Quick-release canister for tonneau cover

Abstract

A tonneau cover assembly for a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area has a front wall, and a pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls, the tonneau cover includes: a cover; a canister comprising a space configured to receive all or a portion of the cover; a pair of side rails, each one of which is configured for attachment to a respective one of the pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls of the cargo area; and the tonneau cover assembly has a latch assembly for connecting the canister to the cargo area.

Description

QUICK-RELEASE CANISTER FOR TONNEAU COVERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.FIELD

[0002] These teachings relate to a cover for a vehicle, and more specifically to a tonneau cover assembly that includes a canister that is removable or separable from a cargo area of the vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0001] 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 bed cover or tonneau cover, may be placed over the cargo area. The cover may be moved into an open position to access the cargo and / or the inside of the cargo area and moved into a closed position to conceal the cargo from view and / or to prevent fluid and / or debris from entering the cargo area.

[0002] The cover may be moved into the open position by moving or retracting the cover into a canister. The canister may be located at a front-end region of the cargo area. However, some canisters take up space inside the cargo area, which may limit the amount of space available for storing or transporting cargo. To increase space available in the cargo area, a user may temporarily remove the canister from the cargo area. However, removing known canisters from the cargo area may be time consuming, difficult, and may require tools or complex disassembly instructions. Accordingly, it may be desirable to have a canister that can be quickly and easily removed from the cargo area and then quickly and easily installed in the cargo area.SUMMARY

[0003] These teachings provide a tonneau cover that is configured to be moved or retracted into a canister when moving the tonneau cover into an open configuration to open or expose the cargo area. The tonneau cover can be removed or extended from the canister when moving the tonneau cover into a closed configuration to cover or conceal the cargo area. The canister according to these teachings can be quickly and easily removed or separated from the cargo area and then quickly and easily installed in the cargo area. Advantageously, the canister accordingto these teachings can be quickly and easily removed from the cargo area without requiring hand tools and / or complicated instructions or procedures. The canister can be quickly and easily installed in the cargo area without requiring hand tools and / or complicated instructions or procedures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. l is a perspective view of a vehicle and a tonneau cover assembly.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle and a tonneau cover assembly.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tonneau cover assembly.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tonneau cover assembly.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a forward end of a side rail.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a side view of a canister.

[0010] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a portion of the canister.

[0011] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a portion of the tonneau cover assembly.

[0012] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a portion of the tonneau cover assembly.

[0013] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a portion of the canister.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] These teachings provide a tonneau cover assembly. The tonneau cover assembly comprises a cover; a canister comprising a space configured to receive all or a portion of the cover; a pair of side rails, each one of which is configured for attachment to a respective one of the pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls of the cargo area; and a latch assembly for connecting the canister to the cargo area. The tonneau cover assembly may be of the type illustrated and described in US 2020 / 0062093 Al, published on February 27, 2020, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The tonneau cover assembly may be of the type illustrated and described in WO2018156921A1, published on August 30, 2018, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The tonneau cover assembly may be of the type illustrated and described in US 2023 / 0114568A1, published on April 13, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0015] The tonneau cover assembly has a canister. The canister is configured to store at least part of the tonneau cover when the tonneau cover is retracted or moved into the canister toexpose the cargo area. The canister may also be referred to as a magazine, a housing, a storage device or member, a container, the like, or a combination thereof. The canister can be removably attached to the vehicle, the cargo area, to one or more side rails, or any combination thereof. The canister is configured to be removed from the vehicle or cargo area and subsequently reinstalled. The canister may be removed from the cargo area without need for hand tools or complicated disassembly instructions or procedures.

[0016] The tonneau cover assembly makes use of one or more latch assemblies. A latch assembly may be a device or mechanism that is used to removably secure the canister to the cargo area, to one or more side rails (which may also be referred to as bed rails), to one or more walls defining the cargo area, etc. The latch assembly may be configured to align and position the canister in the desired location at the cargo area. The latch assembly may be configured to allow quick locking and unlocking of the canister at the cargo area. The latch assembly may be a draw latch as disclosed herein. Other types of latches that may be used include a sliding latch, a cam latch, a slam latch, a magnetic latch, or a combination thereof.

[0017] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 each illustrate a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a cargo area 12 and a passenger area or cab 14. The vehicle 10 may be a pickup truck.

[0018] The cargo area 12 of the vehicle may be defined by one or more walls that include: a front wall 16 that is located at a front region of the cargo area 12 and adjacent the passenger area or cab 14; a pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls 18, 20; and a rear wall or tailgate 22 that is located at a rear region of the cargo area 12 and opposes the front wall 16. Each wall 16, 18, 20, 22 has an inner wall 24 that faces an inside of the cargo area 12.

