Abstract:
A tonneau cover system for a cargo area of a vehicle. The system may comprise a flexible cover mounted to a main support frame. The flexible cover may include a folded portion such that the cover is operable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. In the collapsed position, the flexible cover is substantially planar, in the expanded position, the flexible cover is able to cover loads taller than the sidewalls of the vehicle cargo area.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/707,247, filed Dec. 6, 2012, entitled “TONNEAU COVER SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES,” this application is further a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/051,773, filed Oct. 11, 2013 entitled “PERIMETER SEAL FOR VEHICLE TONNEAU COVER,” this application is further a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/051,811, filed Oct. 11, 2013 entitled “LOCKING CORNER PIECE FOR VEHICLE TONNEAU COVER,” which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced applications are inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced applications. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. The Field of the Present Disclosure 
         [0004]    The present disclosure relates generally to cover systems for cargo areas of vehicles, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to tonneau cover systems for vehicles. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    Vehicle and trailer manufacturers supply various models of trailers and vehicles that have open beds on which to place cargo for transit. Such vehicle and trailer beds typically have limited or no method of protecting cargo from the weather, water or debris. Furthermore, such vehicle and trailer beds typically have a limited or no method of securing cargo from movement. 
         [0007]    Originally if cargo needed to be protected from the weather, water or debris it was covered with a waterproof tarp. However, tarp users objected to the bulky and awkward to handle nature of tarps. Tarps can come loose at high speeds and flap away from the cargo they protect, thereby allowing the cargo to come in contact with the weather, water or debris. Additionally, the cargo and tarps had to be secured using separate strapping, cords or rope, which can be equally awkward to handle. 
         [0008]    Thereafter, several types of vehicle bed enclosures were designed to cover the bed in such a way that small cargo could be protected from the weather. U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,585 to Jones discloses a tonneau cover system which can cover the vehicle bed. However, this tonneau cover limits the size of cargo that can be protected from the weather. Cargo larger than the height of the vehicle or trailer bed walls cannot be transported while this tonneau system is in use. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,361 to Spencer discloses a tonneau cover that is of expensive construction, with many specially manufactured parts and is limited in its ability to keep water and weather off the cargo. Furthermore, this design uses a hook and loop fastener to secure the tonneau fabric to the frame. Over time, this hook and loop fastening system will lose its ability to fasten the tonneau fabric to the frame. Additionally, this hook and loop fastening systems does not adequately keep water from entering the cargo bed. When a vehicle or trailer is traveling at high speeds, air pressure will force water to migrate through the hook and loop fastening system into the covered vehicle bed thusly, exposing the cargo to moisture. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,282 B2 to Spencer shows a tonneau cover rail system that is used to attach the tonneau cover to a truck bed wall. Unfortunately, this tonneau cover rail system protrudes into the cargo space of the vehicle bed and limits the vehicles cargo storage capacity. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. RE41,078 to Schmeichel discloses a tonneau cover tension adjuster apparatus. However, this design incorporates a complicated and expensive construction tonneau cover tension adjuster which is prone to mechanical failure. Additionally, this design requires manual adjustment to the proper tension. 
         [0012]    Several other types of tonneau systems and cargo covers have been proposed—for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,881 to Steffens, U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,582 to Schmeichel, U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,239 to Schmeichel, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,536 to Yue. Although all these designs have unique attributes, all tonneau covers hereto known suffer from a number of disadvantages and short comings: 
         [0013]    (a) The fastening systems and methods used to connect the tonneau cover rail system to the bed are not adequate to keep moisture from entering the covered cargo space; 
         [0014]    (b) The fastening systems wear with use and allow water to migrate into the bed cargo space; 
         [0015]    (c) Existing tonneau covers systems cannot expand to cover loads larger than the height of vehicle or trailer bed walls; 
         [0016]    (d) No tonneau product exists that can secure cargo from movement; and 
         [0017]    (e) Existing tonneau covers do not self-retract and tension to a flat position after a large cargo load has been removed. 
         [0018]    The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present disclosure. The present disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein. 
