Patent Application
20120098292
The present invention relates to a bi-fold hinge for use with a foldable, stowable, tonneau cover, with the bi-fold hinge having an articulating center.
It is commonplace for various owners of vehicles such as pickup trucks to incorporate the use of a tonneau cover for providing items stored in the bed with protection from the elements. Tonneau covers are also used to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a pickup truck.
There are various types of tonneau covers that are used with a pickup truck. One type Of cover is a single-piece cover made of fiberglass or other rigid material (often called a “hard” tonneau cover). These types of covers typically open through the use of hinges attached to the front of the bed in an area behind the cab of the truck. The hard tonneau cover is typically supported by air struts when in an open position. One drawback to this type of tonneau cover is that the cover typically has a limited range of motion when moving from an open position to a closed position, and vice versa, limiting the amount of items that can be stored in the bed of the truck. Also, hard tonneau covers typically have a latch which connects the cover to the tail gate for the purpose of providing additional attachment of the cover to the bed of the truck, which is necessary when the vehicle is moving because damage to the cover may occur if the cover is left open when the vehicle is moving. Because the cover typically must be secured to the tail gate during vehicle travel to prevent damage to the cover, the types of items that may be stored in the bed are limited in size to being less than the height of the bed.
Another type of tonneau cover used with pickup trucks is what is commonly referred to as a “soft” tonneau cover. A soft tonneau cover is typically made of a fabric, such as vinyl, which attaches to a frame having side rails, with the frame being attached to the side walls of the bed. The fabric is typically attached to the frame through the use of snap features, or the like. There are many different types frames used for supporting a soft tonneau cover. Some of these frames have a series of cross bows attached to the side rails of the frame which support the fabric in the middle area of the bed. This type of configuration is quite cumbersome to use because it requires the detachment of the fabric and the bows from the side rails of the frame to place items in the bed of the pickup. Also, if the item being transported in the bed of the pickup is quite large, it may not be possible to reassemble the bows and the fabric to the frame, creating the problem of stowing the fabric and the bows when they are not in use.
Attempts have been made to create a tonneau cover which is readily changeable between a stowed and a deployed position. One particular solution has been to provide a foldable frame. However, this particular design requires the fabric remain connected to the side rails of the frame, and the fabric is subjected to having discrete fold points, and may bunch up in certain areas, making it difficult to fold the tonneau cover. Furthermore, the hinges used with the foldable frame may not allow for the tonneau cover to fold properly, or fold one-hundred-eighty degrees to allow for the tonneau cover to be placed in an optimally stowed position.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved tonneau cover which incorporates a hinge having the ability to allow a soft tonneau cover connected to a frame to be folded substantially one-hundred-eighty degrees.
The present invention is a bi-fold hinge assembly for facilitating the more compact placement of a tonneau cover in a stowed position. The bi-fold hinge of the present invention includes a first arcuate bracket and a second arcuate bracket. The first arcuate bracket and the second arcuate bracket are pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The bi-fold hinge also includes a front base plate, where the second arcuate bracket is pivotally connected to the front base plate, and a rear base plate, where the first arcuate bracket pivotally connected to the rear base plate.
The bi-fold hinge also includes a central pivot point, the first arcuate bracket and the second arcuate bracket are pivotally connected to each other at the central pivot point such that the first arcuate bracket and the second arcuate bracket pivot relative to one another. The first arcuate bracket pivots relative to the rear base plate and the second arcuate bracket pivots relative to the front base plate. The central pivot point moves as the first arcuate bracket and the second arcuate bracket are moved between the stowed position and the deployed position.
In one embodiment, the front base plate is connected to a front side rail, and the rear base plate is pivotally connected to a rear side rail. The front side rail and the rear side rail are part of a frame assembly used for supporting and controlling the movement of the tonneau cover as the tonneau cover is moved between the deployed position and the stowed position.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
A frame system used with a soft tonneau cover is shown in the Figures generally at 10. The system 10 includes a front frame assembly 12 pivotally attached to a rear frame assembly 14 through the use of a first bi-fold hinge 16. The frame assemblies 12,14 are attached to a vehicle to work in conjunction with a storage area of a vehicle, such as a pickup bed, generally shown at 18. The bed 18 includes sidewalls 20 and a front wall 22. The system 10 also includes a base frame 24 attached to the bed 18, upon which the frame assemblies 12,14 are mounted. The front frame assembly 12 has a pair of front side rails 26 connected to a front cross rail 28, and the rear frame assembly 14 includes a pair of rear side rails 30 and a rear cross rail 32. The rear frame assembly 14 is selectively connected to the base frame 24, the function of which will be described later.
