Tonneau cover striker assembly

An assembly for opening and closing a tonneau cover. The assembly having a plate; a latch in communication with the plate, the latch having a finger that is adapted to engage the tonneau cover; and a shaft that is connected to the plate at one end, and at another end, the shaft has a pin that is adapted to engage a slot defined in the latch. Application of a force on the plate in a first direction causes the plate to move in the first direction, which causes the latch to move in a second direction so that the tonneau cover is moved into a closed configuration. Removal of the force from the plate causes the plate to move in a third direction, which causes the latch to move in a fourth direction so that the tonneau cover is moved into an open configuration.

FIELD

These teachings relate to an assembly that is adapted to open and close a tonneau cover.

BACKGROUND

A tonneau cover is a cover that is placed over the cargo box of a vehicle, and is adapted to protect against dirt, debris, water, and other contaminants from entering the inside of the cargo box.

The tonneau cover can be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the tonneau cover is in the open configuration, the tonneau cover is typically spaced apart from the top edge of at least a portion of the cargo box and/or tailgate. When the tonneau cover is in the closed configuration, the tonneau cover typically rests on the top edge the cargo box and/or tailgate.

When the tonneau cover is in the closed configuration, opening or lowering the tailgate may be hindered by the tonneau cover resting on the top edge of the tailgate. In other words, the weight or position of the tonneau cover relative to the top edge of the tailgate may create or increase friction between the tailgate and tonneau cover, which may cause the tailgate to contact, drag, and/or or stick to the tonneau cover when opening or lowering the tailgate.

Similarly, when the tonneau cover is in the closed configuration, closing or raising the tailgate may be hindered by the tonneau cover. In other words, the position of the tonneau cover when in the closed configuration relative to the top edge of tailgate may create an obstruction or increase friction between the tailgate and the tonneau cover, which may cause the tailgate to contact, drag, and/or or stick to the tonneau cover when closing or raising the tailgate.

In addition to requiring additional force to open and/or close the tailgate when the tonneau cover is in the closed configuration, the contact, dragging, and/or sticking of the tailgate against the tonneau cover may also undesirably scratch the top edge of the tailgate and/or the lower or inside surface of the tonneau cover. The contact, dragging, and/or or sticking may also undesirably cause seals or surfaces of the tonneau cover and/or tailgate to wear, which may undesirably allow for dirt, debris, water, and other contaminants to enter the cargo box.

Some pickup truck platforms provide a mechanism for automatically opening and closing a tailgate. However, if the friction, contact, dragging, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover and the tailgate is greater than the force that the mechanism is adapted to apply on the tailgate to open or close the tailgate, the mechanism will be unable to function as intended to open and/or close the tailgate when the tonneau cover is in the closed configuration.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to have an assembly that is adapted to reduce or eliminate the friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover and a tailgate when opening or lowering the tailgate when the tonneau cover is in the closed configuration. Such an assembly would advantageously provide for opening or lowering the tailgate with lower a force and/or prevent damage to either or both of the tonneau cover and tailgate.

For example, it may be desirable to have an assembly that is adapted to reduce or eliminate the friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover and a tailgate when closing or raising the tailgate. This may provide for closing or raising the tailgate with lower a force and/or prevent damage to either or both of the tonneau cover and tailgate.

It may also be desirable to have an assembly that is adapted to close or lock a tonneau cover when the tailgate is closed or raised. It may further be desirable have an assembly that is adapted to open or unlock a tonneau cover when the tailgate is opened or lowered.

SUMMARY

These teachings provide an assembly that is adapted to reduce or eliminate the friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover and a tailgate when opening or lowering the tailgate when the tonneau cover is in the closed configuration. Such an assembly advantageously provides for opening or lowering the tailgate with lower a force and/or prevent damage to either or both of the tonneau cover and tailgate.

These teachings provide an assembly that is adapted to reduce or eliminate the friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover and a tailgate when closing or raising the tailgate. This provides for closing or raising the tailgate with lower a force and/or prevent damage to either or both of the tonneau cover and tailgate.

These teachings provide an assembly that is adapted to close or lock a tonneau cover when the tailgate is closed or raised. These teachings provide an assembly that is adapted to open or unlock a tonneau cover when the tailgate is opened or lowered.

These teachings provide an assembly for opening and closing a tonneau cover. The assembly having a plate; a latch in communication with the plate, the latch having a finger that is adapted to engage the tonneau cover; and a shaft that is connected to the plate at one end, and at another end, the shaft has a pin that is adapted to engage a slot defined in the latch. Application of a force on the plate in a first direction causes the plate to move in the first direction, which causes the latch to move in a second direction so that the tonneau cover is moved into a closed configuration. Removal of the force from the plate causes the plate to move in a third direction, which causes the latch to move in a fourth direction so that the tonneau cover is moved into an open configuration.

An assembly for opening and closing a tonneau cover is provided. The assembly comprises: a plate; a latch in communication with the plate. The latch comprises a housing having an opening defined by opposing walls, the latch comprises opposing slots that are each defined in one of the opposing walls, the latch comprises a finger extending from a top of the housing that is adapted to engage the tonneau cover. The assembly comprises a shaft that is connected to the plate at one end, and at another end, the shaft comprises a pin that is adapted to engage the slots defined in the latch, each of the slots extend along an axis that is angled relative to an axis along which the shaft extends, the shaft is received through the opening in the latch. The assembly comprises a spring that is engaged by the shaft. Application of a force on the plate in a first direction causes the plate and the shaft to move in the first direction, which causes the latch to move in a second direction so that the tonneau cover is moved into a closed configuration. Movement of the shaft in the first direction causes the spring to compress. Removal of the force from the plate causes the spring to uncompress, which causes the plate to move in a third direction, which causes the latch to move in a fourth direction so that the tonneau cover is moved into an open configuration.

An assembly comprising: a plate; and a latch in communication with the plate, the latch is adapted to engage a tonneau cover. Movement of the plate in a first direction causes the latch to move in a second direction, which causes the tonneau cover to move.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The tonneau cover may be a cover that functions to protect against dirt, debris, water, and/or other contaminants from entering an inside of the cargo box. The tonneau cover may be a cover that functions to conceal the inside of the cargo box and/or any contents inside the cargo box. The tonneau cover may be placed over the cargo bed of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck.

The tonneau cover may be a cover that comprises multiple enclosure panels. One or more of the panels can be moved or repositioned relative to one another to move the tonneau cover between an open configuration and a closed configuration. One or more of the panels may be substantially rigid. One or more of the panels may be substantially flexible, but stabilized with a rigid frame. In some configurations, the tonneau cover may be a single panel cover. The single panel can be raised or pivoted relative to the walls or top edges of the cargo box and/or tailgate to reposition the tonneau cover between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

The closed or lowered configuration of the tonneau cover may be when the tonneau cover, or at least one enclosure panel of the tonneau cover, engages, is in contact with, or rests on top of: the tailgate, a top edge or top surface of the tailgate, the walls of the cargo bed, a top edge or top surface of one or more walls of the cargo bed, or a combination thereof.

The open or raised configuration of the tonneau cover may be when the tonneau cover, or at least one enclosure panel of the tonneau cover, is free from contacting, engaging, or is spaced apart from: the tailgate, a top edge of the tailgate, the walls of the cargo bed, a top edge or top surface of the one or more walls of the cargo bed, or a combination thereof. The open or raised configuration of the tonneau cover may be when the tonneau cover, or at least one enclosure panel of the tonneau cover, is in contact with, engages, or rests on the tailgate, a top edge or top surface of the tailgate, a top engage or top surface of the one or more walls of the cargo bed, or a combination thereof, but applies less force or pressure thereon compared to when the tonneau cover is in the closed or lowered configuration.

The vehicle, the tonneau cover, or both may comprise one or more striker assemblies. Alternatively, the one or more striker assemblies may be a stand-alone component or assembly that is obtainable and/or installed with or on the tonneau cover and/or vehicle via a retro-fit or aftermarket application.

