Tonneau cover and divider panel system

A cover and divider system for a cargo bed of a vehicle includes a plurality of connected cover portions securable over a cargo bed and at least one panel securable to underside of each of the plurality of cover portions in a stored condition and removable from the corresponding one of the plurality of cover portions to partition the cargo bed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a cover and divider panel system for a pickup truck cargo bed.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles such as pickup trucks, for example, include a cargo bed that is used to transport items large and small. The cargo bed area is a large open space and therefore smaller items tend to move around while driving. Cargo bed dividers may be used to keep smaller items in place while driving. While the dividers are advantageous when only a small part of the cargo bed is needed, when the entire cargo bed is needed, or nothing is being transported, the dividers become another item to store. The dividers are either stored within the cargo bed or outside the pickup truck. Leaving the dividers within the cargo bed limits available unobstructed continuous space. Removal of the dividers from the cargo bed requires an outside storage space and may result in the dividers not being available at all times.

SUMMARY

An apparatus according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cover system including a holder for securing at least one panel to an underside of the cover, the holder removably securing the at least one panel such that the at least one panel is removable from the cover for partitioning the cargo bed independent of the cover.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing cover system, the holder includes a snap-fit compartment on the underside of the cover for storing the at least one panel.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing cover system, the holder comprises a latch movable between a secured position holding the at least one panel to the underside of the cover and a non-secured position enabling removal of the at least one panel from the cover.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing cover system, the cover comprises at least two cover portions moveably secured to each other and at least one panel is secured to each of the at least two cover portions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, the at least two cover portions are secured together by a flexible member.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, the at least two cover portions are secured together by a hinge.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, panel holders are mounted within the cargo bed for holding the at least one panel upright to partition the cargo bed.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, panel holders are removably mounted within the cargo bed for holding the at least one panel upright to partition the cargo bed.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, the at least one panel includes interlocking features for holding another panel in a desired position within the cargo bed independent of the cover.

An apparatus according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cover and divider panel system for a cargo bed of a vehicle including a plurality of connected cover portions securable over a cargo bed and at least one panel securable to an underside of each of the plurality of cover portions in a stored condition and removable from the corresponding one of the plurality of cover portions to partition the cargo bed.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, each of the cover portions includes a snap-fit compartment into which the at least one panel is secured.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, each of the cover portions includes a latch movable between a secured position holding the at least one panel to the underside of the cover and a non-secured position enabling removal of the at least one panel from the cover.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, the at least one panel includes an interlocking feature for holding another panel in an upright position within the cargo bed independent of structures mounted to side walls of the cargo bed.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing cover systems, a panel holder on side walls of the cargo bed holds the at least one panel in an upright position independent of the cover.

A method of covering and partitioning a cargo bed according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things the steps of defining a holder on an underside of a cargo bed cover, securing the cover over the cargo bed, securing the at least one panel with the holder to the underside of the cover, and removing the partition from the cover to partition the cargo bed independent of the cover.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the cover comprises at least two cover portions that are connected to each other and the method further comprises securing at least one panel to each of the at least two cover portions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the forgoing methods, wherein defining the holder comprises defining a snap-fit compartment on an underside of the cargo bed cover for the at least one panel.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the forgoing methods, wherein defining the holder comprises defining a latch movable between a secured position holding the at least one panel to the underside of the cover and a non-secured position enabling removal of the at least one panel from the cover.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the forgoing methods, including removing the panels from each of the at least two cover portions and securing the panels within the cargo bed independent of the at least two cover portions.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the forgoing methods, including securing two panels across the cargo bed and another panel between the two panels disposed across the cargo bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure details an exemplary apparatus and method for using and storing divider panels to partition a cargo bed of a vehicle. These and other features are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs of this detailed description.

