Cover assembly for a vehicle bed and method for mounting the same

[0001] This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/445,866, filed May 28, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a cover assembly for a vehicle bed.

[0003] Cover assemblies for vehicle beds are well known in the art. Examples of cover assemblies are show in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,563,034, 4,289,346, and 4,285,539.

[0004] The present invention provides improvements over known cover assemblies to facilitate mounting and removal of the cover assembly from the vehicle bed.

[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for mounting a cover assembly to a vehicle bed. This aspect of the invention provides a method for mounting a cover assembly to a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening. The method comprises mounting a first pair of elongated track members to respective first and second side walls and providing a removable cover unit. The cover unit comprises a second pair of elongated track members and a plurality of transverse support members. Each of the plurality of support members has first and second end portions. The first end portions are movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions are movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members. A flexible cover is mounted to the plurality of transverse support members. The cover unit includes at least one releasable fastener and at least one motor operatively connected to the support members. The method comprises removably mounting the cover unit in an operative position to the vehicle bed such that the second pair of track members are aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can be selectively moved along the first and second pairs of track members by the at least one motor to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed. The at least one releasable fastener secures the cover unit in the operative position and is releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed.

[0006] Another aspect of the invention relates to a cover assembly for a vehicle bed that includes a removable cover unit. This aspect of the invention provides a cover assembly for a vehicle bed having at least opposing first and second side walls and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening. The cover assembly comprises a first pair of elongated track members mountable to respective first and second side walls and a removable cover unit. The cover unit comprises a second pair of elongated track members and a plurality of transverse support members. Each of the plurality of support members has first and second end portions. The first end portions are movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions are movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members. A flexible cover is mounted to the plurality of transverse support members. The cover unit is constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed. At least one motor is operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover. At least one releasable fastener is constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a removable cover unit that is removably mountable to a vehicle bed. This aspect of the invention provides a removable cover unit for removable installation in an operative position to a vehicle bed including at least opposing first and second side walls having a first pair of elongated track members mounted thereto and a floor, the side walls and the floor defining an interior space having an upwardly facing opening. The cover unit comprises a second pair of elongated track members and a plurality of transverse support members. Each of the plurality of support members has first and second end portions. The first end portions are movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members and the second end portions are movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members. A flexible cover is mounted to the plurality of transverse support members. The cover unit is constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed with the second pair of track members being aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover for opening and closing the vehicle bed. At least one motor is operatively connected to the support members for selectively moving the support members along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the flexible cover. At least one releasable fastener is constructed to secure the cover unit in the operative position and to be releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the vehicle bed.

[0008] Other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of this invention.

[0033] FIGS. 1–12 show a cover assembly 10 for a vehicle bed 12 constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle bed 12 extends rearwardly of a vehicle cab 14 of a vehicle 16. As is conventional, the vehicle cab 14 is designed to accommodate passengers, including a driver, and has various controls for operating the vehicle 16. As shown in FIGS. 1–5, the vehicle 16 is a pickup truck with the vehicle bed 12, or truck bed, having at least opposing first and second side walls 18, 20 and a floor 22. The side walls 18, 20 and floor 22 define an interior space having an upwardly facing opening. As shown in FIGS. 1–5, the vehicle bed 12 has a rear end wall 24. The rear end wall 24 may be a pivotably mounted tailgate for facilitating loading and unloading of the vehicle bed 12, or it may be fixedly secured in position. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle bed 12 includes a pivotally mounted front end wall 26 that provides a rear wall of the vehicle cab 14. The front end wall 26 may be moved to an open position, as shown in FIGS. 1–5, to provide additional space for the interior space of the vehicle bed 12. The front end wall 26 may be moved to a closed position to separate the vehicle cab 14 from the vehicle bed 12. Alternatively, the front end wall 26 may be rigidly mounted in the closed position or may not be provided at all.

