Multiple Sections Hinged Together Patents (Class 296/100.09)
  • Patent number: 11951819
    Abstract: A rack for a truck, SUV or vehicle is disclosed herein which allows the user to lift a load above a roof of the vehicle. The load can be secured to the roof via the rack. Rotating rails are attached to a stationary rails. The stationary rails are mounted to the roof of the vehicle. A basket may be traversably slideable from the rotating rails to the stationary rails. The rotating rails may be lifted up after loading a basket to also lift the basket and the load up and allow the basket to slide onto the stationary rails. Once the basket and load are on the stationary rails, the basket is locked into place with a lock so that the load remains in place while the user is driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 11890921
    Abstract: An external hard bed cover for pickup truck including a series of panels connected to a cargo hopper, wherein the panel series includes a super large panel, a large panel, a medium panel and a small panel, the super large panel is rotationally connected with the large panel, the large panel is rotationally connected with the medium panel, the medium panel is rotationally connected with the small panel, the super large panel, the large panel, the medium panel and the small panel are all rectangular panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Lei Qiu, Lei Chen
  • Patent number: 11865907
    Abstract: A truck that includes a bed section located rear of a cab section where the bed section is bounded on each side by opposing first and second upward-extending side walls, respectively. The truck includes a tonneau cover which has a first panel section pivotable with respect to the opposing first and second upward-extending side walls. A latching assembly is attached to the first panel section that selectively secures and releases the first panel section with respect to the first and second upward-extending side walls of the truck. The latching assembly includes at least one adjustable pinch latch assembly. The pinch latch assembly includes a latch handle portion and a latch base located on the first panel section adjacent the latch handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Leer Group
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dylewski, II, Christopher David Mattison, John William Bevis, III, Thomas Augustine Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11780304
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a truck cover system that includes a side rail, a cover, and a latching mechanism. The latching mechanisms include a housing attached to the cover, a latch extending through a first end of the housing and configured to engage with a bottom portion of the side rail, a cap attached to a second end of the housing, a plunger attached to the latch and having a first plunger end partially extending through an opening of the cap, an anchor element attached to the first plunger end preventing the first plunger end from entering the housing, and a spring wrapped around the plunger. When the spring is compressed, the latch may disengage with the side rail, and, when the spring is uncompressed, the latch may engage with the side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cixi City Liyuan Auto Parts Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Enli Xu
  • Patent number: 11760177
    Abstract: A tonneau system for use with a pickup truck. The tonneau system includes a frame and a tonneau cover having a plurality of tonneau sections moveable between an extended position covering a cargo box of the pickup truck and a folded position forming a stack of the tonneau sections. The stack being coupled to the frame and pivotally moveable between a first position depending into the cargo box and a second position extending upward generally from the cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Worksport Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Rossi, Jonathan Loudon, John Schmider, Terry Popik
  • Patent number: 11731497
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locking a truck cover against unauthorized release, where the truck cover has a latching device attached to the underside including a pull cable exposed at an opening to be manually pulled to release the latch projection. The apparatus provides a housing to engage over the opening and a rotatable actuator that engages the cable with a manually operable handle which is located on the side of the latch facing away from the end edge so as to be inaccessible until the tail gate is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Martin Keding
  • Patent number: 11724668
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin. The vehicle includes a truck bed cover that is sized to cover the truck bed and is movably attached to one or more walls of the truck bed to allow the truck bed cover to be moved between open and closed positions. The truck bed cover includes a latching device that engages a striker in the closed position. A sensing device is mounted in the truck bed that is configured to provide an indication of an open condition of the truck bed cover to a vehicle locking and security ECU. The locking and security ECU configured to provide an indication using an OEM security system of the vehicle when the open condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Norris, Frank A. Richards, Alexander L. Paradis
  • Patent number: 11718166
    Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a cab section located in front of a bed section is provided. The pickup truck comprises a tonneau cover that covers the bed section. The tonneau cover includes a plurality of panel sections; and wherein each of the plurality of panel sections is movable with respect to each other to allow access to, or conceal the bed section underneath. At least one prop rod assembly includes a longitudinally extending first rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the longitudinally extending first rod is pivotably and removably coupled to a side rail that is secured to the first side of the bed section, and the second end of the longitudinally extending first rod is located opposite the first end and pivotably coupled to the first latch assembly of the third panel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Leer Group
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dylewski, II, Adrian Cook, Justin J. McGraw, Christopher Davie Mattison, Ernest M. McDonald, II
  • Patent number: 11673457
    Abstract: A tonneau system that includes a tonneau cover and a canister. The canister includes one or more tracks for guiding the tonneau cover within the canister during movement of the tonneau cover relative to the canister; and a retraction system including: a drive roller; one or more drive gears; and a bias member that moves the drive roller and the one or more gears to assist in moving the tonneau cover relative to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Extang Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Carter, Ryan DeLong, Jerome Facchinello, William Cohoon, Robert Gaarder, Wilbur Paul Winkle, III
  • Patent number: 11654830
    Abstract: A covering apparatus for a loading space of a motor vehicle, with a covering arrangement having a plurality of dimensionally stable slats coupled to one another in an extended covering state and positioned in a manner stacked one on top of another in a receiving space in a stowed inactive position. The slats are coupled permanently to one another among one another by at least one flexible connecting strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Salewski
  • Patent number: 11654755
    Abstract: A rack assembly configured to mount to sidewalls of a truck bed of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the rack assembly comprises a pair of side rails configured to secure to the sidewalls of the truck bed, a pair of tracks, and a plurality of mounting brackets configured to mount the pair of tracks to sidewalls of the truck bed and above the side rails so as to transfer vertical load from the tracks to the sidewalls of truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steve Vickery
  • Patent number: 11634014
    Abstract: A retractable truck bed cover having an array of parallel aluminum slats joined together by connective hinges including leading and trailing edge configuration for improving the security of the cover by covering and concealing the seam between adjacent slats while improving the connective hinge's resistance to the effects of aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. The truck bed cover connective hinge slat is designed to be in an array of discrete slats, which are joined to one another by means of joiner members secured at each end to slat end caps. The distal ends of the joiner members are attached to slat end caps at the distal ends of the slats, thereby preventing the joiner members from shrinking in relationship to the slats due to aging and I or exposure to temperature fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Gregory Bernardo, Brandon Gregory Bernardo
  • Patent number: 11623503
    Abstract: A locking structure for a truck bed cover includes a side rail and a fixing assembly. The side rail is detachably installed on the truck bed. One side of the side rail is attached to the truck bed, and the other side of the side rail is provided with a first limiting member. The fixing assembly includes an inner clamping block, an outer clamping block and a fastener. The inner clamping block and the outer clamping block lock the truck bed and the side rail by the fastener. The surface attached to the side rail of the outer clamping block is provided with a second limiting member. The first limiting member and the second limiting member are engaged to limit the movement of the side rail. The new locking structure is convenient and quick to install, disassemble and adjust, has good stability, and can be used repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU SUNWOOD INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hang Shi, Hongjuan Zheng
  • Patent number: 11613199
    Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a bed of a vehicle has a first panel fixedly attached to a bed of the vehicle and at least one movable panel adapted to pivot between an open position and a folded position. The cover assembly also includes a pair of rails attached to a pair of sidewalls of the vehicle. Each rail includes a first portion engaged with a sidewall and a second portion defining a catch therebetween. The cover assembly also includes a lock assembly for locking the movable panel in the open position. The lock assembly includes a lock member adapted to move between a lock position and an unlock position. In the lock position, the lock member is engaged with the catch and locks the movable panel in the open position. In the unlock position, the lock member is arranged away from the catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: TIANJIN REGIS STAR GROUP CO., LTD, FOSHAN CITY MANYIN AUTO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Liling Luo, Chaochao Deng
