Quick release clamp for tonneau cover

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Applic. No. 60/862,809, filed Oct. 25, 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference

[0002] The invention relates generally to clamps. More particularly, the invention relates to clamps for use with covers that extend over a cargo box on a pickup.

[0003] Tonneau covers have been successfully commercialized by the Shur Company of Yankton, S. Dak. and are described in various patent documents, including Spencer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,740; Dimmer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,520; and Spencer, US Patent Publication No. 2004/0212212.

[0004] Tonneau covers are used in conjunction with the cargo box of pickups to protect items placed in the cargo box from exposure to dirt, debris, and other environmental contaminants. Tonneau covers are also used to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the pickup.

[0005] There are two main types of tonneau covers—hard and soft. The hard tonneau covers include one or more pieces that when placed in a closed position form a generally rigid cover over the cargo box. In contrast, the soft tonneau covers are fabricated from a soft material. When the soft tonneau covers are not being used, they may be rolled up to expose the interior of the cargo box.

[0006] To decrease the time associated with installing the tonneau covers and enable the tonneau cover to be readily removed, various tonneau cover attachment mechanisms have been developed. One configuration for clamps used in conjunction with tonneau covers has two clamp members that interlock at a pivot point and are forced together by tightening a threaded fastener. When the fastener is tightened using a wrench or other tool, the clamp members are urged together to force a portion of the tonneau cover into frictional engagement with a side of the pickup cargo box.

[0007] One such clamping system is described in Dimmer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,740, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application. The Dimmer clamp includes two clamping sections that are pivotally mounted together and held together with a bolt.

[0008] Another clamping system is discussed in Wheatley, U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,073. Similar to the Dimmer clamp, the Wheatley clamp includes two clamping sections that are operably attached to each other with a bolt. Still another clamping system is discussed in Kerstling, U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,475. The Kerstling clamp has a two-part configuration and is operable by manually moving a clamp handle.

[0009] An embodiment of the invention is direct to a quick release clamp including a first clamp member, a second clamp member, a clamp handle, a cylindrical plug and a shaft. The first clamp member has a first gripping surface. The second clamp member has a second gripping surface. The clamp handle has a partially curved outer surface that is defined by a central clamp axis. The cylindrical plug is defined by a central plug axis that is offset from the central clamp axis. The shaft operably attaches the first clamp member and the cylindrical plug.

[0010] Various specific embodiments of multiple aspects of the invention are illustrated and described in the documents appended to this application, although the scope of the invention is not limited to only those embodiments so depicted.

[0017] An embodiment of the invention is directed to a quick release clamp, as illustrated at 10 in the figures. One application that the quick release clamp 10 is particularly suited is for attaching a tonneau cover 12 to a cargo box 14 on a pickup. The quick release clamp 10 thereby enables the tonneau cover 12 to be attached to and detached from the cargo box 14 of the pickup without the use of tools.

[0018] The quick release clamp 10 generally includes a first clamp member 20, a second clamp member 22 and a clamp handle 24. The clamp handle 24 enables the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22 to be manually moved between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

[0019] The first clamp member 20 may have an elongated configuration with a first end 30 and a second end 32. Proximate the first end 30, the first clamp member 20 may include a gripping surface 34 having a plurality of ridges formed therein.

[0020] While the figures illustrate the gripping surface 34 as being integrally formed in the first clamp member 20, it is possible for the gripping surface 34 to be formed separately from the other portions of the first clamp member 20 and the gripping surface 34 may be fabricated from a material that is different than the other portions of the first clamp member 20.

[0021] Proximate the second end 32, the first clamp member 20 may include a plurality of pivot recesses 40. The pivot recesses 40 enable a pivot point between the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22 to be shifted so that the quick release clamp 10 can be utilized to hold together materials having different orientations and positions.

[0022] The first clamp member 20 may also include guide walls 42 on each side proximate the second end 32. The guide walls 42 limit lateral motion of the second clamp member 22 with respect to the first clamp member 20. The guide walls 42 also provide a location for a person using the quick release clamp 10 to hold onto the quick release 10 while reducing the potential that the person's fingers will get pinched between the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22.

[0023] Intermediate the first end 30 and the second end 32, the first clamp member 20 may have an aperture 44 formed therein for use in operably attaching the first clamp member 20, the second clamp member 22 and the clamp handle 24, as described in more detail below.

[0024] Similar to the first clamp member 20, the second clamp member 22 may have an elongated configuration with a first end 50 and a second end 52. Proximate the first end 50, the second clamp member 22 may include a gripping surface 54 having a plurality of ridges formed therein.

[0025] While the figures illustrate the gripping surface 54 as being integrally formed in the second clamp member 22, it is possible for the gripping surface 54 to be formed separately from the other portions of the second clamp member 22 and the gripping surface 54 may be fabricated from a material that is different than the other portions of the second clamp member 22.