The one or more striker assemblies may be may be adapted to at least partially move, displace, open, raise, pop-open, or separate the tonneau cover away from the top edge or surface of the tailgate and/or the top edge or surface of the cargo box. That is, as the tailgate begins to be lowered or drawn down into an open configuration, the one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to simultaneously or contemporaneously at least partially move, displace, open, raise, pop-open, or separate at least a portion of the tonneau cover away from the top edge of the tailgate and/or the top edge of the cargo box. Doing so may advantageously reduce or eliminate friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover and the tailgate while the tailgate is being opened or lowered. This may advantageously provide for opening or lowering the tailgate with lower a force and/or prevent scratching or other damage to either or both of the inside surface of the tonneau cover and tailgate.

The one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to at least partially move, displace, open, raise, pop-open, or separate at least a portion of the tonneau cover away from the top edge of the tailgate and/or the top edge of the cargo box immediately before the tailgate begins to be lowered or drawn down into the open configuration, for example, when the tailgate latch or handle is manipulated, but before the tailgate is actually moved. Alternatively, the one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to at least partially move, displace, open, raise, pop-open, or separate at least a portion of the tonneau cover away from the top edge of the tailgate and/or the top edge of the cargo box immediately after the tailgate begins to be lowered or drawn down into the open configuration.

The one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to at least partially move, close, lower, pull-down, or draw the tonneau cover towards the top edge of the tailgate and/or the top edge of the cargo box after the tailgate is moved into the closed or raised configuration. Alternatively, as the tailgate begins to be raised or pushed up into the closed configuration, the striker assembly may be adapted to at least partially move, close, lower, pull-down, or draw at least a portion of the tonneau cover towards the top edge of the tailgate and/or the top edge of the cargo box. Alternatively, the one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to at least partially move, close, lower, pull-down, or draw at least a portion of the tonneau cover towards the top edge of the tailgate and/or the top edge of the cargo box immediately before the tailgate is in moved into the final raised or closed configuration. Alternatively, the one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to move the tonneau cover into the closed configuration at substantially the same time that the tailgate is moved into the raised or closed configuration. Moving the tailgate into the closed configuration according to any one of the aforementioned sequences may advantageously reduce or eliminate friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover and the tailgate while the tailgate is being closed or raised. This may advantageously provide for closing or raising the tailgate with lower a force and/or prevent scratching or other damage to either or both of the inside surface of the tonneau cover and tailgate.

The one or more striker assemblies may be located, contained within, or positioned. inside a fender defining the cargo box of the vehicle. Locating the one or more striker assemblies inside a fender may be advantageous in that space inside the cargo box is not taken up by the one or more striker assemblies and/or chances of damaging the one or more striker assemblies by loading and unloading items in the cargo box may be reduced.

The one or more striker assemblies may be located or positioned on an inside fender wall defining the cargo box. This means that the striker assembly may be located on an exterior surface of the fender or wall and extend into a foot print of the cargo box. Locating the one or more striker assemblies on an inside fender wall defining the cargo box may advantageously provide for easy installation and/or service.

One or more striker assemblies may be located on or inside one fender (i.e., either the driver or passenger side fender), or on or inside two fenders (i.e., both driver and passenger side fenders).

The striker assembly may comprise one or more fingers. The one or more fingers may be configured to engage, or be connected to, or attached to, any suitable portion of the tonneau cover. For example, the finger may be adapted to engage or connect to a supporting rail or connector that extends on an underside or top side of the tonneau cover (in a cross-car vehicle direction and/or a fore-aft vehicle direction); a top side of the tonneau cover (e.g., an A-surface of the cover); a side or edge of the tonneau cover; etc. The latch and/or finger may be made from a plastic material that is generally rigid, or a plastic material that is at least partially flexible, The latch and/or finger may be made from a material that is a metal that as memory (shape memory) so that if the latch and/or finger are moved or flexed to engage or disengage the striker assembly, the latch and/or finger moves back to its pre-moved or pre-flexed position.

