Tonneau cover release latch device

Abstract

A release latch device for unlatching a tonneau cover, the tonneau cover configured for use with a vehicle comprising a cargo area, the cargo area having a pair of opposing side walls and a tailgate, the release latch device including: a fixed part; a movable part operatively connected to the fixed part and configured to move relative to the fixed part; and upon opening of the tailgate, the moveable part is configured to move out from under the tonneau cover into an extended position that is below the tonneau cover and / or beyond a distal end of the tonneau cover.

Description

TONNEAU COVER RELEASE LATCH DEVICECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.FIELD

[0002] These teachings relate to tonneau covers, and more particularly to a release latch device, a tonneau cover that includes a release latch device, and to a method of operating a release latch device.BACKGROUND

[0003] Some vehicles, like pick-up trucks, have an open-topped bed or cargo area that may be used for storing or transporting cargo. A cover, such as a tonneau cover, may be placed over the cargo area. The cover may be opened to access the cargo and / or the inside of the cargo area and closed to conceal the cargo from view and / or to prevent fluid and / or debris from entering the cargo area.

[0004] Some covers have a latch for locking and unlocking the cover. However, many latches are not intuitive to operate. For example, some latches are located under a panel of the cover, which may be difficult for an operator to locate, especially at night or for an operator who is unfamiliar with the cover. Some latches require an operator to pull down on a handle with one hand while pushing up on the cover with the other hand. These simultaneous and opposing movements may be awkward for an operator, especially for an operator who is unfamiliar with the cover.

[0005] Accordingly, it may be desirable to have an improved cover and / or latch device that overcomes at least some of the challenges known in the art.SUMMARY

[0006] These teachings are directed to a release latch device, a tonneau cover that includes a release latch device, and to a method of operating a release latch device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle, a cover, and a release latch device according to these teachings.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the release latch device.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the release latch device.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the slide housing and the handle.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the fixed housing.

[0012] FIG. 6A is a back perspective view of the slide housing.

[0013] FIG. 6B is a front perspective view of the slide housing.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the handle.

[0015] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the release latch device in a retracted or stowed configuration.

[0016] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the release latch device in an extended or presenting configuration.

[0017] FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the release latch device in the extended or presenting configuration with the handle device in the unlatching position.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tonneau cover.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The release latch device according to these teachings is configured for actuating a latch or a lock associated with a vehicle and / or a tonneau cover. Actuating means that the latch or lock can be caused to be locked or unlocked. Actuating means that the latch or lock can be caused to be moved to lock or unlock the latch or lock device.

[0020] The latch or lock may be configured to restrict or prevent opening or movement of the tonneau cover or one or more panels of the tonneau cover. The latch or lock may be part of the tonneau cover and configured to engage one or more walls of the cargo area of the vehicle. In other configurations, the latch or lock may be part of the vehicle or cargo area and configured to engage the tonneau cover or one or more panels of the tonneau cover. Generally, the latch or lock may include one or more members (such as a peg, projection, finger, tab, panel, or the like) that is configured to engage a mating member (such as a mating peg or projection, opening, aperture, slot, or the like) to restrict or prevent movement of the panel or tonneau cover.

[0021] The release latch device according to these teachings may advantageously move, slide, or reposition itself to “present” itself to a user of the tonneau cover so the user can easily locate and actuate the release latch device to open or unlock the latch or tonneau cover. The release latch device may automatically move into a conspicuous position upon actuating or lowing of the tonneau cover. This automatic movement allows a user to easily locate the release latch device to actuate the lock or tonneau cover. Compared to other release latch devices currently on the market, where a user must search for the release latch device, a user may quickly and easily find and actuate the device to open the tonneau cover, which may save the user time, effort, and frustration. On the other hand, some currently available latch devices are hidden under a panel of the tonneau cover, which may be obscured from view, especially in dark or low- lit environments.

[0022] When the tailgate is opened or lowered, the latch device according to these teachings is configured to move. The movement may provide for the release latch device to move or extend beyond a distal-most end of the rear-most panel of the tonneau cover. The movement may provide for the release latch deivce to move downwardly or away from a bottom surface of the panel. The movement may draw the attention of the user so that the user immediately sees the release latch device presented to the user.