[0026] Proximate the second end 52, the second clamp member 22 may have a pivot extension 56 extending therefrom. This configuration provides the quick release clamp 10 with multiple pivot points. The pivot extension 56 is adapted to selectively engage one of the pivot recesses 40. Changing the pivot recess 40 that the pivot extension 56 is positioned in enables the gripping surface 34 to be shifted with respect to the gripping surface 54 so that the quick release clamp 10 can be utilized with a variety of tonneau covers 12 and pickup cargo boxes 14.

[0027] Intermediate the first end 50 and the second end 52, the second clamp member 22 may have a slot 60 formed therein for use in operably attaching the first clamp member 20, the second clamp member 22 and the clamp handle 24, as described in more detail below.

[0028] The clamp handle 24 may include a pivoting portion 62 and a handle portion 64. The pivoting portion 62 may include two pivoting portion legs 66 that are mounted in a spaced-apart configuration. Each of the pivoting portion legs 66 may have an aperture 68 formed therein that may be axially aligned.

[0029] At least a section of the pivoting portion legs 66 has a curved outer surface 94 to facilitate pivoting the clamp handle 24 with respect to the second clamp member 22. The outer surface 94 is at least partially circular, having a central leg axis 92. In one configuration, the outer surface 94 extends at least 270 degrees.

[0030] The handle portion 64 may be curved so that the handle portion 64 is adjacent to or extends partially over at least one of the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22. In another configuration, part of the handle portion 64 extends past the second clamp member 22. In still another configuration, part of the handle portion 64 extends past the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22. Alternatively, the handle portion 64 may include more than one section that is oriented at an angle with respect to each other to provide a similar configuration.

[0031] Forming the handle portion 64 with the preceding shape reduces the potential that the handle portion 64 may be inadvertently contacted, such as when moving items into or out of the pickup cargo box 12. This configuration also reduces the potential of damage to the handle portion 64.

[0032] An end of the handle portion 64 opposite the pivoting portion 62 may have a recess 70 formed therein that defines two legs. This configuration enables a screwdriver or other implement to be placed in the recess 70 to urge the clamp handle 24 to the disengaged configuration.

[0033] The end of the handle portion 64 opposite the pivoting portion 62 may also have a width that is greater than the pivoting portion 62 to enhance the ability to manually move the handle portion 64 between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.

[0034] The handle portion 24 is operably attached to the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22 with a shaft 72. The shaft 72 may be substantially cylindrical and may have threads proximate opposite ends thereof. Alternatively, the shaft 72 may be operably attached using other mechanisms such as a cotter pin (not shown).

[0035] A first end of the shaft 72 may engage the first clamp member 20 through the aperture 40. A second end of the shaft 72 may engage a cylindrical plug 74. The cylindrical plug 74 is defined by a central plug axis 90 and has a diameter that generally conforms to a diameter of the aperture 68. The cylindrical plug 74 also has a plug aperture 76 formed therein with a threaded surface through which the second end of the shaft 72 may be attached thereto. The quick release clamp 10 thereby operates on a cam action.

[0036] The central plug axis 90 may be offset from the central leg axis 92 to provide the clamp handle 24 with an over-center configuration that provides a camming action to not only move the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22 towards each other, but also to retain the clamp handle 24 in a stationary position when the clamp 10 is in the closed configuration.

[0037] Using such a configuration causes the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22 to be urged toward each other as the clamp handle 24 is pivoted. It may be possible to maintain the clamp handle 24 in a closed configuration using alternative mechanisms such as a latch.

[0038] Rotation of the clamp handle 24 with respect to the first clamp member 20 about the threads on the shaft 72 and the cylindrical plug 74 causes a distance between the first clamp member 20 and the cylindrical plug 74 to increase or decrease to adapt the quick release clamp 10 to mounting applications having differing thicknesses.

[0039] A pivot guide 78 may be positioned over the shaft 72 between the second clamp member 22 and the clamp handle 24. The pivot guide 78 may have a concaved surface 80 that generally conforms to the pivoting portion 62.

[0040] The quick release clamp 10 may also include a resilient mechanism 82, such as a spring positioned between the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22. The resilient mechanism 82 may be positioned over the shaft 72. A washer 84 may be positioned adjacent an end of the resilient mechanism 82 to preclude the resilient mechanism 82 from entering the slot 60.

[0041] The resilient mechanism 82 between the first clamp member 20 and the second clamp member 22 forces them apart, enhancing the ability to position the quick release clamp 10 into the installation location. The resilient mechanism 82 also contributes to the operation of the height adjustment feature. The resilient mechanism 82 allows the user to easily reposition one of the clamp members into a preset position, and the resilient mechanism 82 maintains this preset position during the installation process.

[0042] There are several advantages provided by use of various embodiments of the invention. First, tools are not required for installation of the quick release clamp 10. Second, the time required to install or remove the system incorporating the quick release clamp 10 is reduced. Third, the quick release clamp 10 has a vertical adjustment feature that allows for a better installation. Fourth, the height adjustment of the quick release clamp 10 is retained by the spring-loaded mechanism.

[0043] In another embodiment (not illustrated), a “D” ring is mounted into the cam pivot. While this component increases cost, it also provides a load attachment point that does not affect handle retention.

[0044] It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.