Protective cover assembly for truck compartment

Abstract

A protective cover assembly for a truck compartment of a pickup-type vehicle is provided, the assembly comprising a roller blind (1) consisting of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) and an end strip (4), the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) being continuously connected along a transverse length by a hinge joint (3), the roller blind (1) is connected at one end with a transverse rotatable shaft so as to be able to be wound and unwound on the transverse rotatable shaft, the assembly further comprising a plurality of cable guide elements (5) mounted on at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) and / or on the end slats (4) and for receiving cables passing therethrough, the roller blind (1) is arranged on the housing box (21) so as to provide a wired connection between the electrical elements (17, 18, 19) arranged on the roller blind (1) and the stationary elements of the housing box (21) along at least one longitudinal length of the roller blind (1) during winding and unwinding of the roller blind (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective cover assembly for a truck bed of a pickup type vehicle, and more particularly to a protective cover assembly including a roller blind and a plurality of cable guide elements for supporting and guiding cables when the roller blind is wound and unwound so as to provide a wired connection between a stationary element and a moving or wound element. Background Art

[0002] Truck beds are commonly used for pickup trucks and similar vehicles with cargo boxes that are largely exposed to the elements. It is well known that there are different types of covers (roll-up covers, folding covers, telescopic covers, one-piece solid covers, etc.) that can provide a safer, more weatherproof storage space.

[0003] The design and use of retractable roll-up truck bed protection covers on pickup trucks with open beds are well known. Conventional retractable roll-up truck bed protection covers generally include a roller blind that is composed of a plurality of individual slats that are hinged to form a slat array. The slat array forms a continuous protection cover through the hinges between the individual slats. Once the continuous protection cover is mounted on a pair of side rails, it can be fully or partially extended or retracted and stored in a rolled-up form in a housing box.

[0004] The shield, especially the roll-up shield, includes movable and windable elements and sometimes it is necessary to provide wire connections for the above elements, ie to power the lamp, to communicate with sensors, etc.

[0005] Known roll-up guards include electrical wiring connections that are installed by laying a plurality of electrical cables on side rails included in the roll-up guard.

[0006] However, due to the movable / windable aspect of the roller blind of a roll-up protective cover, the wired side rails of the protective cover cannot provide a continuous connection between the electrical components arranged on the roller blind and a housing box relative to the protective cover or a stationary element relative to the vehicle when the roller blind is operable, i.e. during movement.

[0007] Therefore, there remains a need for a shield assembly, and more specifically a roll-up shield, that is capable of providing a wired connection and allowing power to be supplied to the moving parts of the shield, and more specifically to the parts of the curtain of the roll-up shield, including powering decorative or functional signal lights, sensors, electric actuators, etc., for a variety of purposes, such as effectively illuminating a portion or the entire length of a truck bed. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a protective cover assembly for a pickup truck bed is provided. The protective cover assembly includes a roller blind that is selectively extended to at least partially cover the pickup truck bed and at least partially retracted to form a roll for storage in a housing box. The roller blind is composed of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels or slats hinged to each other and end slats.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of cable guiding elements are installed on at least a portion of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels, and are used to support and guide the cable in a predetermined manner during the winding and unwinding process of the roller blind, so that when the roller blind is extended on the pickup truck bed, the cable is guided and supported along at least a portion of the transverse panel without being stretched, and when the flexible protective cover is retracted, the cable guiding elements guide and support the cable in an orderly manner so that the cable becomes a part of the drum, so that the cable is wound in a ring manner without bending when the roller blind is wound.

[0010] Thus, the design of the cable guide element avoids stretching or bending of the cable when the cable is wound (coiled) in the housing box and / or when the protective cover is extended.

[0011] The cable guide component is constructed to receive the cable passing therethrough at a position between the stationary components of the protective cover assembly (i.e., the components mounted on the housing box) and the different movable or windable components of the movable or windable roller blind (i.e., the components mounted on the roller blind, the transverse panel, the end slats), while protecting the cable from external damage, minimizing cable wear, and avoiding bending of the cable when the roller blind is wound.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a shield assembly includes a light source disposed on one or more of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels for effectively illuminating a truck bed of a pickup-type vehicle.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the protective cover assembly may also include signal lights or sensor devices (pressure sensor devices, light sensor devices, additional brake lights, emergency lights, obstacle sensors, interior lights, etc.) arranged on multiple adjacent transverse panels and / or end slats, and the signal lights or sensor devices can be powered by cables.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1a Detailed Description of the Invention A fully extended shield assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1b yes Figure 1a Detailed view of a portion of a boot assembly showing a cable guide element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a cable guide element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Rear perspective view of the cable guide element in FIG.