FIG. 1shows a pick-up truck10having a cargo bed14disposed to the rear of the vehicle cab12. A tailgate22provides access to the cargo bed14at the rear of the vehicle10. A cargo bed cover system18is included to cover the cargo bed14and is removable to enable access. The example cover system18includes three cover portions20A-C that are independently movable to enable partial access the cargo bed14.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3with continued reference toFIG. 1, the example cover system18includes the cover portions20A-C that each include a compartment32A-C (FIG. 3) for storage of divider panels30A-C. The divider panels30A-C are removable from the compartments32A-C and are used to partition the cargo bed14to better hold transported objects. Each of the divider panels30A-C are separable from the corresponding cover portion20A-C. The cargo bed14includes panel holders34A-C to support one of the divider panels30A-C in place across the cargo bed14independent of the cover18and any of the cover portions20A-C.

Referring toFIG. 3with continued reference toFIG. 2, the example cover18is shown with the divider panels30A-C removed from the compartments32A-C and mounted within the cargo bed14. The divider panels30A-C are held in place by the corresponding holders34A-C. The divider panels30A-C are separable from each of the corresponding cover portions20A-C and independently held in place within the cargo bed14separate from the cover18.

The example cover18is fabricated from a material defining a top side24that is adapted for exposure to the elements and a bottom side26that includes the compartments32A-C for storage of the divider panels30A-C. The example cover18is secured to the vehicle10across the cargo bed14and is formed from a hard plastic material. The plastic material may comprise any material that has sufficient strength and mechanical properties desired to maintain a desired shape while also defining compartments32A-C for holding divider panels30A-C.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the top side24of the example cover18includes the individual cover portions20A-C. The cover portions20A-C are movably attached to one another by way of a flexible portions28. In this example, the flexible portions28comprises a living hinge that extends between cover portions20A-C to enable one of the cover portions to be movable or lifted up relative to the other cover portions20A-C. The flexible portion28is a thin connecting member that provides sufficient flexibility to enable lifting up of one cover portion20A-C relative to the other cover portions20A-C.

Referring toFIG. 6with continued reference toFIG. 4, another example of a connection between the cover portions20A-C is shown. In the example cover18shown inFIG. 5, a mechanical hinge36is provided between each of the cover portions20A-C. The hinge36is attached between cover portions20A-C and enables lifting of one of the cover portions20A-C relative to the other cover portions20A-C. Lifting of the cover portions20A-C provides access to the cargo bed14and also to the divider panels30A-C secured to the underside26of the cover18. The mechanical hinge36may be integrally formed as part of the cover portions20A-C. The mechanical hinge36may also be a separate part attached to the cover portions20A-C. It should be understood, that other structures and means for connecting the cover portions20A-C as are known that provide for lifting of each cover portion20A-C are within the contemplation of this disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 7, the underside26of the cover portions20A-C are shown with divider panels30A-C held in place within the compartment34A-C. Each of the compartments32A-C in this disclosed embodiment are integrally formed within the corresponding cover portion20A-C. The compartments32A-C define a space for holding each of the divider panels30A-C above the cargo bed14. The divider panels30A-C are held in place by features38of formed or mounted proximate the compartments32A-C.

Referring toFIG. 8with continued reference toFIG. 7, a portion of one example compartment32A is shown and the feature comprises a snap fit38that holds the divider panel30A within the cover portion20A. The snap fit38includes a ramp portion40and a catch portion42. The ramp portion40guides the panel30A into the compartment32A. The snap fit38may bend outward so that the panel30A may be received within the compartment32A. The catch42maintains the panel30A in place within the compartment32A. The catch42and snap fit38are configured such that the panel30A may be pulled free of the compartment32A with the application of a predetermined amount of force but may not fall free on its own.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, another example compartment32is shown and includes a latch44that is movable from a secured position illustrated inFIG. 9Ato a non-secured position illustrated inFIG. 9B. In this disclosed example, the latch44is movably supported within the cover portion20proximate to the compartment32. The panel30is placed within the compartment32and the latch44is moved to the secured position as is illustrated inFIG. 9A. When it is desired to remove the panel30from the cover20, the latch44is moved to the non-secured position illustrated inFIG. 9B. With the latch44in the non-secured position, the panel30may be freely removed from the compartment32.

Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, the underside26of one cover portion20A-C is shown and includes another example latch46that is rotatable about an axis48between a non-secured position and a secured position. In this example, the panel30is placed within the compartment32defined within the cover20. The latch46is rotated about the axis48such that it extends across the space of the compartment32as is illustrated inFIG. 10B. In the position of the latch46shown inFIG. 10b, the panel30is held within the compartment32. Rotation of the latch46to the position shown inFIG. 10Areleases the panel30from the compartment32.

The latches disclosed schematically inFIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10Bare examples of possible latch configurations. Other latch configurations and mechanisms as are known are within the contemplation of this disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, another example cover50includes cover portion52with a compartment54for storing a divider panel30. Storage of the panel30within the compartment54is provided by moving the panel30into an open portion58in the direction indicated by arrow62shown inFIG. 11Ato clear a catch60on an opposite end. The open portion58includes a stop56over which the panel30is inserted.

The panel30is than rotated into the compartment54as is illustrated inFIG. 11Band moved into the open portion58as indicated by arrow64. In the position illustrated inFIG. 11B, the panel30may still fall from the compartment54. Accordingly, the panel30is moved rearward towards the catch60in the direction indicated by arrow66. The panel30is moved back against the back wall of the compartment under the catch60. In this position, the panel30is supported at both ends and the stop56prevents the panel30from moving forward and dislodging from the cavity54. The example compartment54within the cover portion52illustrated inFIGS. 11A, B and C provides a simple and effective means of storing a divider panel30within the cover50without additional mechanisms.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, an example divider holder70is illustrated that is installed to a side wall16of the cargo bed14. The example holder70includes features that engage a mounting opening72defined within the side wall16. Several of these holders70are arranged within the cargo bed14to hold divider panels30in an upright position independent of any of the cover portions20A-C. The mounting opening72is provided within the side wall16of the cargo bed14and is adaptable for receiving other modular structures to provide other storage and securement options. In this example, the holder70is configured to include channels74that receive and hold the divider panel30upright within the cargo bed14independent of the cover18.

Referring toFIG. 14, the divider panels30a,30band30care shown partitioning the cargo bed14. Holders34mounted within the cargo bed14hold the divider panels30A-C between the side walls16. In this example, at least two of the panels30a, and30cinclude interlocking features76that enable optional assembly of a third one of the panels30bbetween the panels30aand30c.

Referring toFIG. 15, the panel30bis shown extending between the panel30aand panel30c. The panels30aand30care held in place by the holders34while the divider panel30bis held between the panels30aand30c. Interlocking features76enable the divider panel30bto be moved to define the partition area needed to confine objects supported and transported within the cargo bed14.

Referring toFIG. 16with continued reference toFIGS. 14 and 15, the example panel30bis shown in another position perpendicular to the panels30aand30cthat are held within holders34disposed within the side walls16of the cargo bed14. In this position, the panel30bis disposed with an interlocking feature76defined within each of the panels30A-C. In the disclosed example embodiment shown inFIGS. 14, 15 and 16, only two of the panels30a,30care shown with interlocking features76. However, each of the panels30A-C may include interlocking features such that one standard divider panel may be utilized and provided with the example cover system18.

Referring toFIG. 17, the example interlocking feature76includes channels that extend the width of the divider panel30A-C between a bottom and top surface. The channels are of a width that accepts the thickness of another one of the divider panels30A-C.

Referring toFIG. 18, another example of the interlocking features78on the divider panels30A-C are discontinuous meaning that they are disposed at a top, bottom or other location on the panel30A-C instead of extending uninterrupted between a top and bottom portion of each of the panels30A-C.

Accordingly, the example cover18provides compartments32for storage of divider panels30that are removable and installable to partition the cargo bed14independent of the cover18. Moreover, the example divider panels includes features that enable various configurations of partitioning the cargo bed including assembly of divider panels using interlocking features of the divider panels themselves.