  • Patent number: 11602980
    Abstract: A tonneau cover that includes a first panel, a second panel, a hinge between the first panel and the second panel, and a torsion element between the first panel and the second panel. The torsion element applies an urging force onto one or both of the first panel and the second panel during movement of the first panel and/or the second panel about the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: EXTANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome Facchinello, Chad A. Carter
  • Patent number: 11577590
    Abstract: A tonneau system that includes one or more tonneau sections and a retraction system. The retraction system has an adjuster shaft; a bias member; a drive roller in communication with the adjuster shaft; one or more lines connected to the one or more tonneau sections and/or to the drive roller; and an adjuster to adjust torque provided by the bias member. The bias member is connected to the adjuster shaft, the drive roller, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: EXTANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chad Carter, Ryan DeLong, Jerome Facchinello, William Cohoon, Robert Gaarder, Wilbur Paul Winkle, III
  • Patent number: 11554650
    Abstract: Novel techniques are provided for implementing a tonneau cover system. A tonneau cover system might include a first side rail configured to be coupled to a side wall of a bed of a truck, a first connection plate attached to and extending from the first side rail, a second connection plate, an extension plate extending from and attached to the second connection plate, and a cover for covering the bed of the truck and coupled to the extension plate. The first connection plate might include a recess on a bottom surface of the first connection plate. The second connection plate might include a first protrusion mirroring the first recess on the first connection plate. The first protrusion of the second connection plate might removably engage with the recess on the bottom surface of the first connection plate to couple the second connection plate to the first connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cixi City Liyuan Auto Parts Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Enli Xu
  • Patent number: 11548359
    Abstract: A tonneau cover that includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is arranged rearward of the second panel in vehicle position when the tonneau cover is in a first position, each of the first panel and the second panel comprise a top surface and an opposing bottom surface. The first panel and the second panel are movable into a second position where the bottom surface of the first panel is juxtaposed with the bottom surface of the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: EXTANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome Facchinello, Chad A. Carter, Robert Mosingo
  • Patent number: 11465477
    Abstract: A tonneau cover for covering the opening of a cargo bed of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover includes a sandwich panel including a structural core, a first layered section, and a second layered section. The structural core has a top surface and a bottom surface. The first layered section is coupled to the top surface of the structural core, and a second layered section is coupled to the bottom surface of the structural core. Each of the first and second layered sections includes a reinforcement layer, and at least one of the reinforcement layers of the first and second layered sections is a carbon fiber mat. The tonneau cover may have a single panel configuration or a tri-panel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ABC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Stephen John Hawkins, Bruce Bober
  • Patent number: 11453281
    Abstract: A slat connecting system is provided for a roll-up truck bed cover comprising an array of a plurality of contiguously arranged elongated slats. The elongated slats are pivotably hinged together, wherein an elongated slat comprises a main slat body having a first elongated edge and an opposite second elongated edge, a first elongated hinge member is provided in the vicinity of the first elongated edge along its length, and a second elongated hinge member is provided in the vicinity of the second elongated edge along its length, wherein the first elongated hinge member of a slat of the array of the plurality of contiguously arranged elongated slats is configured for being pivotably interconnected to the second elongated hinge member of the adjacent slat of said array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MOUNTAIN TOP INDUSTRIES APS
    Inventors: Thomas Rendbeck Voetmann, Peter Singer Hansen, Feigler Szabolcs
  • Patent number: 11427060
    Abstract: A canister comprising: (a) a space configured to receive a tonneau cover so that the tonneau cover is stored within the canister; and (b) one or more track guides that guide the canister relative to a roller track, a bed of a vehicle, a rail extension, a cap, or a combination thereof; and wherein the one or more track guides assist the canister in being inserted into or removed from the bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Charles Fargo, Steve Givens, Hunter Craig Eslinger, Jesse Johnson, Michael P. Pare, Matthew James Schuster
  • Patent number: 11407294