         [0019]    The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a vehicle utilizing one embodiment of a tonneau cover expanded to fit over and restrain cargo within a vehicle bed; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of a vehicle utilizing one embodiment of a tonneau cover collapsed and flat over a vehicle bed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the tonneau cover with components; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded isometric view of the components of the tonneau cover system; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded isometric topside view of the components of the tonneau cover; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded isometric bottom-side view of the components of the tonneau cover; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded isometric view of the components of the tonneau cover rail frame and bow system; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  shows the unattached components of the rail frame, rail frame corners and bow system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows the unattached components of the rail frame, rail frame corners and lift locks; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows the attached components of the rail frame, rail frame corners and bow system; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 11A-11C  show a longitudinal cross section of the components of the tonneau cover system; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  shows an isometric view of a flat tonneau cover without the friction fit seal attached; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  shows a longitudinal side view of the tonneau cover folds without the friction fit seal attached; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  shows a latitudinal side view of the tonneau cover folds without the friction fit seal attached; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  shows an isometric view of the flat tonneau cover with internal parts exposed and without the friction fit seal attached; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  shows an isometric view of the flat tonneau cover with an alternative method of strapping and without the friction fit seal attached; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  shows an isometric view of the flat tonneau cover with and alternative method of internal parts exposed and without the friction fit seal attached; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  shows an isometric view of the flat tonneau cover with and alternative method of internal parts exposed and without the friction fit seal attached; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  shows an exploded, isometric view of a tonneau cover assembly and cargo bed of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a partial, fragmentary view of the tonneau cover shown in  FIG. 19  installed onto a cargo bed of a vehicle; 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a partial, fragmentary view of the tonneau cover shown in  FIG. 19  installed onto a cargo bed of a vehicle; 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is a partial, fragmentary view of the tonneau cover shown in  FIG. 19  installed onto a cargo bed of a vehicle; 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  is an exploded, partial, fragmentary view of the tonneau cover shown in  FIG. 19  installed onto a cargo bed of a vehicle; 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  is a partial, fragmentary view of the a rail of the tonneau cover shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view of the tonneau cover shown in  FIG. 19  installed onto a cargo bed of a vehicle; 
           [0046]      FIG. 26  is a partial, cross sectional view of the edge of the tonneau cover shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 27  is a view of a tonneau cover having cargo secured thereon by resilient members according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0048]      FIG. 28  is a view of a tonneau cover having cargo secured thereon by resilient members according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 29  is a view of a tonneau cover having cargo secured thereon by resilient members according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0050]    For the purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed. 
         [0051]    In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
         [0052]    For description purposes herein, the terms “over”, “under”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right” relate generally to the embodiment as oriented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It is understood that embodiments of the present invention may assume other various alternative orientations and sequences except where expressly specified to the contrary. Additionally, it is to be understood that the specific details and processes illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are simple exemplary embodiments. Hence, specific dimensions, other physical characteristics and materials relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , a water resistant tonneau cover system  10  having a flexible cover  12  is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flexible cover  12  fits over and attaches to the top length of opposing vehicle cargo bed side walls  74 . The flexible cover  12  fits the width of the vehicle cargo gate  76  and width of the vehicle cab cargo bed wall nearest the vehicle cab  80  covering the opening of the vehicle cargo bed (not shown) of a vehicle  72 . In an embodiment, the flexible cover  12  is made of a material that is flexible, resilient, durable and water resistant. 
         [0054]    In an embodiment, an exterior strap system  14  allows the flexible cover  12  to be manually tightened to prevent cargo from moving during transit. In addition, the exterior strap system  14  allows the flexible cover  12  to be operable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the flexible cover  12  may be expanded to cover and restrain cargo that is taller than the vehicle cargo bed side walls  74 . 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 2 , the flexible cover  12  may be collapsed flat with an empty vehicle cargo bed. Thus, it will be appreciated that the flexible cover  12  is operable between an expanded position as shown in  FIG. 1  and a collapsed position as shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 1 , the exterior strap system  14  may be loosened to allow the flexible cover  12  to unfold to the expanded position. In  FIG. 2 , the exterior strap system  14  may be tightened to allow the flexible over  12  to fold to the collapsed position. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , the exterior strap system  14  comprises a plurality of attachment straps  16  attached to the flexible cover  12 . The attachment straps  16  may provide an attachment point to the flexible cover  12  for the non-working end of buckles  36 . Looped through the working end of the buckles  36  are tightening straps  18  with flat hooks  38  attached at the ends. The hooks  38  may be secured to a side rail as will be explained in more detail below. 