[0020] Figure 4 is a partial top view of a protective cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 is a partial top view of a protective cover assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 is a partially exploded top view of a protective cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 is a partial bottom view of a protective cover assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 is a partially exploded top view of a protective cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 9 is a partially exploded top view of a portion of a protective cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.10 is a partially exploded view of a portion of a protective cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.11 is a partial side perspective view of the protective cover assembly in the wrapped position together with the cable line.

[0028] Fig.12 It is a partial side view of the protective cover assembly in the wrapped position together with the cable line.

[0029] Fig.13 is a partial top view of a shield assembly of a shield system according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the end slats include signal lights and sensor devices.

[0030] Fig.14 is a wiring diagram of a protective cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig.15 is a cross-sectional front view of a housing box according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the roller blind is in a fully retracted position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference Figure 1a According to the present invention, a protective cover assembly for a cabin of a pickup type vehicle comprises a roller blind 1, which is composed of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 and end slats 4, wherein the plurality of adjacent transverse panels are continuously connected along a transverse length by a hinge joint 3, and the roller blind 1 is connected at one end to a transverse rotatable shaft included in a housing box 21 so as to allow the roller blind 1 to be wound and unwound on the transverse rotatable shaft.

[0033] like Figure 1b As shown, the protective cover assembly also includes a plurality of cable guiding elements 5, which are mounted on at least a portion of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 and are configured to receive cables passing therethrough to provide a wired connection with the roller blind 1, so that during the winding and unwinding process of the roller blind 1, the cables can be supported and guided in a predetermined manner along at least one longitudinal length of the roller blind 1, thereby providing a wired connection between the elements (17, 18, 19) arranged on a single transverse panel 2 and / or the end slats 4 and the stationary elements, i.e., the elements mounted on the housing box 21 of the protective cover assembly.

[0034] The term longitudinal direction is to be understood as a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0035] The term transverse is to be understood as meaning a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0036] The term cable is to be understood as any type of cable designed for data transmission or power supply, such as USB cable, single-wire cable, multi-wire cable, coaxial cable, transmission cable, fiber optic cable, etc.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in addition to Figure 1a and Figure 1b In addition, such as Figure 4 , Figures 6 to 12 As shown, each of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 has a cable guide element 5, which is mounted at one or both longitudinal ends of the transverse panel. In this way, the cables can be arranged along only one longitudinal side of the roller blind 1 or along two opposite longitudinal sides of the roller blind 1, thereby achieving different cable routing arrangements.

[0038] Alternatively, if Figure 5 As shown, the cable guide element 5 can be mounted on only a portion of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 , on one or both longitudinal ends of a transverse panel 2 .

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, adjacent transverse panels 2 may have cable guide elements 5 mounted at opposite longitudinal ends, respectively.

[0040] In other embodiments, the cable guiding element 5 may be mounted or attached at an inner position of an adjacent transverse panel 2 or may be integrated in the design of the transverse panel 2 .

[0041] The guide element 5 may have a variety of suitable configurations.

[0042] The envisaged construction is particularly suitable for receiving an electric cable therethrough so that the electric cable is wound in a ring-shaped manner together with the roller blind 1 in the housing box 21 without the electric cable being stretched and avoiding bending of the electric cable when the roller blind 1 is extended.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the illustrated structure, the cable guiding element 5 includes an inner wall 5a, an outer wall 5b, a top wall 5c, a bottom wall 5d, a distal end 5e and a proximal end 5f, and the inner wall 5a, the outer wall 5b, the top wall 5c, the bottom wall 5d, the distal end 5e and the proximal end 5f define a channel 6 over the entire length of the cable guiding element 5, and the channel 6 is used to support and guide the cable when the cable passes through the cable guiding element 5 in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] like Figures 4 to 11 As shown, the cable guide elements 5 are arranged in an assembled relationship on the roller blind 1 so that the proximal end 5f of the cable guide element 5 faces the distal end 5e of the subsequent cable guide element 5, whether the subsequent guide element 5 is installed on an adjacent panel 2 or on a further removed transverse panel 2.