    Abstract: Provided is a hard-top loose-leaf plate structure device for a rear compartment of a pickup truck which includes: a main aluminum extrusion strip; a right aluminum extrusion strip which is inserted in a right circular slot on the right of the main aluminum extrusion strip and is freely rotated at 90° or placed flat at 180° on a right circular lug of the main aluminum extrusion strip; a left aluminum extrusion strip which is inserted in a left circular slot on the left of the main aluminum extrusion strip and is freely rotated at 90° or placed flat at 180° on a left circular lug of the main aluminum extrusion strip; and a T-fixing strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Jia-Li Shen, Jun-Hong Ye
  • Patent number: 11390151
    Abstract: A vehicle hardtop system for a jeep-type sports utility vehicle, which includes a roof panel having segments, the segments each connected to one another via hinges, the segments fold onto one another and then onto a rear panel such that the entire roof panel and rear panel is removable from the vehicle hard top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Charles Lee Taggart
  • Patent number: 11351848
    Abstract: A shutter couples to an upper part of a cargo bed by left and right tracks mounted on left and right side walls of the cargo bed. A tailgate is mounted on a rear end of the cargo bed. A bed liner seal member is provided on rear ends of the left and right side walls. A touch member provided on a rear part of the shutter makes elastic contact with the bed liner seal member when the shutter is fully extended. A shutter seal member provided on the shutter makes elastic contact with the tailgate. A tailgate seal member provided on the tailgate makes elastic contact with the bed liner seal member. First and second seal beads on an upper surface are provided on an upper wall of a protrusion of the bed liner seal member. The touch member touches the first and second seal beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11345223
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a tonneau cover. The hinge assembly allows panels of the tonneau cover to be folded on top of one another and includes a pivot frame having an engagement side and a pivot side. The engagement side of the pivot frame is configured to engage one end of a panel of the tonneau cover and pivot side of the pivot frame includes at least one recess defined therein. The hinge assembly also includes a pivot component having a pivot with at least one recess defined therein. A hinge member, having first and second ends, is pivotally engaged with the pivot frame and the pivot component in the respective recesses thereof through the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Strictly Auto Parts Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Zheng, Von Hao
  • Patent number: 11305624
    Abstract: The present concept is a multi position folding panel truck box cover assembly which includes a left and a right longitudinally extending foldable cover sections, wherein each cover section includes an outside face an inside face and an outer edge and an inner edge. The left and right cover sections are pivotally connected, to a left sidewall and a right sidewall respectively of a truck box. The left and right cover sections each further include two longitudinal panels namely a left and right inner panel and a left and right outer panel, wherein the left panels are pivotally coupled at the inside face proximate a middle edge and make up the left cover section, and wherein the right panels are pivotally coupled at the inside face proximate a middle edge and make up the right cover section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Denis Fleury
  • Patent number: 11180011
    Abstract: The truck bed cover locking device includes a side rail, a latch structure and a latch locking component. The latch structure is detachably mounted on the side rail. The latch structure includes a limiting surface. The latch locking component is provided on a truck bed cover. The latch locking component includes a plunger capable of at least partially moving to a position below the limiting surface. The limiting surface extends toward the plunger, and an extending length of the limiting surface is not less than the length of the plunger moving to a position below the limiting surface. The latch structure is detachably provided on the side rail, and fits with the latch locking component on the truck bed cover, thereby tightly locking the truck bed cover on the side rail, and protecting the side rail from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU SUNWOOD INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hang Shi, Hongjuan Zheng
  • Patent number: 11021047
    Abstract: This invention is relevant to a bed cover of pickup truck. The bed cover of pickup truck includes one bed cover. The bed cover includes at least two plates. The adjacent plates are connected by rotating shaft structure. The rotating shaft structure includes a plate-like pedestal, two connectors which form a rotary connection with the pedestal. This invention provides a bed cover of pickup truck with simple structure and great leading function. The drainage channel in the invention are big and will not cause syphonage. Thus the leading function will be better, requirement of the assembly accuracy will be lower and the production will be easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Lanhua Cai, Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 10618540