         [0057]    In an embodiment, the exterior strap system  14  may be manually expanded to cover cargo that may be taller than the vehicle cargo bed sidewalls  74  (see  FIG. 1 ). The exterior strap system  14  may also be manually tightened to cinch down and restrain cargo that may be taller than the vehicle cargo bed sidewalls  74 . 
         [0058]    In an embodiment, latitudinal reinforcing straps  20  and longitudinal reinforcing straps  24  are attached to the underside of, and provide support to, the flexible cover  12 . In an embodiment, latitudinal elastic tightening straps  22  and longitudinal elastic tightening straps  24  are attached, at specific locations to the flexible cover  12 , in a manner that allows the tonneau cover system  10  to self-tension the flexible cover  12  over cargo that may be taller than vehicle cargo bed sidewalls  74 . 
         [0059]    That is, upon removal of cargo that may be taller than vehicle cargo bed side walls  74 , the latitudinal elastic tightening straps  22  and longitudinal elastic tightening straps  26  self-tension and the attached flexible cover  12  collapses to a flat configuration. 
         [0060]    In an embodiment, attached around the perimeter of the flexible cover  12  is a friction fit seal  40  which acts to hold the tonneau cover to the rail frame  46  and rail frame corners  48 , illustrated in  FIG. 11A , and provide a weather, water and debris tight seal for the cargo. 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  illustrates, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, how the flexible cover  12  of the tonneau cover system  10  attaches to a vehicle by use of an opposing set of rail frames  46  which are attached to the top of, and run the length of, the vehicle cargo bed sidewalls  74 . Another opposing set of rail frames  46 , run the width of the vehicle cargo gate  76  and vehicle cab cargo bed wall  78 . The rail frames  46  connect to each other by way of rail frame corners  48 . 
         [0062]    In an embodiment, the rail frames  46  and rail frame corners  48  connect to the vehicle cargo bed sidewalls  74  using a set of upper clamps  62  and lower clamps  64  with socket screws  66 . The lower clamps  64  are cored and tapped to receive the socket screws  66 . The upper clamps  62  are cored to allow the socket screws  66  to pass through in order to thread into the lower clamps  64 . Upon tightening socket screws  66 , the lower clamps  64  act as a vice and move toward the upper clamps  62 . 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the upper clamp&#39;s  62  rail frame attachment  52  slides into the rail frame&#39;s  46  upper clamp receiver  50 . Upon tightening the socket screw  66 , the upper clamp&#39;s  62  rail frame attachment  52  pushes down and clamps rail frame  46  onto the top of the vehicle cargo bed side walls  74 , sandwiching and compressing gasket  60 . 
         [0064]    In an embodiment, bow ends  70  attach to the bows  68 . The bow ends  70 , with bows  68  attached, can slide down onto, and are received by, upper clamp  62 . When no cargo is present to be carried by the vehicle  80 , the assembled bows  68  and bow ends  70  may be installed onto upper clamp  62 . When installed, bows  68  and bow ends  70  provide a structure that allows water, dust and debris to shed off the tonneau system  10 . 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is illustrated the rail frame corners  48  attaching to and locking by way of lift locks  54  into rail frame receivers  56  of rail frames  46 . In an embodiment, the rail frame corners  48  are made of sufficiently rigid yet flexible material that allows the lift locks  54  to be lifted. To assemble, the lift locks  54  are lifted to slide the rail corners  48  into rail frames  46 . Once the rail corners  48  are slid into place, the lift locks  54  return to their normal flat position resting into lift lock receiver  56 . 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 11A-11C , there is shown a latitudinal cross section of the complete tonneau system  10  attached to the vehicle cargo bed side wall  74  and vehicle cab cargo bed wall  78  with bows  68  and bow ends  70  installed.  FIG. 11A  depicts the tonneau system  10  with the flexible cover  12  in a collapsed position.  FIG. 11B  depicts the tonneau system  10  with the flexible cover  12  in a partially unfolded to an expanded position when a cargo  82  is placed in the cargo area.  FIG. 11C  depicts the tonneau system  10  with the flexible cover  12  in an unfolded to a fully expanded position when the cargo  82  is placed in the cargo area. 
