FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pivotable bed cover closeout device for a cargo bed of a vehicle which is movable to desired positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Removable or stowable soft tonneau covers for pickup vehicles are known in the art. These tonneau covers provide a vehicle with access to the cargo bed when the cover is pulled/folded back or removed, or, provides protection from the elements with the tonneau cover on/deployed. Such tonneau covers are typically manually unlatched on both sides before being moved into the desired positions.

Currently, tonneau covers have a rail that must be mounted down each side of the pickup box to give the cover a place to attach and seal out the elements. Typically, the rails are aluminum and/or the cover is a fabric cover. These side rails also act as a locator, aligning the bows/top cover as it is installed and positioned and provide a way to tension the top cover. Having to install these rails leads to additional height on the vehicle, cost, a non-cohesive look, and addition weight/complexity in the top.

There are other tonneau systems that are labeled as “low profile” to help fight the height and non-cohesive look. However, these covers still use an additional rail to mount the cover to the pickup bed and gain fabric tension so the design is no different than a “conventional” tonneau cover, it is just a different geometry.

Therefore, there remains a need for a system that eliminates the need for side rails, that utilizes an add-on bracket and/or an integrated bed design as an attachment method, eliminates the need of an additional attachment to gain tonneau cover tension, and provides easy multiple position accessibility into the cargo bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tonneau cover assembly incorporating a cable-type system or any other type of suitable system that tensions a top cover, providing tension along the side of the cover to seal the cover to a bedside of a vehicle. When cables are used, the cables running down either side of the cover solves many of the aforementioned issues. Using a cable running fore and aft on the pickup truck or sport utility (SUV) vehicle bedside eliminates the need for the side rails to both locate and tension the top cover. The cable tension works to seal out the elements and holds the tonneau cover and bows in place.

With a rear engagement feature according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is readily implementable both as an add on bracket or as an integrated feature in a pickup truck bed or SUV or adapted to any other vehicle type. A rear latching system holds the tonneau in the closed tension state keeping the tonneau secured and tight until the cover is opened by an operator.

Optionally, an integrated boot cover is also sewn into the top cover at the front so that when the tonneau cover is rolled up in the stowed position, the boot cover can wrap and protect the top cover.

Preferably, according to an embodiment of the present invention, pockets are provided to hold the ends of center management bows to set the height and eliminate aluminum rails and attachment features. When the top cover is fabric or other flexible material these pockets, e.g., made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) having predetermined suitable thickness, are preferably sewn to the underside surface of the cover.

The tonneau cover assembly is mounted at a predetermined location in sealing engagement with a tailgate and is pivotable between at least a closed position sealing off with the vehicle tailgate, and a partially open position folded rearward to gain access into the cargo bed. When in the partially open position the opening into the bed is limited to provide the predetermined desired amount of accessibility to the bed, e.g., creates about a 6 inch opening for access. This has significant benefits, including, security, ease of stowing and accessing items near the tailgate, eliminating the need to fully open the tailgate and/or move the entire cover to access the bed, quicker access to the bed, and expedient cargo holding, e.g., hauling longer items such as wood planks extending through the opening and into the cargo bed. Intermediate open position(s) is/are also contemplated.

The tonneau cover assembly is also movable between the closed position, partially open position, and a fully open position for full access to the cargo area, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Intermediate position(s) is/are also contemplated.

The tonneau cover assembly reduces weight and complexity, and eliminates the side rails when compared to current tonneau systems.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one release lever of the rear latching system is mounted in a convenient location for easier access to pull the release lever generally toward the operator for releasing the latching mechanism, when desired. The release lever location(s) reduces or eliminates interference with the cover to operate. The cable system runs fore and aft, and additionally has cable tensioning along the front of the system.

Using a cable running fore and aft on the pickup truck or sport utility (SUV) vehicle bedside eliminates the need for the side rails to both locate and tension the top cover. The cable tension works to seal out the elements and holds the tonneau cover and bows in place.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

