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.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle having an accessory positioned along the vehicle. The system may also include a sensor located along the vehicle in wireless communication with the accessory, wherein the sensor triggers activation of the accessory based on input from an external source.

Abstract: A method of operating a tonneau cover and a tailgate of a vehicle, including: transmitting one or more signals to a first control module to open or lower the tailgate; determining a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module or a second control module and transmitting by the first control module and/or the second control module one or more signals to a mechanism associated with the tonneau cover to open the tonneau cover if the tonneau cover is determined by the first control module and/or the second control module to be in a closed position; and then lowering the tailgate.

Abstract: A tonneau system that includes a retraction system having a track; and a tonneau cover having a plurality of tonneau sections, including: one or more latch bar connectors, each including a male latch connector and a female latch connector; a tonneau cap including: one or more tail connectors, each including a male connector and a female connector; the male connector engages the female latch connector and the female connector engages the male latch connector to form a fixed connection between the tonneau cap and the plurality of tonneau sections, the retraction system moves the tonneau cover, the tonneau cap extends beyond the track when the tonneau cover is in the closed position and the connection between the one or more latch bar connectors and the one or more tail connectors support the tonneau cap when the tonneau cap extends beyond the track.

Abstract: A bed cap configured for attachment to a tailgate of a vehicle, the bed cap includes a channel configured to collect fluid and/or debris, the channel comprising a first opening for evacuating the fluid and/or debris from within the channel.

Abstract: A tonneau cover configured to cover a cargo box of a vehicle, comprising: (a) opposing side rails configured to attach to opposing sides of the cargo box; (b) a slat extending between and supported by the opposing siderails, wherein the slat is configured to move along the siderails; and (c) a drive system that drives the slat and moves the slat along the side rails from a closed position where the slat covers an interior of the cargo box, to an open position where the interior of the cargo box is exposed, wherein the drive system is controlled wirelessly by a remote device, by a sensor located along the cargo box, or both.

Abstract: A tonneau cover that includes a first panel and a second panel; a hinge located between the first panel and the second panel, the hinge includes a first link and a second link, the first link includes a pocket; the second link includes a projection that is configured to engage the pocket of the first link to connect the first link and the second link; and one or more covers extending over all or a portion of the first panel, the second panel, the first link, and the second link; the second link has a structure that is substantially similar to a structure of the first link and/or the one or more covers provide an indirect connection between the first panel and the first link.

Abstract: A support member configured for placement on a top surface of a bed wall defining a cargo area of a vehicle and below a bed cap so that the support member is stacked at least partially in between the bed cap and the top surface of the bed wall; and a bed cap assembly having a support member configured for placement on a top surface of a bed wall defining a cargo area of a vehicle; and a bed cap configured for placement on the support member so that the support member is stacked at least partially in between the bed cap and the top surface of the bed wall.

Abstract: A tonneau cover configured to cover a cargo box of a vehicle, comprising: (a) opposing side rails configured to attach to opposing sides of the cargo box; (b) a slat extending between and supported by the opposing siderails, wherein the slat is configured to move along the siderails; and (c) a drive system that drives the slat and moves the slat along the side rails from a closed position where the slat covers an interior of the cargo box, to an open position where the interior of the cargo box is exposed, wherein the drive system is controlled wirelessly by a remote device, by a sensor located along the cargo box, or both.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering at least a portion of a cargo area of a vehicle, the apparatus includes a frame; one or more side panels attached to the frame; one or more quarter panels attached to the frame; a rear panel; a roof panel supported by the frame; and a lifting mechanism configured to reposition the roof panel relative to the frame and/or the one or more side panels. The lifting mechanism has a handle, a lifter, and a track supporting the lifter. Movement of the handle causes the track to move in a first direction, which causes the lifter to slide in the track in a second direction to raise and/or lower the lifter, which causes the roof panel to be moved or repositioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering at least a portion of a cargo area of a vehicle, the apparatus includes a frame; one or more side panels attached to the frame; one or more quarter panels attached to the frame; a rear panel; a roof panel supported by the frame; and a lifting mechanism configured to reposition the roof panel relative to the frame and/or the one or more side panels. The lifting mechanism has a handle, a lifter, and a track supporting the lifter. Movement of the handle causes the track to move in a first direction, which causes the lifter to slide in the track in a second direction to raise and/or lower the lifter, which causes the roof panel to be moved or repositioned.