         [0067]    In an embodiment, the socket screws  66  are partially tightened in order to demonstrate the gasket  60  in an uncompressed state between rail frames  46  and vehicle cargo bed side wall  74 . The flat hooks  38  are shown manually tightened to the friction fit seal  40  and friction fit male adapter  58  by manually tightening the manual tightening strap  18 . The manual tightening strap  18  may provide manual tension to flexible cover  12 . 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is illustrated the flexible cover  12  in a collapsed position without the support of the bows  68 . The friction fit seal  40  is shown detached for clarity. Internal latitudinal folds  28 , external latitudinal folds  30 , internal longitudinal folds  32  and external longitudinal folds  34  are incorporated to allow the flexible cover  12  to unfold to an expanded position when cargo is taller than the vehicle cargo bed side walls  74 . 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , there is illustrated a longitudinal cross section and latitudinal cross section of the collapsed flexible cover  12  without the support of the bows  68 . The friction fit seal  40  is shown detached for clarity. When cargo is not present, the longitudinal elastic tightening straps  26  and the latitudinal elastic tightening straps  22  self-tension and pull the flexible cover  12  to a flat and tight position. The internal latitudinal folds  28 , external latitudinal folds  30 , internal longitudinal folds  32  and external longitudinal folds  34  may allow the excess flexible cover  12  to be taken up and lay flat. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , there is illustrated the collapsed flexible cover  12  without the support of the bows  68 . The friction fit seal  40  is shown detached for clarity. The internal parts are exposed for clarity. 
         [0071]    Additional embodiments of the tonneau cover are illustrated in  FIGS. 16-18 . In particular, these figures show the collapsed flexible cover  12  without the support of the bows  68 . The friction fit seal  40  is shown detached for clarity. These embodiments may incorporate cord  42  and/or elastic fabric  44  to self-tension the flexible cover  12 . 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIG. 19 , there is shown an exploded view of a tonneau cover assembly  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure where like reference numerals depicts like components. The assembly  100  may include a tonneau cover  12 A. The cover  12 A may be secured to the walls  74 ,  76  of a cargo bed of a vehicle (not shown). In particular, a J-clip  40 A may be coupled to the edges of the cover  12 A around the entire perimeter of the cover  12 A. That is, the J-clip  40 A may be contiguous or continue without break around the entire perimeter of the cover  12 A. The J-clip  40 A, in turn, may be utilized to secure the cover  12 A to a rail assembly  102 . The rail assembly  102  may include rails  46  that are secured to the top of the walls  74 ,  76  of the cargo bed. Rail frame corners  48 A may form corners for the rail assembly  102  as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0073]    Referring now to  FIG. 20 , the J-clip  40 A may engage a J-clip male portion  58  extending from the rails  46 . The J-clip male portion  58  may be rigid and cantilevered. In particular, the J-clip male portion  58  may extend outwardly and downwardly at a slight angle from the rails  46 . The J-clip  40 A may engage the J-clip male portion  58  around the entire perimeter of the cargo bed of the vehicle to form a tight seal. In an embodiment, the J-clip male portion  58  may include a cantilevered edge that extends from the rails  46 . 
         [0074]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20 ,  21 ,  25  and  26 , the J-clip  40 A may include a tabbed portion  85  and a U-shaped portion  87 . The tabbed portion  85  may be sewn to the outer edge of the cover  12 A using stitches  89  as best seen in  FIG. 21 . The U-shaped portion  87  may engage the J-clip male portion  58  of the rails  46 . Reinforcing members  83  may be disposed in an inner portion of the J-clip  40 A. In an embodiment, the J-clip  40 A may be formed of a flexible material, such as plastic or PVC. In an embodiment, the reinforcing members  83  disposed within the J-clip  40 A may be formed of a metal, such as aluminum. 
