IP Library Granted Patent US 12,220,975
Granted Patent B2
US 12,220,975 · App. 18/502,185 · Granted Feb 11, 2025

Tonneau cover clamp shim and clamp support

Inventors: Eugene A. Dylewski, II (Granger, IN); Tommy C. Brock (Nappanee, IN)
Assignee: Leer Group
B60J7/198
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,220,975
App. No.
18/502,185
Granted
Feb 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A clamp assembly for use with a tonneau cover assembly is provided. Illustratively, the clamp assembly may include a first clamp member, a second clamp member, a clamp fastener, and at least one shim. The second clamp member is located opposite the first clamp member to form a space located therebetween. The clamp fastener is extended through the space between the first clamp member and the second clamp member. The at least one shim is located in the space between the first clamp member and the second clamp member.

Claims (35)

1. At least one shim for use with a tonneau cover assembly, the at least one shim comprising:

a first thickness;

a slot disposed through the first thickness and extending from an outer edge of the at least one shim;

wherein the at least one shim is configured to be selectively positionable adjacent at least one flange of a sidewall of a pickup truck cargo box;

wherein the at least one shim is configured to be engageable with a clamp that is engageable with a tonneau cover rail;

wherein the slot of the at least one shim is configured to receive a clamp fastener of the clamp; and

wherein the at least one shim is at least partially supportable by the clamp fastener when the clamp is in an unclamped condition.

2. The at least one shim of claim 1 , wherein the at least one shim includes a second shim located adjacent to the at least one shim, wherein the second shim has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness.

3. The at least one shim of claim 1 , wherein the at least one shim is configured to be located within a space formed between a clamp back and a clamp mount of the clamp.

4. The at least one shim of claim 1 , wherein the at least one shim includes a plurality of shims, wherein each shim of the plurality of shims includes a slot disposed there through extending from an outer edge of the each shim of the plurality of shims.

5. The at least one shim of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of shims are configured to occupy multiple cavities located between multiple flanges of the sidewall.

6. The at least one shim of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one shim is configured to be located adjacent the clamp back and a flange located on an opposite side of the at least one shim from the clamp back.

7. The at least one shim of claim 2 , wherein the first thickness of the at least one shim is greater than the second thickness of the second shim.

8. The at least one shim of claim 2 , wherein the first thickness of the at least one shim is less than the second thickness of the second shim.

9. The at least one shim of claim 1 , further comprising a cut out disposed through the at least one shim that extends from the slot.

10. The at least one shim of claim 9 , wherein the cut out extends transverse from the slot.

11. At least one shim for use with a tonneau cover assembly, the at least one shim comprising:

a first thickness;

wherein the at least one shim is configured to be selectively positionable adjacent at least one flange of a sidewall of a pickup truck cargo box;

a slot disposed through the first thickness and extending from an outer edge of the at least one shim; and

a cut out disposed through the at least one shim that extends from the slot;

wherein the at least one shim is further configured to be engageable with a clamp that is engageable with a tonneau cover rail.

12. The at least one shim of claim 11 , wherein the at least one shim includes a second shim located adjacent to the at least one shim, wherein the second shim has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness.

13. The at least one shim of claim 11 , wherein the at least one shim includes a plurality of shims, wherein each shim of the plurality of shims includes a slot disposed there through extending from an outer edge of the each shim of the plurality of shims.

14. The at least one shim of claim 11 , wherein the slot of the at least one shim is configured to receive a clamp fastener of the clamp.

15. The at least one shim of claim 14 , wherein the at least one shim is at least partially supportable by the clamp fastener when the clamp is in an unclamped condition.

16. The at least one shim of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one shim is configured to be located adjacent a clamp back of the clamp and a flange of the sidewall located on an opposite side of the at least one shim from the clamp back.

17. The at least one shim of claim 12 , wherein the first thickness of the at least one shim is greater than the second thickness of the second shim.

18. The at least one shim of claim 12 , wherein the first thickness of the at least one shim is less than the second thickness of the second shim.

19. At least one shim for use with a tonneau cover assembly, the at least one shim comprising:

a first thickness;

a slot disposed through the first thickness and extending from an outer edge of the at least one shim;

wherein the at least one shim is further configured to be engageable with a clamp that is engageable with a tonneau cover rail;

wherein the slot of the at least one shim is configured to receive a clamp fastener of the clamp; and

wherein the at least one shim is at least partially supportable by the clamp fastener when the clamp is in an unclamped condition.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2025
From: LEER GROUP
To: TRUCK ACCESSORIES GROUP, LLC D/B/A LEER GROUP
Reel/Frame 073126/0503 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2023
From: DYLEWSKI, EUGENE A., II; BROCK, TOMMY C.
To: TRUCK ACCESSORIES GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 065464/0008 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 6, 2023
From: TRUCK ACCESSORIES GROUP, LLC
To: LEER GROUP
Reel/Frame 065464/0036 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17676435 · Feb 21, 2022
Provisional Application 63162816 · Mar 18, 2021
Provisional Application 63154215 · Feb 26, 2021
Related Publication 20240066964A1 · Feb 29, 2024
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