Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FLEXIBLE FOLDING COVER
[0001] Continue to [0002].
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to relates to coverings for
pickup
trucks and, more particularly, relates to a tonneau cover system having a
plurality
of foldable sections having a single cover member extending along the
plurality of
foldable sections and being generally-vertically stowable adjacent the cab of
the
pickup truck.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Tonneau covers have been used for a number of years to cover
the cargo box of pickup trucks against dirt, debris, and other environmental
contaminants and to improve the aesthetic quality thereof. Originally, tonneau
covers were designed by upholstery shops and typically made of vinyl covered
fabrics or canvas. The material was often doubled over along its edges for
added
strength and appearance. Male snaps were then attached to the sides of the
cargo
box of the pickup truck via fasteners, while female snaps were attached along
the
edges of the cover. Wooden bows were sometimes used to span the cargo box
and ensure that the cover remained high enough to drain water. Unfortunately,
these covers were sometimes difficult to handle and/or manufacture, and
occasionally failed to protect the cargo box.
[0005] More recently, foldable tonneau covers are often more
desirable
in that they conveniently cover the bed of the pickup truck for cargo
protection.
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However, when not in use, the foldable tonneau cover may be folded toward the
rear of the passenger cabin (or other location). Generally, foldable tonneau
covers include a frame network of cross bows, a tarp or covering operably
coupled to and spanning the frame network, a latching system for coupling the
frame network to the pickup truck and a means for stowing the latching system,
and a hinge system for hingedly coupled adjacent sections of the foldable
tonneau cover.
[0006] Unfortunately, in many conventional foldable tonneau cover
systems, the foldable sections of the tonneau cover are folded from the rear
end
of the pickup truck bed toward the forward end of the pickup truck bed
adjacent
the cab into a stacked, horizontal configuration. In this way, a substantially
portion of the tonneau cover remains covering the pickup truck bed when
stacked. The size of the remaining portion is typically equal to the
footprint,
when viewed from above, of the stacked foldable sections. In other words, the
size of the tonneau cover system that remains covering the pickup truck bed is
typically about the size of a single foldable section, because at least one of
the
foldable sections is not typically folded away from the pickup truck bed and
thus
remains in a position concealing complete access of the pickup truck bed.
[0007] In order to gain complete access to the pickup truck bed, or at
least maximize access to the bed, when using a conventional foldable tonneau
cover system, one must completely remove the tonneau cover system from then
pickup truck. However, it should be appreciated that full removal of the
conventional foldable tonneau cover system is disadvantageous in that it
requires
storage of the now-removed system either in the bed of the pickup truck, which
consumes valuable storage space in the bed, or at an off-truck location, which
at
a minimum can be inconvenient.
[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a
tonneau cover system capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.
Additionally, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tonneau
cover
system having a plurality of foldable sections having a single cover member
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. .
extending along the plurality of foldable sections and being generally-
vertically
stowable adjacent the cab of the pickup truck.
SUMMARY
[0009] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and
is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
[0010] According to the principles of the present teachings, a tonneau
cover system for a cargo box of a pickup truck is provided having advantageous
construction and methods of operation. The tonneau cover system comprises a
first tonneau section, a second tonneau section, a third tonneau section, and
a
fourth tonneau section, each being generally coplanar in an extended position.
A
first hinge system hingedly couples the first tonneau section and the second
tonneau section to permit pivotal stacked nesting of the first tonneau section
relative to the second tonneau section. A second hinge system hingedly couples
the second tonneau section to the third tonneau section to permit pivotal
stacked
nesting of the combination of the first tonneau section and the second tonneau
section relative to the third tonneau section. Finally, a third hinge system
hingedly couples the third tonneau section to the fourth tonneau section to
permit
pivotal movement of the combination of the first tonneau section, the second
tonneau section, and the third tonneau section relative to the fourth tonneau
section into a retracted, stacked, and rotated upward position.
[0011] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from
the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this
summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings described herein are for illustrative
purposes only
of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
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[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a folding tonneau cover
according to the principles of the present teachings positioned upon a cargo
box
of a pickup truck;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating the folding tonneau
cover having a first tonneau section raised;
[0015] FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating the frame network of
the folding tonneau cover;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the folding tonneau
cover with the combination of the first tonneau section and the second tonneau
section being folded upon a third tonneau section;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the folding tonneau
cover with a first tonneau section, a second tonneau section, and third
tonneau
section being collectively folded upon a fourth tonneau section and disposed
in a
retracted, stacked, and rotated upward position and resting upon the passenger
cabin of the pickup truck;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the folding tonneau cover
according to the principles of the present teachings positioned upon a cargo
box
of a pickup truck;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the folding tonneau cover
having the first tonneau section stacked upon the second tonneau section;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the folding tonneau cover with
the combination of the first tonneau section and the second tonneau section
being stacked upon the third tonneau section; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the folding tonneau cover with
a
first tonneau section, a second tonneau section, and third tonneau section
being
collectively folded upon the fourth tonneau section such that it is resting on
the
fourth tonneau section and disposed in a retracted, stacked, and rotated
upward
position, being generally vertical;
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. .