[0045] The design of the distal end 5e of the cable guiding element 5 functionally corresponds to the design of the proximal end 5f, so that when in an assembled relationship, during the winding and unwinding process of the roller blind 1, the distal end 5e of the cable guiding element 5 functionally corresponds to the proximal end 5f of the succeeding cable guiding element 5 to avoid bending of the cable when the protective cover is extended and to allow the cable to be wound without stretching.

[0046] In a number of equally preferred configurations, the distal end 5e and / or the proximal end 5f of the cable guide element 5 is open-ended.

[0047] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distal end 5e is open ended and the proximal end 5f comprises a generally curved portion with an opening 8.

[0048] In another, likewise preferred, configuration, the outer wall 5 b extends partially along the longitudinal length of the guide element 5 in order to prevent the electrical cable from slipping out of the channel 6 .

[0049] like Fig.11 and Fig.12As shown, the heights of the proximal end 5f and the distal end 5e of the cable guide element 5 are greater than the height at the center of the guide element 5, so the channel 6 has a height increasing toward both ends of the channel 6, allowing the cable to be wound in a ring manner without bending.

[0050] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 5d comprises two inclined sections 9, 10 connected to respective ends of the horizontal section 11, but other possible configurations of the bottom wall 5d are also conceivable, for example, the bottom wall 5d may be of a curved configuration.

[0051] The shield assembly comprises means 15 for attaching the cable guide element 5 to the adjacent transverse panel 2. Fig.10 As shown, the means for attaching the cable guide element 5 to the adjacent transverse panel 2 may be threaded bolts or fasteners 15, or any other suitable attachment means or combination thereof.

[0052] In another embodiment, Fig.15 As shown, the housing box 21 may include a spiral track 22 arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the housing box 21, and the spiral track 22 is used to help guide the roller blind 1 so that the roller blind 1 will not be subject to excessive friction resistance when extending or retracting. In this case, the cable guide element 5 may include a ball bearing 16 to minimize the rolling friction between the transverse panel 2 and the spiral track 22.

[0053] like Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the cable guide element 5 may also include a plurality of transverse protruding parts 12, 13, 14, which extend into the interior of the transverse panel 2 to provide additional attachment means. That is, the design profile of the cable guide element 5 may correspond to the design profile of the transverse panel 2 for better matching.

[0054] The configuration, number, arrangement, etc. of the laterally projecting members 12, 13, 14 may vary.

[0055] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 The inner wall 5a of the cable guide element 5 may include a passage 7 through which the cable line can pass out of the channel 6 in a transverse direction relative to the cable guide element 5 in order to provide a wired connection to an element mounted on the transverse panel 2 provided with the cable guide element 5.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.13As shown, the light sources 17, 18 can be arranged on one or more of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 and oriented to direct light to the interior and / or exterior of the truck compartment, and can be constructed to be operated by a dedicated switch, can be automatically operated when the roller blind 1 is deployed, can be remotely controlled, or can be operated in conjunction with the vehicle's headlights, parking lights or taillights.

[0057] Additionally, the light sources 17, 18 may also be activated by light sensors (not shown) upon the occurrence of selected events, such as darkness, gloom or inclement weather conditions.

[0058] The light sources 17 , 18 may be a single component or may consist of a plurality of lighting elements that are selectively positioned along the length of one or more of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 and the end strips 4 .

[0059] In another embodiment of the present invention, Fig.13 As shown, the sensor device 19 can be arranged in the end slat 4, so that when the guard system is driven by an electric motor (electric motor), the guard will automatically stop and reverse when an obstacle is detected.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light source is a red light 18 which can be used as an additional brake light for signaling a brake light, an emergency light or an additional driving beam light, just like the rest of the vehicle's tail lights and / or safety lights when the roll-up shield is in operation.

[0061] In other embodiments, the light sources 17, 18, 19 may be illuminated when the vehicle and / or the roll-up shield is in operation.

[0062] The lights 17, 18 and the sensor device 19 can be connected to a power source on the vehicle, such as a vehicle battery, by means of cables which are guided through the passages 7 of the corresponding cable guide elements 5 to the specific transverse panel 2. Fig.14 As shown, the power source can be a vehicle battery or other power source, and the control signal can be a simple switch or an intelligent control board.

[0063] The above invention may include additional circuitry to control the color and brightness of the light sources 17,18.