[0023] Upon raising or closing of the tailgate, the release latch device is automatically pushed, moved or retracted into a stowed position. This prevents the need of the user from having to manually move the release latch device into the stowed or retracted configuration. Upon movement of the release latch device into the stowed configuration, the release latch device may be moved towards a front end of the cargo area of the vehicle and / or upwardly towards a bottom surface of a panel of the tonneau cover.

[0024] In some configurations, upon movement of the release latch device into the outwardly actuating position, one or more lights may be illuminated and / or audible sounds may emit to further alert the user to the location or position of the release latch device. Such lights and / or sounds may be emitted from one or more features of the release latch device such as the fixed housing, the slide housing, the handle, or any combination thereof. The actuation of the lights and / or sound may follow movement of the movable part or the slide housing upon lowering of the tailgate. In other configurations, the one or more lights or sounds may be emitted from the tonneau cover and / or the vehicle.

[0025] By actuating the release latch according to these teachings, one or more plungers such as those illustrated and described in US8182021B2 at reference numerals 182 may be retracted or moved out of one or more latch channels illustrated and described in the aforementioned patent at element 84. A cable, rod, bar, wire, or other connecting member may extend between the release latch according to these teachings and the plungers of US US8182021B2.

[0026] By actuating the release latch according to these teachings, one or more latch pins, such as those illustrated and described in US 11453277B2 at reference numerals 106, 108 may be retracted or moved out of one or more latch channel or engagement features 28 illustrated and described in the aforementioned patent. A cable, rod, bar, wire, or other connecting member may extend between the release latch according to these teachings and the latch pins 106, 108 of US 11453277B2.

[0027] By actuating the release latch according to these teachings, one or more latch bolts, such as those illustrated and described in US 11097605 at reference numeral 56 may be retracted or moved out of latch channel or engagement features illustrated and described in the aforementioned patent. A cable, rod, bar, wire, or other connecting member may extend between the release latch according to these teachings and the latch bolts US 11453277B2.

[0028] The release latch device may be offered as a standalone device, as a kit that is sold with other tonneau covers, or as a retrofit device to be assembled onto other known tonneau covers.

[0029] The release latch device according to these teachings may be made from a suitable material, including but not limited to plastics, a 3D printed material, metal, aluminum, rubber, or any combination thereof. The release latch device may be attached to a bottom surface of a panel or slat of the tonneau cover via any suitable fastener, including screws, rivets, bolts, and the like.

[0030] The release latch device according to these teachings can be used with many known tonneau covers and latch or lock devices currently available, including the tonneau covers and latch or lock devices illustrated and described in the patent publications disclosed herein, all of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a cargo area 12 and a passenger area or cab 14. The vheicle 10 may be a pickup truck.

[0032] The cargo area 12 may be defined by one or more walls that include: a front wall 16 that is located adjacent the passenger area or cab 14; a pair of opposing side walls 18, 20; and a rear wall or tailgate 22 that opposes the front wall 16. Each side wall 18, 20 has an inner wall 24A, 24B that faces an inside of the cargo area 12.

[0033] The cargo area 12 has an open top that can be covered with a cover 30, like a tonneau cover 30. The tonneau cover 30 may be attached to or supported on one or more rails or frames 13 connected to the inner walls 24A, 24B; and / or attached to or supported on the top surfaces of the side walls 18, 20. Additionally, or alternately, the tonneau cover 30 may be attached, connected, or supported on one or both inner or top surfaces of the front wall 16 and / or tailgate 22.