Pivotally attached to both the front and rear frame assemblies 12,14 is a middle support member or bow portion, generally shown at 34. The middle bow portion 34 includes a middle cross bow 36 extending across the bed 18 between the side walls 20 as shown in
There are also second front pivoting flanges 44 which are used for connecting a set of first forward links 46 to the front frame assembly 12. The first forward links 46 are part of a front support member or bow portion, generally shown at 48. The front bow portion 48 also includes a front cross bow 50 extending across the bed 18 between the side walls 20, similar to the middle cross bow 36. The first forward links 46 are pivotally connected to the front cross bow 50, and there is also a set of second forward links 52, which are also pivotally connected to the front cross bow 50. The second forward links 52 are pivotally connected to the first intermediate links 38 through the use of a set of first intermediate pivoting flanges 54.
There are also second intermediate pivoting flanges 56 connected to the second intermediate links 40, and there is a set of first rearward links 58 also pivotally connected to the second intermediate pivoting flanges 56 for providing a pivot relationship between the first rearward links 58 and the second intermediate links 40. The first rearward links 58 are part of a rear support member or bow portion, generally shown at 60. The rear bow portion 60 also has a rear cross bow 62, which in a similar manner to the middle cross bow 36 and the front cross bow 50 also extends across the bed 18 between the side walls 20. The rear bow portion 60 also includes a set of second rearward links 64, which are connected to first rear pivoting flanges 66, with the first rear pivoting flanges 66 being connected to the rear frame assembly 14 as shown in
As mentioned above, there is a bi-fold hinge 16 used to pivotally attach the front frame assembly 12 to the rear frame assembly 14. However, in this embodiment, there are two bi-fold hinges 16, as shown in the Figures. Referring now to
A first end 76 of a first arcuate bracket 78 is pivotally connected to a first roller 80, and the first roller 80 is pivotally connected to a first end 82 of a first pivot bracket 84, the second end 86 of the first pivot bracket 84 is pivotally connected to the front base plate 70. When the front frame assembly 12 pivots relative to the rear frame assembly 14, the first roller 80 rolls along a first contact surface 88 and selectively moves into a first recess 90. The second end 92 of the first arcuate bracket 78 is pivotally connected to the rear base plate 72. The second end 86 of the first pivot bracket 84 is connected to the front base plate 70 on the inner surface 94 of the front base plate 70, and the second end 92 of the first arcuate bracket 78 is connected to the outer surface 96 of the rear base plate 72. Because the first arcuate bracket 78 is connected to the outer surface 96 of the rear base plate 72 and the first pivot bracket 84 is connected to the inner surface 94 of the front base plate 70, the first arcuate bracket 78 and the first pivot bracket 84 are offset from one another, thereby creating a space, or gap, in between the first arcuate bracket 78 and the first pivot bracket 84. This space is compensated for by the width of the first roller 80, allowing for the first arcuate bracket 78 and the first pivot bracket 84 to be substantially parallel to each other and the base plates 70,72.
A second arcuate bracket 98 has a first end 100 pivotally attached to a second roller 102, and the second roller 102 is pivotally connected to a first end 104 of a second pivot bracket 106, a second end 108 of the second pivot bracket 106 is pivotally connected to the rear base plate 72 on the outer surface 96 of the rear base plate 72. When the front frame assembly 12 pivots relative to the rear frame assembly 14, the second roller 102 rolls along a second contact surface 110 and selectively moves into a second recess 112. The second end 114 of the second arcuate bracket 98 is pivotally connected to the inner surface 94 of the front base plate 70. Because the second arcuate bracket 98 is pivotally connected to the inner surface 94 of the front base plate 70, and the second pivot bracket 106 is pivotally connected to the outer surface 96 of the rear base plate 72, the second arcuate bracket 98 and the second pivot bracket 106 are offset from one another, thereby creating a space, or gap, in between the second arcuate bracket 98 and the second pivot bracket 106. This space is compensated for by the width of the second roller 102, allowing for the second arcuate bracket 98 and the second pivot bracket 106 to be substantially parallel to each other and the base plates 70,72.