[0034] The illustrated vehicle containing this movable front end wall 26 is the 2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE. However, the present invention may be practiced with any type of vehicle having a vehicle bed.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1–3, the cover assembly 10 includes a first pair of elongated track members 28, 30 mountable to respective first and second side walls 18, 20 and a removable cover unit 32 constructed to be removably installed in an operative position to the vehicle bed 12. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the cover unit 32 removed in its assembled condition from the vehicle bed 12. The cover unit 32 may be removed from the vehicle bed 12 for storage purposes and for maximizing the cargo space within the vehicle bed 12.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4–6, the cover unit 32 includes a second pair of elongated track members 34, 36, a plurality of transverse support members 38, a flexible cover 40, at least one releasable fastener 42 constructed to removably mount the cover unit 32 in its operative position to the vehicle bed 12, and at least one motor 44.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of support members 38 has first and second end portions 46, 48. The first end portions 46 are movably mounted on one of the second pair of track members 34 and the second end portions 48 are movably mounted on the other of the second pair of track members 36. The end portions 46, 48 of each of the support members 38 may include sliding members 50 secured thereto with the sliding members 50 being slidably mounted on respective ones of the second pair of track members 34, 36. Examples of sliding members slidably mounted on respective track members are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/058,211 to Schall et al., the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. However, the end portions 46, 48 of the support members 38 may be mounted to respective track members 34, 36 by any other suitable method, such that each of the support members 38 may be moveable in opposing directions along the second pair of track members 34, 36.

[0038] The flexible cover 40 is mounted to the plurality of transverse support members 38. The cover 40 is preferably constructed of fabric, vinyl, or any other suitable material. The cover 40 may be mounted to the transverse support members 38 by any suitable method, such as by fasteners, gluing, and vibration welding, for example. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 40 may include a plurality of loops 52 that respective support members 38 may pass therethrough, for example.

[0039] The cover unit 32 is constructed to be removably mounted in an operative position to the vehicle bed 12 with the second pair of track members 34, 36 being aligned with the first pair of track members 28, 30 so that the support members 38 can move along the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 to extend and retract the flexible cover 40 for opening and closing the vehicle bed 12, as shown in FIGS. 1–3. The at least one releasable fastener 42 is constructed to releasably secure the cover unit 32 in its operative position. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4–5, the at least one releasable fastener 42 is releasable to allow the cover unit 32 to be removed from the vehicle bed, as will be further discussed.

[0040] The at least one motor 44 is operatively connected to the support members 38 for selectively moving the support members 38 along the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 to extend and retract the flexible cover 40.

[0041] Specifically, the plurality of support members 38 includes a distal support member 54 that is positioned the most distant from the front end wall 26 with respect to the remaining plurality of support members 38. The support members 38 including the distal support member 54 are movably arranged on the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 such that movement of the distal support member 54 in the opening direction towards the front end wall 26 causes the distal support member 54 to push each of the support members 38 in a sequential manner in the opening direction and hence sequentially collapses the cover 40 secured thereto, thereby facilitating access to the interior space of the vehicle bed 12. Movement of the distal support member 54 along the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 in the closing direction towards the rear end wall 24 causes the distal support member 54 to pull the other support members 38 in a sequential manner in the closing direction and hence sequentially moves the cover 40 secured thereto into covering relation to the interior space of the vehicle bed 12. In its fully closed position, the cover assembly 10 limits access from the top to the interior space of the vehicle bed 12. The distal support member 54 may also move to any one of a plurality of intermediate open positions, thereby permitting access to a portion of the interior space of the vehicle bed 12 and preventing access to another portion of the interior space of the vehicle bed 12. Further details of the movement of the distal support member 54 to push and pull the remaining support members 38 in opening and closing directions are disclosed in the incorporated U.S. patent application to Schall et al.

[0042] In the fully open position, the support members 38 including the distal support member 54 are all arranged on the second pair of track members 34, 36 (see FIGS. 1–3) to facilitate removal of the cover unit 32 from the vehicle bed 12 as a unit, as will be further discussed.

[0043] The at least one motor 44 is operatively connected to the distal support member 54. The at least one motor 44 is activated to selectively move the distal support member 54 in the opening and closing directions.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one motor 44 includes a pair of reversible motor units 56 (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the motor units 56 are mounted to a first transverse support structure 58 that interconnects the second pair of track members 34, 36. The cover unit 32 also includes a second transverse support structure 60 that interconnects the second pair of track members 34, 36. The first and second transverse support structures 58, 60 may be fixedly secured, e.g., by fasteners, to the second pair of track members 34, 36. The first and second transverse support structures 58, 60 and the second pair of track members 34, 36 form a rigid frame to add stability to the cover unit 32 to enable easy handling of the cover unit 32 by a user. As shown in FIG. 4, a cover 62 encloses the motor units 56.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, a gear 64 is operatively connected to each of the motor units 56. The motor units 56 are activatable to rotate respective gears 64 in opposing rotational directions.

