• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    An adaptable tonneau cover for attaching to a pickup truck bed that is equipped with a fifth-wheel trailer hitch The tonneau cover is made of flexible sheet material and is dimensioned to cover the pickup truck bed An opening in the sheet material is positioned over fifth-wheel trailer hitch to allow coupling of fifth-wheel trailer tongue to fifth-wheel trailer hitch Aflap is attached to the sheet material to cover the opening when the fifth-wheel trailer is not attached.
    公开号:CA2282773A1
    申请号:C2282773
    申请日:1999-09-17
    公开日:2000-04-12
    发明作者:Shirley R. Adams；Robert M. Adams
    申请人:Shirley R. Adams；Robert M. Adams；
    IPC主号:B60P7-04
    专利说明:
    (a) TITLE OF THE INVENTION FIFTH WHEEL ADAPTABLE TONNEAU COVER FOR PICKUP(b) TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES The present invention relates generally to the field of covering attachments for pickup truck beds. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a tonneau covering for a pickup truck bed having a fifth-wheel trailer hitch.(c) BACKGROUND ART The advantages of a covered pickup truck bed are well known and highly desirable. A covered truck bed keeps cargo dry and out of sight, protecting the cargo from theft as well as the elements. When a pickup truck travels down a highway with an uncovered truck bed and a raised tailgate, wind striking the tailgate produces aerodynamic drag (tailgate drag) on the truck and this tailgate drag significantly reduces fuel economy. By completely covering the top of the truck bed, tailgate drag is eliminated and a significant increase in fuel economy can result. Simple conventional pickup truck bed coverings do not work when a pickup truck is set up to tow a fifth-wheel trailer. For a fifth-wheel trailer arrangement, a trailer hitch is mounted in the truck bed that the covering needs to cover. This leads to many different modes of use for the pickup truck bed. For example, the trailer may or may not be attached. Moreover, whether or not the trailer is attached, the truck bed may be hauling small items which permit the covering to be installed or large items which do not permit the covering to be installed. Simple conventional pickup truck bed coverings do not accommodate the mode where a fifth-wheel trailer is attached, and many are not well-suited to switching back and forth between operation with the covering installed and operation with the covering not installed._ - ~~.
    A few pickup truck coverings have been devised to accommodate fifth-wheel trailers. However, the conventional fifth wheel adaptable coverings do not adequately adapt to the various modes in which a truck bed may be used. For example, the use of a rigid material as a covering is undesirable because it does not lend itself to switching back and forth between operation with the covering installed and operation with the covering not installed. When the covering is not installed, it must be stowed. Unfortunately rigid coverings tend to be bulky and to require an excessive amount of space when not in use. When the covering is not installed, it often cannot be stowed elsewhere in the pickup truck because it takes up too much space. Moreover, the rigid material coverings tend to be extremely difficult to install and remove due to their bulk and weight. Some conventional fifth-wheel trailer-adaptable coverings do not accommodate ease of trailer attachment and detachment. For example, some coverings must be largely disassembled in order to hitch or remove a fifth-wheel trailer from the pickup truck.Likewise, most conventional fifth-wheel trailer-adaptable coverings do not accommodate ease of access to the truck bed. In such coverings, small and inadequate access panels may be provided, or the coverings must be largely removed or disassembled in order to achieve good access to the truck bed. Cover removal is often a difficult task in many conventional designs. Moreover, in order to accommodate a fifth-wheel trailer, an opening large enough to allow a connection to the trailer neck and yet prevent interference between the covering and trailer neck is provided in the center of the covering. Unfortunately, the opening causes a gap to form between trailer neck and the covering. This gap allows water, wind, dirt, snow, and other debris to enter the truck bed when a trailer is being towed.
