Patent ID: 8800582

Claim:
A storable exterior lift cover system comprising: a storable exterior lift cover coupled to a motor vehicle lift device, the lift device comprising a platform coupled to a mast, wherein the lift device is configured to be mounted to a rear portion of a motor vehicle; an inboard mounting structure secured to an inboard mounting position on the lift device, the inboard mounting structure comprising a frame mounting support comprising a frame support hole and an inboard frame mounting cup; an outboard mounting structure secured to an outboard mounting position on the platform, the outboard mounting structure comprising an outboard frame mounting cup; a foldable frame comprising: first and second frame members; a flexible connector connecting the first and second frame members and configured to permit selective folding of the frame members; wherein the frame is movable between a folded configuration and an open configuration; wherein the frame is mounted to and supported by the frame support hole and the inboard frame mounting cup when the frame is in a folded configuration and further wherein the frame is mounted to and supported by the frame support hole and the outboard frame mounting cup when the frame is in an open configuration; and an end-sheet cover assembly secured to the frame and comprising an end-sheet made of pliable material that is generally vertical when the frame is in the open configuration; a top-sheet cover assembly secured to the frame, the top-sheet cover assembly comprising: a top-sheet cover made of pliable material secured to the frame and configured to generally cover the platform and any cargo thereon, the top-sheet cover being movable between a retracted storage configuration and an extended covering configuration; and one or more anchoring hooks secured to the top-sheet cover and configured to anchor the top-sheet cover to the platform when the top-sheet cover is in the extended covering configuration; wherein the storable exterior lift cover is in a fully deployed configuration when the frame is in the open configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the extended covering configuration; and further wherein the storable exterior lift cover is in a storage configuration when the frame is in the folded configuration and the top-sheet cover assembly is in the retracted storage configuration.