[0046] The motor units 56 work in series to drive a pair of flexible drive cables 66, 68 that are operatively connected thereto. As shown in FIG. 4, one of the pair of drive cables 66 extends through a conduit provided in one of the second pair of track members 34, through a first conduit provided in the first support structure 58, past the motor units 56, and into a first flexible sheath 70 connected to the first support structure 58. The other of the pair of drive cables 68 extends through a conduit provided in the other of the second pair of track members 36, through a second conduit provided in the first support structure 58, past the motor units 56, and into a second flexible sheath 72 connected to the first support structure 58. Moreover, conduits are provided in the first pair of track members 28, 30 are aligned with the respective conduits in the second pair of track members 34, 36 when the cover unit 32 is mounted to the vehicle bed 12.

[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of one of the second pair of track members 34, 36. The second pair of track members 34, 36 are substantially similar to the first pair of track members 28, 30 to enable the support members 38 to move along the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 to open and close the cover 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the cables 66, 68 (only the cable 68 within track member 36 being shown) have a distal end portion connected to respective sliding members 50 of the distal support member 54 through a longitudinal extending slot of the conduit to enable movement of the cables 66, 68 within respective conduits to move the distal support member 54 in the opening and closing directions. Specifically, one cable 66 is secured to one of the sliding members 50 of the distal support member 54 and the other cable 68 is secured to the other of the sliding members 50 of the distal support member 54. The first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 may have any suitable structure for supporting the drive cables 66, 68 and support members 38 including the distal support member 54.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, the cables 66, 68 are engaged with the gear 64 operatively connected to each of the motor units 56 in intermeshed relation such that (a) rotation of the gear 64 by respective motor units 56 in a first rotational direction pushes the cables 66, 68 in a distal direction within respective conduits to push the distal support member 54 in the closing direction and (b) rotation of the gear 64 in a second rotation direction pulls the cables 66, 68 in a proximal direction within respective conduits to pull the distal support member 54 in the opening direction. The cables 66, 68 may have a helical configuration in order to engage the gear 64 in intermeshed relation.

[0049] In use, rotation of the gear 64 in the first rotation direction pushes the cables 66, 68 out of respective sheaths 70, 72 and within the respective conduits provided in the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 to push the distal support member 54 in the closing direction. Rotation of the gear 64 in the second direction pulls the cables 66, 68 out of the conduits in the first pair of track members 28, 30, through the conduits of the second pair of track members 34, 36 and into respective sheaths 70, 72 so as to pull the distal support member 54 in the opening direction. As a result, when the cover is in a fully collapsed position (see FIG. 1–4), the cables 66, 68 are maintained within the second pair of track members 34, 36 and sheaths 70, 72 provided by the cover unit 32. Thus, the cover unit 32 may be removed from the vehicle bed 12 with the cables 66, 68 maintained with the cover unit 32 and not associated with the first pair of track members 28, 30 on the vehicle bed 12.

[0050] The cover assembly 10 is capable of movement along the vehicle bed 12 to a series of positions. The motor units 56 and electronics associated therewith drive the cover assembly 10 to multiple intermediate open/closed positions, a fully open/collapsed position or a fully closed position, dependent upon what is stored in the vehicle bed 12. The cover assembly 10 is flexible by not constraining the interior space.

[0051] Further details of embodiments of structure and operation of the motor units 56, drive cables 66, 68, support members 38, and track members 28, 30, 34, 36 are disclosed in the incorporated U.S. Patent Application to Schall et al. However, the cover unit 32 and first pair of track members 28, 30 may have any suitable structure to allow the cover 40 to be moved along the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 in opening and closing directions.

[0052] The distal support member 54 may be structured to retain the cover 40 in tension when the cover 40 is moved to a fully closed position, the distal support member 54 being adjacent the rear end wall 24 when the cover 40 is in the fully closed position. Details of embodiments for maintaining the cover 40 in tension are disclosed in the incorporated U.S. Patent Application of Schall et al.

[0053] A proximal support member, e.g., a support member positioned the closest to the front end wall 26 with respect to the remaining plurality of support members 38, may be provided to function as a cover tensioner in order to maintain tension in the cover 40. Details of embodiments of a proximal support member for maintaining the cover 40 in tension are disclosed in the incorporated U.S. Patent Application of Schall et al.