    Further, when a trailer is not attached, a detachable panel is often installed over the opening. This detachable panel approach is particularly undesirable. The detachable panel is often a rigid panel that must be removed and stowed when a trailer is being towed. When the panel is rigid, it requires an undesirable large amount of space for its stowage. Whether or not it is rigid, the detachable nature of the panel causes it to become easily lost or misplaced. When such a covering is installed, whether or not a trailer is being towed, this and other openings, access panels, and other features which may be provided to accommodate a trailer and the hitching and removal process weaken the covering's ability to shed water. In one conventional design, such an opening is surrounded by a raised lip. The raised lip may aid the shedding of water, but provides a obstruction to the air flow which increases wind noise and decreases fuel economy. In other attempts at devising pickup truck bed coverings, cumbersome sleeves have been provided to seal the above-discussed gap within the opening between the covering and the fifth-wheel trailer neck. Such sleeves tend to be excessively difficult to attach and remove once a trailer is installed. In one conventional fifth-wheel trailer-adaptable covering, a complex structure is provided to lower the height of the covering to beneath the trailer hitch within the truck bed in the vicinity of the trailer hitch and along a track between the trailer hitch and the rear of the pickup truck bed. While no cumbersome sleeves or detachable panels are required, this approach is undesirable because it leads to an expensive and complex solution which diminishes the truck bed's ability to accommodate cargo while the covering is installed, and it allows the trailer hitch itself to remain exposed to the elements. Shielding a trailer hitch from the elements is desirable since exposure to the elements increases hitch maintenance and the possibility of hitch malfunction.(d) DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an advantage of the present invention to provide an improved fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover for a pickup truck equipped with a fifth-wheel trailer hitch. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a lightweight truck bed cover that accommodates a fifth-wheel trailer hitch and yet is foldable and storable in a small space and as one piece. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tonneau cover that accommodates a fifth-wheel trailer hitch and is easily installed and removed.Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tonneau cover that accommodates a fifth-wheel trailer hitch and allows easy access to all portions of the truck bed when the tonneau cover is installed. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tonneau cover that accommodates a fifth-wheel trailer hitch and provides substantially weathertight protection for the truck bed and trailer hitch when a trailer is attached. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tonneau cover that accommodates a fifth-wheel trailer hitch and promotes ease of trailer hitching and removal. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tonneau cover that accommodates a fifth-wheel trailer hitch and is adaptable to a variety of truck bed tailgates. The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in one form by an adaptable tonneau cover for attaching to a pickup truck bed. The pickup truck bed is equipped with a fifth-wheel trailer hitch. The tonneau cover is made of flexible sheet material and is dimensioned to cover the pickup truck bed. An opening in the sheet material is positioned over the trailer hitch to allow coupling of the hitch and a trailer. A flap is attached to the sheet material to cover this opening when the trailer is not attached.(e) DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a side view of a pickup truck with a fifth-wheel trailer attached; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover installed on a pickup truck bed ;FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tonneau cover ZIpp~,I,Mfastener covered by a flap;FIG. 4 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover and installation assembly;FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a sleeve assembly attached to a fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover;FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover and sleeve assembly installed on a pickup truck bed; FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover and sleeve assembly installed on a pickup truck bed; FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tonneau cover fastener assembly; FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pickup truck bed having a "V" notch type tailgate;
    FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover and elastic weather shroud installed on a pickup truck bed; and FIG. 'll shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth-wheel trailer tongue attachment incorporating a weather shroud.(fj AT LEAST ONE MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention are herein described in the context of a pickup truck having a truck bed equipped with a fifth-wheel trailer hitch receiver and fifth-wheel trailer. However, the present invention can be applied to other types of trucks having a truck beds equipped with any of a variety of trailer hitches. Herein, a pickup truck may be referred to simply as a truck, a pickup truck bed may be referred to simply as a truck bed, a fifth-wheel trailer hitch receiver may be referred to simply as a trailer hitch or hitch, and a fifth-wheel trailer may be referred to simply as a trailer. FIG. 1 shows a side view of pickup truck 20 having a truck bed 22. Truck 20 is shown towing a fifth-wheel trailer 24 having a trailer tongue or gooseneck 26. A pickup truck being so configured is herein referred to as having a fifth-wheel trailer attached or in tow. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tonneau cover 28 on top of pickup truck bed 22. In addition to truck bed 22, pickup truck 20 includes a truck cab 30. Truck bed 22 is of a rectangular shape having a left side 32, a right side 34, a front end 36, and a back end 38. Truck bed left side 32, right side 34, and front end 36 are attached to and extend vertically from a truck bed floor 40, which is illustrated in FIG. 4. Truck bed back end 38 is desirably a fold-down tailgate 42 that is shown in an upright position. Tonneau cover 28 is dimensioned to cover truck bed 22 and includes a flexible sheet material 44. Sheet material 44 has a top side 46 and a bottom side 48 and is desirably formed from a suitable backed vinyl, canvas, or other material conventionally used in the construction of tonneau covers, convertible tops, and the like. An opening 50 is cut in sheet material 44 such that opening 50 is positioned over a fifth-wheel trailer hitch 52 (FIG. 4) when tonneau cover 28 is installed on truck bed 22. Opening 50 has a shape that roughly follows a top surface outline of hitch 52.In a preferred embodiment, a cut 54 extends from opening 50 to a rear edge 56 of sheet material 44. Cut 54 is parallel to truck bed left side 32 and right side 34. Sheet material rear edge 56 abuts a top edge of tailgate 42 when tailgate 42 is in its closed or upright position. Cut 54 separates sheet material 44 into two sections that are joined by a releasable fastener 58. Cut 54 and fastener 58 are fully covered by a rectangular flap 60. Flap 60 is unreleasably attached to sheet material top side 46 by a seam 62 at one side of cut 54 and releasably attached by a fastener 64 on the opposite side of cut 54. A releasable fastener or attachment, such as fasteners 58 and 64, refers to those types of attachments or fasteners that are designed to mate together members so that these members can be pulled apart (separated) and mated (attached) together numerous times. An unreleasable fastener or attachment, such as seam 62, refers to those types of attachments or fasteners that are designed to mate together members so that once attachment or fastening has occurred these members cannot be pulled apart (separated) under normal use. FIG. 2 also shows a rectangular shaped flap 66 in a closed position. In this closed position, flap 66 covers opening 50. A side of flap 66 that is parallel and closest _g_ to truck bed front end 36 is unreleasably attached to sheet material top side 46 by seam 68. In the preferred embodiment, flap 66 has three remaining sides that are releasably attached to sheet material top side 46 by a fastener 70. In one embodiment, seam 68 is sewn to tonneau cover sheet material 44 and forms a substantially weathertight seal along that side of flap 66. The remaining three sides of flap 66 are attached to sheet material top side 46 by a "hook and loop" implementation of fastener 70 in the preferred embodiments. A hook and loop fastener is used to mate or join two separate members together. Well known to those skilled in the art of fasteners, a hook and loop fastener consists of a hook member that has an abundance of fabric hooks attached to a strip of material and a loop member that has an abundance of fabric loops attached to a separate strip of material. The hook strip of material is attached to one of the two members to be joined and the loop strip of material is attached to the other member to be joined. When the hook member is facing the loop member and the two members are pressed together, the two members form a releasable attachment. Hook and loop fasteners are desirable because they form a substantially weathertight connection between the joined two members. The abundance of interlocking hooks and loops substantially prevents water, dirt, and other debris from penetrating the fastening. Moreover, the hook and loop member that is attached to sheet material top side 46 has a thickness, and that thickness acts as a lip to prevent water or moisture pools on sheet material top side 46 from flowing to fastener 58 or opening 50. Also shown in FIG. 2, a strap 72 extends across opening 50 from one side to another and is attached to sheet material bottom side 48 by fasteners 74. The function of strap 72 is discussed hereinbelow. _g_ FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of tonneau cover 28 in the vicinity of cut 54. Fasteners 58 and 64 and flap 60 are shown in an open configuration. In this embodiment, releasable fastener 58 is a ZIPPER.i.M that is sewn or unreleasably attached to sheet material 44 at cut 54 to releasably join the two sections of sheet material 44 created by cut 54. Those skilled in the art of fasteners recognize that a ~ppER,~,M having interlocking teeth tends not to form a weathertight seal . Gaps exist between ZIPPER.i.M teeth exist when the ZIppER.t.M is closed. These gaps allow water, dirt, and other debris to penetrate the ZIPPER.r.M fastening. In this embodiment ZIPPER.,.M 58 is used for its connecting strength. It is flap 60 that provides the desired weathertight seal by fully covering ZIPPER.i.M58. Rectangular flap 60 is unreleasably attached to sheet material top side 46 on one side of ZIppER.,.M58 by seam 62 and is releasably attached on the other side of ZIPPER.,.M58 by hook and loop fastener 64. Hook and loop fastener 64 is positioned between sheet material top side 46 and flap 60. When closed, flap 60 fully covers ZIPPER.r.M 58 and lays substantially flush with sheet material top side 46. FIG. 4 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tonneau cover 28 and an installation assembly 76 relative to pickup truck bed 22. Installation assembly 76 includes support members 78 and 80. Tonneau cover 28 is shown above truck bed 22 to expose installation assembly 76, hitch 52, and support members 78 and 80. Support member 78 extends across truck bed 22 from truck bed left side 32 to truck bed right side 34, i.e., is a transverse support member, and is located proximate a side of opening 50 that is closest to truck bed back end 38. Support member 78 has two ends and is attached to the top of truck bed 22 at each end by fasteners 82. Support member 80 extends from truck bed back end 38 to support member 78, i.e., is a longitudinal support member, and is located proximate ZIppER.