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the standoff device
according to
the principles of the present teachings in the retracted, stacked, and rotated
upward position;
[0023] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the standoff device
according
to the principles of the present teachings having a linkage member with the
folding tonneau cover in the extended position;
[0024] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the standoff device
according
to the principles of the present teachings having a compressible device with
the
folding tonneau cover in the extended position;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the retention
bracket;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the two-bar linkage
standoff
device according to the principles of the present teachings in the retracted,
stacked, and rotated upward position;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the two-bar linkage
standoff
device according to the principles of the present teachings in an intermediate
position; and
[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the two-bar linkage
standoff
device according to the principles of the present teachings with the folding
tonneau cover in the extended position.
[0029] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0031] 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
CA 02834605 2013-11-27
, .
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.
[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of
describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As
used
herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The
terms
"comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,
elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more
other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups
thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not
to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular
order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of
performance.
It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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
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=
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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a pickup truck 100 is shown having
a foldable tonneau system 12 for use with pickup truck 100. Pickup truck 100
generally includes a cargo box 102 and a passenger cabin 104. Cargo box 102
includes a front wall 107 (FIG. 3), a left sidewall 108, a right sidewall 110,
and a
rear wall or tailgate 112. It should be understood that right sidewall 110 and
left
sidewall 108 of pickup truck 100 are identical, yet arranged in mirrored
symmetry.
Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, only one side will be discussed in
detail
below in connection with foldable tonneau system 12 unless noted otherwise.
[0037] Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, foldable tonneau system 12
includes,
in some embodiments, a flexible, stretchable fabric cover 14 (or other
suitable
cover material being soft or hard) that is drawn tightly over a plurality of
tonneau
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. .
sections 16 to form a top surface 17 of foldable tonneau system 12. It should
be
understood that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable
to
foldable tonneau systems having two, three, four, or more sections, each
foldable
relative to adjacent sections. However, for purposes of this disclosure, a
foldable
tonneau system having four tonneau sections 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16n will be
described. This configuration should not be regarded as limiting the claims
herein. Tonneau sections 16a-16n may be referred to herein as first tonneau
section 16a, second tonneau section 16b, third tonneau section 16c, and fourth
tonneau section 16n. Generally, fourth tonneau section 16n is configured to be
fixedly coupled to sidewalls 108, 110 of pickup truck 100 to retain fourth
tonneau
section 16n, and consequently foldable tonneau system 12, in coupled
engagement with pickup truck 100. However, it is anticipated that fourth
tonneau
section 16n can be removed from the pickup truck 100, if desired. It should be
understood that fourth tonneau section 16n can comprise similar structure as
tonneau sections 16a-16c; however, it should also be understood that fourth
tonneau section 16n can comprise a mounting beam or header having
construction separate from the remaining tonneau sections.
[0038] First tonneau section 16a is configured to be
selectively and
conveniently coupled to sidewalls 108, 110 or tailgate 112 to permit easy
access
to the contents of cargo box 102. In this way, first tonneau section 16a is
intended to be easily opened and closed as desired, while fourth tonneau
section
16n is intended to be more robustly attached to pickup truck 100, while still
permits removal if necessary.
[0039] Each of the plurality of tonneau sections 16a-16c (and
in some
embodiments 16n) includes an internal framework of support members that are
attached to one another to form a rectangular frame. Specifically, first
tonneau
section 16a includes a front rail member 21 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) fixedly coupled
to
a pair of side members 22 via a corner insert 24. Corner insert 24 is
preferably
rounded along an exterior surface to prevent stress concentrations in fabric
cover
14. Corner insert 24 includes a pair of male portions (not shown) sized to be
8
fixedly received and engaged within front rail member 21 and the pair of side
members 22. In some embodiments, an optional corner brace 26 is fixedly
coupled, via conventional threaded fasteners, between front rail member 21 and
each side member 22 to provide improved structural integrity. First tonneau
section 16a further includes one or more cross bow members 28 being generally
parallel to front rail member 21 and spaced apart therefrom (in some
embodiments,
other tonneau sections can also include cross bow members 28). In some
embodiments, cross bow member 28 is generally C-shaped in cross section and
is fixedly coupled to the pair of side members 22 via a corner brace 30
disposed
on opposing ends thereof. It should be understood that additional or
alternative
connection features may be employed to couple cross bow member 28 to the pair
of side members 22. Moreover, it should be understood that cross bow member
28 can be made of any suitable material and define any suitable cross-
sectional
size and shape. The pair of side members 22 is adapted to rest upon a top
surface
of sidewalls 108 and 110.