[0054] Also, the cover assembly 10 may include a plurality of fold-initiating mechanisms mounted between each pair of adjacent support members 38. Each of the fold-initiating mechanisms may have a portion that engages an adjacent portion of the cover 40 between an associated pair of adjacent support members 38 so as to initiate folding of the adjacent portion in a predetermined direction as one of the associated pair of adjacent support members 38 is being moved towards the other of the associated pair in the opening direction. Details of embodiments of fold-initiating mechanisms are disclosed in the incorporated U.S. Patent Application of Schall et al.

[0055] The first pair of elongated track members 28, 30 may be removably mounted to respective first and second side walls 18, 20 by a plurality of clamps or by a plurality of bolts, for example. Alternatively, the first pair of elongated track members 28, 30 may be fixedly mounted to respective first and second side walls 18, 20 by welding or riveting, for example. A foam pad may be positioned between each track member 28, 30 and its respective side wall 18, 20 to protect the side walls 18, 20 of the vehicle and absorb vibration.

[0056] As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first pair of elongated track members 28, 30 extend along respective first and second side walls 18, 20 from a position adjacent the rear end wall 24 to an intermediate position of the side walls 18, 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the first pair of elongated track members 28, 30 have a length that is greater than a length of the, second pair of elongated track members 34, 36 of the cover unit 32. However, the first pair of elongated track members 28, 30 may have a length that is less than a length of the second pair of elongated track members 34, 36 or substantially equal to a length of the second pair of elongated track members 34, 36.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the at least one releasable fastener 42 is in the form of a pair of clamps 74, 76. Each clamp 74, 76 is structured to interlock with a respective cover mount 78 provided on the vehicle bed 12 so as to removably mount the cover unit 32 to the vehicle bed 12. The clamps 74, 76 are releasable to allow the cover unit 32 to be removed from the vehicle bed 12.

[0058] Each clamp 74, 76 includes a body portion 80 that is rigidly secured to a respective one of the second pair of track members 34, 36. Each clamp 74, 76 includes a handle portion 82 that is pivotally movable between a released position, as shown in FIG. 9, and a locked position, as shown in FIG. 10. The handle portion 82 of each clamp 74, 76 is operatively connected to a locking mechanism. In the released position of the handle portion 82, the locking mechanism of each clamp 74, 76 is structured to be engagable with or removable from the cover mount 78 on the vehicle bed 12. In the locked position of the handle portion 82, the locking mechanism of each clamp 74, 76 is interlocked or clamped with respective cover mounts 78, to mount the cover unit 32 to the vehicle bed 12 and prevent removal of the cover unit 32 from the vehicle bed 12.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, each cover mount 78 is in the form of a bracket. The brackets 78 may form a part of the existing vehicle bed 12 (i.e., the bracket may be built into the vehicle bed as part of its originally manufactured configuration). Alternatively, the brackets 78 may be a separate component that is rigidly mounted to the vehicle bed 12. The brackets 78 are structured to interlockingly engage with respective locking mechanisms of the clamps 74, 76 provided on the cover unit 32.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, the handle portion 82 of the clamps 74, 76 may be manually moved between the released and locked positions to remove and mount the cover unit 32 to the vehicle bed 12, respectively.

[0061] However, the fastener 42 may have any suitable structure to removably mount the cover unit 32 to the vehicle bed 12, e.g., tie-bar, bolt, etc.

[0062] An interlocking element may be provided on the first pair of track members 28, 30 so as to align the first pair of track members 28, 30 with the second pair of track members 34, 36 provided on the cover unit 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the first pair of track members 28, 30 (only the track member 30 being shown) each include a protrusion 84 that is adapted to interlock with a recess provided in each of the second pair of track members 34, 36 so as to align the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36. Once the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 are aligned, the clamps 74, 76 may be moved to the locked position to mount the cover unit 32 to the vehicle bed 12.

[0063] When the cover unit 32 is in its operative position installed to the vehicle bed 12, the motor units 56 are activatable to move the distal support member 54 along the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36 between covering and collapsed positions with respect to the vehicle bed 12. The cover unit 32 may be removed from the vehicle bed 12 when it is moved to a collapsed position. As best shown in FIG. 4, when the cover unit 32 is removed from the vehicle bed 12, the cover 40, motor 44, drive cables 66, 68, support members 38, and clamps 74, 76 are all contained within the frame provided by the second pair of track members 34, 36 and first and second transverse support structures 58, 60. This compact design of the cover unit 32 allows the user to easily manipulate the cover unit 32 for storage purposes.

