Importance

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Abstract

A hard cover assembly for the open bed of a pickup truck is provided comprising a rigid cover and a rail kit. A rigid cover, with a crowned central body portion, constructed out of thermoplastic having a relatively high coefficient of linear thermal movement is used for operation within an outdoor environment having a wide range of temperature variation. A rail kit comprising molded thermoplastic members configured to closely conform to and protect the truck bed rails is combined with the rigid cover to provide a complete hard cover assembly. The molded thermoplastic members of the rail kit include a channel receiving a depending perimeter lip of the rigid cover. The channel is developed to accommodate the linear thermal movement of the rigid cover and may be further adapted to limit the full linear thermal expansion of the rigid cover thereby causing the crowned central body portion to deflect upwards. A lock assembly is provided to lock the rigid cover in a closed position under the full range of temperature variation. The hard cover assembly is installed onto the bed rails by means of hand adjustable fasteners. In particular, the rail kit is mounted directly to the bed rails by a plurality of hand clamps that can be inspected and adjusted by the vehicle owner to ensure safe operation. The rigid cover is hinge mounted to the rail kit using hand knobs so that the vehicle owner can conveniently install and remove the rigid cover for different cargo carrying needs.

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First Claim