The elongated member comprises a second bore that is configured to engage the pin connected to rod. The elongated member may comprise more than one of these bores to allow for adjusting or accolading a position of the rod and pin relative to the slots in the housing. This may advantageously allow to take up manufacturing and/or assembly tolerance variations, and/or provide a striker assembly that can be installed in the vehicle at various locations relative to the tailgate (fore-aft direction) depending on the specific vehicle application.

The striker assembly comprises a rod that is configured to connect the elongated member and the plate. The rod may be configured to engage one or more bores (second bores) of the elongated member. By providing multiple (second) bores, a distance between the plate and the housing can be customized.

In some configurations, the rod can be eliminated, and instead the plate can be connected directly to the elongated member. This may be advantageous in order to save material costs and weight, complexity, or a combination thereof.

One or more of the place, the rod, and the elongated member may be combined into a single, common element. This may advantageously reduce part or component count.

FIG. 1illustrates a vehicle10. The vehicle comprises a cargo box12and a tailgate14. The tailgate14is in the closed or raised configuration, where the tailgate14is at or near a vertical, upright position relative to the ground.

A tonneau cover16is placed onto a top edge18of the cargo box12. The tonneau cover16may be adapted to protect against dirt, debris, water, and/or other contaminants from entering an inside20of the cargo box12. The tonneau cover16is illustrated in the closed or lowered configuration. When tonneau cover16is in the closed or lowered configuration, the tonneau cover16is in contact with or at least partially covers a top edge18of the cargo box12, and/or in contact with or covers a portion of a top edge22of the tailgate14.

FIG. 2illustrates the vehicle10with the tailgate14in an opened or lowered configuration, and the tonneau cover16in a partially open or raised configuration. The opened or lowered configuration of the tailgate14is when the tailgate14is moved out of the vertical or upright position. When tonneau cover16is in the opened or raised configuration, the tonneau cover16is at least partially spaced apart from or out of contact with the top edge18of the cargo box12, and/or the top edge22of the tailgate14.

A striker assembly24is located inside the cargo box12. The striker assembly24may be located, contained within, or positioned inside a fender26defining the cargo box12. Alternatively, the striker assembly24may be attached to an inside panel28of the fender26such that the striker assembly24at least partially extends into the inside20of the cargo box12.

While the striker assembly24is illustrated inFIG. 2as being located on only one side of the cargo box12and described as being located within fender26or attached to the panel28of fender26, the striker assembly24may instead be located within or inside an opposing fender30of the cargo box12, or attached to a panel of the fender30such that the striker assembly24at least partially extends into the inside20of the cargo box12.

In some other configurations, there may be two or more striker assemblies24. in such a configuration, one or more striker assemblies24may be located within or inside fender26or attached to the panel28and/or one or more striker assemblies24may be located within or inside fender30or attached to a panel thereof.

As will be discussed further below, the striker assembly24is adapted to at least partially move, open, raise, pop-open, or separate the tonneau cover16away from the top edge22of the tailgate14and/or the top edge18of the cargo box12when the tailgate14is opened or lowered or begins to be opened or lowered. That is, as the tailgate14is lowered or opened, or begins to be lowered or drawn down into the open configuration, for example, when the latch of the tailgate14is manipulated to unlatch the tailgate14and/or when pressure applied on the striker assembly24is lowered or reduced compared to when the tailgate14is in the closed or raised or vertical position, the striker assembly24is adapted to at least partially move, open, raise, pop-open, or separate at least a portion of the tonneau cover16away from the top edge22of the tailgate14and/or the top edge18of the cargo box12. Doing so may advantageously reduce or eliminate friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover16and the tailgate14while the tailgate14is being opened or lowered, This may advantageously provide for opening or lowering the tailgate14with lower a force and/or prevent scratching or other damage to either or both of the inside surface90of the tonneau cover16and tailgate14.

