Tonneau cover

• US 10,286,763 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2017
• Issued: 05/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techniplas US LLC
• Original Assignee: Techniplas LLC
• Inventors: Capiak, James, Flatt, Keith, Stephenson, II, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Application Number:
  US15/856,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20180186221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 29610002, 29610003, 29610004, 29610005, 29610006, 29610007, 29610008, 29610009, 2961001
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/108 Foldable rear hoods therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/141 for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/535 to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/90 Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof

Abstract

A tonneau cover having integrated power sources and other accessories includes an outer portion and an inner structural portion. The power source may be one or more solar panels with associated power storage units for storing electrical energy. Accessories may include at least one rear warning sensor attached to a rear facing portion of the tonneau cover and configured to detect a distance to a following vehicle. A visual warning indicator may also be attached to the rear facing portion of the tonneau cover to indicate to the following vehicle when it is following too closely. Side lights and emergency lights integrated into the cover may also be included, as may additional accessories or ports for same.

Claims

1. A tonneau cover, comprising:

an outer portion and an inner portion, the inner portion having a rib-like structure and the outer portion having a substantially smooth surface;

at least one solar panel integrated within the outer portion;

a power storage unit connected to the at least one solar panel for storing electrical energy;

at least one rear warning sensor integrated within a rear facing portion of the outer portion of the tonneau cover and being configured to detect a distance to a following vehicle; and

a visual warning integrated within the rear facing portion of the outer portion of the tonneau cover to indicate to a following vehicle when it is within a pre-determined threshold distance of a vehicle to which the tonneau cover is affixed.

2. The tonneau cover of claim 1, wherein the outer portion and the inner portion include a plurality of articulated joints.

3. The tonneau cover of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of side lights integrated around a periphery of the outer portion.

4. The tonneau cover of claim 1, further comprising one or more blind spot detectors.

5. The tonneau cover of claim 4, wherein the one or more blind spot detectors comprise wireless cameras.

6. The tonneau cover of claim 4, wherein the one or more blind spot detectors comprise warning indicators.

7. The tonneau cover of claim 1, further comprising a hazard indicator mounted to a rear section of the inner portion of the tonneau cover, so as to be visible when the rear section is articulated to an open position.

8. The tonneau cover of claim 7, wherein the hazard indicator is a lighted safety triangle.

9. The tonneau cover of claim 7, wherein the hazard indicator is a safety triangle having a plurality of lights, said lights configured to turn on and off in a designated pattern.

10. A tonneau cover, comprising a plurality of blind spot sensors, at least one rear warning sensor, and a power supply coupled to provide power to the plurality of blind spot sensors and the at least one rear warning sensor, wherein the power supply includes at least one solar panel integrated within an outer portion of the tonneau cover, the outer portion of the tonneau cover is supported by an inner, rib-like portion, the inner and outer portions of the tonneau cover include articulating joints defining a plurality of sections of the tonneau cover, and the tonneau cover further comprises a visual warning system integrated within a rear facing portion of the outer portion of the tonneau cover to indicate to a following vehicle when it is within a pre-determined threshold distance of a vehicle to which the tonneau cover is affixed.

11. The tonneau cover of claim 10, further comprising one or more lights configured to be activated upon opening of a section of the tonneau cover.