# US 2014/0191531 A1 · Multi-section cargo cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191531 A1 - Document ID: US20140191531A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/736,190 - Filed: 2013-01-08 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Brian V. Castillo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191531A1 ## CPC - B60P 7/02: Covering of load - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) ## Abstract A compartment with a plurality of side-walls and a floor, which together at least partially define a cargo area. The plurality of side-walls include a first side-wall and a second side-wall, wherein the first side-wall is arranged substantially parallel to the second side-wall. The compartment also includes a multi-section panel configured to cover the cargo area. The panel has a first section with a first piece hinged to the first side-wall and a second piece hinged to the first piece, and a second section with a third piece hinged to the second side-wall and a fourth piece hinged to the third piece. When the first, second, third, and fourth pieces are extended relative to the first and second side walls and arranged substantially parallel to the floor, the cargo area is substantially covered by the panel. A vehicle employing such a compartment is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compartment comprising: a plurality of side-walls and a floor, which together at least partially define a cargo area, the plurality of side-walls including a first side-wall, a second side-wall and a third side-wall, wherein the first side-wall is arranged substantially parallel to the second side-wall and the third side-wall is arranged substantially perpendicular to each of the first and second side-walls; a track arranged on the third side-wall; and a multi-section panel configured to cover the cargo area, the panel having: a first section having a first piece hinged to the first side-wall and a second piece hinged to the first piece; a second section having a third piece hinged to the second side-wall and a fourth piece hinged to the third piece; and a first stanchion operatively connecting the first section to the cargo area and a second stanchion operatively connecting the second section to the cargo area; wherein: when the first, second, third, and fourth pieces are extended relative to the first and second side-walls and arranged substantially parallel to the floor, the cargo area is substantially covered by the panel; the first and second stanchions are configured to facilitate articulation of the respective first and second sections relative to the cargo area; and each of the first and second stanchions engages and is guided by the track for movement along the track. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The compartment of claim 1, wherein the first piece includes a recess configured to accept the second piece when the second piece is folded relative to the first piece and the third piece includes a recess configured to accept the fourth piece when the fourth piece is folded relative to the third piece. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The compartment of claim 1, further comprising a fastening mechanism configured to secure the panel in place when the first, second, third, and fourth pieces are extended and the cargo area is substantially covered by the panel. ### Claim 4 (canceled) ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The compartment of claim 1, further comprising first and second locks configured to selectively fix the respective first and second stanchions relative to the cargo area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The compartment of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second stanchions is configured as a four-bar linkage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The compartment of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second stanchions includes a roller that engages the track. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The compartment of claim 1, wherein the compartment is a bed of a pick-up truck and the panel is configured to selectively open and close access to the bed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The compartment of claim 8, wherein the pick-up truck includes a passenger cab, a longitudinal axis extends through the cab and the bed, the first side-wall is arranged on one side of the axis, and the second side-wall is arranged on the other side of the axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The compartment of claim 1, wherein each of the first section and second section is configured from one of a plastic and a composite material. ### Claim 11 A vehicle comprising: a passenger compartment; and a storage compartment having: a plurality of side-walls and a floor, which together at least partially define a cargo area, the plurality of side-walls including a first side-wall, a second side-wall, and a third side-wall, wherein the first side-wall is arranged substantially parallel to the second side-wall and the third side-wall is arranged substantially perpendicular to each of the first and second side-walls; a track arranged on the third side-wall; and a multi-section panel configured to cover the cargo area, the panel having: a first section having a first piece hinged to the first side-wall and a second piece hinged to the first piece; a second section having a third piece hinged to the second side-wall and a fourth piece hinged to the third piece; and a first stanchion operatively connecting the first section to the cargo area and a second stanchion operatively connecting the second section to the cargo area; wherein: when the first, second, third, and fourth pieces are extended relative to the first and second side-walls and arranged substantially parallel to the floor, the cargo area is substantially covered by the panel; the first and second stanchions are configured to facilitate articulation of the respective first and second sections relative to the cargo area; and each of the first and second stanchions engages and is guided by the track for movement along the track. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the first piece includes a recess configured to accept the second piece when the second piece is folded relative to the first piece and the third piece includes a recess configured to accept the fourth piece when the fourth piece is folded relative to the third piece. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a fastening mechanism configured to secure the panel in place when the first, second, third, and fourth pieces are extended and the cargo area is substantially covered by the panel. ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising first and second locks configured to selectively fix the respective first and second stanchions relative to the cargo area. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second stanchions is configured as a four-bar linkage. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second stanchions includes a roller that engages the track. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the compartment is a bed of a pick-up truck and the panel is configured to selectively open and close access to the bed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the pick-up truck includes a passenger cab, a longitudinal axis extends through the cab and the bed, the first side-wall is arranged on one side of the axis, and the second side-wall is arranged on the other side of the axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The vehicle of claim 11, wherein each of the first section and second section is constructed from one of a plastic and a composite material.