Convertible cover arrangement for vehicle cargo area
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorsKenneth S. Mack, Thomas S. Moore, Russell C. Fielding
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.
Claims17
A deployable cover for a cargo bed of a vehicle comprising:
- a movable tonneau cover having a closed position adapted to close off the cargo bed, the tonneau cover including a storage compartment;
- and
- a plurality of linearly extendable supports positioned with respect to the tonneau cover such that they, may extend to move the tonneau cover from its closed position to an upwardly extended deployed position wherein the tonneau cover is substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the cargo bed;
- and
- first and second side panels and a rear panel, each carried by the storage compartment in a stowed position substantially parallel with a downward facing surface of the tonneau cover, and wherein the side and rear panels are moveable to a deployed position substantially perpendicular to the tonneau cover so as to form in conjunction with the tonneau cover when in the deployed position a box cover for the cargo bed.
In a vehicle having a passenger cabin and -a cargo bed opening upwardly of the vehicle, a cover arrangement comprising:
- first and second top plates extending inwardly from respective first and second side panels of the cargo bed;
- a front faring having a base extending along an edge of the cargo beg adjacent the passenger cabin and having opposed side faring surfaces extending rearwardly from the base between an upper frame of the front faring and a respective top plate;
- a movable tonneau cover having a closed position wherein the tonneau cover extends rearwardly from the base of the front faring to a rear wall of the cargo bed and in contact with the first and second top plates;
- a plurality of linearly extendable supports positioned with respect to the tonneau cover such that they may extend to move the tonneau cover from its closed position to an upwardly extended deployed position wherein the tonneau cover is substantially parallel to and aligned with a roof of the passenger cabin;
- first and second side window panels;
- a storage compartment formed in the tonneau cover for receipt of the side window panels when not in use;
- and
- a guide track formed in at least one of:
- the outboard edges of the tonneau cover, the first and second top plates, and vertically extending side surfaces of the front faring, the guide track arranged to receive the first and second side window panels when the tonneau cover is in the deployed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.