TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a tonneau cover; more particularly, to a tonneau cover used to protect and cover a pickup truck bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The usage of tonneau covers is known in the art, particularly in the automotive industry. Traditionally, a tonneau cover has been utilized by users to shield contents maintained within the confines of the bed of a pickup truck from the natural elements and from the public's view. Many of these covers had a shell-like configuration depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,201,171 (“the '171 patent”) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,448 (“the '448 patent”).

[0003] Specifically, the '171 patent issued to Walker in 1971 discloses a frame securable to the upper or top portion of a pickup bed side wall, and movable on the side wall to allow the frame with a cover secured thereto to collapse like an accordian. Specifically, the cover with incorporated frame includes an inverted U-shaped shell defining a compartment between the bed of the pickup and the top or upper portion of the cover.

[0004] Similar to the '171 patent, the '448 patent issued to Walker in 1971 describes a U-shaped inverted frame with a cover secured thereto designed to move on a track secured to the top of the sides of a pickup truck bed. However, the '171 and '448 devices only concentrated on bulky shell-type covers instead of a cover extending only across the sides of the pickup truck beds having no vertical wall structure above the sides of the truck.

[0005] Several attempts have been made to redesign such covers in order to reduce expense and become more market-friendly. An example of such an attempt is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,523 (“the '523 patent”) issued to Lutgen in 1967. The '523 patent includes a sectional cover to include supports secured to truck walls. However, the amount of hardware needed to mount and secure such sectional portions of the cover did not conform to being user-friendly during assembly.

[0006] Thereafter, collapsible covers were introduced as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,938 (“the '938 patent”) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,749 (“the '749 patent”). The '938 patent issued to Schultz in 1968 provides for a collapsible truck cover having a longitudinal movement with respect to the bed of a truck and which includes arched vertical supports to which the cover is secured. However, the vertical supports only led to consumer frustration due to the time spent on assembly and maintenance. As for the '749 patent issued to Hull in 1976, it discloses a collapsible cover having a track secured to the top of the side walls of a truck and a cover extending between the brackets secured to the walls of the truck. Nevertheless, the '749 patent failed to provide for a stable cover incapable of caving inward towards the cavity of the bed.

[0007] Then, in the 1980s, the tonneau covers further evolved in design and functionality. An example of such a device is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,377 (“the '377 patent”) issued to Alexander in 1981. The '377 patent provides for a tonneau cover apparatus having an elongated track secured to the sides of a pickup truck with ribs extending across the bed and secured to bearing guides movable on the track. However, the '377 patent does not provide for a tonneau cover having ribs being incorporated onto the cover itself. Further, it fails to teach at least one longitudinal lip being mounted onto an end of the bed to prevent leaking or debris from entering the cavity of the bed.

[0008] Another example of a redesigned tonneau cover is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,866 (“the '866 patent”) issued to Nett in 1988. The '866 patent provides for a tonneau cover being releasably attached to the end and sidewalls of a pickup truck bed. Rails including opposing lateral coextensive slots are adapted to receive fastening members and secure clamp members and a cover thereto. Nevertheless, the '866 patent fails to accommodate a tool box being incorporated onto the bed of a vehicle.

[0009] Unlike, the abovementioned prior art patents, the present invention also includes at least one connective lock, preferably mounted onto the tailgate end of the cover to prevent theft and secure the cover in position. Also, the present invention incorporates a storage compartment attached to the cover, desirably on the underside of the cover. The cover further may include an aperture bored therethrough allowing the user the capability to access the cavity or storage compartment. Moreover, the present invention includes framework attached to the exterior portion of the tonneau cover in order to support skis, luggage, bicycles and the like.

[0010] In view of the above described deficiencies associated with tonneau covers, the present invention has been developed to alleviate present drawbacks and provide further benefits to a user or manufacturer. These enhancements and benefits are described in greater detail hereinbelow with respect to the embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention in its several disclosed embodiments alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to a vehicular accessory, namely a tonneau cover, for a bed of a pickup truck. The use of a tonneau cover is known in the prior art; however, the present invention incorporates improvements unlike the prior cited art. The present invention described herein is a tonneau cover coupled to a track system mounted onto lateral sides of the bed of a pickup truck. Specifically, two sides of the cover are accepted in corresponding rails; and a front end of the cover is received by a longitudinal lip acting as a seal. The longitudinal lip is provided to prevent leaks and other substances from coming into contact with a cavity of the bed; and prevent damage to all items stored inside the cavity. The cover has ribs operatively attached thereto to provide incorporated support and prevent buckling of the cover without having to waste time setting up a separate support system.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a second longitudinal lip may be mated to an edge of a tailgate end. Further, the tonneau cover may be made of transparent material to provide convenient viewing of stored items without forcing the user to manipulate the tonneau cover. The tonneau cover may also include at least one handle connected either on its exterior surface or its underside portion to aid in easy manipulation in the event the user needs to retrieve or store an item.

[0013] In the most preferred embodiment, a storage compartment is attached to the tonneau cover to protect and secure items that are valuable, perishable or delicate. Specifically, the storage compartment may be removably fastened from the tonneau cover and function as a portable pack thereafter. The storage compartment may include either a door or opening to further provide easy retrieval of items held therein. In an alternative embodiment, the tonneau cover may include an access aperture in order to allow a user to enter and exit the cavity or storage compartment in an efficient manner.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the tonneau cover is configured to accommodate a tool box affixed to the bed of a vehicle. The exterior surface of the cover may incorporate framework for carrying skis, luggage, bicycles and the like.

[0015] It is another goal of the present invention to provide for a tonneau cover that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The present invention is capable of being utilized for both commercial and personal use. Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a connective lock on the tailgate end in order to secure the tonneau cover therein and prevent passage into the cavity area of the bed by an outsider.

[0016] Further advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of illustrative embodiments thereof, to be read by way of example and not of limitation in conjunction with the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings. The beneficia effects described above apply generally to the exemplary structure disclosed herein. The specific structure and alternative embodiments utilizing these benefits will be described in detail herein below.