The first arcuate bracket 78 is pivotally connected to the second arcuate bracket 98 at a central pivot point 116, which functions as a “theoretical center.” The term theoretical center is used because the central pivot point 116 functions as the center of the hinge 16, but is moveable as the front frame assembly 12 and rear frame assembly 14 are pivoted relative to one another. The central pivot point 116 also includes a spacer 124 disposed between the brackets 78,98. The spacer 124 is in substantial alignment with both the front base plate 70 and the rear base plate 72. As mentioned above, the first arcuate bracket 78 is connected to the outer surface 96 of the rear base plate 72 and the second arcuate bracket 98 is pivotally connected to the inner surface 94 of the front base plate 70. This connection positions the brackets 78,98 such that they are offset from one another, and creates a spacing between the brackets 78,98; the spacer 124 is of a width to compensate for this spacing, best seen in
As mentioned above, the frame system 10 is used for changing a tonneau cover between a stowed position and a deployed position. A soft tonneau cover 118 is shown connected to the frame system 10 in
It can also been seen when looking at the Figures that the first front pivoting flanges 42 are connected to the front side rails 26 between the bi-fold hinge 16 and the second front pivoting flanges 44. Similarly, the second rear pivoting flanges 68 are connected to the rear side rails 30 between the bi-fold hinge 16 and the first rear pivoting flanges 66.
When in the deployed position, the system 10 is shown in the position in
To change the position of the cable tonneau system 10, there is a pair of latches or clamps (not shown) which connect the rear frame assembly 14 to the base frame 24. The latches are released, and the rear frame assembly 14 is then pivoted relative to the front frame assembly 12. When in the deployed position, the hinges 16 are best seen in
As the rear frame assembly 14 is pivoted relative to the front frame assembly 12, the connection between the first arcuate bracket 78 and the rear base plate 72 pulls the first roller 80 out of the first recess 90, and the connection between the second arcuate bracket 98 and the front base plate 70 pulls the second roller 102 out of the second recess 112. As this occurs, the first roller 80 moves along the first contact surface 88, and the second roller 102 moves along the second contact surface 110. The contact surfaces 88,110 provide a predetermined path of movement for the respective brackets 78,98 and rollers 80,102. Additionally, the first arcuate bracket 78 pivots relative to the rear base plate 72, the second arcuate bracket 98 pivots relative to the front base plate 70, the first pivot bracket 84 pivots relative to both the front base plate 70 and first arcuate bracket 78, and the second pivot bracket 106 pivots relative to both the rear base plate 72 and the second arcuate bracket 98. The first arcuate bracket 78 and the second arcuate bracket 98 also pivot relative to one another about the central pivot point 116.
It is shown in
All of the various links 38,40,46,52,58,64 pivot accordingly in simultaneous fashion when the rear frame assembly 14 is pivoted relative to the front frame assembly 12; since the movement of the links 38,40,46,52,58,64 is similar on both sides of the bed 18, only one side will be described.
The various positions the system 10 is operable to change to are shown in the Figures. As the rear frame assembly 14 is pivoted relative to the front frame assembly 12, the first intermediate link 38 pivots relative to the front side rail 26, and the second intermediate link 40 pivots relative to the rear side rail 30, while at the same time the first intermediate link 38 pivots relative to the second intermediate link 40. Simultaneously, this causes the second forward link 52 to pivot relative to the first intermediate link 38, the second forward link 52 and first forward link 46 to pivot relative to one another, and the first forward link 46 to pivot relative to the front side rail 26. Additionally, the first rearward link 58 pivots relative to the second intermediate link 40, the first rearward link 58 and second rearward link 64 pivot relative to one another, and the second rearward link 64 pivots relative to the rear side rail 30.
As the various links 38,40,46,52,58,64 pivot relative to one another, the cross bows 36,50,62 lift off of the respective side rails 26,30. The cover 118 is made from a substantially flexible material that is connected to the front cross rail 28 and the rear cross rail 32, and the cross bows 36,50,62 extend through the sleeves 120 as described above. The cover 118 is shaped to substantially match the shape of the bed 18, as shown in
The rear frame assembly 14 is pivoted relative to the front frame assembly 12 about the hinges 16 until the system 10 is in the stowed position shown in
When the system 10 is in the deployed position, the cross bows 36,50,62 contact the frame assemblies 12,14 by way of an angled end portion 122, which also provides support for the cross bows 36,50,62. The cross bows 36,50,62 also support the cover 118, and help to give the cover 118 a contoured look when the system 10 is in the deployed position. Additionally, when the system 10 is in the deployed position, the outer edges of the cover 118 extend along the side rails 26,30. Because the tonneau cover 118 is permanently affixed to the cross rails 28,32 and the cross bows 36,50,62 extend through the sleeves 120, respectively, the fabric 76 automatically spreads out to cover the bed 18 when the system 10 is in the deployed position.
The present invention provides a novel hinge 16 which is facilitates the frame assemblies 12,14 for the soft tonneau 118 cover to be flat in a deployed position, while also allowing the tonneau cover 118 to be more compact when in the stowed position. It can also be seen in the Figures that the frame assemblies 12,14 are two separate components, and the hinge 16 does not have a fixed pivot point, which further facilitates the tonneau cover 118 being opened to a flat position.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
