Patent ID: 8794690
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. In a pickup truck having a cab and a cargo bed, the cargo bed having laterally opposed first and second sidewalls defining a floor therebetween, each of the sidewalls having an upper edge, a forward end, a rearward end opposite the forward end, and a medial portion, a pickup truck bed cover, comprising: a first panel and a second panel, each panel comprising a rigid structure having an outer edge hingedly attached to the upper edge of the respective sidewall and an inner edge opposite the outer edge; and a first actuator and a second actuator, each actuator being affixed to the respective sidewall adjacent the upper edge thereof and well above the floor of the cargo bed, each actuator selectively driving the respective panel; wherein each actuator includes: a drive motor pivotally secured to the respective sidewall; a telescoping strut extending from the drive motor, the strut comprising: a base tube immovably affixed relative to the drive motor; a threaded jackscrew disposed within the base tube, the jackscrew being selectively rotated by the drive motor; and a panel attachment tube telescopically disposed within the base tube, the panel attachment tube having a panel connection end attached to the respective panel, the jackscrew being threadably engaged with and selectively extending and retracting the panel attachment tube relative to the base tube according to operation of the drive motor.