[0034] The tonneau cover 30 includes one or more panels. In FIG. 1, the tonneau cover 30 includes panels three Pl, P2, P3, one or more of which are operable to be moved or repositioned relative to one another and / or the cargo area 12 to move the tonneau cover 30 between an open and closed configuration. The panel Pl may be referred to as the rear-most panel or the panel that is located closest to the tailgate 22. The tonneau cover 30 may include any number of panels, including only one panel (i.e., no more than one panel). In some configurations, one or more of the panels may be replaced with or referred to as slats, such as the slats of the hard rolling tonneau cover illustrated and described in the hard US 10,406,899 B2 issued on September 10, 2019, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0035] The vheicle 10 and / or the tonneau cover 30 may include a latch. The latch may be configured to lock or maintain the tonneau cover 30 or a panel thereof in a closed or locked position. The latch may be unlocked or unlatched to allow the cover 30 or panel to be opened or moved into an open position. The latch may be of the type illustrated and / or described in US Patent No. US 11,453,277 B2 issued on September 27, 2022; US Patent No. US 11,097,605 B2 issued on August 24, 2021; US Patent No. US 11,040,606 B2 issued on June 22,; and / or US Patent No. US 10,406,899 B2 issued on September 10, 2019 (auto release slam latch), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0036] Generally, the latch may include a first part, such as a pin, finger, arm, bracket, projection, plunger, or other member that is configured to engage a corresponding and matching second part, such as a hole, aperture, slot, recess, tab, or other member to lock or maintain aposition of the cover or panel in a locked or closed position. An example of the first part is the plunger 182 illustrated at FIG 9. The second part may be defined in the side wall of the cargo area (i.e., wall 24A and / or 24B) or may be part of the rail 13 that is attached to the side wall of the cargo area. The latch may be released by actuating a releasing member to cause the first and second parts to disengage to allow the cover or panel to move. The releasing member may be a cable, chain, cord, screw, button, crank, cam, rob, cable, wire, or the like. An example of the releasing member is the cable 190 in FIG. 9. The releasing member may be actuated with the release latch device 100 according to these teachings.

[0037] The release latch device 100 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. The release latch device 100 is configured to be manipulated to release the latch to allow the tonneau cover to be opened. The release latch device 100 may be attached to the rear-most panel Pl; however, the 1 release latch device 100 may also or may instead be attached with one or more of the panels PIPS. Accordingly, for simplicity, these teachings refer to the release latch device 100 as attached to or associated with panel PX.

[0038] While the release latch device 100 is illustrated as being arranged generally at or along a central line of the vehicle or cover 30 or panel, the release latch device 100 may be offset or shifted closer to either one of the walls 18, 20. In some configurations, the cover may include only one release latch device 100. In other configurations, the cover may include more than two release latch devices 100 on one or more of the panels Pl-PX. This may advantageously allow a user or operator to operate the release latch device 100 when the operator is at any position relative to the cover.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates the release latch device 100. The release latch device 100 may be configured for unlatching a latch or the tonneau cover 30 to allow one or more panels of the cover to move or be opened.

[0040] The release latch device 100 comprises a fixed part 102 and a movable part 104.

[0041] The fixed part 102 may comprise a fixed housing 106. The movable part 104 may comprise a slide housing 108 and a handle 110. The movable part 104 or, more specifically, the slide housing 108 may be operatively connected to the fixed part 102 or to the fixed housing 106 and configured to move relative to the fixed part 102, fixed housing 106, and / or the cover 30. The handle 110 may be operatively connected to the slide housing 108 and configured to move relative to the slide housing 108 and relative to the fixed part 102. As will be discussed furtherbelow with reference to FIGS. 8A-8C, upon opening of the tailgate 22, the movable part 104, or the slide housing 108 and the handle 110, are configured to move out from under the tonneau cover into a position that is below and / or beyond an end of the tonneau cover so that a user can manipulate the handle to release or unlatch the latch.

[0042] The fixed part 102 or the fixed housing 106 may be attached to cover 30. More specifically, the fixed part 102 or housing 106 can be attached to a bottom side of a panel PX of the cover 30. Alternatively, one or more features of the fixed part 102 or housing 106 disclosed herein may be incorporated into a panel of the cover.

[0043] With additional reference to FIG. 3, the fixed part 102 or the fixed housing 106 may comprise a base 112 that is defined by a top wall 114 and two opposing side walls 116, thereby forming a generally C- or U-shaped cross section. The C- or U-shape of the fixed part 102 or the fixed housing 106 is sized to accommodate the movable part 104 or the slide housing 108 and allow the movable part 104 or the slide housing 108 to move into and out of the fixed part or housing.