[0064] Additional circuitry may be added to embodiments of the present invention so as to cause the lights 17, 18 to flash or change intensity, for example, when the roller blind 1 moves (opens or closes), when the vehicle brakes or accelerates, and so on.

[0065] The end slats 4 may also include a locking mechanism, not shown, mounted on the end slats 4 for securing the roller blind 1 to the tailgate of the truck. The locking mechanism includes a handle for opening and closing the roller blind 1.

[0066] like Fig.14 As shown, the shield system can be remotely controlled by a remote control element or a mobile application installed in a smartphone, or locally controlled by the end slat actuator.

[0067] In addition, the intelligent controller controls the lights 17, 18 and other electrical components arranged on the protective cover assembly, such as a motor, and can receive signals from the sensor 19, adjust the brightness of the lights and control the locking mechanism.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, these embodiments are essentially only for illustration and not for limitation, because it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A protective cover assembly for a truck bed of a pickup type vehicle, the assembly comprising a roller blind (1) and a housing box (21), the roller blind (1) being formed by a plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) connected continuously along a transverse length by a hinge joint (3) and end slats (4), the roller blind (1) being connected at one end to a rotatable transverse shaft so as to be able to be wound and unwound on the transverse rotatable shaft, It is characterized in that The components also include: A plurality of cable guiding elements (5) are mounted on at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) and / or the end slats (4) and are configured to receive electrical cables therethrough so as to provide a wired connection between electrical components (17, 18, 19) arranged on the roller blind (1) and stationary elements of the housing box (21) so that during the winding and unwinding process of the roller blind (1), the electrical cables can be supported and guided in a predetermined manner along at least a longitudinal length of the roller blind (1).

2. The shield assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) has a guide element (5) mounted at one longitudinal end of the transverse panel.

3. The protective cover assembly according to claim 1, each of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) having guide elements (5) mounted at both longitudinal ends of the transverse panel.

4. The protective cover assembly according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the cable guiding element (5) comprises an inner wall (5a), an outer wall (5b), a top wall (5c), a bottom wall (5d), a distal end (5e) and a proximal end (5f), wherein the inner wall (5a), the outer wall (5b), the top wall (5c), the bottom wall (5d), the distal end (5e) and the proximal end (5f) define a channel (6) over the entire length of the cable guiding element (5), and the channel (6) is used to support and guide the cable when the cable passes through the cable guiding element (5) in the longitudinal direction.

5. The protective cover assembly according to claim 4, wherein the outer wall (5b) partially extends along the longitudinal length of the guide element (5) to prevent the cable from sliding out of the channel (6).

6. A protective cover assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inner wall (5a) includes a passage (7) through which the electrical cable can pass out of the channel (6) in a transverse direction relative to the cable guide element (5) so as to provide a wired connection with electrical components mounted on the transverse panel (2) provided with the cable guide element (5).

7. The shield assembly according to claims 4 to 6, wherein the distal end (5e) and / or the proximal end (5f) is open-ended.

8. The shield assembly according to claims 4 to 7, wherein the proximal end (5f) comprises a generally curved portion with an opening (8).

9. The shield assembly according to claims 4 to 8, wherein the bottom wall (5d) comprises two inclined sections (9, 10) connected to respective ends of a horizontal section (11).

10. A protective cover assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the cable guide elements (5) are arranged on the roller blind (1) in an assembled relationship so that the proximal end (5f) of the cable guide element (5) faces the distal end (5e) of the succeeding cable guide element (5).

11. Shield assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide element (5) comprises a plurality of transverse protruding parts (12, 13, 14) extending to the inside of the transverse panel (2).

12. A protective cover assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical component comprises one or more light sources (17, 18) and / or sensor devices (19), and the one or more light sources (17, 18) and / or the sensor devices (19) are arranged on a portion of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) or on the end strips (4) and are connected by electrical cables.

13. A shield assembly according to claim 12, wherein the light sources (17, 18) are a plurality of lighting elements selectively positioned along the length of the transverse panels (2) and / or the end strips (4).

14. A shield assembly according to the preceding claim, further comprising means (15) for attaching a guide element (5) to the adjacent transverse panel (2) and / or to the end batten (4).

15. The protective cover assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the housing box (21) comprises a spiral track (22) and each cable guiding element (5) comprises a ball bearing (16) to minimize the rolling friction between the transverse panel (2) and the spiral track (22).

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