Tonneau cover

Abstract

A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls generally includes a panel having a perimeter conforming to a perimeter of the bed and a mechanism for enabling movement of the panel between the first position abutting the bed and a second position generally level with tops of the upstanding sidewalls.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tonneau cover assembly in accordance with the present invention showing a panel disposed in a first abutting position with a bed of a truck, thereby enabling full use of the cargo area, along with a mechanism for enabling movement of the panel between the first abutting position and a second position level with tops of upstanding sidewalls;

FIG. 2 illustrates the panel after movement by the mechanism to the second position level with tops of the truck sidewalls;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom of the panel further illustrating the mechanism for enabling movement of the panel along with a top frame sized for resting atop the sidewall tops, articulating arms and brackets supporting the arms depending from the top frame;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating the panel in an abutting relationship with a truck bed along with articulating arms interconnected with the top frame depending brackets and connecting arms disposed between and pivotally attached between pairs of articulating arms;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 illustrating the panel in a midway position;

FIG. 6 is a figure similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating the top being raised to the second position parallel to sidewall tops; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the panel and top frame in an open position exposing the truck bed through the use of a hinge disposed at the truck bed front wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a tonneau cover assembly 10 suitable for installation on the truck 14, the truck including a bed 16 and upstanding sidewalls 18, 20 extending between a front wall 24 and a tailgate 26.

The tonneau cover assembly 10 generally includes a panel 30 which is, as hereinafter described, moveable between a first position abutting the truck bed 16, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a second position generally level with tops, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Preferably, the panel 30 includes a perimeter 40 which conforms to a bed perimeter 42. However, it should be appreciated that the panel may be of any configuration or shape abuttable with the truck bed 16 for enabling use of the truck for carrying loads (not shown) on top of the panel in the manner of a conventional pickup truck without the panel.

However, with the conforming perimeter 40 when the panel 30 is raised to the second position, as shown in FIG. 2, complete elevated coverage of the truck bed 16 is provided.

Hinged flaps 46, 48 enable passage of the panel past wheel well covers 50, 52 which may include locks (not shown) for preventing access when the panel 30 is in the second position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

A mechanism 70 enables movement of the panel 30 between the first position abutting the bed as shown in FIG. 1 and the second position generally level with tops 34, 36 of the upstanding sidewalls 18, 20 as shown in FIG. 2.

A top frame 74 sized for resting a top the sidewall on tops 34, 36 and front wall 24 supports the mechanism 70 and is hinged 78 at the front wall 24 for enabling the pivotal movement at the front wall 24, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The mechanism 70 depends from the top frame 74 and is removable therewith.

Bracing 82, see FIG. 3, provides for integrity, stability, and strength for the panel 30 in a conventional manner.

The mechanism 70 may include articulating arms 86, 88, two opposing sets being provided (but only one shown for the sake of describing the mechanism 70 in FIGS. 4-7) which enable generally vertical movement from the first position, illustrated in FIG. 4, to the second position, as illustrated in FIG. 6. This enables the panel perimeter 42 clear the wheel well covers 50, 52.

The articulating arms 86, 88, 90, 92 are attached to depending brackets 96, 98, 100, 102 respectively as best seen in FIG. 3. Connecting rods 106, 108 are disposed between and pivotally attached to arm pairs 86, 88 and 90, 92 respectively for coordinating movement of the panel from the first to the second position.

When in the second position, a key lock (not shown) of any suitable type may be provided for locking the panel 30 and top frame 72 to the tailgate 26.

Although there has been hereinabove described a specific tonneau cover in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls extending between a front wall and a tailgate, said tonneau cover assembly comprising: a panel having a perimeter conforming to a perimeter of said bed and abuttable therewith in a parallel relationship; anda mechanism for enabling movement of said panel between a first position abutting said bed and a second position generally level with tops of said upstanding sidewalls.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said truck includes a pair of opposing wheel well covers, each extending upwardly from said bed, and said panel comprises a pair of hinged flaps accommodating movement of said panel to the first position, said flaps being moved to an upstanding position as the panel approaches the first position.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a top frame sized for resting atop the sidewall tops and hinged at the front wall for enabling pivotal movement at the front wall and said mechanism depends from said top frame.

4. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mechanism comprises articulating arms for enabling generally vertical movement of said panel.

5. The assembly according to claim 4 wherein said articulating arms are pivotally attached to depending brackets fixed to said top frame and said panel.

6. The assembly according to claim 5 further comprising connecting rods disposed between and pivotally attached between pairs of articulating arms.

7. A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls extending between a front wall and a tailgate, said tonneau cover assembly comprising: a flat panel disposed in a parallel relationship with said bed; anda mechanism for enabling movement of said panel between a first position abutting said bed, and a second position generally level with tops of said upstanding sidewall.

8. The assembly according to claim 7 wherein said truck includes a pair of opposing wheel well covers, each extending upwardly from said bed, and said panel comprises a pair of hinged flaps accommodating movement of said panel to the first position, said flaps being moved to an upstanding position as the panel approaches the first position.

9. The assembly according to claim 7 further comprising a top frame sized for resting atop the sidewall tops and hinged at the front wall for enabling pivotal movement at the front wall and said mechanism depends from said top frame.

10. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said mechanism comprises articulating arms for enabling generally vertical movement of said panel.

11. The assembly according to claim 10 wherein said articulating arms are pivotally attached to depending brackets fixed to said top frame and said panel.

12. The assembly according to claim 11 further comprising connecting rods disposed between and pivotally attached between pairs of articulated arms.

13. A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls extending between a front wall and a tailgate, along with a pair of opposing wheel well covers, each extending upwardly from said bed, said tonneau cover assembly comprising: a panel;a mechanism for enabling movement of said panel between a first position abutting said bed, and a second position generally level with tops of said upstanding sidewall; anda pair of flaps hinged to said panel for accommodating movement of said panel to the first position, said flaps being moved to an upstanding position as the panel approaches the first position.

14. The assembly according to claim 7 further comprising a top frame sized for resting atop the sidewall tops and hinged at the front wall for enabling pivotal movement at the front wall and said mechanism depends from said top frame.

15. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said mechanism comprises articulating arms for enabling generally vertical movement of said panel.

16. The assembly according to claim 10 wherein said articulating arms are pivotally attached to depending brackets fixed to said top frame and said panel.

17. The assembly according to claim 11 further comprising connecting rods disposed between and pivotally attached between pairs of articulated arms.