The striker assembly24is also adapted to at least partially move, close, lower, pull-down, or draw the tonneau cover16towards or onto the top edge22of the tailgate14and/or the top edge18of the cargo box12when the tailgate14is closed or raised. That is, as the tailgate14begins to be raised or pushed up into the closed configuration, the striker assembly24is adapted to at least partially move, close, lower, pull-down, or draw at least a portion of the tonneau cover16towards and/or into contact with the top edge22of the tailgate14and/or the top edge18of the cargo box12. Doing so may advantageously reduce or eliminate friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover16and the tailgate14while the tailgate14is being closed or raised. This may advantageously provide for closing or raising the tailgate14with lower a force and/or prevent scratching or other damage to either or both of the inside surface90of the tonneau cover16and tailgate14.

FIG. 3Aillustrates the striker assembly24. The striker assembly24generally comprises a plate32, a shaft34, a latch36, a compression spring38(FIG. 3B), and a cover40. The latch36extends through an aperture42defined in the cover40, and the shaft34extends through another aperture44defined in the cover40.

The cover40may be optional. In other words, the striker assembly24does not necessarily require the cover40for the assembly24to function as described herein.

In some configurations, for example when the striker assembly24is located within or inside a fender26,30(FIG. 2), the cover may be the fender26,30and the opening42in the cover40may be a stake hole defined in the top edge18of the cargo box12. Such a placement of the striker assembly24in the fender26,30may be advantageous because the striker assembly24is protected by the corresponding panel of the fender28,30, and does not extend into or occupy space inside20the cargo box12.

The plate32comprises a face or surface46upon which a force or pressure can be acted on or removed from for the assembly24to function, as will discussed further below.

The shaft34comprises an elongated member48that extends along a longitudinal axis50. The shaft34comprises a pin64that is adapted to engage slots58a,58bdefined in the housing52of the latch36, discussed below. The shaft34comprises retaining tabs80a,80bthat are adapted to engage the spring38and maintain contact and/or connection between the shaft and spring. While a cross-section of the shaft34is illustrated as being generally round, the cross-section can be a different shape, such as square, oval, triangular, etc.

The latch36comprises a housing52. The housing52comprises a pair of opposing walls54a,54bthat located on opposite sides of an opening56. Each of the walls54a,54bcomprises a respective slot58a,58b(See alsoFIG. 4). Each of the slots58a,58bextend along an axis60. The axis60is angled relative to the axis50of the shaft34. The angle of the slots58a,58bmay be determined based on the amount that the latch36is to be moved in the fourth direction88(FIG. 5B) to open or raise the tonneau cover16or in the second direction84(FIG. 5A) to close or lower the tonneau cover16. The angle of the axis60relative to axis50of shaft34may be on the order of about 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 45 degrees or more, 60 degrees or more, 75 degrees or more, etc. The angle may be determined based on how much the latch36and/or finger62is to move during opening and/or closing of the tailgate. That is, a larger or steep angle of axis60relative to axis50may provide for the tonneau cover to open more compared to a smaller or less-steep angle of axis60relative to axis50.

The latch36comprises a finger62. The finger62is adapted to engage the tonneau cover16(FIGS. 1 and 2). The finger62may be adapted to engage, or be connected to, or attached to, any suitable portion of the tonneau cover16. For example, the finger62may be adapted to engage or connect to a supporting rail or connector that extends on an underside90or top side of the tonneau cover16(in a cross-car vehicle direction and/or a fore-aft vehicle direction); a top side of the tonneau cover16(e.g., an A-surface of the cover16), a side or edge of the tonneau cover16; etc.

The latch36and/or finger62may be flexible or moveable so that after the tonneau cover16is moved into the open or raised configuration, the latch36or finger62can be disconnected or moved out of engagement with the tonneau cover16so that the tonneau cover16can be furthered raised or opened. Similarly, when moving the tonneau cover16from an open or raised configuration into a lowered or closed configuration, the assembly24, latch36, or finger62is moveable so that the assembly24, latch36, or finger62can again be connected thereto.