~.M 58 of tonneau cover 28 . Support member 80 has two ends and is attached at one end to the top of tailgate 42 by a fastener 84 and is attached at the opposite end to support member 78 by a fastener 86. Support members 78 and 80 are strategically located underneath tonneau cover 28 to give added support and to prevent sagging of sheet material 44 in areas where cuts have been made. Cutting sheet material 44 provides openings through which water or other debris might possibly pass and reduces its structural integrity somewhat. Support member 80 is located under ZIppER~ 58 and support member 78 is located close to a side of opening 50 to prevent the collection of water and other debris in the vicinity of cut 54 and opening 50. Moreover, support members 78 and 80 are bowed and of a thickness that causes a small rise in sheet material 44 of approximately three-fourths of an inch above level in the central region of truck bed 22. The raised sheet material 44 trains water or moisture pools away from opening 50 and ZIPPER.i.M58. Additional support members at other locations could be added as required. In one embodiment, fasteners 82, 84, and 86 are hook and loop fasteners. In another embodiment fastener 86 is a hook or other rigid arcuate member that hooks over the top of support member 78. It is desirable to remove support members 78 and 80 during trailer hook-up so that they do not interfere with trailer tongue 26 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, the fasteners attaching the support members in the preferred embodiments are of the releasable type. A trailer hook-up procedure for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is quick, simple, and easy. Sheet material 44 is separated at ZIPPER.i.M58. Sheet material 44 is then pulled toward truck bed front end 36 to expose support members 78 and 80. Being releasably attached by fasteners 82, 84, and 86, support members 78 and 80 are easily removed and set aside until trailer hook-up is complete. After lowering tailgate 42 if necessary, fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26 (FIG.1) is attached to hitch 52. Trailer hook-up being complete, support members 78 and 80 are then reattached by fasteners 82, 84, and 86. Sheet material 44 is pulled over support members 78 and 80 toward truck bed back end 38, where ZIPPERTM58 is reconnected and closed. Next, tonneau cover sheet material 44 is releasably attached to truck bed 22 in a manner discussed below. In a trailer hook-up procedure for an alternative embodiment wherein sheet material 44 lacks cut 54 and the related components and adjuncts thereof, sheet material 44 is separated from tailgate 42 then detached from truck bed left and right sides 32 and 34 and laid inside truck bed 22 for a distance sufficient to allow hitch 52 to protrude through opening 50. During this detachment and laying inside of sheet material 44, support members 78 and 80 are exposed. Being releasably attached by fasteners 82, 84, and 86, support members 78 and 80 are removed and set aside until trailer hook-up is complete. After lowering tailgate 42 if necessary, fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26 (FIG. 1) is attached to hitch 52 protruding through opening 50. Once trailer hook-up has been completed, support members 78 and 80 are reattached by fasteners 82, 84, and 86. Sheet material 44 is then pulled over support members 78 and 80 toward truck bed back end 38 and reattached to truck bed left and right sides 32 and 34 and tailgate 42. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a sleeve assembly 88 attached to tonneau cover 28. Sleeve assembly 88 includes a sleeve of material that has a sleeve bottom side 90 and a sleeve top side 92. A cut 94 extends from sleeve bottom side 90 to sleeve top side 92 of sleeve assembly 88. Sleeve bottom side 90 of sleeve assembly 88 is unreleasably attached to sheet material 44 at a perimeter of opening 50 so that cut 94 lines up with ZIppER,,,M 58 . When trailer tongue 26 is not attached to hitch 52, sleeve assembly 88 is folded under flap 66 (FIG. 2). Strap 72 extends across opening 50 and is attached to sheet material bottom side 48 (FIGS. 2 and 4) by fasteners 74. Strap 72 prevents sleeve assembly 88 from falling trough opening 50. Strap 72 is removed before tongue 26 is attached to hitch 52. Cut 94 in sleeve assembly 88 is joined by a fastener 96 that is attached to sleeve assembly 88 at cut 94. Proximate sleeve top side 92 of sleeve assembly 88 is a fastener 98 which is attached at an outer surface of sleeve assembly 88, extends around a perimeter of sleeve assembly 88, and fastens at cut 94. A fastener 100, located opposite cut 94 and below fastener 98, is attached to an outer surface of sleeve top side 92. When sleeve assembly 88 is extended, as shown in FIG. 5, sleeve top side 92 of sleeve assembly 88 forms a sleeve opening 102. Trailer hook-up procedure for the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to that discussed for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Sheet material 44 and sleeve assembly 88 are separated at zipper 58 and fasteners 96, 98, and 74. Sheet material 44, sleeve assembly 88, and strap 72 are detached and moved so that trailer tongue 26 (see FIG. 1) can be attached to hitch 52, after lowering tailgate 42 (FIGS. 2 and 4) if necessary. Trailer hook-up being complete, tailgate 42 is raised, sheet material 44 is repositioned over truck bed 22 (see FIG. 4), and zipper 58 is closed. Sleeve assembly 88 is then extended to cover or otherwise surround fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26, as shown in FIG. 7. Cut 94 is joined by fastener 96. Fastener 98 is tightened so that it constricts sleeve opening 102 about trailer tongue 26. When installed and so configured, sleeve assembly 88 acts as a weathertight covering, preventing water and wind-blown debris from getting into truck bed 22, trailer tongue 26, and trailer hitch 52. Again the procedure for trailer hook-up, with tonneau cover 28 installed, is quick, simple, and easy to perform. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of tonneau cover 28 and sleeve assembly 88 on truck bed 22. For clarity, sleeve assembly 88 is shown extended and sleeve top side 92 is shown to loosely fit about trailer tongue 26. Fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26 is attached to fifth-wheel trailer 24 (FIG. 1) and extends through opening 50 to couple with hitch 52 (FIG. 4). Flap 66 is attached to sleeve assembly 88 at fastener 100 so that flap 66 acts as a wind deflector when trailer 24 is in tow (FIG. 1). It should be noted that the length or distance from sleeve bottom side 90 to sleeve top side 92 is such that when sleeve top side 92 is fastened tight about trailer tongue 26, sleeve assembly 88 will not interfere with or be damaged by truck and trailer operation. That is, when pickup truck 20 has fifth-wheel trailer 24 in-tow sleeve assembly 88 and tonneau cover 28 do not interfere with and are not damaged by execution of a 90 degree right or left turn going forward or going in reverse. Interference is prevented by making sleeve assembly 88 have sufficient length so that sleeve top side 92 may extensively twist relative to sleeve bottom side 90. In the preferred embodiments, this length is around 27 inches. In an alternative embodiment, fastener 100 is affixed to a front surface of tongue 26 or trailer 24 rather than sleeve 88. Flap 66 is attached to tongue 26 or trailer 24, accordingly, at fastener 100 so that flap 66 acts as a wind deflector when trailer 24 is in tow. This alternative embodiment is required when the configuration of tongue 26 and trailer 24 is such as to impede the attachment of flap 66 to sleeve 88. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover 28 and sleeve assembly 88 installed on pickup truck bed 22. Sleeve assembly 88 is shown extended with sleeve top side 92 being constricted by fastener 98. For clarity, sleeve top side 92 is shown to loosely fit around fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26. A section of sleeve assembly 88 is attached to a bottom side 99 of flap 66 by fastener 100. Fastener 100 is positioned such that when sleeve assembly 90 is extended, flap 66 extends above top side 46. In the wind stream when pickup truck 20 and trailer 24 are moving forward, flap 66 molds itself around tongue 26 and acts as a wind deflector. In an alternative embodiment, sleeve assembly 88 is sewn to bottom side 99 of flap 66 and flap 66 is sewn to sheet material 44. In other words, releasable fastener 100 is replaced with an unreleasable attachment. For this embodiment, when fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26 is not attached, sleeve assembly 88 compressibly fits into opening 50. Flap 66 lays on top of sheet material 44 and prevents sleeve assembly 88 from falling on top of hitch 52. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tonneau cover fastener assembly 104 for attaching tonneau cover 28 to truck bed 22. Tonneau cover fastener assembly 104 includes members and fasteners that attach sheet material 44 to truck bed 22. A foam cushion material 106 is desirably located on top of truck bed right side 34. A rail 108 having an "L" shape, is positioned so that a first rail side 110 lays on top of foam cushion material 106 and truck bed right side 34. A second rail side 112 is positioned inside truck bed 22 and extends downward from first rail side 110. Rail 108 is fastened to truck bed 22 by a clamp 114 that attaches to second rail side 112 and a truck bed interior wall 116. A hook and loop fastener 118 is positioned between first rail side 110 and sheet material 44 so that a perimeter of sheet material 44 can be attached to first rail side 110. Hook and loop fastener 118 includes a hook member 120 that is attached to a top side of first rail side 110 and a loop member 122 that is attached to sheet material bottom side 48, but the relative positioning of hook member 120 and loop member 122 may be reversed. Hook member 120 desirably has a width of first rail side 110 and extends the length of rail 108, which is approximately as long as truck bed 22. Loop member 122 is of equal length and width to hook member 120 and is attached to the perimeter of sheet material 44 so that perimeter of sheet material 44 can be fastened to a perimeter of truck bed 22 For clarity, FIG. 8 shows tonneau cover fastener assembly 104 attaching to truck bed right side 34, a similar rail and fastener configuration exists for truck bed left side 32 (not showh). In the preferred embodiment, a "U" shaped channel (not shown) extending from interior of truck bed left side 32 to interior of truck bed right side 34 is positioned open-side down over truck bed front end 36. Hook and loop fastener 118 is positioned between this "U" shaped channel and sheet material 44 so that the front perimeter of sheet material 44 can be attached to top of the "U" channel. In an alternative embodiment, the rails and channels discussed above, including rail 94, are eliminated and hook and loop members are attached directly to the top of truck bed 22. For this embodiment, removal of tonneau cover 28 would leave one of the hook and loop members attached to top of truck bed 22. In both embodiments discussed above, hook and loop fastener 118 is positioned so that sheet material 44 is stretched taunt over the truck bed 22 to prevent water pooling and hook member 120 and loop member 122 are joined firmly together, forming a substantially weathertight seal. Moreover, fasteners 82 and 84 of support members 78 and 80 (FIG. 4) may attach to hook and loop fastener 118 whether or not rails are used. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of pickup truck bed 22 having a "V" notch 124 located in tailgate 42. Tailgate 42 is in an upright or closed position and "V" notch 124 is positioned and dimensioned to allow attachment of fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26 to hitch 52 without lowering tailgate 42. To support sheet material rear edge 56 (FIG. 2), a support member 126 extends across the top of "V" notch 124 and is attached to the top of tailgate 42 by fasteners 128. Tailgate 42 has a lower rail 129 with fasteners 130 attached thereto. In this embodiment, straps (not shown) unreleasably attach to sheet material 44 at rear edge 56 thereof. A loose end of these straps have a mating fastener (not shown) for fasteners 130. These mating fasteners are attached to tailgate 42 at fasteners 130. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, fasteners 128 and 130 are desirably hook and loop fasteners to allow quick and easy attachment and removal of tonneau cover 28 (not shown) and support member 126. However, these fasteners could be any of a variety and combination of fasteners that make releasable or unreleasable attachments. FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover 28 and elastic weather shroud 132 installed on a pickup truck bed 22. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an attachment of fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26 to trailer hitch 52 within truck bed 22, which attachment incorporates weather shroud 132. Weather shroud 132 is a rectangular piece of elastic material having an expansive opening 134 at or near its center. When trailer tongue 26 is not attached to hitch 52, weather shroud 132 may be stowed by placing it under flap 66. Weather shroud 132 is attached to sheet material 44 by a releasable fastener 136. A first member of fastener 136, desirably a hook and loop fastener, is attached to a perimeter of an underside of weather shroud 132 and to sheet material top side 46 surrounding opening 50. Fastener 136 is desirably located within or is a part of fastener 70 for flap 66. With weather shroud 132 in its stowed position, flap 66 is closed and attached to sheet material 44 by fastener 70, thus establishing a weatherproof seal. Trailer hook-up procedure for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is similar to that discussed for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Expansive opening 134 in weather shroud 132 is stretched and shroud 132 is placed around the gooseneck portion of fifth-wheel trailer tongue 26. Flap 66 is then opened (if not already open) and sheet material 44 is separated at ZIPPER.i.M 58 and fastener 64 . Sheet material 44 is detached and moved so that trailer tongue 26 can be attached to hitch 52, after lowering tailgate 42 (FIGS. 2 and 4) if necessary. After trailer hook-up is complete, tailgate 42 is raised, sheet material 44 is repositioned over truck bed 22, and ZIPPER.LM58 and fastener 64 are closed. Weather shroud 132 is then mated with sheet material 44 at shroud-perimeter fastener 136. Weather shroud 132 may be distorted in shape to achieve this mating. When installed and so configured, weather shroud 132 acts as a weathertight covering, preventing water and wind-blown debris from entering truck bed 22. Again the procedure for trailer hook-up, with tonneau cover 28 installed, is quick, simple, and easy to perform. Flap 66 is attached to a front surface of tongue 26 or trailer 24 by a fastener 138 so that flap 66 acts as a wind deflector when trailer 24 is in tow (FIG. 1). Weather shroud 132 is made of an elastic material. In the preferred embodiment, this elastic material is preferably a spandex material having sufficient strength and elasticity, e.g. SPANDURA.,.M II 3400 by H. Warshaw and Sons, Inc. , of New York, NY. As a result, expansive opening 134 has sufficient flexibility to conform to the shape of the gooseneck of trailer tongue 26. Similarly, weather shroud 132, when attached to sheet material 44 by fastener 136, has' sufficient flexibility to not interfere with or be damaged by truck and trailer operation. That is, when pickup truck 20 has fifth-wheel trailer 24 in-tow, weather shroud 132 and tonneau cover 28 do not interfere with and are not damaged by execution of a 90 degree right or left turn going forward or going in reverse. In summary, the present invention provides an improved fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover for a pickup truck equipped with a fifth-wheel trailer hitch. Since the tonneau cover is made from a flexible sheet material, it is a lightweight truck bed cover that accommodates a fifth-wheel trailer hitch and yet is foldable and storable in a small space and as one piece. Due to various above-described fasteners and cuts, the present invention is easily installed and removed for a variety of truck bed tailgates while accommodating hitching and removal of a fifth-wheel trailer and providing easy access to all portions of the truck bed when the tonneau cover is installed. Weathertight protection for the truck bed and trailer hitch is provided by the inclusion of a flap in conjunction with a specifically configured sleeve or elastic weather shroud.Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above-discussed preferred embodiments shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 11 are exemplary embodiments that can be combined to yield other embodiments. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein
    权利要求:
    Claims (29)
    [1] 1. A fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover for attaching to a pickup truck bed having a fifth-wheel trailer hitch mounted therein, said tonneau cover comprising:a flexible sheet material dimensioned to cover said truck bed, said sheet material having an opening positioned over said trailer hitch an installation assembly that has a first support member configured to extend across a width dimension of said truck bed underneath said sheet material between an edge of said opening and a back end of said truck bed, and a second support member configured to extend from said first support member to said truck bed back end; and a flap that covers said opening and is attached to said sheet material.
