Cargo cover

[0002] The present invention relates generally to cargo covers for vehicles and, more particularly, to a cargo cover for a bed of a vehicle.

[0003] It is known to provide a bed for a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle and a pick-up truck. Typically, the bed is rectangular in shape to define a cargo area and is closed at the end by a tailgate. The tailgate is hinged to the bed to have an upright position to close the end of the bed and a down position to open the end of the bed.

[0004] Many of the pick-up trucks sold today have a cargo cover to cover the bed. The cargo cover is made as a one-piece panel of a relatively “strong/rigid” hard material to withstand predetermined strength and performance specifications. The cargo cover will only fit the bed for which it was designed.

[0005] Some pick-up trucks may include two or more rows of seats such as a crew/club or extended cabs and a cargo box or bed behind the cab that is structurally integral with the cab. The lower part of the rear of the cab may be opened and the rearmost seats folded to allow the cargo area to extend forward under the rear cab window into the occupant compartment. The forward part of the cargo area may be a “tub”, open to the rear that may be slid forward to make the forward extension of the cargo area.

[0006] Although the above has worked well, it is desirable to provide a versatile cargo cover for this cargo box and sliding tub. It is also desirable to provide a cargo cover which can provide security for the cargo, the cargo and occupant area when the cargo box is extended, or the occupant compartment alone when the cargo box is extended. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a cargo cover for the cargo area of a bed for a vehicle.

[0007] It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a cargo cover for a bed of a vehicle.

[0008] It is another object to provide a cargo cover for a cargo box and sliding tub for a bed of a vehicle.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cargo cover for a cargo area of a bed of a vehicle.

[0010] To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is a cargo cover for a bed of a vehicle. The cargo cover includes a plurality of individual panels to cover the cargo area of the bed of a vehicle and a pair of side frames connected to sides of the bed of the vehicle. The cargo cover also includes a pair of side rails operatively cooperating with the panels and the side frames to allow the panels to slide relative to each other to open and close the cargo area of the bed of the vehicle.

[0011] One advantage of the present invention is that a cargo cover is provided for a bed of a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the cargo cover provides a “maximum occupant” and “maximum cargo” configuration for a bed of a vehicle. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the cargo cover may cover and secure the cargo, be used to seal the occupant area for occupant security, and the cargo area may be opened to carry large objects without the need to remove the cargo cover from the vehicle. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the cargo cover offers occupant-carrying capability, overall length and maneuverability of a vehicle, with convertibility into the load-carrying length and height of a pickup, and with a variety of ways to configure the cargo area. A further advantage of the present invention is that the cargo cover offers a high degree of flexibility to the vehicle because the cargo area may be open or closed in he maximum occupant and maximum cargo configurations.

[0012] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo cover, according to the present invention, illustrated in a secured position with a bed of a vehicle.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cargo cover and vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating a lifted position for loading.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cargo cover and vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating a slid open position for loading.

[0016] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the cargo cover and vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating a maximum occupant position.

[0017] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the cargo cover and vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating a maximum cargo position.

[0018] FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the cargo cover and vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating a maximum cargo position.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the cargo cover and vehicle of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8—8 of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cargo cover and vehicle of FIG. 1.

[0022] Referring to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 through 6, one embodiment of a cargo cover 10, according to the present invention, is shown for a vehicle such as a pick-up truck, generally indicated at 11. Such pick-up trucks 11 typically include a cab 12 (partially shown) forming an occupant compartment 13. The cab 12 includes two or more rows of seats (not shown) disposed in the occupant compartment 13. The cab 12 includes a rear cab window 14 at a rear longitudinal end thereof and a crossbeam 14aextending laterally beneath the rear cab window 14. The cab 12 includes a lower opening 15 beneath the crossbeam 14afor a function to be described.

[0023] The pick-up truck 11 also includes a cargo box or bed 16 forming a cargo area 18. The bed 16 includes a floor 20, two sides 22 and a tailgate 24 that define the cargo area 18. The pick-up truck 11 may include a bed liner or tub 25 that has a generally box shape which is open to a top and rear thereof. The tub 25 has a floor wall 25aand a front wall 25band side walls (not shown) generally perpendicular to the floor wall 25a. The tub 25 may be slid forward to make a forward extension of the cargo area 18. It should be appreciated that the bed 16 is structurally integral with the cab 14. It should also be appreciated that the rearmost row of seats may be folded to allow the cargo area 18 to extend forward under the rear cab window 14 into the occupant compartment 13. It should also be appreciated that, except for the cargo cover 10, the pick-up truck 12 is conventional and known in the art.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10, the cargo cover 10 includes a plurality of, preferably two, side frames 26 that are attached to the sides 22 of the bed 16 by suitable means such as fasteners (not shown). The side frames 26 extend longitudinally and are generally “U” shaped in cross-section to form a channel 28. The side frames 26 are made of a rigid material such as metal. It should be appreciated that the side frames 26 are fixed to the bed 16 of the vehicle 12. It should also be appreciated that the side frames 26 may be attached to sides of the tub 25 disposed in the cargo area 18.

