Tonneau cover and decklid linkage and drive system
AssigneeCTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
InventorFrank G. Neubrand
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tonneau cover connected by a power driven linkage to the decklid of a vehicle is disclosed. The tonneau cover is movable from an extended position covering a storage well for a convertible top or retractable hardtop of a vehicle to a tonneau stowed position wherein the tonneau cover is suspended below the decklid of the vehicle. The linkage system includes right and left side linkages each of which include a four bar link made up of the tonneau cover, a cylinder mounting bracket, a front control link and a rear control link. The linkage is driven by a hydraulic cylinder through an arc of approximately 180°. The hydraulic cylinder is movably mounted on a cylinder rod that is mounted to the decklid.
Claims18
In combination, a tonneau cover for covering a roof storage compartment of a vehicle having a retractable roof and a decklid for closing a trunk of the vehicle in a closed position and providing access to the trunk in an open position, the combination comprising:
- the decklid connected by at least one hinge to the vehicle;
- the tonneau cover moveably attached to the decklid;
- a linkage connecting the tonneau cover to the decklid, the linkage being provided for moving the tonneau cover when the decklid is in the open position between a first position wherein the tonneau cover is disposed in front of the decklid and a second position wherein the tonneau cover is disposed adjacent the bottom side of the decklid;
- a drive system operatively connected to the linkage for moving the linkage between the first position and the second position;
- and
- the tonneau cover being shifted to a position above the roof storage compartment by closing the decklid when the tonneau cover is in the first position, the tonneau cover being shifted to the second position when the decklid is in the open position to provide clearance for the retractable roof.
In continuation, a assembly for a vehicle having a retractable roof and a roof storage well, the roof storage well being disposed behind the rear most seats in the vehicle, the vehicle having a decklid, the tonneau cover assembly comprising:
- a tonneau cover panel;
- a linkage system connecting the tonneau cover to the decklid, the linkage system having a right side linkage and a left side linkage, each of the right and left side linkages having a front control link and a rear control link, each of the front and rear control links having an intermediate pivoting end and an arcuately moving end, the arcuately moving end being connected to the tonneau panel;
- a drive system operatively connected between the linkage system and the decklid to move the tonneau cover panel between a first position wherein the tonneau cover panel is disposed in front of the decklid and a second position wherein the tonneau cover panel is disposed adjacent the bottom of the decklid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.