Abstract: A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a plurality of panels; (b) one or more hinges between each panel of the plurality of panels so that the plurality of panels are rotatably connected together, wherein some or all of the one or more hinges include: (i) a plurality of expansion links that are movably interconnected together, some of the plurality of expansion links including: (1) one or more expansion projections; (2) one or more pockets that receive all or a portion of the one or more expansion projections from an adjacent one of the plurality of expansion links; and (3) one or more expansion stops that restricts movement of the one or more expansion projections from the adjacent one of plurality of the expansion links that extend within the one or more pockets; wherein the one or more hinges rotate so that the one or more hinges form of angle of about 90 degrees or more and about 225 degrees or less.

Abstract: A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a plurality of panels; (b) one or more hinges between each panel of the plurality of panels so that the plurality of panels are rotatably connected together, wherein some or all of the one or more hinges include: (i) a plurality of expansion links that are movably interconnected together, some of the plurality of expansion links including: (1) one or more expansion projections; (2) one or more pockets that receive all or a portion of the one or more expansion projections from an adjacent one of the plurality of expansion links; and (3) one or more expansion stops that restricts movement of the one or more expansion projections from the adjacent one of plurality of the expansion links that extend within the one or more pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering at least a portion of a cargo area of a vehicle, the apparatus includes a frame; one or more side panels attached to the frame; one or more quarter panels attached to the frame; a rear panel; a roof panel supported by the frame; and a lifting mechanism configured to reposition the roof panel relative to the frame and/or the one or more side panels. The lifting mechanism has a handle, a lifter, and a track supporting the lifter. Movement of the handle causes the track to move in a first direction, which causes the lifter to slide in the track in a second direction to raise and/or lower the lifter, which causes the roof panel to be moved or repositioned.

Abstract: A support member configured for placement on a top surface of a bed wall defining a cargo area of a vehicle and below a bed cap so that the support member is stacked at least partially in between the bed cap and the top surface of the bed wall; and a bed cap assembly having a support member configured for placement on a top surface of a bed wall defining a cargo area of a vehicle; and a bed cap configured for placement on the support member so that the support member is stacked at least partially in between the bed cap and the top surface of the bed wall.

Abstract: A utility rack for covering at least a portion of a cargo area of a vehicle, the utility rack includes a frame having: one or more lower support bars that are configured to extend at least partially along a length of the cargo area; one or more upper support bars that are configured to extend at least partially along the length of the cargo area; and one or more pillars extending between the one or more lower support bars and the upper support bars; wherein in a first configuration of the frame, the one or more pillars are connected to inner surfaces of the one or more lower support bars and the one or more upper support bars; and in a second configuration, the one or more pillars are connected to outer surfaces of the one or more lower support bars and the one or more upper support bars.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle having an accessory positioned along the vehicle. The system may also include a sensor located along the vehicle in wireless communication with the accessory, wherein the sensor triggers activation of the accessory based on input from an external source.

Abstract: A bed cap configured for attachment to a top surface of a bed wall defining a cargo area of a vehicle, the bed cap assembly includes: a first channel extending at least partially along a length of the bed cap and configured to collect fluid and/or debris; a first opening for evacuating the fluid and/or debris from the first channel; a tonneau cover supporting surface extending at least partially along the length of the bed cap, wherein the tonneau cover supporting surface comprises a planar surface that is arranged inboard of the channel in vehicle position; and a seal provided between the tonneau cover supporting surface and a bottom surface of a tonneau cover that is supported by the tonneau cover supporting surface.

Abstract: A method of operating a tonneau cover and a tailgate of a vehicle, including: transmitting one or more signals to a first control module to open or lower the tailgate; determining a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module or a second control module and transmitting by the first control module and/or the second control module one or more signals to a mechanism associated with the tonneau cover to open the tonneau cover if the tonneau cover is determined by the first control module and/or the second control module to be in a closed position; and then lowering the tailgate.

Abstract: A tonneau system comprising: (a) a plurality of tonneau sections; (b) a retraction system including: (i) a drive roller; (ii) a pulley spaced apart from the drive roller; (iii) a track extending from a location proximate to the drive roller to a location proximate to the pulley; and (iv) a line connected to the drive roller and one or more of the plurality of tonneau sections; wherein the line extends between the one or more of the plurality of tonneau sections and the driver roller when the plurality of tonneau sections are in the closed position, and the line extends from the one or more of the plurality of tonneau sections around the pulley and to the drive roller when the plurality of tonneau sections are in the stored position.