[0040] Similarly, fourth tonneau section 16n includes a rear rail
member
20, similar to front rail member 21, fixedly coupled to a pair of side members
23,
similar to side members 22, via a corner insert 24. An optional corner brace
26 is
fixedly coupled, via conventional threaded fasteners, between rear rail member
and each side member to provide improved structural integrity. In some
embodiments, fourth tonneau section 16n can includes a cross bow member,
similar to cross bow member 28, being generally parallel to rear rail member
and
spaced apart therefrom. For manufacturing simplicity, the cross bow member can
be identical or at least similar throughout the tonneau system. However, it
should
be appreciated that this is not required.
[0041] For additional detail relating to the construction of tonneau
sections 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16n, and their association interconnection,
attention
should be directed to commonly-assigned U.S. Patent No. 7,188,888.
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[0042] With
particular reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 5-8, each of the
plurality of tonneau sections 16a-16n are pivotally coupled to an adjacent one
of
the plurality of tonneau sections for pivotal movement relative thereto along
a
hinge axis. The hinge axis is disposed in a cross-vehicle direction, as
illustrated
in FIG. 1. For example, first tonneau section 16a is hingedly connected with
second tonneau section 16b via a first hinge system 40. In some embodiments,
first hinge system 40, including additional hinge systems detailed herein, can
comprise a living hinge. However, it should be appreciated that alternative
hinge
systems can be used throughout the present invention, including a piano or
continuous hinge, a butt hinge, a strap hinge, or any other hinge system
providing a reliable and actuatable interconnection between adjacent tonneau
sections. However, first hinge system 40 can be configured to permit first
tonneau section 16a to be pivoted about hinge axis 41 (FIG. 1) and stacked in
a
closely conformed position relative to adjacent second tonneau section 16b. To
this end, first hinge system 40 can be a single hinge member positioned at a
location generally coplanar with a top surface 17 of first tonneau section 16a
and
second tonneau section 16b such that the top surface 17 of first tonneau
section
16a is generally tightly nested with top surface 17 of second tonneau section
16b
when first and second tonneau sections 16a, 16b are in a retracted and stacked
position.
[0043] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 5-8, in some
embodiments, second tonneau section 16b is hingedly connected with third
tonneau section 16c via a second hinge system 42. In some embodiments,
second hinge system 42 can comprise a first hinge element 44 and a second
hinge element 46 being interconnected via a spacer element 48. It should be
appreciated, however, that alternative hinge systems can be used throughout
the
present invention, including a piano or continuous hinge, a butt hinge, a
strap
hinge, or any other hinge system providing a reliable and actuatable
interconnection between adjacent tonneau sections. With particular reference
to
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 5-8, in some embodiments, first hinge element 44 of second
CA 02834605 2013-11-27
hinge system 42 can be hingedly interconnected between second tonneau
section 16b and spacer element 48. Likewise, in some embodiments, second
hinge element 44 of second hinge system 42 can be hingedly interconnected
between spacer element 48 and third tonneau section 16c. In this way, pivotal
movement of second tonneau section 16b relative to third tonneau section 16c
is
accomplished through the pivotal rotation of both first hinge element 44 and
second hinge element 46.
[0044] As should be appreciated, during a stacking movement, first
tonneau section 16a is rotated about first hinge system 40 such that it is
positioned in a stacked and nested position on top of second tonneau section
16b. Henceforth, second tonneau section 16b, together with nested first
tonneau
section 16a, are rotated about second hinge system 42 such that the nested
combination of first tonneau section 16a and second tonneau section 16b are
positioned in a stacked and nested position on top of third tonneau section
16c.
Specifically, first tonneau section 16a is thus positioned in stacked relation
between second tonneau section 16b and third tonneau section 16c (see FIG. 7).
