US4377307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self securing tonneau cover
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-11-17
•
Granted: 1983-03-22
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Expires: 2000-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle tonneau cover including new features and improvements to allow the tonneau cover to position, attach, and secure itself to a vehicle through the use of tabs extending down from the tonneau cover, thereby allowing the vehicle to remain as originally manufactured.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis L. Santarelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/20; B60J7/202; B60J11/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/10; B60J7/102; B60J7/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In combination with a vehicle having a passenger compartment defined at its front by a transversely extending section commonly known as the dashboard, at its sides by a pair of vehicle side walls, at its rear by a transversely extending panel, and having an open upper side and a tonneau cover, each of said vehicle side walls includes a door having a window well, and said tonneau cover comprises: a main body portion of a substantially rigid material; attachment means extending downward from said main body portion, and a plurality of tabular members extending into said window wells of said doors of said vehicle, said attachment means extends from said main body portion for a sufficient extent to hold said cover to said vehicle, said attachment means are substantially rigid, whereby said vehicle can remain as originally manufactured, while said cover is able to extend over, protect, and decorate said passenger compartment of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination with a vehicle having a passenger compartment defined at its front by a transversely extending section commonly known as the dashboard, at its sides by a pair of vehicle side walls, at its rear by a transversely extending panel, and having an open upper side and a tonneau cover, each of said vehicle side walls includes a door having a window well, and said tonneau cover comprises: a main body portion of a substantially rigid material; attachment means extending downward from said main body portion, and a plurality of tabular members extending into said window wells of said doors of said vehicle, said attachment means extends from said main body portion for a sufficient extent to hold said cover to said vehicle, said attachment means are substantially rigid, whereby said vehicle can remain as originally manufactured, while said cover is able to extend over, protect, and decorate said passenger compartment of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination of claim 1, further including male-female tabular attachment means extending from a rear area of said main body portion, said male-female tabular attachment means secure said cover to said vehicle by mating with a complimentary member on a windshield header, said header being a part of a convertible folding top existing in said vehicle, said cover is attached to said vehicle when said top is folded down into a convertible top housing well opening that extends transversely to said vehicle and substantially to the rear of said passenger compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination of claim 1, including a rear portion of said tonneau cover designed to extend over, protect, and decorate a hinged rigid cover which covers a convertible top housing well opening of said vehicle, and further including a fabric facing extending around an underside edge of said rear portion, said fabric facing being inserted under and around an edge of said rigid cover which, when said rigid cover seats within said vehicle, there is a smooth and snug appearance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 1, further including cover-stiffeners that extend along the edge of said tonneau cover in the frontal area near the windshield of said vehicle to secure said tonneau cover in place by a spring tension action.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 1, further including cover-stiffeners that extend downward from said tonneau cover in the frontal area near the windshield of said vehicle and are of a predetermined size that extends into openings in said vehicle adjacent to said windshield which help secure said tonneau cover to said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 1, further including head rest hoods designed to extend over, cover, protect, and decorate a pair of vehicle head rests; said head rest hoods being removable from said tonneau cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 1, further including a steering wheel hood, said hood having a tab extending downward from the underside of said hood, said tab positions and secures said steering wheel hood of said tonneau cover to extend over a vehicle steering wheel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-21 | 1986-09-20 | 1987-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-21 | 1990-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-09-20 | 1995-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |