IP Library Granted Patent US 7,407,141
Granted Patent B2
US 7,407,141 · App. 11/191,320 · Granted Aug 5, 2008

Clamp assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,407,141
App. No.
11/191,320
Granted
Aug 5, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A clamp assembly is disclosed for a tonneau cover for a vehicle wherein the clamp assembly includes a plurality of spacers disposed therein to facilitate installation thereof on a variety of vehicle types and styles.

Claims (64)

1. A clamp assembly adapted to slidingly connect to an associated rail system, the assembly comprising:

a main body portion, the main body portion comprising:

a front side;

a back side;

multiple concave portions located on the back side;

a top;

a rounded bottom;

an inset portion within which is inset an elongate aperture;

a serrated portion on the back side, the serrated portion running along the length of the elongate aperture;

multiple spacers, the spacers comprising:

a front side;

a back side;

a top;

a rounded bottom;

an open-ended slot, with the open end at the top;

a first serrated portion on the front side of the spacers, the first serrated portion adapted to fit the serrated portion on the back side of the main body portion;

a second serrated portion on the back side of the spacers, adapted to fit the first serrated portion on the front side of the spacers;

multiple protuberant portions on the front side of the spacers, the protuberant portions adapted to fit in the concave portions on the back side of the main body portion;

receiving portions on the back side of the spacers, the receiving portions adapted to receive the protuberant portions;

a fastener, the fastener adapted to fit through the elongate apertures; and,

a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw comprising:

a front side;

a back side;

a bolt-receiving aperture;

an outer top surface;

a groove, the groove adapted to receive the second serrated portion;

a pin, the pin adapted to enter the slot; and,

a rubber inlay, the rubber inlay fitting over the outer top surface.

2. A clamp assembly comprising:

a main body portion, the main body portion having

an elongate aperture adapted to receive a fastener, wherein the aperture has a height and a width and the height is more than twice the width;

a front side;

a back side; and,

a serrated portion on the back side, the serrated portion running along the length of the elongate aperture; and,

a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw having

a pin, the pin adapted to fit in the aperture; and,

a groove, the groove adapted to receive the serrated portion; and,

at least one spacer, the spacer having an open-ended slot, the spacer fitting between the main body portion and the clamp jaw, the slot substantially aligned with the aperture.

3. The clamp assembly of claim 2 , wherein the elongate aperture is located along the vertical axis of the main body portion, wherein the pin has a width and the elongate aperture has a width, wherein the width of the elongate aperture is substantially the same as the width of the pin.

4. A clamp assembly comprising:

a main body portion, the main body portion having an elongate aperture adapted to receive a fastener;

a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw having a pin, the pin adapted to fit in the aperture;

at least one spacer, the spacer having an open-ended slot, the spacer fitting between the main body portion and the clamp jaw;

a serrated portion of the main body portion to coincide with a groove in the clamp jaw, wherein the at least one spacer has a serrated portion on at least one side, the serrated portion of the least one spacer designed to fit with the serrated portion of the main body portion and the groove of the clamp jaw.

5. The assembly of claim 4 further comprising:

a selectively adjustable fastener, the fastener passing through the aperture of the main body portion, the slot of the spacer, and into the clamp jaw.

6. The assembly of claim 5 further comprising:

a rail insert, the rail insert attached to the main body portion, the rail insert adapted to slidably engage at least one associated rail.

7. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising:

protuberant portions, the protuberant portions located on the spacer;

concave portions, the concave portions located on the back of the main body portion; and,

receiving portions on the back side of the spacer.

8. The assembly of claim 7 further comprising:

an inset portion in the main body portion; and,

a cover plate, the cover plate fitting inside the inset portion.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the main body portion and the spacers have a substantially rounded bottom.

10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the assembly is adapted to be removed with an associated tonneau cover.

11. A clamp assembly comprising:

a main body portion, the main body portion having an aperture adapted to receive a fastener, the main body portion having a serrated portion;

a clamp jaw, the clamp jaw having a groove designed to fit the serrated portion;

at least one spacer, the spacer having an open-ended slot the spacer fitting between the main body portion and the clamp jaw; and,

wherein the clamp jaw has a rubber inlay, the inlay comprising:

a center portion that is angled at approximately a 45 degree angle with respect to the clamp jaw; and,

multiple ribs on the surface of the inlay.

Assignments (20)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BEDRUG, INC.; TRUXEDO INC.; EXTANG CORPORATION; UNDERCOVER, INC.; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; A.R.E. ACCESSORIES LLC; N-FAB, INC.; RUGGED LINER, INC.; HUSKY LINERS, INC.; OMIX-ADA, INC.; LUND, INC.; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; BUSHWACKER, INC.
Reel/Frame 055193/0892 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2021
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055096/0233 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2021
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055096/0212 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055175/0533 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TL) Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055174/0525 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (INDENTURE) Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049674/0981 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME NO. 039843/0220 Recorded May 20, 2017
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: EXTANG CORPORATION; TRUXEDO INC.; BEDRUG, INC.; UNDERCOVER, INC.; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; A.R.E. ACCESSORIES LLC; N-FAB, INC.
Reel/Frame 042512/0749 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS AT REEL/FRAME NO. 035999/0689 Recorded May 20, 2017
From: ACAS, LLC (F/K/A AMERICAN CAPITAL, LTD.)
To: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES LLC
Reel/Frame 042512/0807 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (SECOND LIEN) Recorded May 18, 2017
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042499/0176 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FIRST LIEN) Recorded May 16, 2017
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042481/0416 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 26, 2016
From: EXTANG CORPORATION; TRUXEDO, INC.; BEDRUG, INC.; UNDERCOVER, INC.; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES, INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC; N-FAB, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039843/0220 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN TRADEMARK AND PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Aug 25, 2016
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 039825/0526 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 24, 2016
From: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 039806/0625 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2015
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
To: AMERICAN CAPITAL LTD., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 035999/0689 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 12, 2015
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 035899/0250 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2010
From: NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST
To: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 024211/0307 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 9, 2010
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 024212/0581 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2005
From: A.R.E. INC.
To: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES LLC
Reel/Frame 016501/0574 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2005
From: BOULARD, ROBERT
To: A.R.E. INC.
Reel/Frame 016677/0589 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 25, 2005
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC
To: NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST
Reel/Frame 016449/0504 →