FIG. 4illustrates the striker assembly24. In addition to the elongated member48, the shaft34comprises a rod68. At its first end70, the rod68is adapted to attach or connect to the plate32, At or near an opposing end, the rod68comprises the pin64. The rod68may be threaded connected to the plate32so that a position or distance between the plate32and the latch36and/or the rest of the assembly24can be adjusted. This may be desirable to take up manufacturing and/or assembly variations in the positioning of the assembly24in the vehicle10. In some configurations, however, the rod68may be eliminated, and the elongated member48may be connected to the plate32, and the elongated member48may include the pin64.

The elongated member48comprises a first bore72and a second bore74. An axis76of the second bore74is generally perpendicular to the axis78of the second bore72. The rod68is received in the first bore72such that the pin64is aligned with and extends through the second bore74. The pin64is adapted to engage slots58a,58bin the latch36can cause the latch36to move in a second and fourth direction (FIGS. 5A and 5B). In order to reduce friction therebetween, the pin64may comprise a suitable bearing.

The elongated member48comprises a pair of retaining tabs80a,80bthat are adapted to engage and connect the spring38to the elongated member48. The tabs80a,80bare arranged on the elongated member48approximately 90 degrees offset relative to the pin64and the second bore74. Other offsets may be desirable, however. For example, the tabs80a,80bcan be angularly offset relative to the pin64and bore74by less than 90 degrees, less than 75 degrees, less than 45 degrees, less than 30 degrees, or even have 0 degrees offset. Moreover, while the FIGS. illustrate two engagement tables, it is understood that any suitable number of engagement tabs may be used. For example, the engagement tab may be arranged as one solid projection that extends 360 degrees around an outer diameter of the elongated member48. For example, there may be three or more engagement tabs, four or more engagement tabs, six or more engagement tabs, nine or more engagement tabs, etc.

The housing52of the latch36comprises the opposing walls54a,54bthat are located on opposite sides of the opening56. Each wall54a,54bcomprises a respective slot58a,58b.

FIG. 5Aillustrates the assembly24in an unlocked or open configuration, andFIG. 5Billustrates the assembly24in a locked or closed configuration. The unlocked or open configuration corresponds to the tonneau cover16being in an at least partially open or raised configuration. The locked or closed configuration corresponds to the tonneau cover16being in a closed or lowered configuration.

When a force is applied on the face or surface46of the plate32in a first direction82, the plate32is moved in the first direction82. This means that the force is adapted to move the plate32closer to the latch36from its position illustratedFIG. 5Ato the position illustrated inFIG. 5B. The force may be applied onto the face or surface46of the plate32by way of raising or closing the tailgate14. That is, as the tailgate14is moved from the open or lowered position illustrated inFIG. 2to the closed or raised position illustrated inFIG. 1, the tailgate14may contact the plate, and then displace or move the plate32in the first direction82.

Because the shaft34is connected to the plate32, as the plate32is moved in the first direction82, the shaft34is also moved in the first direction82. As the shaft34is moved in the first direction82, the latch36is correspondingly moved in the second direction84, which is generally perpendicular to the first direction82. That is, by way of the attachment of the pin36to the slots58, movement of the shaft34in the first direction82causes the latch36to be pulled downward in the second direction84to the position of the latch36shown inFIG. 5B. Because the finger62is connected or attached to the tonneau cover16, movement of the latch36downward in the second direction84causes the tonneau cover16to be moved, or pulled, or brought down into the closed or lowered position, which may be a position where the inside surface90of the tonneau cover16is in contact with or close to the top edge18of the cargo box12and/or the top edge22of the tailgate14.

Because the assembly24allows for closing or raising the tailgate14with the tonneau cover16at least partially spaced apart from the top edge22of the tailgate14and/or the top edge18of the cargo box12, reduction or elimination of friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover16and a tailgate14when closing or raising the tailgate14is realized. This may advantageously provide for closing or raising the tailgate14with lower a force and/or prevent damage to either or both of the tonneau cover16and tailgate14.

