The rigidek is a revolutionary new hard load-bin cover for Light delivery vehicles and pick-up-trucks. The product was conceived 9 years ago by South African inventor Herman de Vries. When he purchased his first LDV in 1995, he soon realized that there were no local products commercially available that allowed for the secure storage of goods or equipment on the load-bins of bakkies.

His international travels as a business coach and sales-trainer exposed him to the canopies and so-called “hard-tonneau-covers” used in the USA, Europe and Australia. These were constructed wither of fiberglass or aluminum. After building and using a number of prototypes for his own use, it became apparent that the typical hard tonneau cover with its simple single hinge operation would not provide an adequate solution locally.

The primary reason was the prevalence of roll-bars on most SA bakkies as well as the way the vehicles are used locally. In the USA for example, one would very rarely see a pick-up-truck with people or even pets being transported on the open back of a vehicle – the opposite is of course true in South Africa.

It was only after ESKOM's buy-out of his paraffin based products that he had time to again tinker with the idea. After buying another bakkie in 2002 the idea occurred to him to add a second hinge to the regular single-hinge hard tonneau-cover.

This small innovation turned the rigidek into a solution with most of the benefits of a canopy as well as that of a secure hard tonneau cover. It is considered a world first and is currently the only hard tonneau cover designed to allow the user to drive with it in the open position.

This allows for the transport of larger and more versatile loads than can be accommodated with regular single hinge tonneau covers or canopies. (Ex. Animals, garden refuse, kids bicycles etc.)

The process of patenting the rigidek internationally as well as registering its unique design elements was initiated in 2002 and is continuing. This coincided with the development of the rigidek product range with well known Gauteng based automotive component supplier Vacuform 2000 (Pty) Ltd over the past 24 months.

Super cab and Club Cab Lockable Containers

The rigidek provides a “boot” or secure luggage compartment to any LDV or bakkie and provide its users with a way to keep their valuables secure, protected form the environment and hidden from view. With escalating levels of crime worldwide, both business-and leisure-users are increasingly insisting on a secure luggage compartment on their LDV's. (Hence the introduction of the so-called Super- or Club-cab with lockable container inside the cab.)

The rigidek is made from durable Ultra-Violet stabilized ABS and as this is the standard material used by all manufacturers of motor vehicles for exterior as well as interior plastic components such as bumpers, wheel arches etc. its reliability is well proven.

A further benefit of using ABS is the fact that one complete rigidek can be formed from our tooling every five minutes, allowing an unprecedented increase in productivity. In comparison the traditional fiberglass-type of manufacturing only one part can be made off one mould every six hours!

Another unique feature of the rigidek is a “NO DRILL” installation. We make use of holes pre-drilled in the load-bin by the manufacturers of LDV's as well as a patented system of “clamps” to secure the rigidek to the vehicle. This eliminates the risk of rust forming and also allows for easy fitment and removal and has no effect on the vehicles paint warranty.

The rigidek is supported by a system of powder-coated stainless steel and mild steel brackets. The brackets are “clamped” to the load-bin and roll-bars of the vehicle and a 3mm rubber-layer insulates it from the paintwork.

A system of custom designed RIM molded polyurethane rubber, seals the rigidek to the roll-bars of the vehicle.

If the user needs to transport larger than normal loads the rigidek can be locked securely in the open position and safely driven, another world first. The other option would be to remove either one or both sections that make up the rigidek and store it against any suitable wall with the wall-mounts provided.

Options

Included in the design of the rigidek a number of options had been planned that may be incorporated into future or even current versions of the product. These include:

• Wiring & switches to tie in with the alarm system of the vehicle.
• Remote controlled opening mechanism.
• Interior courtesy light.
• Rear brake-light.
• Rigidek flexi-side – a canvass enclosure that provides the benefits of a canopy and a leisure tent.
• Color-coding to match the paintwork of the vehicle.

In its current stage of development the product is only available on the Ford and Mazda Double cab models form the year 2000 to present. All other manufacturer's models should be ready for production within the next 6-8 months.

The rigidek carries a two year no nonsense guarantee on all parts and manufacturing defects.

The rigidek the most versatile option for the user requiring more flexibility from his bakkie or LDV.

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