Patent ID: 12251998

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed, unless expressly stated otherwise. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present technology relates to a truck bed cover moveable between a collapsed tonneau style cover configuration and an extended cap or canopy configuration. A top panel may be slidably and pivotably connected to one or more side panels. Each side panel may be connected to a truck bed rail. The side panels may be pivotably connected to the truck bed rail such that the side panels may pivot about the truck bed rail and slide along a track system of the top panel to move between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap or canopy configuration.

In certain embodiments, a truck bed cover may include a top panel, a plurality of side panels slidably connected to the top panel, and a rear panel slidably disposed within the top panel. The top panel and the plurality of side panels may be configured to move between a collapsed tonneau configuration and an extended cap configuration. The rear panel may be configured to slide out from the top panel to form the rear panel of the truck bed cover in the extended cap configuration. The rear panel may include a window. In certain embodiments, the rear panel includes a rear panel locking portion configured to releasable lock with a side panel locking portion of one or side panels to secure the rear panel in the extended cap configuration. In certain embodiments, the cover for the truck bed may further include a front panel which may be slidably disposed within the top panel. Alternatively, the front panel may fold with the top panel and the plurality of side panels in the collapsed tonneau configuration.

Each of the side panels may be pivotably connected to the truck bed at a first end and slidably connected to the top panel, at a second opposite end. In particular, each of the side panels may be configured to be pivotably connected to a respective side rail of the truck bed at the first end. Each of the side panels may be configured to slide along a track section connected to a bottom surface of the top panel. For example, the side panels may be configured to slide along the track section in an outward direction as the side panels pivot about the side rails to move the truck bed cover to the extended cap configuration. Similarly, the side panels may be configured to slide along the track section in an inward direction, as the side panels pivot about the side rails to move the cover for the truck bed to the collapsed tonneau configuration.

The truck bed cover may be manually moved between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. For example, a user may pull and/or push the top panel in an upward direction to move the truck bed cover to the extended cap configuration and push and/or pull the top panel in a downward direction to move the truck bed cover to the collapsed tonneau configuration. Alternatively, a motor may move the truck bed cover between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. For example, a motor such as linear actuator, a pneumatic or hydraulic arm, or a combination thereof may be configured to move the truck bed cover between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. However, the truck bed cover may include any appropriately desired mechanism for moving the truck bed cover between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration.

In certain embodiments, the truck bed cover may include a motor and a threaded rod for moving the truck bed cover between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. For example, the motor may turn the threaded rod, which moves one or more connections of the plurality of side panels along a length of the threaded rod to move the truck bed cover between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration.

In certain embodiments, a method of using a truck bed cover may include the steps of placing the truck bed cover on a truck bed in a first collapsed tonneau configuration. Then, the truck bed cover may be converted from the first collapsed tonneau configuration to a second extended cap configuration. A rear panel may be slidably removed from a top panel of the truck bed cover and rotated down from the top panel to form the rear panel adjacent to a plurality of sides of the truck bed cover. In certain embodiments, a motor may move the truck bed cover between the first collapsed tonneau configuration and the second extended cap configuration. In still certain embodiments, the motor may turn a threaded rod to move the truck bed cover between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. Alternatively, the top panel of the truck bed cover may be lifted, pulled, or pushed to move the truck bed cover bed cover between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. In certain embodiments, a front panel may rotated from a stored position to form a front panel of the truck bed cover. In certain embodiments, the method may further include locking the rear panel to one or more side panels of the truck bed cover.

Examples

Example embodiments of the present technology are provided with reference to the several figures enclosed herewith.

With reference toFIGS.1-5C, a first embodiment of a truck bed cover100is disposed in a truck bed101of a truck. The truck bed cover100may include a top panel102and a plurality of side panels104. The top panel102may be slidably and pivotably connected to each of the side panels104. Each of the side panels104may be connected to a respective truck bed rail106at a side panel hinge126. The side panels104may be pivotably connected to the truck bed rail106, at the side panel hinge126. In certain embodiments, the truck bed cover100may comprise a frame (not shown) that sits in and/or otherwise connects with the truck bed101as appropriately desired.

The top panel102and the side panels104may selectively move between a collapsed tonneau cover configuration as shown inFIG.1Aand an extended cap configuration, as shown inFIG.1C, where an intermediate partially extended cap configuration is shown inFIG.1B. In certain embodiments, a motor116, may move the truck bed cover100between the collapsed tonneau cover configuration and the extended cap configuration. The motor116may include a linear actuator, a pneumatic or hydraulic arm, or a combination thereof to move the truck bed cover100between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration.

Each side panel104may be connected to a respective truck bed rail106through a respective side panel hinge126, which enables the side panels104to move in an upward direction and a downward direction. In the collapsed tonneau configuration, as shown inFIG.1A, each side panel104may be folded, such that the side panel104is stored under the top panel102of the truck bed cover100. Each side panel104may be disposed substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the bed101of the truck, and approximately a 90-degree angle to a truck bed rail106or the respective side panel hinge126.

In an extended cap configuration, as shown inFIG.1C, each side panel104may be rotated upward and outward about the respective side panel hinge126. Each side panel104may be disposed substantially parallel to the truck bed101and truck bed rail106and substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the bed101of the truck. In the collapsed tonneau configuration, the top panel102may be disposed on top of and parallel to each side panel104. In the extended cap configuration, the top panel102may be lifted away from the truck bed101and be disposed at an angle relative to each side panel104.

