Abstract: Pickup truck bed tonneau covers and varieties thereof are manufactured using universal components. An outer frame is made from rails cut from universal rail stock. Universal, adjustable corner brackets can be fixed into a desired position to accommodate all different angles at the corners of the tonneau cover. Intermediate cross car rails are cut from universal rail stock and all are coupled to the outer frame via universal intermediate rail brackets. Opposing pairs of universal hinge brackets are used for all hinges of the tonneau cover. Thus, the tooling required to make a variety of tonneau covers is greatly reduced. An elongated step is adjacent to, and protrudes downwardly beyond, a seal coupling channel with a compressible seal extends along the outer frame. The downwardly protruding elongated step member acts as a continuous elongated stop, limiting compression of the seal member.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus is provided. In one aspect, a tonneau cover apparatus includes a handle or lever, a mount, a locator, a finger, a detent and a complementary peg. In another aspect, a handle and mount are configured such that the handle is substantially horizontal when in a closed position. A further aspect employs at least one locator to align a tonneau cover to a truck bed. Another aspect includes a finger which is coupled to a handle to clamp a tonneau cover apparatus to a truck bed when the handle is in a closed position, thus securing the tonneau cover to the truck bed.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a pickup truck bed includes a plurality of hinge assemblies. Each of the hinge assemblies are secured along the side rail of the tonneau cover assembly and have a contoured profile to allow for rotation within the tonneau cover assembly to accommodate a non-square truck bed.

Abstract: A tonneau cover frame for a pickup truck bed includes a cross-car rail bracket with a predetermined gap for receiving a cross-car bow in a plurality of configurations. The cross-car bow is movable laterally within the cross-car rail bracket to allow for a single cross-car bow in a variety of locations within the tonneau cover frame.

Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a pickup truck bed includes an adjustable corner bracket assembly. The corner bracket assembly includes a pivotally connected lower bracket member, upper bracket member, and cap member. The upper and lower bracket members are movable between an acute rail configuration and an obtuse rail configuration.

Abstract: An outer frame corresponds to a perimeter of a pickup truck bed. An plurality of upwardly bowed intermediate rail span between, and are coupled to, opposing sides of the outer frame. Each bowed intermediate rail is paired with a wire tension member that spans between, and is coupled to, each end of its paired intermediate rail member. A flexible textile member covers and is supported by the intermediate rail member and is coupled to the outer frame. The wire tension members operate to help reduce lateral deflection of the bowed intermediate rail members when a meaningful downward force is applied to the bowed intermediate rails. A method of assembling a tonneau cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a pickup truck bed includes an adjustable corner bracket assembly. The corner bracket assembly includes a pivotally connected lower bracket member, upper bracket member, and cap member. The upper and lower bracket members are movable between an acute rail configuration and an obtuse rail configuration.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus is provided. In one aspect, a tonneau cover apparatus includes a handle or lever, a mount, a locator, a finger, a detent and a complementary peg. In another aspect, a handle and mount are configured such that the handle is substantially horizontal when in a closed position. A further aspect employs at least one locator to align a tonneau cover to a truck bed. Another aspect includes a finger which is coupled to a handle to clamp a tonneau cover apparatus to a truck bed when the handle is in a closed position, thus securing the tonneau cover to the truck bed.

Abstract: Pickup truck bed tonneau covers and varieties thereof are manufactured using universal components. An outer frame is made from rails cut from universal rail stock. Universal, adjustable corner brackets can be fixed into a desired position to accommodate all different angles at the corners of the tonneau cover. Intermediate cross car rails are cut from universal rail stock and all are coupled to the outer frame via universal intermediate rail brackets. Opposing pairs of universal hinge brackets are used for all hinges of the tonneau cover. Thus, the tooling required to make a variety of tonneau covers is greatly reduced. An elongated step is adjacent to, and protrudes downwardly beyond, a seal coupling channel with a compressible seal extends along the outer frame. The downwardly protruding elongated step member acts as a continuous elongated stop, limiting compression of the seal member.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a pickup truck bed includes a plurality of hinge assemblies. Each of the hinge assemblies are secured along the side rail of the tonneau cover assembly and have a contoured profile to allow for rotation within the tonneau cover assembly to accommodate a non-square truck bed.

Abstract: An outer frame corresponds to a perimeter of a pickup truck bed. An plurality of upwardly bowed intermediate rail span between, and are coupled to, opposing sides of the outer frame. Each bowed intermediate rail is paired with a wire tension member that spans between, and is coupled to, each end of its paired intermediate rail member. A flexible textile member covers and is supported by the intermediate rail member and is coupled to the outer frame. The wire tension members operate to help reduce lateral deflection of the bowed intermediate rail members when a meaningful downward force is applied to the bowed intermediate rails. A method of assembling a tonneau cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tonneau cover frame for a pickup truck bed includes a cross-car rail bracket with a predetermined gap for receiving a cross-car bow in a plurality of configurations. The cross-car bow is movable laterally within the cross-car rail bracket to allow for a single cross-car bow in a variety of locations within the tonneau cover frame.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement system is provided for an automotive vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, a structural beam is employed which extends in a cross-vehicle direction spaced above a vehicle floor. A further aspect of the present invention provides a cross-vehicle reinforcement beam inside another structural member. Yet another aspect of the present invention uses a structural reinforcement system in a convertible roof vehicle.