Moreover, because the assembly24functions to lower or lock the tonneau cover16after the tailgate14is moved into a closed or raised position, the tonneau cover16is automatically closed or locked in single step with raising or closing the tailgate14. This advantageously removes a step of having to manually close or lower or lock a tonneau cover16before or after the tailgate14is raised or closed.

Movement of the shaft34in the first direction82also causes the spring38to compress from the position shown inFIG. 5Ato the position shown inFIG. 5B.

When the force is removed from the face or surface46of the plate32, the spring38is uncompressed from its position inFIG. 5Bback to its position inFIG. 5A. The reaction force from uncompressing the spring38causes the shaft34to be moved in a third direction86. As the shaft34is moved in the third direction86, the latch36is moved in a fourth direction88, which is generally perpendicular to the third direction86. That is, by way of the attachment of the pin36to the slots58, movement of the shaft34in the third direction86causes the latch36to be pushed upwards in the fourth direction88to the position shown inFIG. 5A. Because the finger62is connected or attached to the tonneau cover16, movement of the latch36upward in the fourth direction88causes the tonneau cover16to be moved, or pushed, or displaced into the open or raised position, which may be a position where the inside surface90of the tonneau cover16is at least partially spaced away from the top edge18of the cargo box12and/or the top edge22of the tailgate14.

Because the assembly24allows for opening or lowering the tailgate14with the tonneau cover16at least partially spaced apart from the top edge22of the tailgate14and/or the top edge18of the cargo box12, reduction or elimination of friction, contact, drag, and/or or sticking between the tonneau cover16and a tailgate14when opening or raising the tailgate14is realized. This may advantageously provide for opening or raising the tailgate14with lower a force and/or prevent damage to either or both of the tonneau cover16and tailgate14.

Moreover, because the assembly24functions to raise or unlock the tonneau cover16as the tailgate14is moved into the opened or raised position, the tonneau cover16is automatically opened or unlocked in single step with lowering or opening the tailgate14. This advantageously removes a step of having to manually open or raise or unlock a tonneau cover16before or after the tailgate14is opened or lowered.

While it has been described that the force applied on the face or surface46of the plate32is provided by closing or raising the tailgate14into the closed or raised position, the force can be applied on the plate32in other ways. For example, the assembly24may also include a cylinder or piston that is adapted to move the plate32in the first direction82by pressing or releasing a button on a keypad or remote.

Similarly, in place of the spring, or in addition to the spring, the assembly24may include a motor, a motor and gear rack, a piston, a linear bearing, or a combination thereof that is adapted to move the plate32in the third direction86to open the tonneau cover by pressing or releasing a button on a keypad or remote, or when the tailgate latch is manipulated, for example.

While the tonneau cover16illustrated inFIG. 2is a hard-fold tonneau cover, it is understood that the tonneau cover16may be any suitable tonneau cover. For example, the tonneau cover can be a roll-type tonneau cover that can be rolled into an open configuration and unrolled into a closed configuration. The tonneau cover can be a soft or a hard folding tonneau cover.

Moreover, while the tonneau cover16is described as being move upwards away from the top edge18of the18of the cargo box12and/or top edge22of the tailgate14when the latch36is moved from the position illustrated inFIG. 5Bto the position illustrated inFIG. 5A, the assembly24may instead at least partially retract the tonneau cover in a direction of the cab of the vehicle10in the case of a roll-type or retractable tonneau cover.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10vehicle12cargo box14tailgate16tonneau cover18top edge of cargo box1220inside of cargo box1222top edge of tailgate1424striker assembly26fender28inside panel30fender32plate34shaft36latch38spring40cover42aperture in cover44aperture in cover46face or surface48elongated member50longitudinal axis of elongated member52housing54walls of housing56opening in housing58slots in housing60axis of sot62finger of latch64pin68rod70first end of rod72first bore of elongated member74second bore76axis of second bore78axis of first bore80retaining tabs82first direction84second direction86third direction88fourth direction90inside surface