Tonneau cover access panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10363801-B2
Application number	US-201615342761-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 3, 2016
Priority date	Nov 3, 2015
Publication date	Jul 30, 2019
Grant date	Jul 30, 2019

Abstract

A tonneau cover access panel assembly connectable to a tonneau cover assembly that eliminates the need for side rails to both locate and tension the top cover. The tension works to seal out environmental elements and holds the tonneau cover and locating bows of the tonneau cover in place. The tonneau cover access panel holds the rear of the tonneau in the closed tension state keeping the tonneau secured and tight until the cover is opened by an operator. The tonneau cover access panel assembly is movable between a closed position and a fully open position, and, is movable between at least a first open position and the closed position for more limiting access to the cargo bed of the vehicle when desired. The tonneau cover access panel assembly also reduces weight and complexity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rear cover access panel system for a vehicle having a cargo area structure with at least one opening, comprising:
at least one attachment portion selectively operably coupled to the vehicle;
a pivotal portion pivotally coupled to the at least one attachment portion;
a cover attached to the pivotal portion where pivoting the pivotal portion allows the cover to move between a closed position covering the opening of the vehicle and a first open position partially uncovering the opening of the vehicle; and
at least one latch mechanism operably coupled to the at least one attachment portion, said at least one latch mechanism operably selectively releases the at least one attachment portion from the vehicle to allow further uncovering of the opening as desired.

2. The rear cover access panel system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one mounting bracket attached to the vehicle with at least one fastener, wherein the at least one attachment portion is selectively coupled to the at least one mounting bracket by the at least one latch mechanism, wherein manually releasing the at least one latch mechanism disengages the at least one latch mechanism from the at least one mounting bracket.

3. The rear cover access panel system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one latch mechanism includes a latch having a hook that engages an abutting surface of the at least one mounting bracket to lock the at least one attachment portion in the closed position, and, wherein releasing the latch disengages the hook from the at least one mounting bracket to allow the cover to be moved to a fully open position.

4. The rear cover access panel system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of center management bows operably connected to the cover to manage the movement of the cover.

5. The rear cover access panel system of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of pockets operably connected to the cover for holding the center management bow ends.

6. The rear cover access panel system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of pockets are arranged relative to the cargo area structure near the opening to set a predetermined height of the cover.

7. The rear cover access panel system of claim 1 , wherein assembly does not require rails for coupling to the cargo area structure.

8. The rear cover access panel system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one front attachment assembly in sealing engagement with the vehicle and operably connected to the front end of the cover.

9. The rear cover access panel system of claim 8 , further comprising a cable coupled to both sides of the cover respectively, wherein the cable is connected to at least the front bow assembly and attachment portion to provide tension to the cover.

10. The rear cover access panel system of claim 1 , further comprising a tensioning system operable to provide tension to the cover for a weather resistant seal with the cargo bed area.

11. The rear cover access panel system of claim 1 , wherein the cover is selected from the group consisting of a cable tonneau cover assembly, tri-fold tonneau cover assembly, roll-up tonneau cover assembly, soft tri-fold tonneau cover assembly, hard panel hinged tonneau cover assembly, and combinations thereof.

12. A tonneau cover access panel system for a vehicle having a cargo bed structure with at least one top opening and a tailgate, comprising:
a pair of mounting brackets operably connected to the vehicle;
a pair of attachment portions selectively coupled to the pair of mounting brackets;
a pivotal portion with a spring loaded detent pivotally connected to the pair of attachment portions and in sealing engagement with the tailgate;
a cover operably coupled to the pivotal portion, where pivoting the pivotal portion allows the cover to move between a closed position and a first open position partially uncovering the at least one opening; and
a pair of latch mechanisms operably coupled to the pair of attachment portions, wherein rotating at least one of the latch mechanisms in a first direction releases both latch mechanisms from the pair of mounting brackets to allow further uncovering of the opening as desired.

13. The tonneau cover access panel system of claim 12 , further comprising a channel formed in a rear bow of the pivotal portion as an attachment for the cover.

14. The tonneau cover access panel system of claim 12 , wherein the pivotal portion further comprises at least one seal to seal against the tailgate of the vehicle.

15. The tonneau cover access panel system of claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of center management bows that manage the movement of the cover and set the height of the cover.

16. The tonneau cover access panel system of claim 12 , wherein the first open position provides an opening of about 3 to 8 inches into the cargo bed structure.

17. The tonneau cover access panel system of claim 12 , further comprising a cable tensioning system to hold the cover taut in the closed position.

Assignees

• Bestop Inc

Inventors

• Lutzka Tavis
• Lewis Stephen J
• Smith David A

Classifications

• B60J7/102

  Readily detachable tarpaulins, e.g. for utility vehicles; Frames therefor · CPC title

• B60Y2304/05

  Reducing production costs, e.g. by redesign · CPC title

• B60Y2304/03

  Reducing weight · CPC title

• B60J7/141 Primary

  for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks · CPC title

• B60J7/185 Primary

  Locking arrangements (locks in general E05B) · CPC title