  8 . As shown in demonstrative line segments in  FIG.  5   , angle  96 , located between horizontal line  64 , which is parallel to the span of roll-up cover  14  and line  98 , which is parallel to attachment member  90 , is steeper (thus, greater) than angle  60  between line  64  and  62  shown in  FIG.  4   . Orienting attachment member  90 , at a steeper incline, is believed to add further securement between hook panel  54  and loop panel  56 . This is because the steeper angle inherently creates more tension between hook panel  54  and loop panel  56 . As further shown, hook panel  54  sits within attachment slot  66  and is longitudinally extending the same as that described with respect to the rail shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     Also, a clamp bracket  72 , with clamp slot  74 , is formed in securement bracket  92  similar to that shown with securement bracket  68 . The same is also the case with seal  76  located between wall portion  70  and securement bracket  92 . A stiffener  100  may be formed on securement portion  58  of roll-up cover  14  but does not include any rib to further separate same from attachment member  90 . It is also appreciated that loop panel  56  may be longitudinally extending along securement portion  58  and may be attached to stiffener  100 . Again, the various structures shown with respect to rail  22 ′ in  FIG.  5    operate the same as the structures of rail  22  shown in  FIG.  4   , except for the steeper angle of attachment member  90  relative to the angle of attachment member  46 . Also, all of these structures exist with respect to a rail  24 ′ (not shown) in contrast to rail  24  so both sides of roll-up cover  14  are secured to shroud truck bed  4 . 
     Pinch Latch Assembly 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a pinch latch assembly that is part of endplate assembly  28  that permits selective unlatching of endplate assembly  28  so it, as part of rollup cover  14 , may be rolled up along rails  22  and  24 . As can be appreciated by the view of rail assembly  26  in  FIG.  3   , endplate assembly  28  does not appear to expose the components of a pinch latch assembly from the topside of same. Concealing the pinch latch assembly underneath endplate assembly  28  makes access to same more difficult when tailgate  12  is in its upright and latched position. Pinch latch assemblies similar to that used in the present disclosure (but not exactly), are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/577,920 (the “&#39;920 application”), entitled “Folding Cover Attachment Systems,” filed on Oct. 27, 2018; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/342,407, entitled “Tonneau Cover,” filed Nov. 3, 2016; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/454,326, entitled “Tonneau Cover With Prop Rod Assembly,” filed Mar. 9, 2017. The disclosure of all of these applications, as well as their priority documents, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     A perspective longitudinally extending sectional detail view of a portion of frame rail assembly  26  is shown in  FIG.  6   . This view depicts rail  22  secured to endplate assembly  28  via latching assembly  102 . Here, latching assembly  102  includes latch handle portion  104  and inner latch handle portion  106 , all located within guide track  108  formed on the underside of endplate assembly  28 . Latch handle portion  104  and inner latch portion  106  are configured to move in directions  110  and  112 . Indeed, the structures related to latching assembly  102 , latch handle  104 , and inner latch  106 , operate substantially similar to the pinch latch assembly disclosed in the &#39;920 application at FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A-4C, 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9A-9D, and 10, for example. As shown in  FIG.  6    of the present disclosure, a spring  114  is located in channel  116  of latch handle portion  104 . Spring  114  is held in place via latch base  118 . That may be secured within guide track  108  similar to that shown in FIGS. 5, 6A-6B, 7, and 8 of the &#39;920 application incorporated herein by reference. A distinction, however, between operation of latching assembly  102  in the present disclosure and pinch latch assembly 18 in the &#39;920 application is that there is no latch (such as latch 27 in the &#39;920 application) or latching function that is on or part of latch handle portion  104 . Instead, an extending member  120  extends from latch handle portion  104  within guide track  108 . A depending draw tab  122  extends from extending member  120 . 
     A pivoting latch member assembly  124  is attached to a portion of rail  22  and is configured to be moved by actuation of latch handle portion  104 . With respect to pivoting latch member assembly  124 , it includes an attachment bracket  126  sized and configured to fasten to rail  22  via faster  128  and pivotally support latch member  130 . Latch member  130  is pivotable in directions  132  and  134  with respect to rail  22  and employed end plate assembly  28 . An illustrative spring  136  wraps around pivot pin  138  to create a bias force on latch member  130  in direction  134 . This being the case, latch member  130  biases towards depending draw tab  122 . Also shown in this view is hook member  140  located adjacent depending draw tab  122  and is configured, as illustratively shown, to engage latch member  130 . Because hook member  140  is attached to endplate assembly  28 , when latch member  130  engages hook member  140 , endplate assembly  28  is prevented from lifting off of rail  22 . This secures endplate assembly  28  to rail  22 . Lastly, shown herein is clamp  42  configured to engage rail  22  to attach same to an upward extending sidewall of pickup truck  2 . It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure that the descriptions related herein to latching assembly  102  on endplate assembly  28  and securing same to rail  22 , have corresponding components adjacent to opposed rail  24  to secure endplate assembly  28  to rail  24  as well. 
