Patent US5860691A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5860691A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for covering a vehicle cargo area
Assignee: Lund Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-21
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Granted: 1999-01-19
•
Expires: 2017-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for covering an area between opposed walls is provided by the present invention. The apparatus includes rails for mounting on the opposed walls, and a covering material for covering the area between the opposed walls. The rails include ridges and channels which allow for adjustment of the tautness of the covering material between the opposed walls. The covering material includes a fabric for suspension between the opposed walls and has edges which include ridges and channels. The ridges and channels in the rails and the ridges and channels in the covering material are constructed and arranged to mate in order to provide a releasable connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry J. Thomsen
- 👤 Michael J. Sterling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for covering an area provided between opposed walls, comprising: rails for mounting on the opposed walls, said rails comprising wall to wall adjustment surfaces comprising ridges and channels; and a covering material for covering the area provided between opposed walls, said covering material comprising a fabric and edges comprising wall to wall adjustment surfaces comprising ridges and channels; wherein the ridges and channels in said rail and the ridges and channels in said covering material are constructed and arranged to mate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for covering an area provided between opposed walls, comprising: rails for mounting on the opposed walls, said rails comprising wall to wall adjustment surfaces comprising ridges and channels; and a covering material for covering the area provided between opposed walls, said covering material comprising a fabric and edges comprising wall to wall adjustment surfaces comprising ridges and channels; wherein the ridges and channels in said rail and the ridges and channels in said covering material are constructed and arranged to mate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus for covering an area provided between opposed walls according to claim 1, wherein the ridges and channels in said rail are rigid, and the ridges and channels in said covering material flexible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A lockable apparatus for covering a cargo area of a truck wherein the cargo area is surrounded by a driver sidewall, a passenger sidewall, a tailgate, and a cab wall, comprising: a frame comprising elongated rails, a mounting system, and a latch, wherein the elongated rails comprise a mounting surface for mounting to the driver sidewall and the passenger sidewall, and a cover holding surface comprising channels and ridges, the mounting system comprises clamps for holding said frame to the driver sidewall and the passenger sidewall; and a cover having opposed edges and opposed ends, and constructed and arranged for extending between the elongated rails and along the length of the elongated rails, said cover comprising a flexible fabric and flexible members on the edges comprising ridges and channels for mating with the ridges and channels on said elongated rails, and rigid end rails along the opposed ends of the cover for securing between the elongated rails.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
A lockable apparatus for covering a cargo area of a truck wherein the cargo area is surrounded by a driver sidewall, a passenger sidewall, a tailgate, and a cab wall, comprising: a frame comprising elongated rails, a mounting system, and a latch, wherein the elongated rails comprise a mounting surface for mounting to the driver sidewall and the passenger sidewall, and a cover holding surface comprising channels and ridges, the mounting system comprises clamps for holding said frame to the driver sidewall and the passenger sidewall; and a cover having opposed edges and opposed ends, and constructed and arranged for extending between the elongated rails and along the length of the elongated rails, said cover comprising a flexible fabric and flexible members on the edges comprising ridges and channels for mating with the ridges and channels on said elongated rails, and rigid end rails along the opposed ends of the cover for securing between the elongated rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lockable apparatus for covering a cargo area of a truck according to claim 3, wherein the ridges and channels on said elongated rails and on said cover edges are constructed and arranged to provide varying tension across the cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A truck comprising: a cargo area surrounded by a driver sidewall, a passenger sidewall, a tailgate, and a front wall; elongated rails mounted on the driver sidewall and the passenger sidewall, said elongated rails provided with a mounting surface constructed and arranged to mount on the sidewalls, and ridges and channels; and a cover having edges comprising ridges and channels for mating with the ridges and channels on said elongated rails.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A truck comprising: a cargo area surrounded by a driver sidewall, a passenger sidewall, a tailgate, and a front wall; elongated rails mounted on the driver sidewall and the passenger sidewall, said elongated rails provided with a mounting surface constructed and arranged to mount on the sidewalls, and ridges and channels; and a cover having edges comprising ridges and channels for mating with the ridges and channels on said elongated rails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The truck according to claim 5, further comprising a cab spoiler.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |