Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.

Abstract: A monitoring system and a control method thereof are provided. The monitoring system includes a drone and a base station. The drone includes an IR detector. The base station includes a platform, a moving vehicle, an IR positioner, and a positioning apparatus. The drone is placed on the platform disposed on the moving vehicle. The IR positioner emits an infrared ray. The positioning apparatus includes a movement member and a positioning controller. The movement member is movably disposed on the platform. The positioning controller is coupled to the movement member. The drone moves to the platform according to the infrared ray. When the drone is located on the platform, the positioning controller controls the movement member to push the drone and move the drone to a specific position. Accordingly, the drone can take off or be landed immediately when the base station is moving or remains still.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.

Abstract: A convertible Tonneau cover that converts into a camper shell of a camper and may convert back to a flat Tonneau cover. The convertible Tonneau cover includes a top portion of a rear hinged door frame that is curved over to protect the top portion of each of the pair of hinged sides. The convertible Tonneau cover also includes an E-hinge clamp with an E-shaped frame and a knurled screw, the E-shaped frame includes a knurled aperture, wherein the knurled screw has a semi-circular portion disposed on an end of the knurled screw to provide more surface area contact with the truck bed while adapted to be tightened within the E-shaped frame. The pair of hinged sides are adapted to fold inward while a bottom portion of the rear hinged door frame is coupled to a bed rail of a truck bed with the E-hinge clamp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container having a collapsible frame coupled to one side of a sliding roof that defines an upper side of the container. According to one aspect of the present invention, the container may include a collapsible frame that is pivotably coupled to one side of the container, and the sliding roof which defines the upper side of the container. The sliding roof may be configured to slide like a vertical blind along the upper side of the container in a direction from the side opposite to the one side toward the one side of the container, and to open the upper side of the container. The sliding roof may be configured to move past a first side of the container through the collapsible frame, and the collapsible frame may be configured to support the sliding roof when the sliding roof moves past the first side of the container.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly enabling the selective covering of an area such as the bed of a pickup truck. The assembly includes a plurality of extendable collapsible cover section interconnected by an actuation system. The actuation system enables the rear cover section of the assembly to be pivoted to a collapsed or extended position by a pivoting structure having unique cam and leverage characteristics. The entire assembly can be selectively power operated or locked into position using a clutch mechanism associated with the actuation system. The actuation system can be powered by an electric motor or by a hand crank operating through bevel gears in case of a system failure.

Abstract: A vehicle topper provides an enclosed compartment when coupled with a cargo bed of a vehicle such as a pickup truck. Convenient open access is provided to the bed of the vehicle by employing a rolling door that is supported by a frame within two parallel guide tracks. When the rolling door is in a completely closed position, the vehicle topper creates an enclosed and lockable compartment in conjunction with the cargo bed and the vehicle's cargo box. When the rolling door is moved through the guide tracks to a completely open position, the door is substantially disposed within a sub-floor space between a floor supported by the frame of the vehicle topper, and the vehicle's cargo bed. The rolling door can be caused to bypass the completely closed position and to open in a reverse direction. An outer frame is included to secure the vehicle topper to the walls of the cargo box.

Abstract: A top for a convertible motor vehicle includes a top linkage operable to move the top between a closed position and an open position. The top linkage includes at least one functional component having a first position and a second position. The functional component is generally in the first position at a start of the opening movement and at the start of the closing movement, and also at an end of an opening movement and at the end of the closing movement. The functional component is moved from the first position to the second position for at least a portion of the opening movement and of the closing movement when the top linkage is between the open and closed positions. The movement of the functional component from the first position to the second position provides clearance for at least one element that moves during movement of the top linkage.

Abstract: The present truck bed cap consists of an internal frame having a first shelf, a second shelf and a top, wherein the internal frame is connected to corner supports attached to the bed of the truck. In a first motion the top shifts vertically with respect to the internal frame. In a second motion the internal frame shifts vertically with respect to the corner supports and the bed of the truck.

Abstract: A protective cover assembly for covering a space defined by at least one wall. The protective cover assembly includes a plurality of rails coupled to one another to form a frame for securing a material over the space. At least one support bow spans the space to support the material. Clamp mechanisms are coupled to the ends of the support bow for securing the protective cover assembly over the space. The clamp mechanisms include a latch member for engaging the wall and a handle for biasing the latch member against the wall. A collar is coupled to a portion of the support bow for guiding the handle and the latch member between an operational position and a stowed position relative to the support bow.

Abstract: A user selectable optional power tinting system. A typical OPTS includes a user selection interface operable to allow a user to select a tinting option from a plurality of tinting options, a panel selection assembly coupled to the user selection interface and operable to engage a window panel corresponding to an option selected by the user selection interface, an actuator motor operable to engage the panel selection assembly when an option is selected from the user selection interface, and a plurality of differently tinted panels operable to be engaged by the panel selection assembly when an option is selected from the user selection interface, each differently tinted panel corresponding to one of the plurality of tinting options.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable lift assembly for a flatbed vehicle such as a pickup truck. The adjustable lift assembly includes an extendible vertical member located at each corner of a vehicle flatbed. A frame is attached to an upper portion of each extendible vertical member. The frame rises and lowers with extension and retraction of the extendible vertical support members. Each extendible vertical member is placed through a respective support collar. The support collars support and maintain the extendible vertical members parallel to each other when the vehicle moves. The present adjustable lift assembly is lightweight and provides stable elevated support for a flatbed vehicle with little or no impediment to the storage area of the vehicle flatbed.

Abstract: The invention includes a lift system for lifting a topper relative to a pickup truck box. The system is configured to lift the topper in a translational manner, such that the topper does not pivot with respect to the pickup box.

Abstract: A lift and pivot hinge mechanism that can be installed upon a conventional pick up truck bed in conjunction with a conventional box type cargo topper. The lift and pivot mechanism opens the topper in a clamshell manner whereby the rear of the topper is elevated in relation to the truck bed, thereby providing greater access to the cargo area. The opening process is accomplished in two stages. The topper is first slightly lifted diagonally, further defined as horizontally relative to the truck bed and rearward in relation to the passenger cab. By performing this first step the necessary clearance is provided to perform the second step, which is pivoting the rear of the topper upward in relation to the truck bed thereby providing greater access to the truck's cargo area. Alignment guides are utilized to assure consistent placement of the topper in relation to the truck bed.

Abstract: A raisable truck bed cover protects the contents of the truck bed from the elements and theft, while allowing access to the contents when materials are placed on the cover. The raisable cover maintains the storage capability of the original truck design while allowing additional material hauling capacity by way of the cover and an optional ladder rack system.

Abstract: A truck bed cover assembly installed over a truck bed comprising a plurality of rigid inverted U-shaped covers, a plurality of tracks located one below the other on sidewalls of the truck bed, two motors and two threaded shafts connected to the motors. The covers include a projecting member extending outwardly from and along the length of its free ends. The covers are of different size and form a telescopic arrangement when their projecting members are received in the tracks. The projecting members on the last cover include a threaded bore for receiving the threaded shafts. When the motors are activated, the rotary motion of the threaded shafts imparts a linear motion to the last cover, which in turn is adapted to pull or push the rest of the covers, thereby covering or uncovering the truck bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering a top of an open container is provided that includes a cover, an arm assembly, and a lock mechanism. The arm assembly can move between a stowed position in which the container top is substantially open to an extended position in which the container top is substantially covered. The lock mechanism can easily and automatically lock the arm assembly in the extended position as part of the container covering operation. The lock mechanism may include a latch and a latch block that cooperate to automatically and mechanically engage and retain a hook mechanism. The lock mechanism may also include an actuator that, when energized, permits the latch to release the hook mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted, covered container apparatus includes a container member, a telescopic collapsible cover assembly, and container-to-cover attachment means connected between the container member and the telescopic collapsible cover assembly. The container member can be a sander container. In this respect, the vehicle-mounted, covered container apparatus prevents snow and rain from getting inside the sander container and freezing the sand. Preferably, the telescopic collapsible cover assembly is dome-shaped. The telescopic collapsible cover assembly includes a plurality of rigid curved cover units that are dome segments and that are telescopic with respect to each other. In addition, the plurality of curved cover units are in the form of dome segments. Preferably, the container-to-cover attachment means include a pair of hinge pins connecting the first curved unit, the second curved unit, and the third curved unit together to each other and to the container member.

Abstract: Parallel, substantially horizontal, upper first tracks (34) extend lengthwise of a vehicle load bed (14). Parallel, substantially horizontal, second tracks that are below the first tracks (34) also extend lengthwise of the load bed (14). Forward guides (44) carried by cover sections (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) travel in the tracks (34) and rear guides (46) travel in the tracks (36). A rear cover section (18) is driven forwardly and rearwardly by a drive mechanism (54, 72, 74, 76). Forward movement of the cover section (18) moves the other movable cover sections (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) into a nested position within the forward cover section (20). Movement of the rear cover section (18) in the opposite direction pulls the cover sections (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) out from the nested position and spread them out over the length of the load bed (14).

Abstract: A rigid convertible hard cap for open bed vehicles (18) made of rigid material and of the type having an arched shape of individual sections (24, 26 and 28) with fixed or movable sides and top or roof that communicate at the base and top with tracks (32 and 34) to guide and facilitate movement of cap sections (24, 26 and 28). Cap sections (24, 26 and 28) contract and extend integrally in an successive overlapping manner to obtain the desired effect of the complete or partial open and enclosed truck bed (18) without having to partially or completely obstruct truck bed space.

Abstract: An article storage receptacle is mountable in a truck bed. A storage compartment is supported by a pivotal frame coupled to a moving unit for moving the frame and the storage compartment between a first position overlaying the truck bed to a variably selected second position elevated from the first position opening the interior of the storage compartment to access. A tonneau cover is pivotally mounted on the frame. An article carrier is carried by the tonneau cover.

Abstract: A cargo bed cover is provided for enclosing the cargo bed of a vehicle. A generally planar outer frame is mounted to the cargo bed, and two generally planar inner frames are connected with hinges to the outer frame for pivoting relative to the outer frame. The inner frames are moveable between a position with the inner frame generally parallel to the outer frame and a position with the inner frame at an angle relative to the outer frame. A generally planar cover panel is connected with a hinge to each inner frame for pivoting relative to the inner frame between a position with the cover panel is generally parallel to the inner frame and a position with the cover panel is at an angle relative to the inner frame. Each cover panel is slidingly connected to the inner frame for sliding relative to the inner frame.

Abstract: A vehicle body has a roof-enclosed passenger compartment and a rear cargo compartment. The cargo compartment has a cover and a tailgate to close the cargo compartment. The cover is movable along a pair of tracks from its closed position on the cargo compartment to a stowed position on top of the passenger compartment. The cover has an intermediate position above the cargo compartment which serves as a camper top and with the addition of zip-on side covers converts the vehicle body to a camper. The intermediate position of the cover in conjunction with the roof of the vehicle body also provides support for hauling long cargo.

Abstract: A collapsible truck shell assembly for use with a truck bed having a first bed wall and a second bed wall. The shell assembly is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, and includes a pair of elongate tracks mounted to the sides of the truck bed and configured to support a plurality of generally U-shaped frame members. A covering is attachable to and extensible between the frame members and substantially encloses the truck bed when the truck shell assembly is in the extended position. The frame members may be of progressively decreasing sizes so as to be nestable within each other and assume a generally planar configuration when the truck shell assembly is in the collapsed position. The frame members may be mounted to the elongate tracks in a manner which allows the frame members to be adjusted horizontally. Additionally, a storage box and storage rack are configured to be slidably engageable to the tracks mounted to the sides of the truck bed.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a motor vehicle having an articulating closure member which is retractable into a cavity below the level of the floor of the vehicle. The lid assembly includes a lid member and a conveyance assembly having a support structure and a drive assembly. The lid member is supported over the cavity by the support structure and the drive assembly moves the lid member between a first position wherein the lid member substantially covers the cavity, and a second position wherein the lid member at least partially clears the cavity.

Abstract: The cargo space of a vehicle bed has a trunk portion, protected from the environment, created therein by cooperation of a removable intersection bed cover, and a movable rear trunk panel on an underside of the bed cover. The vehicle trunk can be accessed through side doors within the sides of the vehicle bed.

Abstract: A removable and raisable roof attached to four upright supports is mounted on an open bed trailer. Two supports are located on the left and right corners of the forward edge of the trailer; the other two supports are similarly located at the rear corners of the trailer. No side supports are necessary. Using elevating means within the supports, which can operate independently or in tandem, the front and/or rear portions of the roof can be raised and lowered separately. Using external attachable fixtures and ground mounted supports, each of the roof supports can be lifted from their mounted position on the trailer bed and the trailer driven out from under the supports and roof assembly, converting a covered van to a fully open van. If a fully enclosed trailer is desired, then tarpaulin, or other readily removable wall materials can be suspended from the roof and attached to the trailer bed.