Abstract: An adapter for coupling a straight inner beam and a curved outer beam is provided. The adapter includes a u-shaped body, inner snap pins, and outer snap pins. The u-shaped body includes a horizontal side and vertical sides forming a channel mating with the inner beam at an interior side of the u-shaped body, and mating with the outer beam at an exterior side of the u-shaped body. At least one of the inner snap pins is arranged on an interior face of each vertical side. Each inner snap pin engages with one of the inner pin such that the u-shaped body is secured to the inner beam. At least one of the outer snap pins is arranged on an exterior face of each vertical side. Each outer snap pin engages with one of the outer pin holes such that the u-shaped body is secured to the outer beam.

Abstract: A foldable tonneau cover for use in covering the bed of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover includes a plurality of sections or panels and a hinge assembly that hingedly connects the panels whereby the panels are foldable relative to one another to form a stack. The hinge assembly includes a flexible hinge and at least one hinge clip that is in a positive locking retained engagement with a panel and that secures the flexible hinge to the panel. The panels are rigid and include a central panel, defining a perimeter, and a plurality of reinforcement members. The reinforcement members are located along the perimeter of the central panel and are engaged with the central panel in a press-fit mechanical locking engagement.

Abstract: A pivot plate system that mounts between a tonneau cover and a bed of a pickup truck and enables pivoting of the tonneau cover between substantially horizontal and vertical orientations. The pivot plate system includes first and second pivot plates configured to mount to/on first and second sidewalls of the pickup truck. Each of the first and second pivot plates includes a fixed member configured to mount to/on one of the sidewalls and a moveable plate configured for releasable mounting of a forward section of the tonneau cover thereto. The moveable plate is pivotally connected to the fixed plate at a forward part thereof and is moveable relative to the fixed plate about an axis between the substantially horizontal vertical orientations, such that the tonneau cover is moveable with the moveable plate from the substantially horizontal orientation to the substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided. The heat pump system includes a first compressor and a second compressor and a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger. The system further includes a first expansion device, a second expansion device, and a third expansion device. When the system operates in a cascade heating mode, the third heat exchanger is configured to: receive a first portion of refrigerant from the first compressor and a second portion of refrigerant from the second compressor, and provide a first consistent flow of refrigerant to the first compressor and a second consistent flow of refrigerant to the second compressor so as to improve an efficiency of the system.

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. The tonneau cover includes solar energy-receiving material secured to a top exposed surface of at least two of the tonneau sections, which are pivotally connected to each other. The solar energy-receiving material of one tonneau section is electrically coupled to the solar energy-receiving material of the other tonneau section. Optionally, the system may further include energy storage system electrically coupled to the solar energy-receiving material for storing and deploying power generated by the solar energy-receiving material.

Abstract: A tonneau cover frame for use with a bed of a pickup truck. The frame including a plurality of side rails, a plurality of end rails and a plurality of cross rails. The side rails being configured for extending along sides of the bed of the pickup truck, the end rails extending between the side rails adjacent to front and rear ends of the frame, and the cross rails extending between the side rails at a location between the front and rear ends of the frame. The plurality of end rails and the plurality of cross rails each having an adjustable length, whereby the frame is adjustable in width for use in connection with differently sized beds of different pickup trucks.

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 a folded position and an unfolded position. The tonneau cover includes solar energy-receiving material secured to a top exposed surface of at least two of the tonneau sections. The solar energy-receiving material moves with their corresponding tonneau sections between the unfolded and folded positions. A battery, transformer, and/or electrical cabling system may be included within the circuit for power storage and conversion.