    Abstract: Described is a shopping cart used to collect items in a retail store and transport them throughout the store and/or to a customer's vehicle. The shopping cart is configured to make it easier to load and unload heavy and awkward items. The shopping cart has a shopping cart basket and a support structure supporting the shopping cart basket above a wheel assembly. A front panel of the shopping cart basket rolls on wheels and tracks to a position above the basket or below the shopping basket. The shopping cart also has a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the shopping cart basket. A customer can raise or lower the shopping cart basket and slide the front panel out of the way, if needed, for easy loading and unloading of the shopping cart. These features make it easier for the customer to load and unload heavy and awkward items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventor: Yurgis Mauro Bacallao
  • Patent number: 10414257
    Abstract: A connector that includes a first U-shaped channel and a second U-shaped channel. The first U-shaped channel is defined by a first upper wall, a first lower wall, and a first end wall that connects the first upper wall and the first lower wall. The first U-shaped channel is adapted to receive a first enclosure panel. The second U-shaped channel is defined by a second upper wall, a second lower wall, and a second end wall that connects the second upper wall and the second lower wall. The second U-shaped channel is adapted to receive a second enclosure panel. The first U-shaped channel includes a first seal extending between the first upper wall and the first end wall. The first seal is compressed by the first enclosure panel when the first enclosure panel is received in the first U-shaped channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Tectum Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome Facchinello
  • Patent number: 10245928
    Abstract: A foldable tonneau system comprising: (a) a plurality of tonneau sections; (b) one or more hinges connecting two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections together, the one or more hinges each including: (i) a hinge housing connected to each of the two or more of the plurality of tonneau sections with each of the hinge housings being connected a different one of the plurality of tonneau sections, and (ii) a slide box located at least partially within and movably connected to each of the hinge housings; wherein each of the slide boxes are longitudinally movable relative to the hinge housings so that the one or more hinges are longitudinally extendable, and the hinge housings are rotationally movable relative to each other so that one of the plurality of tonneau sections is rotationally movable to a location above a second one of the plurality of tonneau sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TECTUM HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Jerome Facchinello
  • Patent number: 10189340
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 10112466
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system includes a cover and a pivot mechanism. The cover includes a plurality of panels hingedly coupled together, and is foldable between an extended configuration and a folded configuration. The pivot mechanism includes a first link bar and a second link bar. The first link bar has an upper end pivotally connected to a forward panel and the second link bar has an upper end pivotally connected to the forward panel. With the cover in the folded configuration, the pivot mechanism may move the stack from an initial stack configuration in which the forward panel is in the first plane to a storage stack configuration in which the forward panel of the cover extends upright along a second plane, and to simultaneously move the forward edge of the forward panel rearwardly and above the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Extang Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome J. Facchinello
  • Patent number: 10046632
    Abstract: A pickup truck having a tonneau cover is provided. The tonneau cover includes a first panel section pivotable with respect to the opposing first and second upward-extending side walls. A first latching assembly is attached to the first panel section and is configured to selectively secure and release the first panel section with respect to the first and second side walls of the pickup truck. The first latching assembly includes first and second pinch latch assemblies. The first pinch latch assembly is located adjacent the first upward-extending side wall of the pickup truck and the second pinch latch assembly is located adjacent the second upward-extending side wall of the pickup truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Truck Accessories Group, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dylewski, II, Adrian Cook, Justin J. McGraw, Christopher David Mattison, Ernest M. McDonald, II
  • Patent number: 9994097
    Abstract: A hail-resistant cover for a vehicle is provided which may include a plurality of cover panels, each cover panel including a cover panel sleeve and an impact resistant cover panel insert. The cover panels may be affixed to each other by flexible cover panel joints which allow the cover panels to fold over onto the adjacent cover panels. The cover may also include anchors for anchoring the cover to the top of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the cover panels are removably affixed to the adjacent cover panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Mallee Corp.
    Inventor: Ming Wai Ching
  • Patent number: 9766046
    Abstract: The present invention is a driver's hatch for an armored vehicle. The hatch includes a dome hatch for normal operations and a pop-up section. The pop-up section, when in the lowered position allows the cab to freely rotate above it. When in the raised position, the pop-up section allows the driver to look out of the vehicle through transparent armor windows and thus remain under armor protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BAE Systems Land & Armaments, L.P.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Obyle, Daniel T. Myers, David W. White, Dana K. Grier
  • Patent number: 9566915
    Abstract: A trunk for a bed of a truck is disclosed wherein the trunk provides an isolated enclosed space in an area of the truck bed. The trunk is configurable into different configurations and traversable between front and back positions in order to make best use of the bed of the truck. Moreover, the trunk may be configured and traversed easily so that one without great strength may still manipulate the trunk to make full use of the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 9428038
    Abstract: A foldable tonneau cover is disclosed and has two frame sections and at least one hidden-type hinge. Two frame members of two adjacent frame sections are correspondingly formed with two embedded holes. The hidden-type hinge is pivotally connected between the adjacent frame members. When the frame sections are horizontally extended relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is substantially received in the embedded holes. When the frame sections are rotated or folded relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is partially exposed out of the embedded holes. Thus, the occupied space of the hidden-type hinge and the gap between the adjacent frame sections can be minimized. The waterproof flexible strip can be continuously extended along the entire length of the two adjacent frame members without being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge substantially hidden within frame members, so as to enhance the waterproof reliability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CYC ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Shiawdar Shaun Yue
  • Patent number: 9421850
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a pickup truck cargo bed incorporates hinge assemblies to allow individual panels to open, close or fold over on top of each other. To provide individual compartments within a cargo bed, the main hinge assembly of a foldable tonneau cover system provides for a secondary hinge assembly for the addition of a pivoting lock in place isolation wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventors: Hang Shi, Hongjuan Zheng
  • Patent number: 9381796
    Abstract: A two part electronically actuated moveable and removable rigid covering of the passenger compartment of a motorized vehicle which is split longitudinally, has a left and right surface, capable of independently assuming a plurality of positions relative to the body of the vehicle. This covering pivots laterally near the rear edge behind the occupant(s) riding position with the forward edge opening, closing and locking. It is designed in such a manor as to permit its entire assembly or parts of its subassembly to be readily physically disassociated from the body of the motorized vehicle. It is fabricated from advanced composite materials or polycarbonate which is formed or molded to the desired shape. Movement of each covering is provided by an electrical linear actuator which, through mechanical linkage, provides locking or unlocking and rotational movement of the covering surface in one linear actuator motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Kurt Paul Vogt
  • Patent number: 9333842
    Abstract: A foldable tonneau cover is disclosed and has two frame sections and at least one hidden-type hinge. Two frame members of two adjacent frame sections are correspondingly formed with two embedded holes. The hidden-type hinge is pivotally connected between the adjacent frame members. When the frame sections are horizontally extended relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is substantially received in the embedded holes. When the frame sections are rotated or folded relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is partially exposed out of the embedded holes. Thus, the occupied space of the hidden-type hinge and the gap between the adjacent frame sections can be minimized. The waterproof flexible strip can be continuously extended along the entire length of the two adjacent frame members without being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge substantially hidden within frame members, so as to enhance the waterproof reliability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: CYC ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Shiawdar Shaun Yue
  • Patent number: 9296285
    Abstract: A retractable pickup truck box cover system includes a pivot joint with improved strength, durability, and manufacturability between panels of a panel assembly of the cover system. A sealing system between the panels and along ends of the panel assembly provides improved weather resistance to the cover system. A lateral support system provides resistance to binding loads when opening and closing the panel assembly. The lateral support system may also aid installation of the cover system. A ramp adjustment system allows fine tuning of the ramps that guide folding and unfolding of the panel assembly. An improved locking system and the pivot joints allow more compact storage of the panel assembly. The improved locking system includes lock rods that engage rails of the cover system. Connecting structures connect adjacent panel pairs when the cover system is deployed and do not connect the adjacent panels when the cover system is stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Peragon Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Heath Copp, Joel Amiel Anderson
  • Patent number: 9278611
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle box having a plurality of slats with each slat pivotally connected to at least one adjacent slat and end fittings attached to opposite ends of each of the plurality of slats. Side rails are attachable to the vehicle box. Locking elements associated with each side rail are movable to engage and hold the end fittings onto the side rails. The locking element including a hook on a roll rod pivotally positioned within an arc section of the side rail. The roll rod is movable from a first position wherein the hook projects into a slot in the end fittings to a second position wherein the hook is withdrawn from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Laurmark Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Maimin, Julian Maimin
  • Patent number: 9266416
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a truck cover system includes a panel cover including first and second panels connected via a first hinge, a track unit detachably receiving the first hinge, and a latch including first and second latch members detachably connected to each other, wherein a detachment between the first and second latch members causes detachment of the first hinge from the track unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Adrian Nania
  • Patent number: 9211834
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a cargo box of a pickup truck having a first tonneau section, a second tonneau section, and a third tonneau section. A first hinge system hingedly couples the first and second sections to permit pivotal stacked nesting of the first section relative to the second section. A second hinge system hingedly couples the second section to an attachment member assembly, which is connected to the cargo box, to permit pivotal stacked nesting of the combination of the first and second sections relative to the third section. Finally, a third hinge system hingedly couples the third section to a front mounting bar assembly, which is connected to the front wall of the cargo box, to permit pivotal movement of only the third tonneau section into a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Extang Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome Facchinello, William Reminder
  • Patent number: 9186970
    Abstract: The truck bed extension cover includes two cover members that operate independent of one another, and which are both affixed to a hinge member. The hinge member is specially adapted to attach itself to a rear surface of a truck bed toolbox such that the two cover members extend over the remaining portion of a truck bed in order to provide coverage thereon. The two cover members are generally parallel with one another, and rotate with respect to the hinge member in order to raise and lower with respect to a tailgate of said truck bed. The two cover members are further defined with a driver side cover member and a passenger side cover member. Both of the cover members include lock handles and a lift cylinder to aid in manipulation of the respective cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Walter Marsh
  • Patent number: 9039066
    Abstract: A foldable tonneau cover is disclosed and has two frame sections and at least one hidden-type hinge. Two frame members of two adjacent frame sections are correspondingly formed with two embedded holes. The hidden-type hinge is pivotally connected between the adjacent frame members. When the frame sections are horizontally extended relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is substantially received in the embedded holes. When the frame sections are rotated or folded relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is partially exposed out of the embedded holes. Thus, the occupied space of the hidden-type hinge and the gap between the adjacent frame sections can be minimized. The waterproof flexible strip can be continuously extended along the entire length of the two adjacent frame members without being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge substantially hidden within frame members, so as to enhance the waterproof reliability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CYC ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Shiawdar shaun Yue
  • Patent number: 9004571
    Abstract: A hard folding cover system for securely covering the bed of a pickup truck that can be opened or closed without the need to manually lift and fold individual panels sequentially in order to access the bed of the truck. The cover includes a plurality of hard folding panels that pivotably interconnected by alternatingly attached up-acting hinges and down-acting hinges whereby the panels are configured to sequentially fold and retract lengthwise while riding along side tracks. The cover is configured to operate between a flat position and at least one retracted position; in the retracted position, at least one of the folding panels is in a substantially vertical position. As the cover is retracted, the panels sequentially fold vertically toward one another. The retracted position, the panels do not block a rear window or brake light of the vehicle on which the cover is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Gregory Bernardo, Brandon G. Bernardo
  • Patent number: 8991894
    Abstract: A configurable pickup bed utility management system features a segmented panel assembly pivotally mounted to a pickup bed. The panel assembly features a first panel, a second panel pivotally located on the first panel, a third panel pivotally located on the second panel, and a fourth panel pivotally located on the third panel. A plurality of curved linear extrusions with ridges are located on the panels. The panel assembly can be fully extended over the pickup bed forming a bed cover structure, fully extended posterior to the pickup bed forming a work surface structure, fully extended posterior to the pickup bed forming a ramp structure, partially extended posterior to the pickup bed forming a sun shade structure, folded into the pickup bed forming a lockable toolbox, or folded into the pickup bed forming a bed extender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Cortney Smith
  • Publication number: 20150054300
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a pickup truck cargo bed incorporates hinge assemblies to allow individual panels to open, close or fold over on top of each other. To provide individual compartments within a cargo bed, the main hinge assembly of a foldable tonneau cover system provides for a secondary hinge assembly for the addition of a pivoting lock in place isolation wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hang Shi, Hongjuan Zheng