Pinch latch assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12036853-B2
Application number	US-202318232996-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 11, 2023
Priority date	Dec 3, 2020
Publication date	Jul 16, 2024
Grant date	Jul 16, 2024

Abstract

A tonneau cover for use on a cargo box of a pick-up truck is provided. The tonneau cover may include at least one panel and a latching assembly located on the at least one panel. The latching assembly selectively secures and releases the at least one panel. The latching assembly includes at least one shoe. The at least one shoe is configured for moving at least a portion of the latching assembly to release the at least one panel. The at least one shoe is movable between an extended use position and a retracted stowed position with respect to the at least one panel. And the at least one shoe is spring biased to its extended use position.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A tonneau cover for use on a cargo box of a pick-up truck, the tonneau cover comprising:
at least a first movable panel and a second movable panel; and
at least one latch handle that is movable both linearly and pivotably with respect to the first movable panel;
wherein when the at least one latch handle is movable linearly it is configured to move at least one latch;
wherein when the at least one latch handle is movable pivotably it does not move the at least one latch;
wherein the first movable panel is selectively positionable over the second movable panel such that the at least one latch handle is located on the first movable panel and faces the second movable panel; and
wherein the at least one latch handle is engageable with the second movable panel which moves the at least one latch handle from an extended use position toward a retracted stowed position.

2. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one latch handle is spring biased to its extended use position when at least a portion of the first movable panel is spaced apart from the second movable panel and wherein the at least one latch handle is pushed toward its retracted stowed position against its spring bias when the at least the portion of the first movable panel is moved towards the second movable panel.

3. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the at least one latch handle is recessable in a channel.

4. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one latch handle is located on and underside of the first movable panel.

5. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch handle is locatable within a channel formed in the first movable panel, wherein the at least one latch handle is pivotable to and from the channel.

6. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one latch handle is a pair of latch handles.

7. The tonneau cover of claim 6 , wherein the pair of latch handles are pinched together when in a lowered to a use position to move the at least one latch.

8. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one latch handle is movable pivotably about a pivot pin.

9. The tonneau cover of claim 8 , wherein the at least one latch handle is spring biased about the pivot pin to its extended use position.

10. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one latch handle includes a stop member to limit movement of the at least one latch handle to a predetermined location.

11. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the first movable panel includes a first cavity portion sized to receive at least a portion of the at least one latch handle when located in its retracted stowed position.

12. The tonneau cover of claim 6 , wherein the at least one latch handle is pivotable about a first pin between its extended use position and its retracted stowed position and a second latch handle is pivotable about a second pin between its extended use position and its retracted stowed position.

13. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one latch handle is spring biased to its extended use position when the first movable panel is spaced apart from at least a portion of the second movable panel.

14. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one latch handle has a curved surface that is engageable with the second movable panel to move the at least one latch a little toward its retracted stowed position.

15. A tonneau cover for use on a cargo box of a pick-up truck, the tonneau cover comprising:
at least one movable panel; and
at least one latch handle that is movable both linearly and pivotably with respect to the at least one movable panel;
wherein when the at least one latch handle is movable linearly it is configured to actuate at least one latch; and
wherein when the at least one latch handle is movable pivotably it does not move the at least one latch.

16. The tonneau cover of claim 15 , wherein the at least one movable panel is selectively positionable over a second movable panel such that the at least one latch handle is located on the at least one movable panel and faces the second movable panel.

17. The tonneau cover of claim 16 , wherein the at least one latch handle is engageable with the second movable panel which moves the at least one latch handle about a pivot pin from an extended use position toward a retracted stowed position.

18. The tonneau cover of claim 17 , wherein the at least one latch handle is spring biased about the pivot pin to its extended use position.

19. The tonneau cover of claim 15 , wherein the at least one latch handle includes a stop member to limit movement of the at least one latch handle to a predetermined location.

20. A tonneau cover for use on a cargo box of a pick-up truck, the tonneau cover comprising:
at least a first movable panel and a second movable panel; and
at least one latch handle that is pivotally movable with respect to the first movable panel;
wherein the first movable panel is selectively positionable over the second movable panel such that the at least one latch handle is located on the first movable panel and faces the second movable panel; and
wherein the at least one latch handle is engageable with the second movable panel which moves the at least one latch handle from an extended use position toward a retracted stowed position.

Assignees

• Leer Group

Inventors

• Dylewski Ii Eugene A
• Mattison Christopher David

Classifications

• B60J7/198

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

• B60J7/1607

  for covering load areas, e.g. rigid panels for pick-up truck beds · CPC title

• B60J7/141 Primary

  for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks · CPC title