| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 296100150 | Flexible having tensioning means | 12 |
| 20090108622 | TARPAULIN LOCKING AND TENSIONING MECHANISM - The invention comprises a tensioning assembly for a tarpaulin, comprising: a) a track for mounting a bow for supporting the tarpaulin, the track enabling longitudinal movement of the bow along the track; b) a universal support coupled to bow and operative to support a rod, the rod being oriented substantially parallel to the track; c) a stop element, the stop element moveable from a position over the track to a position removed from said track, and said stop element operative to engage the rod when positioned over the track; and d) a tensioning adjustment mechanism, as part of one of the universal support, the rod and the stop element, the tensioning adjustment mechanism operative to adjust the position of the rod relative to the universal support and thereby maintain the tarpaulin under tension when the rod is engaged to the stop element, wherein said tensioning assembly is operative to maintain the bow substantially parallel to the track while under tension. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20100019530 | Tonneau Cover Securing Plate - A tonneau cover apparatus for securing a flexible cover about a cargo box of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises the flexible cover and a support frame for attachment to the cargo box. The support frame has two opposing side rails, each of which have a lock engaging surface. The support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails. The apparatus further comprises a flexible cover securing plate attached to the cover and having first and second ends. The flexible cover securing plate includes a channel that extends between the respective ends. The flexible cover securing plate is engageable with the respective securing plate engagement members and additionally includes at least one locking member, preferably two locking members. Each locking member is slidably secured within the channel proximate one of the ends of the flexible cover securing plate and each respective locking member is engagable with the lock engaging surface of the respective opposing side rail such that the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from disengaging with respect to the respective side rail when it is in a first position. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100123331 | TRUCK BED TARP SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for attaching a tarpaulin to a truck bed. The tarpaulin is placed over a top opening of the truck bed. A plurality of fastening elements are attached to the tarpaulin. A plurality of tie down members are attached to the sides of the truck bed. A first end of a flexible cord is coupled to a first tie down member. A ratchet is coupled with the first tie down member. The flexible cord is intermittently coupled with the attached plurality of fastening elements and the attached plurality of tie down members. A second end of the flexible cord is passed through the ratchet and tension is applied to the flexible cord to secure the flexible cover to the open enclosure. The ratchet holds the flexible cord in position to maintain the applied tension. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20110169296 | TONNEAU COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE - A tonneau cover assembly includes a flexible cover, a rigid cross member connected with the cover, and a tensioning and/or latching mechanism connected with the cross member. The flexible cover includes a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed adjacent a cab of a vehicle to which the tonneau covers assembly is configured to attach. The second end is disposed adjacent a tailgate of the vehicle. The rigid cross member connects with the cover such that the cross member moves with the cover as the cover is rolled or folded toward the first end. The tensioning and/or latching mechanism connects with the cross member such that the tensioning and/or latching mechanism moves along with the cover as the cover is rolled or folded toward the first end. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110187148 | TENSIONING AND LOCK DEVICE - The present invention is directed to a tensioning and lock device for achieving a sufficient amount of tension throughout a tarp cover. The present invention is particularly well suited for retractable, tarp cover systems used in the trucking industry, but is also useful in other applications and in other fields. The tensioning and lock device comprises a base and an extending mechanism comprising an actuator. The actuator may be of the hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical variation and can be either manually or automatically powered. The present tensioning device is lightweight, compact, easy to install and accomplishes its function in a minimal amount of time. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20120098293 | Tonneau Cover Having Securing Mechanism - A tonneau cover apparatus for securing a flexible cover about a cargo box of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises the cover and a support frame for attachment to the cargo box. The frame has two opposing side rails, each of which has a lock engaging surface. The support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails. The apparatus further comprises a flexible cover securing plate attached to the cover. The flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and least one locking member. Each locking member is secured within the channel and each respective locking member is engagable with the lock engaging surface of the respective side rail such that the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from disengaging with respect to the respective side rail when it is in a first position. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120104788 | Tensioning Bow Member For A Flexible Cover System - A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover includes a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a hold-down bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a spring pack between the bail member and tensioning bow member. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20130033061 | TENSION CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR FLEXIBLE TONNEAU COVER SYSTEM OF PICK-UP TRUCK - A tension control assembly for a flexible tonneau cover system of a pick-up truck has an adjustable engagement plate and a screw assembly. The adjustable engagement plate has an engagement hook to selectively engage in one of engagement holes formed on a side rail, and further has a positioning hole to position the screw assembly according to the engagement relationship between the engagement hook and the engagement holes, so that the adjustable engagement plate and the screw assembly can be used to adjust and stably keep a longitudinal position of a front header in relation to a length direction of the side rail, so as to prevent from causing vibration noise. Meanwhile, a transverse position of the front header in relation to a width direction of the side rail can be simultaneously adjusted during adjusting the longitudinal position of the front header. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130140843 | Tonneau Cover Having Securing Mechanism - A tonneau cover apparatus for securing a flexible cover about a cargo box of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises the cover and a support frame for attachment to the cargo box. The frame has two opposing side rails, each of which has a lock engaging surface. The support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails. The apparatus further comprises a flexible cover securing plate attached to the cover. The flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and least one locking member. Each locking member is secured within the channel and each respective locking member is engagable with the lock engaging surface of the respective side rail such that the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from disengaging with respect to the respective side rail when it is in a first position. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130341955 | PICKUP TRUCK BED TONNEAU COVER SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND METHOD - An outer frame corresponds to a perimeter of a pickup truck bed. An plurality of upwardly bowed intermediate rail span between, and are coupled to, opposing sides of the outer frame. Each bowed intermediate rail is paired with a wire tension member that spans between, and is coupled to, each end of its paired intermediate rail member. A flexible textile member covers and is supported by the intermediate rail member and is coupled to the outer frame. The wire tension members operate to help reduce lateral deflection of the bowed intermediate rail members when a meaningful downward force is applied to the bowed intermediate rails. A method of assembling a tonneau cover is also disclosed. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140197659 | SLIDING TARPAULIN TENSIONING AND LOCKING SYSTEM - An improved tensioning and locking apparatus for tensioning and locking a sliding tarpaulin that selectively covers and uncovers a trailer, such as a flat bed trailer or an enclosed trailer with an opening in a side thereof. Rotational motion about an axis perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the length of the trailer can be used to operate the apparatus to either increase or decrease tension in the tarpaulin covering the trailer. Such rotational motion can be provided from outside the covered trailer, which is advantageous for operators of said trailers. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20150015021 | Tonneau Cover - The present invention is directed to a cord fixture for attachment to a cord. The cord fixture includes a body having at least one side wall, and a slot in the at least one side wall for retaining the cord therein when the cord is in a fixed condition. The slot has a neck portion and an enlarged end portion adjacent the neck portion. The neck portion is configured to guide the cord into the enlarged end portion such that the cord can be releasably retained within the enlarged end portion. The present invention is directed to the cord fixture for attachment to a cord attached to a tonneau cover for a trailer or vehicle. | 01-15-2015 |
