US 8,146,981 B2Granted

Cable roll up tonneau

AssigneeMagna International Inc.

InventorsKeijo J. Huotari, Stephen J. Lewis, Eric Hanson

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to a tonneau cover incorporating a cable system which generates the proper amount of cross-car tension, and still provides for the tonneau cover to be rolled up and stowed when not in use. The present invention is directed to a tonneau cover for a vehicle that is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The tonneau cover has at least one pocket extending along a side of the tonneau cover, and at least one cable disposed in the pocket such that a first end of the cable extends out of a first end of the pocket, and a second end of the cable extends out of a second end of the pocket such that when the tonneau cover is in the deployed position, the cable applies tension to the tonneau cover.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A tonneau cover for a vehicle that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, comprising:

a tonneau cover selectively movable between a stowed position and a deployed position;
at least one pocket extending along a side of said tonneau cover;
and
at least one cable disposed in said at least one pocket such that a first end of said at least one cable extends out of a first end of said at least one pocket, and a second end of said at least one cable extends out of a second end of said at least one pocket such that when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position and said first end of said cable and said second end of said cable are secured to a portion of said vehicle, said at least one cable is adapted for applying tension to said tonneau cover;
a front rail, said tonneau cover connected to said front rail, said at least one cable connected to said front rail;
a rear rail, said tonneau cover connected to said rear rail, said at least one cable connected to said rear rail;
a first side rail connected to a bed of a vehicle;
and
a second side rail connected to said bed of said vehicle, wherein said front rail is connected to said first side rail and said second side rail when said tonneau cover is in either of said stowed position or said deployed position, and when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position, said rear rail is connected to said first side rail and said second side rail such that tension is applied to said tonneau cover by said at least one cable.

6 more elements

A tonneau cover for a vehicle that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, comprising:

a tonneau cover moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position;
a first pocket formed as part of said tonneau cover, said first pocket having a first end and a second end;
a first cable disposed in said first pocket, said first cable having a first end extending out of said first end of said first pocket, and said first cable having a second end extending out of said second end of said first pocket;
a second pocket formed as part of said tonneau cover, said second pocket having a first end and a second end;
and
a second cable disposed in said first pocket, said second cable having a first end extending out of said first end of said second pocket, and said second cable having a second end extending out of said second end of said second pocket, such that when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position and said first end of said first cable is connected to said vehicle, said second end of said first cable is connected to said vehicle, said first end of said second cable is connected to said vehicle, and said second end of said second cable is connected to said vehicle, said first cable and said second cable apply a tension to said tonneau cover, maintaining a predetermined amount of tension in said tonneau cover;
a first side rail connected to the bed of vehicle;
a second side rail connected to the bed of a vehicle;
a front rail connected to and disposed between a portion of said first side rail and a portion of said second side rail, said tonneau cover being connected to said front rail such that said first end of said first cable is connected to said front rail and said first end of said second cable is connected to said front rail;
and
a rear rail connected to and disposed between a portion of said first side rail and a portion of said second side rail when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position, said tonneau cover being connected to said rear rail such that said second end of said first cable is connected to said rear rail and said second end of said second cable is connected to said rear rail, and when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position, the positioning of said rear rail generates a tension in said first cable and said second cable, generating a tension in said tonneau cover.

8 more elements

A tonneau cover for a vehicle that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, comprising:

a tonneau cover selectively moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position;
a first pocket extending along one side of said tonneau cover, said first pocket having a first end and a second end;
a first cable extending through said first pocket, said first cable having a first end extending out of said first end of said first pocket, and said first cable having a second end extending out of said second end of said first pocket;
a second pocket extending along another side of said tonneau cover, said second pocket having a first end and a second end;
a second cable extending through said first pocket, said second cable having a first end extending out of said first end of said second pocket, and said second cable having a second end extending out of said second end of said second pocket;
a front rail, said tonneau cover connected to said front rail, said first end of said first cable connected to said front rail, and said first end of said second cable connected to said front rail;
a rear rail, said tonneau cover connected to said rear rail, said second end of said first cable connected to said rear rail, and said second end of said second cable connected to said rear rail;
a first side rail connected to said front rail, said first side rail connected to said rear rail when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position;
and
a second side rail connected to said front rail, said second side rail connected to said rear rail when said tonneau cover is in said deployed position;
wherein said first cable and said second cable apply tension to said tonneau cover when said rear rail is connected to said first side rail and said second side rail.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.