[0044] The top wall 114 may be attached to a bottom surface of a panel PX of the cover 30 with one or more fasteners. Of course, in some configurations, one or more features of the fixed part 102 or the fixed housing 106, such as the track 118 and / or camming part 120 disclosed below, may be integrated or incorporated into the panel of the cover 30. In such a configuration, the movable part 104 may be attached to the panel of the cover 30 and still function as disclosed herein.

[0045] One or both of the side walls 116 may comprise a track 118. The movable part 104 may be configured to engage the track 118 to allow or enable the movable part 104 to move within or along the track 118 and relative to the fixed part 102 between a retracted or stowed position (FIG. 8A) and an extended or presenting position (FIGS. 8B-8C).

[0046] The movable part 104 or more specifically the slide housing 108 may be moved within or along the track in a generally linear path. However, the movement path may be nonlinear, depending on the shape or configuration of the panel, track, handle, etc.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5, the bottom side of the wall 114 may include a camming part 120. The camming part 120 may have a ramp or inclined surface that is configured to engage and disengage a release arm 126 of the handle 110 (FIG. 4) as the moveable part 104 is moved into and out of the fixed part 102 or fixed housing 106. The camming part 120 may be located closertowards one of the side walls 116, or the camming part 120 may be located generally between the two side walls 116. In some configurations, there may be more than one camming part 120 for engaging the handle 110 to cause the handle to move.

[0048] With continued reference to FIG. 3 and additional reference to FIG. 4, the movable part 104 comprises a slide housing 108 and a handle 110. The slide housing 108 comprises a tailgate engaging part 122 located at a rear end thereof, that is configured to be engaged by the tailgate 22 of the cargo area 12 when the tailgate 22 is in a closed or upright position and configured to be disengaged by the tailgate 22 upon lowering of the tailgate 22. The slide housing 108 comprises an opening 124.

[0049] The handle 110 comprise a release arm 126. The release arm 126 may be operatively connected to the release member of the latch. Therefore, by causing the release arm 126 to move as will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 8A-8C, the release member may cause the latch to be disengaged to allow the cover or one or more panels of the cover to be moved or opened to access the cargo area. The release member may be a cable, chain, chord, rod, bolt, crank or other feature that is attached to the release arm via a suitable fastener and can be manipulated by the release arm 126 to disengage the latch. The release arm 126 of the handle 110 is configured to extend through the opening 124.

[0050] The handle comprises an actuating arm 134. The actuating arm 134 may be configured for manipulation by a user of the cover or release latch device 100 for unlatching or unlocking the latch.

[0051] A pivot or pivot axis PA (FIGS. 6A, 7, 8B) may be provided between the actuating arm 134 and the release arm 126. The handle 110 may be pivoted about the pivot axis PA when a user actuates the actuating arm 134 and / or when the camming part 120 of the fixed housing 106 engages the release arm 126. A torsion element 136, such as a spring, torsion spring, torsion rod, etc. may be provided at the pivot axis PA to pivot the handle 110 into the presenting position when the handle is in steady state. Steady state may be when a user is not actuating the actuating arm 134 of the handle 110 and the camming part 120 of the fixed housing 106 is not engaging the release arm 126 of the handle 110 (See FIG. 8B)

[0052] The slide housing 108 comprises one or more track engaging features 130 for engaging the track 118 in the fixed housing. The one or more track engaging features 130 may be one or more pins, axles, bearings, projections, or the like.

[0053] A biasing part 132 may be provided between the fixed part 102 or fixed housing 106 and the movable part 104 or the slide housing 108. The biasing part 132 may function to store energy or force when the tailgate 22 is in a closed position and in contact with the tailgate engaging part 122 of the slide housing 108. Upon lowering of the tailgate 22, the force may be removed from the tailgate engaging part 122 thereby allowing the biasing part 132 to move the movable part 104 or the slide housing 108 into the extended or presenting position (FIG. 8B). The biasing part 132 may be a spring, torsion spring, torsion bar, a resilient or compressible member, a magnet, an electromagnet with repelling capabilities, an electro-mechanical device, a piston, cylinder arrangement, or a combination thereof. The tailgate engaging part 122 ma be a switch or electrical actuation of the mechanism.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 8 A, 8B, and 8C, a method or operation 200 of the release latch device 100 will be described. In Fig. 8A, the latch device 100 is in a retracted or stowed position or configuration 202. In the retracted or stowed position or configuration 202, the tailgate 22 of the cargo area or vehicle is in a raised or upright position. In the retracted or stowed configuration 202, the tailgate 22 is in contact with the tailgate engaging part 122 of the slide housing 108, thereby causing the movable part 104 or the slide housing 108 to be held in a retracted position relative to the fixed part or housing 102, 106. When the release latch device 100 or the movable part 104 or the slide housing 108 is in the stowed or retracted position, the release arm 126 of the handle 110 is not in a disengaging position so that the latch is not disengaged. When the release latch device 100, the movable part 104, or the slide housing 108 is in the stowed or retracted position, the handle 110 is arranged closer to the slide housing 108 and / or to the panel of the cover than when release latch device 100, the movable part 104, the slide housing 108, or the handle 110 is in an extended or presenting position (FIG. 8B).