    [2] 2. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein:said flexible sheet material has a cut that extends from said opening to an edge of said sheet material; and said second support member is configured to be proximate to said cut and to extend substantially parallel to said cut.
    [3] 3. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 2 additionally comprising a fastener attached to said sheet material proximate said cut to releasably join together said sheet material at said cut.
    [4] 4. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 3 wherein said fastaner is a ZIPPER TM
    [5] 5. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 4 wherein said ZIPPER TM is covered by a flap attached to said sheet material on a first side of said ZIPPER TM and releasably attached to said sheet material on a second side of said ZIPPER TM
    [6] 6. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 2 wherein:said pickup bed has a rear end;said sheet material has a rear edge which overlies said pickup bed rear end when installed thereon; and said sheet material cut extends from said opening to said rear edge.
    [7] 7. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a sleeve assembly having:a flexible sleeve having a top side and a bottom side, where said bottom side is attached to said sheet material at said opening, and having a cut that extends from said sleeve bottom side to said sleeve top side;a first fastener attached to said sleeve proximate to said cut to join together said sleeve at said cut and being so joined, said top side of sleeve forms a sleeve opening; and a second fastener at said top side of said sleeve, said second fastener constricting said sleeve opening of said top side of said sleeve.
    [8] 8. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 7 wherein:said flap is formed from a flexible material and has a bottom side that faces said truck bed; and said sleeve is attached to said bottom side of said flap.
    [9] 9. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a flexible sleeve with a top side and a bottom side, where said bottom side is attached to said sheet material at said opening and said top side forms a sleeve opening, said sleeve having a fastener, said fastener constricting said sleeve opening.
    [10] 10. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein:said truck bed has a tailgate having a "V" notch located in said tailgate to allow access to said fifth wheel hitch while said tailgate is in a closed position; and said tonneau cover additionally comprises a fastening system to attach said sheet material to said tailgate.
    [11] 11. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 10 additionally comprising a rigid support member that extends parallel to said tailgate underneath said sheet material and is fastened to said tailgate at a top portion of said "V" notch located in said tailgate.
    [12] 12. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a sleeve assembly having:a flexible sleeve with a top side and a bottom side where said bottom side is attached to said sheet material at said opening; and means, attached to said sheet material, for supporting said sleeve assembly when said sleeve assembly is compressed into said opening for storage and said flap is positioned to cover said opening.
    [13] 13. A fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover for attaching to a pickup truck bed having a fifth wheel trailer hitch mounted therein, said tonneau cover comprising: a flexible sheet material dimensioned to cover said truck bed, said sheet material having an opening positioned over said trailer hitch;a flap formed from a flexible material having a bottom side that faces said truck bed, said flap being attached to said sheet material and configured to cover said opening; and a sleeve attached to said bottom side of said flap, said sleeve having a top side and a bottom side, where said bottom side of said sleeve is attached to said sheet material at said opening and said top side of said sleeve forms a sleeve opening, said sleeve having a fastener, said fastener constricting said sleeve opening.
    [14] 14. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 13 wherein:said tonneau cover includes a fastener which attaches said sheet material to said truck bed.
    [15] 15. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 14 wherein said fastener comprises:a first hook and loop member attached to said sheet material at a perimeter of said sheet material;a rail having first and second sides positioned at an angle to one another;a second hook and loop member attached to said first side of said rail, said second hook and loop member being configured to mate with said first hook and loop member; and a clamp for removably attaching said second side of said rail to said pickup truck bed.
    [16] 16. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 13 wherein:said sleeve has a cut that extends from said sleeve bottom side to said sleeve top side; and said tonneau cover additionally comprises a fastener attached to said sleeve proximate to said cut to join together said sleeve at said cut and being so joined, said top side of said sleeve forms said sleeve opening.