[0064] The clamps 74, 76 may be designed to establish an electrical connection between the motor units 56 and the vehicle's electrical power system when the clamps 74, 76 are moved to a locked position. This can prevent inadvertent operation of the cover assembly 10 when the cover unit 32 is not securely mounted to the vehicle bed 12.

[0065] For illustrative purposes, FIG. 23 schematically shows the establishment of the electrical connection. The at least one motor is shown at 44, and it is shown as being connected to a conductive element shown schematically at 75. The vehicle's electrical power system is shown schematically at 77. The dashed line between the conductive element 75 and the electrical power system 77 schematically represents the electrical connection established when the clamp(s) 74, 76 are moved to the locked position.

[0066] Also, the clamps 74, 76 may be structured such that the handle portion 82 is only movable between released and locked positions when the cover 40 is in the fully collapsed position. This can prevent the user from removing the cover unit 32 from the vehicle bed 12 when the cover 40 is in a closed position where support members 38 are located on the first pair of track members 28, 30.

[0067] Another embodiment of the cover assembly, indicated as 210, having a cover unit 232 is illustrated in FIGS. 13–22. In this embodiment, the at least one fastener 242 of the cover unit 232 includes first and second fastening assemblies 274 (only one of the fastening assemblies 274 being shown). Each of the first and second fastening assemblies 274 have an interlocking slider member 277 structured to be movable into interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30 provided on the vehicle bed 12 so as to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36, as will be further discussed. Also, the vehicle bed 12 includes a pair of cover mounts 278 structured to engage with locking structures 280 provided on each of the second pair of track members 34, 36 to facilitate alignment of the cover unit 232 with the vehicle bed 12. The remaining elements of the cover assembly 210 are similar to the elements of the cover assembly 10 and are indicated with similar reference numerals.

[0068] As best shown in FIG. 13, the first pair of track members 28, 30 (only track member 30 being shown) extend along respective first and second side walls 18, 20 of the vehicle bed 12 from an intermediate position of respective side walls 18, 20 to a position adjacent the rear end wall 24. The cover mounts 278 are rigidly mounted to respective first and second side walls 18, 20 at positions adjacent the front end wall 26. Specifically, each cover mount 278 includes a first plate 282 that is rigidly mounted a respective side wall 18, 20 by fasteners, for example. Each cover mount 278 also includes an upwardly and outwardly extending second plate 284 that is rigidly connected to the first plate 282. Thus, the first and second plates 282, 284 define an interior space 286 therebetween.

[0069] As best shown in FIG. 13, the cover unit 232 includes first and second fastening assemblies 274 mounted to respective ones of the second pair of track members 34, 36 at positions distal from the motor 44. The cover unit 232 also includes locking structures 280 mounted to respective ones of the second pair of track members 34, 36 at positions adjacent the motor 44.

[0070] Each locking structure 280 includes a first plate 288 that is rigidly mounted to a respective one of the second pair of track members 34, 36 by fasteners, for example. Each locking structure 280 also includes an outwardly extending second plate 290 that is rigidly connected to the first plate 288. The second plate 290 includes a pin 292 attached thereto.

[0071] When the cover unit 232 is mounted to the vehicle bed 12, the pins 292 of each locking structure 280 are first inserted into the interior space 286 of respective cover mounts 278 provided on the vehicle bed 12, as shown in FIG. 14. The cover unit 232 may be slightly angled with respect to the vehicle bed 12 to facilitate insertion of the pins 292 into the interior spaces 286 of respective cover mounts 278. As shown in FIG. 15, the cover unit 232 is moved towards the front end wall 26 until the pins 292 of the locking structures 280 are substantially within the interior spaces of respective cover mounts 278, e.g., the pins 292 of the locking structures 280 engage inner surfaces of the second plate 284 of respective cover mounts 278. Then, the cover unit 232 may be pivoted downwardly into engagement with the vehicle bed 12 which positions the second pair of track members 34, 36 adjacent to the first pair of track members 28, 30 on the vehicle bed 12, as shown in FIG. 16. At this point, the first and second fastening assemblies 274 may be actuated to move the interlocking slider member 277 into interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30 so as to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36, as will be further discussed.