[0055] In FIG. 8B, the tailgate of the vehicle (not shown) has been moved, dropped, or lowered. Upon opening the tailgate 22, the movable part 104, or the slide housing 108, and / or the handle 110 is configured to be moved or rotate from the stowed or retracted configuration 202 into an extended or presenting position or configuration 204. In the extended or presenting position or configuration 204, the handle 110 is located farther away from a bottom of the tonneau cover or panel PX than when the handle 110 is in the stowed or retracted configuration 202 (FIG. 8A). In the extended or presenting configuration 204, the slide housing is moved in a direction away from a front of the cargo area 22 of the vehicle.

[0056] More specifically, when the tailgate is lowered and no longer in contact with the tailgate engaging part 122 of the movable part 104 or slide housing 108, the movable part 104 or slide housing 108 is moved or urged out of the fixed part or housing 106 into an extended or presenting configuration 204. The movable part 104 or slide housing 108 may be moved or urged out of the fixed part or housing 106 into an extended or presenting configuration 204 via the biasing part 132 that is arranged between the fixed part or housing 106 and the movable part or slide housing 108. The movable part 104 (the slide housing 108 and / or the handle 110) may be moved axially beyond or past a distal end 128 of the cover or rear panel PX, thereby presenting at least the handle 110 to a person or user of the vehicle. Advantageously, with at least the handle 110 extending beyond a distal end of the panel PX or cover, the user may find the handle more easily than other handles, which may remain hidden under the panel PX and not extending beyond a distal end of the panel PX.

[0057] After the release arm 126 is no longer in contact with the camming part 120, the handle 110 pivots or rotates about the pivot axis PA in a direction away from the slide housing 108 (e.g., clockwise in the example of FIG. 8B). This pivoting or rotation of the handle 110 may be caused by the torsion or biasing member at the pivot axis PA that moves the handle into its steady state position in FIG. 8B.

[0058] The person or user of the vehicle may then move or squeeze the actuating arm 134 of the handle 110 in an upwardly direction towards the cover 30 or rear panel (e.g., counterclockwise in the example of FIG. 8C) into the actuating position 206. This movement of the handle 100 causes the release arm 126 of the handle 110 to move. Because the release arm 126 is operatively connected to the latch (i.e., via a rod, bar, or cable 190 illustrated and described at FIG. 9), movement of the release arm 126 into the actuating position 206 will cause the latch or plunger to be disengaged from a latch channel, thereby allowing the cover or panel to be unlatched or opened. The latch channel that is engaged and disengaged by the latch or plunger (i.e., the latch or plunger 182 in FIG. 9), may be a recess, pocket, channel, tab, undercut, or other retaining features that is part of or attached to one or more of the side wall so the cargo area (i.e., one or more of the bed walls), a rail attached to the bed wall for supporting the tonneau cover, or a combination thereof.

[0059] Upon closing the tailgate 22 (FIG. 8 A), the movable part 104, the slide housing 108 and / or or handle 110 are configured to move or rotate from the extended or presenting positionor configuration 204 (FIG. 8B) back into the retracted or stowed position or configuration 202 (FIG. 8A). In the retracted or stowed configuration 204, the handle 110 is located closer to a bottom of the tonneau cover or panel PX than when the handle 110 is extended or presenting position FIG. 8B. In the retracted or stowed configuration 204, the slide housing 108 is moved in a direction towards a front of the cargo area.

