Abstract:
A transformer cargo cover for a vehicle having an open cargo bed area includes a first and second lower panel each having an outside surface and a first and second upper panel each carried by and overlapping a predetermined portion of the outside surface of a corresponding lower panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to automotive vehicle cargo covers, and more specifically, to a transformer cargo cover. 
     In the use of pick-up trucks and other vehicles with an open cargo bed, it is often desired to have a cover on the bed in order to protect the cargo load from the weather elements, as well as for security. Two different types of cargo bed covers include tonneau covers and caps. Tonneau covers are used when extra cargo space is not needed, as they are level with the top of the sides of the cargo bed. Caps are used when extra cargo space is required, as they are level with the top of the passenger portion of the vehicle. 
     In the use of vehicles with cargo beds, it is also often desired to increase the load capacity of the bed. To accomplish this, side extenders are used, which then bring the top of the sides of the cargo bed level with the top of the passenger portion of the vehicle, thereby increasing the load capacity. 
     In the past, these covers and side extenders have all been used to serve the desired purpose, but never in conjunction with one another, as they are all separate devices for different needs. They are also cumbersome in that they require more than one operator to put them on and remove them. Because they are removable, they also require extra storage space when not in use. 
     It would therefore be beneficial to have a single cargo cover that can function as a bed-level tonneau cover, a raised weather tight cap, and also be opened so as to function as side extenders to maximize load capacity, all without the need to remove the cargo cover, thereby providing versatility without requiring separate storage space. 
     It is therefore desired to provide a transformer cargo cover that can be positioned as a tonneau cover or a cap when a cover for cargo in the bed is needed, as well as positioned as side extenders when open cargo space is required for larger loads. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a transformer cargo cover that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that the transformer cargo cover function as a closed tonneau cover reconfigureable to a raised weather tight cap reconfigureable to an open top, side extended, cargo area. 
     The present invention advantageously provides a transformer cargo cover for a vehicle having an open cargo bed area includes a first and second lower panel each having an outside surface and a first and second upper panel each carried by and overlapping a predetermined portion of the outside surface of a corresponding lower panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a transformer cargo cover in a transitional position according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transformer cargo cover in the closed tonneau position according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a transformer cargo cover in the raised weather tight cap position according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a transformer cargo cover in the opened side extender position according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle  10  having a transformer cargo cover  12  is shown. The transformer cargo cover  12  consists of four panels, a left and right lower panel  14  and  16 , and a left and right upper panel  18  and  20 . The left and right lower panels  14  and  16  are substantially rectangular shaped, as are the left and right upper panels  18  and  20 . 
     The left and right lower panels  14  and  16  each have outside surfaces  22  and  24 , respectively. The outside surfaces  22  and  24  of the lower panels  14  and  16  are indented mid-panel through to the inner most edges  26  and  28  of. the lower panels  14  and  16  so that the upper panels  18  and  20  can nest in indentations  30 . The indentations  30  form a ledge  32  upon which the upper panels  18  and  20  rest. The lower panels  14  and  16  have an inner surface  42 . The inner surface  42  of the lower panels  14  and  16  has hardware  44  at the front and rear. The hardware  44  has lift-assist and locking means, such as what is used on the rear door of a hatchback automobile and as is known in the automotive arts, and also has hinges that allow the lower panels  14  and  16  to have a pivotal range of movement of 90 degrees from the horizontal to the vertical. This hardware  44  also has a locking means as is known in the art, to lock the lower panels  14  and  16  into position. The hardware  44  may also be positioned at the edges of the lower panels  14  and  16  without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The upper panels  18  and  20  have operator handles  34  for use in placing the transformer cargo cover  12  into various positions described below. The upper panels  18  and  20  also come together to form an interlocking seam. The left upper panel  18  has an inner edge  36 , which is the depth of the panel  18 . Extending outwardly from this inner edge  36  at the top half is the left portion  38  of the interlocking seam. Correspondingly, the right upper panel  20  also has an inner edge  36 . Extending outwardly from this inner edge  36  at the bottom half is the right portion  40  of the interlocking seam. When folded down, the top or left portion  38  rests on the bottom or right portion  40 , thus forming the interlocking seam. 
     The upper panels  18  and  20  have latching mechanisms (not shown) at the front and rear, as well as at the interlocking seam, to secure the transformer cargo cover  12  once it is placed in the desired position. Any number of latching mechanisms could be used, as is known in the art. The upper panels  18  and  20  also have an inner surface  46 . The inner surface  46  of the upper panels  18  and  20  and the indentations  30  of the lower panels  14  and  16  have hinge, sliding, and locking hardware  48  at the front and rear, which connect the upper panels  18  and  20  to the lower panels  14  and  16 . The hinge of the hardware  48  allows the upper panels  18  and  20  to be pivoted from their vertical nested position to a horizontal position The hardware  48  also allows the upper panels  18  and  20  to be slid and locked using, for instance, a track and rollers or bearings, as is known in the cabinetry arts. For example, after the upper panels  18  and  20  are rotated to a horizontal position, they can then be slid towards each other until the left and right portions  38  and  40  of the interlocking seam meet. 
     The transformer cargo cover  12  can be reconfigured from the tonneau cover position shown in FIG. 2 to the raised, preferably weather tight, cap position as shown in FIG.  3 . To get the transformer cargo cover  12  into the cap position, first the latching mechanisms (not shown) are unlatched. Then the left upper and lower panels  18  and  14  are pivoted from the center so that they move toward a vertical position. The same is done to the right upper and lower panels  20  and  16 , and both panels are locked into place. The right upper panel  20  is then rotated to the horizontal and slid toward the center of the bed area. The same is then done to the left upper panel  18  so that the interlocking seam is formed. The latching mechanisms at the front, rear, and interlocking seam are then refastened to secure the transformer cargo cover  12  in position. A panel  41 , preferably glass or an integrated ramp, may be then slid up from the tailgate  50  to close off the rear area of the transformer cargo cover  12 . 
     The transformer cargo cover  12  can also be configured so as to function as a side extender when extra cargo space is needed, as shown in FIG.  4 . From the tonneau position shown in FIG. 2, the latching mechanisms at the front, rear, and interlocking seam are unlatched. The upper panels  18  and  20  are already locked in their nested position. The lower panels  14  and  16  are each then raised to the vertical and locked into position via the lock and hinge hardware  44  at the front and rear of each of the panels  14  and  16 , thus allowing an open cargo area with extended height sides. The upper panels  18  and  20  may also be rotated 180 degrees around and downward and positioned vertically adjacent to the lower panels  14  and  16  to accomplish a similar side extending function (not shown). 
     Regardless of the configuration of the transformer cargo cover  12 , all four panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  at the front seal to a surface provided by the rear exterior of the passenger compartment (not shown). Also, a center high mount stop light (not shown) can be integrated into a latching mechanism, which can slide to fasten the two upper horizontal panels  18  and  20  at the rear. 
     While only one embodiment of the transformer cargo cover of the present invention has been described, others may be possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.