Tonneau cover fastening system

Abstract

A fastener includes a generally planar plate, which is sewn into a cover. The fastener includes a first arm and a second arm, each extending from the plate to a distal end in spaced relationship. The first arm includes a concave portion having an arcuate shape. The second arm includes a concave portion having an arcuate shape opposing the concave portion of the first arm. The concave portions of the first and second arms cooperate together to define a generally circular cross section defining a non-compressed width, and are compressible toward each other to define a compressed width. A rail includes an elongated channel having a channel opening, with the first and second arms insertable through the channel opening when the first and second arms are compressed into the compressed diameter and biased into the non-compressed diameter to retain the first and second arms within the elongated channel.

1 . A fastener for detachably coupling a flexible cover to a rail including an elongated channel having a channel opening defining an opening width, said fastener comprising:
 a plate;   a first arm extending from said plate to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape; and   a second arm extending from said plate in spaced relationship to said first arm to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape opposing said concave portion of said first arm and cooperating with said concave portion of said first arm to define a generally circular cross section having a non-compressed diameter greater than the opening width of the channel opening with said first arm and said second arm compressible toward each other to define a compressed diameter less than the opening width of the channel opening to permit insertion of said first arm and said second arm into the elongated channel and removal of said first arm and said second arm from the elongated channel.   
   
   
       2 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a biasing device for biasing said distal end of said first arm and said distal end of said second arm into a neutral position defining said non-compressed diameter. 
   
   
       3 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said biasing device includes a spring. 
   
   
       4 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said spring includes a bent spring bar. 
   
   
       5 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said distal end of said second arm is spaced from said plate a distance greater than said distal end of said first arm is spaced. 
   
   
       6 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said second arm includes a tab extending from said distal end of said second arm towards and over said distal end of said first arm in overlapping relationship. 
   
   
       7 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis less than said fastener length. 
   
   
       8 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis equal to said fastener length. 
   
   
       9 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said first arm and said second arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said second arm wherein each of said convex portions of said first arm and said second arm defines a pocket for engaging said rail when said fastener is disposed within said elongated channel. 
   
   
       10 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a polymer. 
   
   
       11 . A fastener as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said polymer includes nylon. 
   
   
       12 . A fastening system comprising:
 a cover;   a rail including an elongated channel having a channel opening defining an opening width; and   a plurality of fasteners attached to said cover for detachably coupling said cover to said rail, each of said plurality of fasteners including:   a plate;   a first arm extending from said plate to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape; and   a second arm extending from said plate in spaced relationship to said first arm to a distal end and including a concave portion having an arcuate shape opposing said concave portion of said first arm and cooperating with said concave portion of said first arm to define a generally circular cross section having a non-compressed diameter greater than said opening width of said channel opening with said first arm and said second arm compressible toward each other to define a compressed diameter less than said opening width of said channel opening to permit insertion of said plurality of fasteners into said elongated channel and removal of said plurality of fasteners from said elongated channel.   
   
   
       13 . A system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein each of said plurality of fasteners further includes a biasing device for biasing said distal end of said first arm and said distal end of said second arm into a neutral position defining said non-compressed diameter. 
   
   
       14 . A system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said biasing device includes a spring. 
   
   
       15 . A system as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said spring includes a bent spring bar. 
   
   
       16 . A system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said distal end of said second arm is spaced from said plate a distance greater than said distal end of said first arm is spaced. 
   
   
       17 . A system as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said second arm includes a tab extending from said distal end of said second arm towards and over said distal end of said first arm in overlapping relationship. 
   
   
       18 . A system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis less than said fastener length. 
   
   
       19 . A system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said first arm and said second arm include a fastener length extending along an axis and said tab includes a tab length along said axis equal to said fastener length. 
   
   
       20 . A system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said first arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said first arm and said second arm includes a convex portion interconnecting said plate and said concave portion of said second arm wherein each of said convex portions of said first arm and said second arm defines a pocket for engaging said rail when said fastener is disposed within said elongated channel. 
   
   
       21 . A system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise a polymer. 
   
   
       22 . A system as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said polymer includes nylon. 
   
   
       23 . A system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said rail includes:
 a base wall;   a top wall spaced from and generally parallel to said base wall; and   a vertical wall extending from said base wall to said top wall;   said base wall including a first lip and said top wall including a second lip with said first lip and said second lip extending toward each other to define said channel opening between said first lip and said second lip.   
   
   
       24 . A system as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said rail comprises a metal. 
   
   
       25 . A system as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said metal comprises aluminum.