[0060] More specifically, upon raising or closing of the tailgate 22, the tailgate 22 will apply a closing or pressing force on the tailgate engaging part 122 of the slide housing 108, thereby causing the movable part 104 (i.e., the slide housing 108 and the handle 110) to slide or be moved into the retracted or stowed configuration 202 illustrated in FIG. 8A. The camming part 120 will apply the force onto the release arm 126, thereby causing the handle 110 to move or pivot about the pivot axis PA so the actuating arm 134 of the handle 110 is located closer to a bottom of the tonneau cover or panel PX than when the handle 110 is extended or presenting configuration 204 in FIG. 8B.

[0061] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary tonneau cover. The tonneau cover has a panel that includes a latch assembly 180. The latch assembly 180 is generally provided along the back or bottom side of a panel of the tonneau cover. The latch assembly 180 is used to hold or lock the panel down in a closed position. Various forms of latch assembly 180 may be used. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the latch assembly 180 has a latch or plunger 182 held within a latch housing 188. The plunger 182 is pushed outwardly into a latch channel, that may be defined in the side wall of the cargo area and / or a tail that supports the tonneau cover, by a spring element 186. The latch or plunger 182 may optionally have an angled lower surface 184, to better guide the latch 182 into the latch channel, or other recess. A release mechanism, such as a cable, chain, bar, linkage, etc. 190, is connected to the latches or plungers 182 to release them, in this case by pulling on the cable 190, to allow a panel 102 to be opened. The cable 190 can be connected to the release arm 126 of the handle according to these teachings. Upon moving the actuating arm 134 in an upwardly direction (i.e., FIG. 8C), the cable is pulled from the solid line to the dashed line position when the release arm 126 can be moved downwardly. The cable 190 can be connected to the arm 126 so that movement of the arm 126 causes the cable 190 to be pulled, thereby relating the latch or plunger 182 from the latch channel 84. As shown in FIG. 9, the release mechanism 190 may be accessible at a central location, or at locations along both sides of the cover 100. This allows the panels to be released from either side of the truck.

[0062] It is understood that any of the operation or method steps disclosed herein can be performed in virtually any order. Moreover, one or more of the method or operating steps can be combined with other steps; can be omitted or eliminated; can be repeated; and / or can separated into individual or additional steps.

[0063] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

[0064] Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0065] Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.

[0066] The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. For example, disclosure of “a handle” does not limit the teachings to a single handle. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a handle” may include “one or more handles.”

[0067] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.

[0068] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0069] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0070] Any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a single embodiment. Instead, any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein may be substituted, combined, and / or modified with any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein to form one or more embodiments that may not be specifically illustrated or described herein.

[0071] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, testing specifications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0072] Reference Numerals

[0073] 10 vehicle

[0074] 12 cargo area

[0075] 14 passenger area or cab

[0076] 16 front wall

[0077] 18, 20 side walls

[0078] 22 tailgate

[0079] 24a, b inner walls of side walls 18, 20

[0080] 26 latch engaging feature

[0081] 0 cover, tonneau cover

[0082] P1,2,X panels of tonneau cover 30

[0083] 32 latch

[0084] 34 distal end of panel PX

[0085] 100 release latch device

[0086] 102 fixed part

[0087] 104 movable part

[0088] 106 fixed housing

[0089] 108 slide housing

[0090] 110 handle

[0091] 112 base

[0092] 114 top wall of base 112 of fixed housing 106

[0093] 116 side wall of base 112 of fixed housing 106

[0094] 118 track of fixed housing 106

[0095] 120 camming part of fixed housing 106

[0096] 122 tailgate engaging part of the slide housing 108

[0097] 124 opening in the slide housing 108

[0098] 126 release arm of the handle 110

[0099] 128 distal end of the slide housing 108

[0100] 130 track engaging features

[0101] 132 biasing part between the fixed housing 106 and the slide housing 108

[0102] 134 actuating arm of the handle 110

[0103] 200 method or operation

[0104] 202 retracted or stowed position or configuration (FIG. 8A)

[0105] 204 extended or presenting position or configuration (FIG. 8B)