The top panel102and each side panel104may be connected via a track system108. The track system108may include a track110disposed on a bottom surface of the top panel102. The track110may be arranged along a length of the top panel102. As shown inFIG.2, the track system108may include a connection portion112disposed on each of the side panels104. Each of the side panels104may have a connection portion112for the track110of the track system108. In other words, if the track system108has more than one track110, each of the side panels104may have respective connection portion112that corresponds to a track110. The connection portion112may be disposed adjacent a free edge114of one of the side panels104. As would be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, any suitable number of tracks and connection portions for the track system108may be used, as required by the dimensions of the truck bed101to be covered. The connection portion112may be configured to move about the track110of the track system.

Each connection portion112may be configured to be slidably disposed in the track110. In operation, a user may lift the top panel102and the side panels may rotate about the side panel hinge126. As the top panel102is lifted and or moves in an upward direction, the side panels104move via the connection portion112and may slide along the track110until the top panel102and the side panels104are in the cap configuration, as shown inFIG.1C. Similarly, the top panel102and the side panels104may be slid in a reverse direction and collapsed down to return to the tonneau configuration, as shown inFIG.1A. In certain embodiments, the truck bed cover100may be locked in one or both of the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. In certain embodiments, each connection portion112may be curved in shape and include a slot113which enables the side panel104to rotate into place in the extended cap configuration.

With reference toFIGS.3-5C, the truck bed cover100may further include a front panel118and a rear panel122. The front panel118may be disposed on the bottom surface of the top panel102adjacent to a cab of the truck101. In the tonneau configuration, the front panel118may be disposed between the top panel102and the side panels104. Alternatively, the front panel118may be slidably storable within the top panel102. In the cap configuration, the front panel118may swing down to a closed position adjacent to the side panels104.

The rear panel122may be slidably disposed within the top panel102such that the rear panel may slid from a top panel storage aperture124When the truck bed cover100is in the collapsed tonneau configuration, the rear panel122, which can include a window, may be stored within the top panel102. When the truck bed cover100is in the extended cap configuration, the rear panel122may be slid out of the top panel storage aperture124until the rear panel122and associated window may be rotated down to seal the truck bed cover100in the extended cap configuration. The side panels104may include one or more locking portions127, which may receive a locking mechanism128of the rear panel122to selectively secure the rear panel122into place in the cap configuration.

In particular, the truck bed cover100may snap, lock, and otherwise be secured in place in the collapsed tonneau configuration and in the extended cap configuration. For example, the truck bed cover100may automatically lock into position. Alternatively, the truck bed cover100may be locked using a pull-pin lock or other appropriately desired mechanism. In certain embodiments, one or more side panel hinges126may lock the truck bed cover onto a truck bed rail106, to secure the truck bed cover100in position. However, as would be understood by someone of ordinary skill in the art, the truck bed cover100may be secured within a truck bed using any appropriately desired mechanism.

FIGS.6A-6Cshow a truck bed cover200in accordance with another embodiment. The truck bed cover200may be similar to the truck bed cover100. For example, the truck bed cover200may include a top panel202and a plurality of side panels204. The side panels204may be configured to move about the top panel202to move the truck bed cover200between a collapsed tonneau configuration and an extended cap configuration.

The truck bed cover200may include a motor220and a threaded rod210. The threaded rod201may be disposed between the side panels204and the top panel202in the collapsed tonneau configuration. A connection portion212of an edge214of the side panels204may be connected to the threaded rod210. The motor220may be used to turn the threaded rod210. In particular, the motor220may include any appropriately desired motor220capable of turning the threaded rod210to raise and lower the truck bed cover200and otherwise move the truck bed cover200between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration.

When the threaded rod210is turned in a first direction, each of the side panels204may be lifted into the extended cap configuration as the respective connection portions212move along a length of the threaded rod210. Similarly, the side panels204may be lowered to the collapsed tonneau configuration when the motor220rotates the threaded rod210in a second opposite direction to move the side panels204to the stored position. Advantageously, this configuration allows the user to power the motor220to move the truck bed cover200between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration.

FIG.7illustrates a flowchart of a method700of using a truck bed cover100,200. In step702, a truck bed cover100,200is placed on a truck bed101in a first collapsed tonneau configuration. In step704, the truck bed cover100is converted or moved from the first collapsed tonneau cover configuration to a second extended cap configuration. In step706, a rear panel122may be slidably removed from a top panel of the truck bed cover100,200. The rear panel122may be rotated down from the top panel102,202to form the rear panel122adjacent to a plurality of side panels104,204of the truck bed cover100,200.

In certain embodiments, the method may include actuating a motor116,220of the truck bed cover100to move the truck bed cover100from the first collapsed tonneau cover configuration to the second extended cap configuration. The motor220may be configured to turn a threaded rod210to move the truck bed cover200between the collapsed tonneau configuration and the extended cap configuration. The motor116,220may include one of a linear motion actuator, a pneumatic arm and a hydraulic motor, or a combination thereof.

Alternatively, the top panel102,202of the truck bed cover100,200may be lifted and/or pushed to move the truck bed cover100,200from the collapsed first tonneau cover configuration to the second extended truck cap configuration. In certain embodiments, the method may further include rotating a front panel118from a stored position to form a front panel118of the truck bed cover100,200. In certain embodiments, a rear panel122may be locked to one or more of the side panels104,204of the truck bed cover100,200.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions, and methods may be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.