Therefore, spacer element 48 is sized to accommodate the increased stacked
thickness of the combination of first tonneau section 16a and second tonneau
section 16b relative to third tonneau section 16c. Generally speaking, the
width
of spacer element 48 is about equal to the distance between the top surface 17
of second tonneau section 16b and the top surface 17 of third tonneau section
16c.
[0045] More particularly, second hinge system 42 can be configured to
permit second tonneau section 16b to be pivoted about hinge axis's 43 and 45
(FIG. 1) and stacked in a closely-conformed, nested position relative to
adjacent
third tonneau section 16c. To this end, hinge elements 44 and 46 of second
hinge system 42 can be positioned at a location generally coplanar with top
surface 17 of second tonneau section 16b, third tonneau section 16c, and
spacer
element 48 such that first tonneau section 16a, second tonneau section 16b,
and
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third tonneau section 16c are nested parallel in the retracted and stacked
position.
[0046] Finally, with continued reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 5-8, in
some embodiments, third tonneau section 16c is hingedly connected with fourth
tonneau section 16n via a third hinge system 50. In some embodiments, third
hinge system 50 can be configured to permit third tonneau section 16c, and
more
particularly, the combination of first tonneau section 16a, second tonneau
section
16b, third tonneau section 16c, and the associated hinge systems, to be
pivoted
about hinge axis 51 (FIG. 1) and positioned in a generally upright or vertical
position (also known as a retracted, stacked, and rotated upward position). It
should be understood that the aforementioned generally upright or vertical
position can be (1) substantially vertical (see FIGS. 4, 8, and 12) (2)
pivoted such
that it is inclined, yet substantially vertical, and rests upon or near
passenger
cabin 104 (see FIG. 4), and/or (3) pivoted such that it is inclined, yet
substantially
vertical, and rests upon fourth tonneau section 16n (see FIG. 8). To this end,
third hinge system 50 can be a single hinge member positioned at a location
generally coplanar with a top surface 17 of third tonneau section 16c and
fourth
tonneau section 16n such that the rotation of the combination of first,
second,
and third tonneau sections 16a, 16b, and 16c does not result in any binding
movement upon fourth tonneau section 16n when first, second, and third tonneau
sections 16a, 16b, and 16c are in a retracted, stacked, and rotated upward
position. Moreover, as particularly illustrated in FIGS. 9, 12, and 13, in
some
embodiments, hinge system 50 or an area adjacent thereto can comprise a ledge
member 53 extending inboard therefrom to provide a support ledge for the
combination of first, second, and third tonneau sections 16a, 16b, and 16c to
rest
thereupon in the pivoted position¨that is, in the position where first,
second, and
third tonneau sections 16a, 16b, and 16c rest upon fourth tonneau section 16n
(specifically, ledge member 53).
[0047] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-14, foldable
tonneau system 12 can comprises a standoff system 52 for retaining the
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. .
combination of first tonneau section 16a, second tonneau section 16b, third
tonneau section 16c, and the associated hinge systems, in the generally
upright
or vertical position (specifically, the retracted, stacked, and rotated upward
position) of FIGS. 4 and 8.
[0048] To this end, in some embodiments, as illustrated in
FIGS. 9-11,
standoff system 52 can comprise a standoff linkage 54 having opposing ends. In
some embodiments, standoff linkage 54 can comprise a member having a fixed
length having a first end coupled to a standoff bracket 56 and an opposing
second end coupled to a retention bracket 58. Standoff bracket 56 can be
configured to be mounted to a cross bow member 28, or other structure, of
third
tonneau section 16c for pivoting movement relative to cross bow member 28. In
this way, standoff bracket 56 can rotate about or with cross bow member 28 or
otherwise provide a rotation function to maintain a non-binding, straight
connection with retention bracket 58 between the retracted, stacked, and
rotated
upward position (FIGS. 4, 8, and 9) and an extended, deployed position (FIGS.
1
and 10). In some embodiments, retention bracket 58 can comprise a slidable
bracket that can slide along underbody rails 60. Underbody rails 60 can
comprise rail members that are fixedly coupled to left sidewall 108 and right
sidewall 110 via clamp members 62. This fixedly coupled connection can be
accomplished in a generally convention manner using clamp members 62,
therefore, in the interest of brevity, this connection will not be
specifically
described. Each slidable bracket 58, as illustrated in FIG. 11, can be
slidably
engaged with the associated underbody rail 60, such that a bracket body 64
having a generally C-shaped slot 66 for slidably engaging a corresponding
C-shaped edge 68 of underbody rail 60. One or more positioning holes 70 can
be formed in C-shaped edge 68 of underbody rail 60 to receive a biased plunger
72 therein. Biased plunger 72 is operably coupled through bracket body 64 of
slidable bracket 58 and is biased into an engaging position with positioning
hole
70. During movement of slidable bracket 58 along underbody rail 60, plunger 72
is pulled toward a centerline of the vehicle, against its biasing force, to
remove
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. .
