Tonneau assemblies and methods of use and manufacture thereof

• Main Authors: Stull Brock J, Tamarapoo Babuji K, Binfet Michael T
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.03.2018
• Subjects: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORVEHICLES; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILARDEVICES FOR VEHICLES

Some embodiments are directed to a tonneau assembly including a tonneau sheet configured to cover at least a part of an exposed area of a vehicle, and a rail assembly including a front rail connected to the tonneau sheet, a rear rail, and a pair of longitudinally extending side rails. The rear rail is pivotable between an open position that uncovers part of the exposed area of the vehicle, and a closed position that covers the part of the exposed area. The rear rail is connected to the tonneau sheet to apply a longitudinal tensioning force as the rear rail is pivoted from the open position to the closed position. The tonneau assembly includes a lateral tensioning assembly that is configured to apply a lateral tensioning force that is perpendicular to the longitudinal force as the rear rail is pivoted from the open position to the closed position.