         [0075]    Referring now to  FIG. 26 , an inner surface of the U-shaped portion  87  may include on or more protrusions  84  that engage a surface of the J-clip male portion  58 . It will be appreciated that the protrusions  84  may abut against the top and bottom surfaces of the J-clip male portion  58 . The protrusions  84  may form a seal with the J-clip male portion  58 . In an embodiment, the seal formed by the protrusions  84  is airtight. In an embodiment, the seal formed by the protrusions  84  is watertight. In an embodiment, the seal formed by the protrusions  84  is substantially airtight. In an embodiment, the seal formed by the protrusions  84  is substantially watertight. 
         [0076]    Referring now to FIGS.  19  and  22 - 25 , the rail frame corners  48 A interconnect the rails  46  at the corners of the cargo bed. As perhaps best seen in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the rail frame corners  48 A may include a first insert member  90  and a second insert member  92  extending from a base member  96 . It will be appreciated that the first insert member  90  and the second insert member  92  may be disposed at an angle, such as a 90 degree angle, with respect to each other. The first insert member  90  and the second insert member  92  may be configured and adapted to be installed into the ends of the rails  46 . 
         [0077]    In an embodiment, the first insert member  90  and the second insert member  92  may each include a cantilevered portion  94 . The cantilevered portions  94  may be flexible or deformable such that they can flex or deform in response to a force, typically applied by a user&#39;s hand. Disposed on the cantilevered portions  94  may be locking protrusions  54 A. The protrusions  54 A may be configured and adapted to engage cutouts  56 A formed in the rails  46 . In an embodiment, the protrusions  54 A are cylindrical. 
         [0078]    In particular, when the insert members  90  and  92  are installed into the ends of the rails  46 , the cantilevered portions  94  may be slightly deformed. When the protrusions  54 A align with the cutouts  56 A in the rails  46 , the cutouts  56 A and the protrusions  54 A may form a snap-fit lock to hold the corners  48 A and the rails  46  together. To disengage the corners  48 A from the rails  46 , a force may be applied to the protrusions  54 A to thereby deform the cantilevered portions  94 . 
         [0079]    In an embodiment, the base member  96  may include a J-clip male portion  58  for engaging the J-clip  40 A secured to the cover  12 A. The J-clip male portion  58  may extend from an outer perimeter from the top of the base member  96  such that the J-clip male portion  58  performs a 90 degree turn and forms a rounded corner. The base member  96  may further include a top portion  101  having a first edge  103  and a second edge  105  that form rail stops. In an embodiment, the base member  96  is formed from plastic. 
         [0080]    Referring now to  FIGS. 27-29 , there is shown the tonneau cover  12  shown in  FIG. 16 , where like components depict like components. In an embodiment, the cords  42  may be utilized to secure cargo  200 ,  202 , and  204  to the top surface of the cover  12  as shown in  FIGS. 27-29 , respectively. The cargo  200 ,  202 , and  204  may be placed under the cords  42  in order to secure it to the cover  12 . The cords  42  may be elastically deformable to hold the cargo  200 ,  202 , and  204  in place. In an embodiment, the cargo  200  may take an elongated shape, such a lumber. In an embodiment, the cargo  202  may take the form of a rolled up item, such as carpet or padding. In an embodiment, the cargo  204  may take the form of a box. It will be appreciated that the cargo may take virtually any shape or form. 
         [0081]    It will be appreciated that the present invention can be utilized on a wide variety of vehicles, including pickup trucks, trailers, military vehicles, or any other type of vehicle with an exposed cargo space. In an embodiment, the flexible cover may be constructed from a vinyl, reinforced polyester, coated fabric, or a cotton material. 
         [0082]    It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for expanding a tonneau cover, and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for expanding a tonneau cover which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for expanding a tonneau cover, including those structures, apparatus or systems for expanding a tonneau cover which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means for expanding a tonneau cover falls within the scope of this element. 
         [0083]    Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a tonneau cover that is operable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. It is further a feature of the present disclosure to provide tonneau cover with a plurality of folds. It is further a feature to provide a tonneau cover with self-retracting means. 
         [0084]    In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of the Disclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0085]    It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.