     Another perspective detail view of rail assembly  26 , including rail  22  and endplate assembly  28 , are shown in  FIG.  7   . This view is essentially the same as that shown in  FIG.  6    except here latching assembly  102  is shown unlatching endplate assembly  28  from rail  22 . In this illustrative embodiment, a hand  142  draws latch handle portion  104  and inner latch handle portion  106  together in directions  112  and  110 , respectively, as shown. This causes latch handle portion  104  to move extending member  120  within guide track  108  in direction  112 . This draws depending draw tab in direction  112  as well. As shown, depending draw tab  122  engages latch member  130  pivoting same in direction  132  against the bias force of spring  136  and about pivot pin  138 . This has the effect of pulling latch member  130  away from hook member  140  on endplate assembly  28 . By decoupling these two structures, endplate assembly  28  is no longer secured to rail  22 . 
     Another perspective detail view of rail assembly  26  is shown in  FIG.  8   . This view depicts a progression from latch member  130  secured onto hook member  140  in  FIG.  6    to latch member  130  being drawn back in direction  132  (see, also,  FIG.  6   ) by actuation of latch handle portion  104  and inner latch portion  106  being drawn together as shown in  FIG.  7   . Now, with latch member  130  released from hook member  140 , endplate assembly  28  may be lifted in direction  144  so as to be able to roll up with roll-up cover  14  (not shown in this view). This view further shows the underside of endplate assembly  28  where latch handle portion  104  and inner latch portion  106  are fitted within guide track  108 . Hook member  140  illustratively extends over guide track  108 . While attached, latch member  130  fits within guide track  108  and is engageable with hook member  140 . Illustratively, a cover member  146  may attach to pivoting latch member assembly  124  to shroud spring  136 , and pivot pin  138  (see, also,  FIG.  7   ). 
     A feature of latching assembly  102  is similar to that shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C in the &#39;920 application incorporated herein by reference. Particularly, it is appreciated that both sides of endplate assembly  28  include a latching assembly  102 . This is so endplate assembly  28  may be latched to both rails  22  and  24  at the same time. That said, it would be convenient when operating one latching assembly that it will unlatch not only its adjacent latch member, but the other latch member that is pivotably attached to the other nonadjacent rail as well. 
     For instance, as shown in  FIG.  9 A , latching assembly  102  is configured to be in engagement with latch member  130  which is secured or pivotably attached to rail  22  (see, also,  FIG.  8   ). On the other side is a latching assembly  103  which includes the same structures oriented in mirror-image to that of latching assembly  102 , but here are configured to engage latch member  131  which will be pivotally attached to rail  24  (see, also,  FIG.  3   ). As disclosed in the latch assemblies of the incorporated applications, including the &#39;920 application, adjacent pitch latch assemblies are connected together so that when one pinch latch assembly is actuated by a hand to move its latch, the other pinch latch assembly is connected thereto, and configured to move therewith to move its latch member as well. Hence, as shown in  FIG.  9 A , a connector  148  is connected to both inner latch handle portion  106  of latching assemblies  102  and  103 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9 B , when hand  142  actuates latch handle portion  104  and inner latch handle portion  106  together in directions  112  and  110 , respectively, latch member  130  is pivoted away and thus released from hook member  140 . At the same time, and because of the same structures as that described in the incorporated applications, including the &#39;920 application, connector  148  moves in direction  110  as well, which pulls latch handle portion  104  in direction  110 , which pulls latch member  131  away from hook member  141  as shown. This frees endplate assembly  28  from both rails  22  and  24  (see, also,  FIG.  8   ). 
     The same is the case when hand  142  engages latch handle portion  104  and inner latch handle portion  106  of latching assembly  103 . By moving latch handle portion  104  and inner latch handle portion  106  in directions  110  and  112 , respectively, as shown, latch member  131  is drawn from hook number  141 . At the same time, connector  148  draws inner latch handle portion  106  of latching assembly  102  in direction  112  as well. This draws latch handle portion  104  of latching assembly  102  in direction  112  via the same means as that disclosed in the pinch latch handle assemblies of the incorporated Applications. In this embodiment, however, this movement causes latch member  130  to disengage from hook member  140  even though latch handle and inner latch handle portions  104  and  106 , respectively, of latching assembly  102 , were not moved by hand  142 . 
