# US 10,245,928 B1 · Tonneau cover with hidden hinges > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,928 B1 - Document ID: US10245928B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/719,891 - Filed: 2017-09-29 - Published: 2019-04-04 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-29 - Assignees: Tectum Holdings, Inc. - Applicants: Tectum Holdings Inc. - Inventors: Jerome Facchinello - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245928B1 ## CPC - B60J 7/141: {for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks} - E05D 3/02: with one pin - E05D 3/186: {Scissors hinges, with two crossing levers and five parallel pins} - E05D 7/04: Hinges adjustable relative to the wing or the frame - E05F 1/1269: {with a traction spring} - E05D 2007/0469: {in an axial direction} - E05D 2007/0476: {Pocket hinges} - E05Y 2600/41: Concealed - E05Y 2900/53: Type of wing - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract A foldable tonneau system comprising: (a) a plurality of tonneau sections; (b) one or more hinges connecting two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections together, the one or more hinges each including: (i) a hinge housing connected to each of the two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections with each of the hinge housings being connected a different one of the plurality of tonneau sections, and (ii) a slide box located at least partially within and movably connected to each of the hinge housings; wherein each of the slide boxes are longitudinally movable relative to the hinge housings so that the one or more hinges are longitudinally extendable, and the hinge housings are rotationally movable relative to each other so that one of the plurality of tonneau sections is rotationally movable to a location above a second one of the plurality of tonneau sections. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A foldable tonneau system comprising: a. a plurality of tonneau sections; b. one or more hinges connecting two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections together, the one or more hinges each including: i. a hinge housing connected to each of the two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections with each of the hinge housings being connected a different one of the plurality of tonneau sections, and ii. a slide box located at least partially within and movably connected to each of the hinge housings; wherein each of the slide boxes are longitudinally movable relative to the hinge housings so that the one or more hinges are longitudinally extendable, and the hinge housings are rotationally movable relative to each other so that one of the plurality of tonneau sections is rotationally movable to a location above a second one of the plurality of tonneau sections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The foldable tonneau system of claim 1, wherein the hinge housing includes a track and the slide box moves along the track when moving between a closed position and an extended position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The foldable tonneau system of claim 2, wherein the slide box includes one or more projections that fit within a track recess in the track so that longitudinal movement is allowed but movement in other directions is prevented. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The foldable tonneau system of claim 2, wherein one or more stops are located within the track that stop the slide box when the slide box reaches the closed position, the extended position, or both. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The foldable tonneau system of claim 4, wherein the one or more stops are a lock that prevent the slide box from moving relative to the hinge housing without an external force being applied to the one or more hinges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The foldable tonneau system of claim 4, wherein the one or more stops are a detent that restricts movement of the slide box relative to the hinge housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The foldable tonneau system of claim 1, wherein the slide box is connected to a bias device that assists in moving the slide box to the closed position, the extended position, or both. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The foldable tonneau system of claim 1, wherein a first of the slide boxes is connected to a first of the two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections and a second of the slide boxes is connected to a second of the two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections and one or more hinge arms extend between the first of the slide boxes and the second of the slide boxes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The foldable tonneau system of claim 8, wherein each of the one or more hinge arms include a fixed end and a movable end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The foldable tonneau system of claim 9, wherein the movable end moves within a pin guide within the slide box as the one or more hinges move between a closed position and an extended position or between an extended position and a stored position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The foldable tonneau system of claim 1, wherein the one or more hinges separate the two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections when the one or more hinges are in a stored position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The foldable tonneau system of claim 1, wherein the one or more hinges are completely hidden from view under the plurality of tonneau sections when the one or more hinges are in a closed position. ### Claim 13 A foldable tonneau system comprising: a. two or more tonneau sections that when in a closed position are substantially entirely located within a single plane and are end to end, wherein a first end of a first of the two or more tonneau sections includes a portion of an anti-rotation joint and a second end of a second of the two or more tonneau sections includes a portion of an anti-rotation joint and when the first end and the second end are connected together in the closed position, the anti-rotation joint is complete and prevents movement of the first of the two or more tonneau section and the second of the two or more tonneau sections out of the single plane; and b. one or more hinges that connect the two or more tonneau sections together; wherein the one or more hinges are longitudinally movable from the closed position to an extended position where the first end and the second end are longitudinally spaced apart so that the first of the two or more tonneau section and the second of the two or more tonneau sections are movable relative to each other out of the single plane. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The foldable tonneau system of claim 13, wherein the portion of the anti-rotation joint in the first end and the portion of the anti-rotation joint in the second end each include one or more cheeks and one or more shoulders, where the one or more cheeks in the first end fit into the one or more shoulders in the second end and the one or more cheeks in the second end fit into the one or more shoulders in the first end when the two or more tonneau sections are in the closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The foldable tonneau system of claim 13, wherein the one or more hinges include a first half and a second half and each of the first half and the second half include a hinge housing movably connected to a slide box that is longitudinally extendable from the hinge housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The foldable tonneau system of claim 13, wherein the second of the two or more tonneau sections is rotatably movable to a location over the first of the two or more tonneau sections when the foldable tonneau section is moved from an extended position to a closed position. ### Claim 17 A method comprising: a. moving a first tonneau section away from a second tonneau section within a plane of the first tonneau section and the second tonneau section so that a portion of a hinge extends out of the first tonneau section, the second tonneau section, or both forming a gap between the first tonneau section and the second tonneau section; and b. rotating the first tonneau section relative to the second tonneau section so that the first tonneau section is rotated out of a plane of the second tonneau section. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the first tonneau section is rotated over the second tonneau. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the first tonneau section and the second tonneau section are connected together by one or more hinges. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more hinges include a hinge housing and a slide box and the slide box moves within the hinge housing so that the first tonneau section is movable relative to the second tonneau section.