    [17] 17. A fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover for attaching to a pickup truck bed having a fifth wheel trailer hitch mounted therein, said tonneau cover comprising:a flexible sheet material dimensioned to cover said truck bed, said sheet material having an opening positioned over said trailer hitch and having a cut that extends from said opening to an edge of said sheet material;a flap that covers said opening and is attached to said sheet material;a fastener attached to said sheet material proximate said cut to removably join together said sheet material at said cut;a flexible sleeve with a top side and a bottom side, where said bottom side is attached to said sheet material at said opening and said top side of said sleeve forms a sleeve opening having a fastener for selectively constricting said sleeve opening; and a fastener proximate to said sleeve top side for attaching to said flap so that said flap acts as a wind deflector when said sleeve is in use.
    [18] 18. A fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover for attaching to a pickup truck bed having a rear end and a fifth wheel trailer hitch mounted therein, said tonneau cover comprising: a flexible sheet material dimensioned to cover said truck bed, said sheet material having an opening positioned over said trailer hitch and having a rear edge which resides proximate said truck bed rear end;a flexible flap that selectively covers said opening and is attached to said sheet material, said flap having a bottom side which faces said truck bed;a sleeve having a bottom side and top side where said bottom side is attached to said sheet material at said opening, said sleeve being attached to said bottom side of said flap;a cut formed in said sheet material and said sleeve, said cut extending from said sheet material rear edge to said top side of said sleeve;a first fastener attached to said sheet material proximate said cut to removably join together said sheet material at said cut; and a second fastener attached to said sleeve proximate said cut to removably join together said sleeve at said cut.
    [19] 19. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 18 wherein:said first fastener is a ZIPPER TM and said second fastener is a hook and loop fastener.
    [20] 20. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 19 additionally comprising:a fastener attached to said top side of sleeve to constrict said sleeve; and a plurality of support members configured to be positioned on top of said truck bed and underneath said sheet material such that a first one of said support members extends across a width dimension of said truck bed and couples to a second one of said support members that extends from said first support member to said rear end of said truck bed proximate to said cut in said sheet material.
    [21] 21. A fifth wheel adaptable tonneau cover for attaching to a pickup truck bed in which a fifth-wheel trailer hitch for connection to a fifth-wheel trailer tongue has been mounted, said tonneau cover comprising:a flexible sheet material configured to be attached to said truck bed, said sheet material having an opening configured to be positioned over said trailer hitch when said sheet material is attached to said truck bed;a flap attached to said sheet material and configured to cover said opening; and a weather shroud configured to be coupled between said sheet material and said a fifth-wheel trailer tongue, wherein said weather shroud is a piece of elastic material having an expansive opening near a center thereof.
    [22] 22. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 21 wherein said flexible sheet material has a cut extending from said opening to a rear edge of said sheet material and separating said sheet material into two sections and said tonneau cover additionally comprises:a fastener attached to said sheet material proximate said cut and configured to releasably join said two sections of said sheet material;a transverse support member extending across said truck bed and coupled between a right side of said truck bed and a left side of said truck bed; and a longitudinal support member coupled between said transverse support member and said tailgate.
    [23] 23. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 22 wherein:a first end of said transverse support member is releasably attached to said truck bed right side; and a second end of said transverse support member is releasably attached to truck bed left side.
    [24] 24. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 22 wherein:a first end of said longitudinal support member is releasably attached to said transverse support member; and a second end of said longitudinal support member is releasably attached to said tailgate.
    [25] 25. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 22 wherein:said transverse support member is located beneath said sheet material proximate an edge of said opening;said transverse support member is located proximate a side of said opening closest to said tailgate; and said longitudinal support member is located beneath said sheet material parallel to and proximate said cut.
    [26] 26. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 21 wherein:a first side of said rectangular flap is unreleasably attached to a top side of said sheet material by a seam parallel to a front end of said truck bed and proximate a side of said opening closest to said truck bed front end; and remaining sides of said rectangular flap are releasably attached to said sheet material top side by a fastener proximate other sides of said opening.
    [27] 27. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 21 wherein said weather shroud is configured to be releasably attached to a top side of said sheet material.
    [28] 28. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 21 wherein said expansive opening is configured to be placed around and conform to said fifth-wheel trailer tongue.
    [29] 29. A tonneau cover as claimed in claim 21 wherein, when said weather shroud is coupled to said sheet material, said flap is configured to be releasably attached to said fifth-wheel trailer tongue.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2004-09-17| FZDE| Dead|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US17014598A| true| 1998-10-12|1998-10-12||
    US09/170,145||1998-10-12||
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