Flexible tonneau cover assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10538150-B2
Application number	US-201815936668-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2018
Priority date	Mar 29, 2017
Publication date	Jan 21, 2020
Grant date	Jan 21, 2020

Abstract

A flexible tonneau cover assembly is provided that includes a side rail and a rear rail that is removably securable to the side rail. The rear rail is rotatable between a closed position wherein a flexible cover secured thereto is under tension, and an open position wherein the flexible cover is untensioned. Optionally, the assembly includes a securing member that is securable in a fixed position with respect to the side rail and defines a channel, and the rear rail is rotatable between the open position and the closed position when the rear rail is positioned in the channel of the securing member. Optionally, the flexible cover includes a cable operatively connected to the rear rail, and the side rail receives the cable therein when the rear rail is in the closed position to secure the flexible cover to the side rail.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cover assembly for a cargo box of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a flexible cover including a forward end positionable at a forward end of the cargo box, a rearward end positionable adjacent a rearward end of the cargo box, a first side extending from the forward end of the flexible cover to the rearward end of the flexible cover, and a second side extending from the forward end of the flexible cover to the rearward end of the flexible cover;
at least a first side rail including a first end and a second end, the first side rail is positionable on or adjacent an upper surface of a side wall of the cargo box with the first end positioned at the forward end of the cargo box and the second end positioned at the rearward end of the cargo box;
a securing member defining a channel and a latch engagement member, the securing member is secured in a fixed position with respect to the first side rail when the assembly is secured to the cargo box, the channel of the securing member is positioned rearward of the second end of the first side rail and the latch engagement member is positioned rearward of the channel when the securing member is in the fixed position;
a rear rail secured to the second end of the flexible cover that is removably positionable in the channel of the securing member, the rear rail includes a rearward side that is rotatable when the rear rail is positioned in the channel of the securing member between a closed position wherein the rearward side of the rear rail is lowered and the flexible cover is under tension, and an open position wherein the rearward side of the rear rail is raised and the flexible cover is untensioned; and
a latch movably secured to the rear rail, the latch is movable to engage the latch engagement member of the securing member when the rear rail is in the closed position to retain the rear rail in the closed position.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the latch includes an actuator and the latch and the actuator are positioned forward of a tailgate that is positioned at the rearward end of the cargo box when the rear rail is in the closed position, and wherein the actuator is inaccessible from outside the cargo box when the rear rail is in the closed position and the tailgate is closed.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rear rail defines a first channel and a second channel, the latch is positioned in the first channel of the rear rail, the second channel of the rear rail receives the latch engagement member of the securing member therein when the rear rail is in the closed position, and the latch is biased to extend into the second channel of the rear rail and engage the latch engagement member of the securing member when the rear rail is in the closed position.

4. The cover assembly of claim 3 , wherein the securing member includes a base that is positionable on or adjacent the side wall of the cargo box and the latch engagement member extends outward from the base of the securing member, and wherein when the rear rail is in the closed position the latch engagement member is received in the second channel of the rear rail, a portion of the rear rail is positioned between the channel of the securing member and the latch engagement member, and the latch is received in a recess defined in an inboard side of the latch engagement member.

5. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first side rail includes a base that is positionable on the upper surface of the side wall of the cargo box, an upper wall positioned opposite the base of the first side rail, an inboard wall, and an outboard wall, wherein the base, the upper wall, and the inboard wall of the first side rail at least partially define a first chamber inside of the first side rail, and wherein the securing member includes at least a first arm that is inserted inside the first chamber and is secured therein in the fixed position to the first side rail when the assembly is secured to the cargo box.

6. The cover assembly of claim 5 , wherein the base of the first side rail at least partially defines a first drainage channel in the first chamber that extends along the inboard wall of the first side rail, wherein the securing member and the base of the first side rail at least partially define a second drainage channel therebetween when the first arm of the securing member is secured in the fixed position to the first side rail, wherein the second drainage channel is positioned outside of the first chamber and rearward of the second end of the first side rail, and wherein the second drainage channel is in fluid communication with the first drainage channel.

7. The cover assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first side rail includes an interior wall positioned outboard of the inboard wall of the first side rail and inboard of the outboard wall of the first side rail, wherein a member extends from the interior wall of the first side rail to define a gap between the member of the interior wall and the base of the first side rail, wherein the first arm of the securing member includes a base and a stabilizer extending perpendicularly outward from the base of the first arm, and wherein the base of the first arm is positioned in the gap between the member of the interior wall and the base of the first side rail with the stabilizer positioned along the inboard wall of the first side rail when the first arm of the securing member is secured in the fixed position to the first side rail.

8. The cover assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first side rail includes an interior wall positioned outboard of the inboard wall of the first side rail and inboard of the outboard wall of the first side rail, wherein the securing member includes a second arm extending therefrom that is spaced apart from the first arm, wherein when the first arm is secured in the fixed position to the first side rail at least a portion of the interior wall of the first side rail is positioned between the first arm of the securing member and the second arm of the securing member, and an outboard wall of the securing member extends along the second arm of the securing member and abuts the outboard wall of the first side rail to form a continuous outboard wall, and wherein the first side of the flexible cover is positioned on the continuous outboard wall when the rear rail is in the closed position.

9. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the securing member defines a bottom channel and the base of the first side rail defines a bottom channel that are aligned when the first arm is secured in the fixed position to the first side rail to form a continuous seal channel that extends along the length of the first side rail and the securing member, wherein the continuous seal channel receives a seal therein that engages the upper surface of the sidewall of the cargo box when the cover assembly is secured to the cargo box, and wherein the bottom channel of the first side rail is positioned outboard of the interior wall of the first side rail and the bottom channel of the securing member extends along the second arm of the securing member.

10. The cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the outboard wall of the first side rail defines a fastener channel therein for slidingly receiving one of a hook or loop fastener therein that is engageable with the other of a hook or loop fastener secured to a downwardly facing surface of the flexible cover along the first side of the flexible cover when the rear rail is in the closed position, wherein the fastener channel includes an opening defined by a rearward end of the outboard wall of the first side rail, and wherein the second arm of the securing member is positioned to block the opening to the fastener channel wh

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Zichettello Alexander
• Binfet Michael T
• Kaltenmark Douglas R
• Tamarapoo Babuji K
• Stull Brock J
• Yoder Todd
• Finch Paul

Classifications

• B60J7/10

  readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins (covering of loads on vehicles by tarpaulins B60P7/04) · CPC title

• B60J7/198

  for locking tonneau covers such as covers for roof storage compartments or for pick-up truck beds · CPC title

• B60P7/04

  by tarpaulins or like flexible members · CPC title

• B60J7/085 Primary

  winding up, e.g. for utility vehicles · CPC title

• B60J7/12

  foldable; Tensioning mechanisms therefor, e.g. struts (B60J7/10, {B60J7/20} take precedence) · CPC title