     Front End Cap and Tension Assembly 
     Another illustrative view of the present disclosure provides a front end cap and tension assembly. As originally shown in  FIG.  3   , rail assembly  26  not only includes an endplate assembly  28 , but also a tensioning assembly  30  that is illustratively configured to assist in stretching roll-up cover  14  to ensure it is as taut as possible when covering bed section  4 . A perspective underside detail view of portions of rail assembly  26  is shown in  FIG.  10   . Here, a portion of rail  22  is shown engaged with tension bar  150  of tensioning assembly  30 . It is contemplated that tension bar  150  will be movable in directions  32  and  34  sufficient to pull roll-up cover  14  taut. Again, as noted previously, it is beneficial that despite roll-up cover  14  being a flexible cover material, it should remain as flat as possible or even bowed upward while covering bed section  4  so as to minimize the potential for water or other material accumulating thereon. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  10   , tension bar  150  engages a rail bracket  152  located on rail ledge  78  (or  94 , depending on the rail profile (see, also,  FIGS.  5  and  6   )). Rail bracket  152  includes toothed surface  154  which is composed of a series of angled teeth configured to engage a corresponding toothed surface  156  located on underside  158  of tension bar  150 . Rail bracket  152  may be attached to rail ledge  78 / 94  via fasteners such as the illustrative bolt and nut  160  shown disposed through both rail bracket  152  and rail ledge  78 / 94  securing same together. Independent of that attachment is tensioning bolt assembly  162 , which is disposed through an opening  164  in rail ledge  78 / 94  and engaged in the underside  158  of tension bar  150 . A tension knob  166  is disposed onto bolt  168  to secure positioning of tension bar  150  with respect to rail bracket  152  (and thus rail  22 ). A locking nut  170  may be employed to limit the movement of tension knob  166  along bolt  168 . It is appreciated that opening  164  is illustratively slot-shaped to allow movement of tensioning bolt assembly  162  in either directions  32  or  34  as needed to create the desired tension on roll-up cover  14 . Lastly, clamp  42  is shown engaged with rail  22  in order to secure to sidewall  8  of pickup truck  2 . It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure that although the descriptions of tensioning assembly  30  are made with respect to rail  22 , the same structures, at least some of which may be oriented in mirror image, are attached to rail  24  in the same manner as attached to rail  22  and serve the same purposes. 
     An underside perspective and partially exploded detail view of tensioning assembly  30  with respect to rail  22  is shown in  FIG.  11   . This view further depicts toothed surface  156  on tension bar  150  configured to engage toothed surface  154  on rail bracket  152 . It is appreciated from this view how the rows of teeth on toothed surface  156  are tandemly oriented. They are also angled so that once engaged with toothed surface  154 , tension bar  150  cannot move in direction  34  toward end plate assembly  28 . This may only occur when tensioning bolt assembly  162  is loosened and toothed surface  156  is separated from toothed surface  154 . This view further depicts how bolt  168  is disposed within an illustrative slot  172  of toothed surface  156  and disposed through opening  164 . Further shown is tension knob  166  and locking nut  170 . 
     A top perspective detail view of a portion of tensioning assembly  30  is shown in  FIG.  12   . In contrast to the view shown in  FIG.  11   , this view in  FIG.  12    illustrates toothed surface  154  of rail bracket  152 . This view also depicts the tandem row of teeth that correspond to toothed surface  156  of tension bar  150 . Toothed surface  154  includes its own slot  174 . This enables tension bar  150 , with bolt  168  depending therefrom and extending through opening  164 , to be moveable with respect to rail  22  in either direction  32  or  34  so as to create desired placement of roll-up cover  14  and desired tension. Also shown is tensioning knob  166  and locking nut  170 . 
     The views in  FIGS.  13 ,  14 , and  15    are side cross sectional detail views of tensioning assembly  30 . These views are in progression to depict the process of moving tension bar  150  with respect to rail bracket  152  and rail  22 . As shown in  FIG.  13   , toothed surface  156  of tension bar  150  is engaged with toothed surface  154  of rail bracket  152 . It is appreciated that one side of each of the toothed surfaces  154  and  156  are angled as illustratively shown in order to prevent tension bar  150  from moving in direction  34  toward the opposite end of rail assembly  26  while each of toothed surfaces  154  and  156  are engaged with each other. Tensioning bolt assembly  162 , as shown herein, is tightened down to ensure tension bar  150  is engaged onto rail bracket  152 , thereby preventing these two structures from moving with respect to each other. If, under a circumstance, additional tension is needed on roll-up cover  14 , it may become necessary to move tension bar  150  in direction  32 . This creates further distance between tension bar  150  and end plate assembly  28  on the other side of rail assembly  26 . 
     Accordingly, as shown in  FIG.  14   , the first step in the process of moving tension bar  150  is to rotate tension knob  166  illustratively in direction  176  to move same in direction  180 . This loosens the engagement between toothed surfaces  154  and  156  of rail bracket  152  and tension bar  150 , respectively. This allows tension bar  150  to be lifted in direction  182  with respect to rail bracket  152  which separates toothed surfaces  154  and  156 . Toothed surfaces  154  and  156  are now able to clear each other allowing tension bar  150  to be moved laterally in either direction  32  or  34  as needed. 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   , tension bar  150  has been moved in direction  32 , a distance  184 , and toothed surface  156  returns engagement with toothed surface  154  of rail bracket  152 . This has the effect of increasing the distance between end plate assembly  28  and tensioning assembly  30 , which stretches taut roll-up cover  14 . Tensioning knob  166  may then be rotated in direction  178 , moving same upward in direction  182 , to securely sandwich toothed surfaces  154  and  156  together. This prevents any further movement relative to each other. Again, it is appreciated that the process shown in  FIGS.  13 ,  14 , and  15    apply in the same manner on the other side of tension bar  150  to secure or release same to or from rail  24 . 
     In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may be combined with other features. It should also be appreciated that, to the extent any subject matter disclosed in this non-provisional patent application differs from the priority application, the disclosure from this non-provisional patent application controls.