[0072] Similarly, to remove the cover unit 232 from the vehicle bed 12, the first and second fastening assemblies 274 are actuated to move the interlocking slider member 277 out of interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30. The cover unit 232 may be pivoted upwardly away from the vehicle bed 12 and then outwardly away from the cover mounts 278 to release the pins 292 of the locking structures 280 out of the interior spaces 286 of respective cover mounts 278.

[0073] Details of the first and second fastening assemblies 274 will now be described in greater detail. As shown in FIGS. 17–19, each fastening assembly 274 includes a mounting structure 294 that is rigidly mounted to a respective one of the second pair of track members 34, 36 by fasteners, for example. An interlocking slider member 277 is slidably engaged with the mounting structure 294. When the cover unit 232 is mounted to the vehicle bed 12, the interlocking slider member 277 is movable into interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30 (as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20) to align and interlock the first and second pairs of track members 28, 30, 34, 36. The interlocking slider member 277 is also movable out of interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30 (as shown in FIGS. 19 and 22) to allow the cover unit 232 to be removed from the vehicle bed 12.

[0074] Each fastening assembly 274 includes a handle 296 pivotally mounted to the mounting structure 294 for pivotal movement between a locked position, as shown in FIG. 17, and a released position, as shown in FIG. 19. The handle 296 is operatively engaged with the slider member 277 to control the movement of the slider member 277 into and out of interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30. That is, in the locked position of the handle 296, the slider member 277 is interlocked with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30. In the released position of the handle 296, the slider member 277 is released from interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30.

[0075] Specifically, a fastener 298 is fixedly mounted to an end of the handle 296. As best shown in FIG. 18, the fastener 298 extends through an arcuate slot 295 provided in the mounting structure 294 and through an elongated slot 297 provided in the slider member 277. Pivotal movement of the handle 296 between the locked and released positions moves the fastener 298 along the arcuate slot 295 of the mounting structure 294 which causes longitudinal movement of the slider member 277 with respect to the mounting structure 294 as the fastener 298 moves from one end of the elongated slot 297 to the other end of the elongated slot 297 (see sequence of movement from FIG. 17 to FIG. 19).

[0076] A lock block 202 is pivotally mounted to the mounting structure 294 for pivotal movement between a locking position, as shown in FIG. 17, and an unlocking position, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The lock block 202 is structured to control movement of the handle 296 between locked and released positions so that the handle 296 is movable only when the cover 40 is in a fully collapsed position. This prevents the user from removing the cover unit 232 from the vehicle bed 12 when the cover 40 is in a covering position, e.g., support members 38 in the first pair of track members 28, 30.

[0077] Specifically, the lock block 202 includes a first end portion 204, a second end portion 206, and an intermediate portion 208. The intermediate portion 208 is pivotally mounted to the mounting portion 294 to allow the pivotal movement of the lock block 202 between the locking and unlocking positions. The lock block 202 is biased to the locking position by a spring, for example.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, when the cover unit 232 is mounted to the vehicle bed 12 and the handle 296 is in the locked position, the slider member 277 is interlocked with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30. Moreover, the lock block 202, in its locking position, has its first end portion 204 positioned behind the slider member 277 to prevent the slider member 277 from movement out of interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30 which in turn prevents rotation of the handle 296 (due to their interconnection described above).

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, when the cover 40 is moved to the fully collapsed position, an actuator, such as a rod 55, on the sliding member 50 of the distal support member 54 is structured to engage the second end portion 206 of the lock block 202 to rotate the lock block 202 from the locking position to the unlocking position against biasing therefrom. This moves the lock block 202 to a position that allows movement of the slider member 277 out of interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30 which in turn allows rotation of the handle 296.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 22, the handle 296 has been moved to the released position, which moves the slider member 277 out of interlocking engagement with a respective one of the first pair of track members 28, 30 on the vehicle bed 12. Thus, the cover unit 232 may be removed from the vehicle bed 12.

[0081] Thus, the lock block 202 functions to lock the slider member 277 and hence the handle 296 in the locked position until the cover 40 is moved to a fully collapsed position. Once the cover 40 is fully collapsed, the lock block 202 is moved to an unlocking position that allow movement of the handle 296 into a released position for removal of the cover unit 232 from the vehicle bed 12.

[0082] It can thus be appreciated that the aspects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The foregoing specific embodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alterations, and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.