[0025] The cargo cover 10 also includes a plurality of, preferably two, side rails 30 that are disposed in the channel 28 of the side frames 26 and slideable therein. The side rails 30 extend longitudinally and are generally “C” shaped in cross-section. The side rails 30 each have a flange 32 extending upwardly from a lower portion thereof to form a generally “U” shaped channel 33 for a function to be described. The side rails 30 are made of a rigid material such as metal.

[0026] The cargo cover 10 further includes individual first and second panels 34 and 36, respectively, to cover the cargo area 18 of the bed 16. The first and second panels 34 and 36 are generally rectangular in shape and made of a relatively rigid material such as plastic to withstand predetermined strength and performance specifications. The first and second panels 34 and 36 have the same width. The first panel 34 has a longitudinal length greater than the second panel 36.

[0027] The first panel 34 is disposed near the cab 14 and has a recess 35aalong each side to receive the side rails 30. The first panel 34 is fixed to the side rails 30 by suitable means such as fasteners (not shown). The first panel 34 also has a forward edge 35bpivotally connected or hinged to the side frames 26 by suitable means such as a hinge 37. The first panel 34 has a rear edge 38 that extends downwardly and generally perpendicular thereto for a function to be described.

[0028] The second panel 36 has a side edge 40 along each side thereof which extends downwardly and generally perpendicular thereto. The side edges 40 are disposed in the channel 33 of the side rails 30. The second panel 36 also has a forward edge 42 which extends upwardly and generally perpendicular thereto. The forward edge 42 is disposed forward of the rear edge 38 of the first panel 34. The rear edge 38 of the first panel 34 and forward edge 42 of the second panel 36 overlap to form a seal for sealing a joint between the panels 34 and 36 when the cargo cover 10 is fully extended. The second panel 36 may also include a lock 43 to secure the second panel 36 and cargo cover 10 to the sides 22 of the bed 16. It should be appreciated that the lock 43 is conventional and known in the art.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 9, the cargo cover 10 may include a seal 44 between the crossbeam 14afor the cab rear window 14 of the cab 12 and the cargo cover 10. The seal 44 has at least one, preferably a pair of wipers 46 to form a double wiping seal with drainage between the wipers 46. It should be appreciated that the panels 34 and 36 for the cargo cover 10 are sealed when the panels 34 and 36 are slid forward under the rear cab window 14.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cargo cover 10 is installed in a secured position to cover the cargo area 18. In this position, the panels 34 and 36 of the cargo cover 10 form a lockable hard cover that protects cargo in the cargo area 18. The cargo cover 10 can be unlocked via the lock 43 and lifted and rotated up from a forward edge 35bof the first panel 34 via the hinges 37 to provide access to the cargo area 18 for loading as illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be appreciated that the side rails 30 allow the second panel 36 to slide under the first panel 34. It should also be appreciated that a support or assist device (not shown) could be provided to hold the cargo cover in the raised position.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the cargo cover 10 is installed and unlocked via the lock 43 to allow the second panel 36 to be slid forward via the side rails 30 to open the cargo area 18 for loading objects into the cargo area 18 of the bed 16.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cargo cover 10 is installed to cover the cargo area 18 and the tub 25 is in its most rearward position for a maximum occupant area, enabling the rearmost row of seats in the cab 12 to be used for occupants. In this position, the cargo area 18 is covered and secure. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rearmost seat area is reconfigured and the tub 25 is slid forward in its most forward position for a maximum cargo area. In this position, the cargo area 18 is covered and the occupant compartment 13 is protected from the outside weather conditions. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cargo cover 10 is slid forward so that the first panel 34 covers the tub 25 between its front wall 25aand the rear cab window 14. The second panel 36 is slid under the first panel 34. In this position, the cargo area 18 is open behind the rear cab window 14 while the occupant compartment 13 remains sealed from the outside environment. It should be appreciated that another second panel (not shown) could be added when the length of the unextended cargo area 18 is greater than twice the length of the first panel 34. It should also be appreciated that the cargo cover 10 may be removed from the hinges 37 and taken off the pick-up truck 12 if desired.

[0033] The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0034] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.