plunger 72 from positioning hole 70. Slidable bracket 58 can then be slid
along
underbody rail 60 to one or more positions (thereby permitting plunger 72 to
be
biased into a positioning hole) to retain the combination of first tonneau
section
16a, second tonneau section 16b, third tonneau section 16c, and the associated
hinge systems, in the generally upright or vertical position (specifically,
the
retracted, stacked, and rotated upward position) of FIGS. 4 and 8. It should
be
understood that additional positioning holes can be used for intermediate
positions of the combination. Moreover, it should be understood that a
positioning hole is not necessary for the extended, deployed position (FIG.
1);
however, a positioning hole can be used for retention in the extended,
deployed
position, if desired.
[0049] Slidable bracket 58 can further comprise a pivot stud 74
extending from bracket body 64 and pivotally coupled to an end of standoff
linkage 54. In some embodiments, pivot stud 74 can comprise a ball and socket
connection with standoff linkage 54.
[0050] It should be understood that in some embodiments, as
illustrated in FIG. 10B, standoff linkage 54 can comprise a gas spring,
pneumatic
piston, or similar compressible device 54', for urging and/or retain the
combination of first tonneau section 16a, second tonneau section 16b, third
tonneau section 16c, and the associated hinge systems, in the generally
upright
or vertical position. In this embodiment, if desired, the sliding feature of
slidable
bracket 58 can be eliminated, thereby requiring slidable bracket 58 to become
merely retention bracket 58 being fixedly coupled to underbody rail 60 in a
single
position.
[0051] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-14,
standoff
system 52 can comprise a 2-bar standoff linkage having a first linkage 80 and
a
second linkage 82. First linkage 80 can comprise a bar member having opposing
ends 84, 86. End 84 can be pivotally coupled to standoff bracket 56 for
similar
operation as described above. Second linkage 82 can comprise a bar member
having opposing ends 88, 90. End 88 can be pivotally coupled to underbody rail
14
,
60 via a fastener. End 90 can be pivotally coupled to a point 92 along first
linkage
80. Point 92 can be positioned between ends 84, 86 to provide an overhang
portion 94 of first linkage 80. Overhang portion 94 can be used to selectively
lock
pivoting rotation of first linkage 80 relative to second linkage 82. In some
embodiments, overhang portion 94 can comprise a biased plunger 93 being biased
into engagement with a corresponding locking hole 96 (FIG. 13) formed in
second
linkage 82, thereby operable to prevent relative pivoting of first linkage 80
and
second linkage 82 (to retain the combination of first tonneau section 16a,
second
tonneau section 16b, third tonneau section 16c, and the associated hinge
systems,
in the generally upright or vertical position). In some embodiments, either
singly
or in combination with a locking feature such as plunger 93, overhang portion
94
can comprise an outwardly-turned tab feature 98 to engage a side portion of
second linkage 82 when in the generally upright or vertical position. Tab
feature
98 can serve to generally retain first linkage 80 and second linkage 82 in a
deployed position and can further help to simplify the alignment of plunger 93
and
locking hole 96, when used.
[0052]
Each of the plurality of tonneau sections 16a-16n can be
selectively engaged and/or retaining relative to adjacent underbody rails 60
and/or
rails members coupled to the sidewalls 108, 110 of the pickup truck using any
one
of a number of various systems. For example, in some embodiments, first
tonneau
section 16a can be retained in the extended position using one or more spring
latch retainers, such as those disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent
Application No. 13/572,878, filed August 13, 2012.
Likewise, in some
embodiments, third tonneau section 16c can be retained using one or more slam
latches, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/962,091,
filed
August 8, 2013.
[0053]
According to the principles of the present teachings, a tonneau
cover system is provided having a plurality of foldable sections, having a
single
cover member extending along the plurality of foldable sections, and being
stackable in a generally-vertical position adjacent the passenger cabin of the
CA 2834605 2018-05-08
CA 02834605 2013-11-27
. .
pickup truck. As discussed herein, the folding and stacking function of the
present teachings permits greater access to the pickup bed compared to
conventional folding tonneau cover system.
[0054] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to
be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a
particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment,
but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected
embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be
varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from
the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within
the
scope of the disclosure.
16
