Undercover tonneau - better alternative to the rings?

Guys, I bought a 2013 Tacoma recently, it came with the Undercover brand tonneau. Nice looking unit, I really like it.
But, the hardest part of removing it, for me, is taking off those little rings that secure it. They're basically like little key rings and it's a pain in the ass to slide off, even harder to slide on, you need to take your fingernail or maybe a pocketknife to open them enough to get them started.
Is there a better solution I can get at a hardware store?

 

get something called split-ring pliers at a fishing store or bait/tackle shop. or if you can't find one of those, you can try using a staple remover (those pointy- vampire fangs kind)

 

Sorry, I wasn’t clear. Is there an alternative to the rings?

 

maybe a T-handle quick release pin, but I'd bet a dollar that Undercover tried quick-release pins and they fell out due to vibrations and bumps in the road, so the key-ring was their best compromise

 

try looking up "wire-lock clevis pin" maybe that's what could work

 

THATS what they call those! Thanks.