[0106] 206 handle in the actuating position or configuration (FIG. 8C)

Claims

CLAIMS1) A release latch device for unlatching a tonneau cover, the tonneau cover configured for use with a vehicle comprising a cargo area, the cargo area having a pair of opposing side walls and a tailgate, the release latch device comprising: a fixed housing; a slide housing operatively connected to the fixed housing and configured to move relative to the fixed housing; and a handle operatively connected to the slide housing; wherein upon opening of the tailgate, the slide housing and the handle are configured to move out from under the tonneau cover into an extended position.2) The release latch device according to claim 1, wherein in the extended position, the handle extends beyond a distal end of the tonneau cover.3) The release latch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the extended position, the handle extends further below a bottom side of tonneau cover than when the handle is in the retracted position.4) The release latch device according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein upon closing the tailgate, the slide housing is configured to move into a stowed position, wherein in the stowed position, the slide housing is moved in a direction towards a front of the cargo area.5) The release latch device according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein upon closing the tailgate, the handle is configured to move into a stowed position, wherein in the stowed position, the handle is moved closer to a bottom side of tonneau cover than when the handle is in the extended position.6) The release latch device according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the fixed housing comprises a track, the slide housing is configured to engage the track to move relative to the fixed housing.7) The release latch device according to claim 5 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the fixed housing comprises a camming part, the handle comprises a release arm, and upon movement of the slide housing and the handle into the retracted position, the camming part is configured to engage the release arm to move the handle closer to the bottom side of tonneau cover than when the handle is in the extended position.8) The release latch device according to claim 7 or any one of the previous claims, wherein upon movement of the slide housing and the handle into the extended position, the camming part is configured to disengage the release arm.9) The release latch device according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the release latch comprises a biasing part that is arranged between the fixed housing and the slide housing.10) The release latch device according to claim 9, wherein upon opening of the tailgate, the biasing part is configured to move the slide housing and the handle into the extended position.11) The release latch device according to claim 10, wherein upon closing of the tailgate, the tailgate is configured to move the slide housing into the fixed housing and compress the biasing part.12) The release latch device according to claim 8 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the release latch comprises a torsion element between the handle and the slide housing.13) The release latch device according to claim 12 or any one of the previous claims, wherein upon movement of the slide housing and the handle into the extended position, the torsion element is configured to move the handle into a position that is farther away from the bottom side of the tonneau cover than when the handle is in the retracted position.14) A release latch device for unlatching a tonneau cover, the tonneau cover configured for use with a vehicle comprising a cargo area, the cargo area having a pair of opposing side walls and a tailgate, the release latch device comprising: a fixed part; a movable part operatively connected to the fixed part and configured to move relative to the fixed part; wherein upon opening of the tailgate, the moveable part is configured to move out from under the tonneau cover into an extended position that is below the tonneau cover and / or beyond a distal end of the tonneau cover.15) The release device according to claim 14, wherein upon closing the tailgate, the movable part is configured to move into a stowed position, wherein in the stowed position, the movable part is moved in a direction towards a front of the cargo area.16) The release device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the fixed part comprises a track, the fixed part is configured to engage the track to move relative to the fixed part.17) The release latch device according to claim 15, wherein the fixed part comprises a camming part, and upon movement of the movable part into the stowed position, the camming part is configured to engage the movable part to move the movable part closer to a bottom side of tonneau cover than when the handle is in the extended position.18) The release latch device according to claim 15, wherein the release latch comprises a biasing part that is arranged between the fixed part and the movable part and is configured to move the movable part into the extended position upon opening of the tailgate.19) The release latch device according to claim 15, wherein the release latch comprises a torsion element that is configured to move the movable part into the extended position upon opening of the tailgate.20) A tonneau cover comprising the release latch device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the tonneau cover is a folding tonneau cover, a roll-up tonneau cover, a tonneau cover that has a single panel, a tonneau cover that has multiple panels, a tonneau cover that has a plurality of slats, or any combination thereof, wherein the release arm is connected to a cable that is pulled when the release arm is moved, which causes a plunger of a latch assembly to be withdrawn from a latch channel defined in the cargo wall or a rail supporting the tonneau cover.

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