[0019] The cargo area 12 has an exposed open top or region that can be covered with a cover 102. The cover 102 may be part of a tonneau cover assembly 100. The tonneau cover assembly 100 comprises the cover 102 which has one or a plurality of slats of panels Pl, P2, Pn and a canister or magazine 104 comprising a space configured to receive all or a portion of the cover 102 or slats Pl, P2, Pn. The cover 102 and the canister 104 are configured so that the plurality of slats or panels Pl, P2, Pn can be moved or retracted into the canister 104 to move the cover into an open configuration (FIG. 2) to expose and provide access to the inside of the cargo area 12. The plurality of slats of panels Pl, P2, Pn can be removed or extended out of the canister 104 to move the cover into a closed configuration (FIG. 1) to cover, close, or conceal the inside of the cargo area 12.

[0020] The tonneau cover assembly 100 comprises a pair of side rails 106. Each of the side rails 106 may be configured for attachment to a respective one of the pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls 16, 18 of the cargo area 12. The side rails 106 may be attached to the inner surfaces 24 and / or the top surfaces of the side walls 18, 20. The side rails 106 may be attached to the side walls 18, 20 via one or more clamps, or other fasteners like screws, bolts, welding, etc. In some configurations, the side rails 106 may be integrated into the side walls of the cargo area as a feature from the OEM or aftermarket supplier. In some configurations, the side rails 106 may be attached to or part of a bed cap that at least partially covers the top surfaces of the side walls 18, 20.

[0021] The side rails 106 are configured to support the weight of the cover 102 and panels, and to guide the cover 102 and the slats or panels Pl, P2, Pn along a length of the cargo area 12 as the cover 102 is moved into and out of the canister 104 between the open and closed configurations. The side rails 106 may also be configured to support the canister 104 and / or attach the canister 104 to the vehicle or cargo area.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates the tonneau cover assembly 100. The tonneau cover assembly comprises a cover 102 (FIG. 1); a canister 104 comprising a space 108 configured to receive or store all or a portion of the cover or slats / panels; and a pair of side rails 106, each one of which is configured for attachment to a respective one of the pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls of the cargo area (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0023] The space 108 inside the canister 104 is defined between a pair of opposing side walls 112 and one or more wall or panels 114 that extend transversely therebetween. The inside surfaces of the side walls 112 may include a track 116 for accommodating the slats or panels when the cover 102 is retracted into the open space 108 of the canister 104. The track 116 may be in a spiral or coiled orientation as shown. In other configurations, the track have a waterfall shape or may be arranged in a serpentine or S-shape configuration, elliptical shape, etc. For example, the track may have a configuration as disclosed in US20190210437A1 published on July 11, 2019, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0024] The canister 104 has an opening through which the cover 102 can be retracted into the open space 108 and extended from the space 108 when the cover 102 is moved between the open and closed configurations.

[0025] The canister 104 has a lid 118 that is configured to close the canister 104. In some configurations, the lid 118 may be stationary or fixed in position relative to the side walls 112 of the canister 104 and the cover 102 may be moved into and out of the open space 108. In other configurations, the lid 118 may move (raise, lower, angle, retract, extend etc.) to open and close the opening into the open space 108 for the cover to be moved into and out of the open space 108.

[0026] The tonneau cover assembly 100 comprises a latch assembly 110. The latch assembly 110 is configured to connect or latch the canister 104 to a side rail 106 and / or the cargo area of the vehicle. With additional reference to FIG. 4, the latch assembly 110 is configured to be manipulated or actuated to allow for the canister 104 to be disconnected, unlatched, or separated from the side rails 106 and / or the cargo area of the vehicle. The latch assembly 110 is configured to be manipulated or actuated to connect, attach, or secure the canister 104 to the side rails 106 and / or the cargo area of the vehicle.

[0027] The latch assembly 110 may be manipulated or actuated manually by a user and / or by an electromechanical device such as a piston / cylinder arrangement, motor, magnet, or other actuating device.

[0028] By disconnecting or unlatching the canister 104 from the side rails 106 via the latch assembly 110, the canister 104 can be removed from the cargo area of the vehicle. Advantageously, this allows a user to remove the canister 104 easily and quickly from the vehicle to, for example, increase the amount of space available in the cargo area 12, service the canister 104 and / or the cover 102 therein, clean the inside of the cargo area 12, etc. The canister 104 may be separated from the side rails 106 and the vehicle while the side rails 106 remain attached to the side walls 18,20 of the cargo area.

[0029] The canister 104 comprises a pair of canister rails 120. Each canister rail 120 may be located or attached adjacent to a respective one of the side walls 112 of the canister 104 and / or to one or more of the walls or panels 114 of the canister 104 and / or to the lid 118. The canister rail 120 may include a canister rail track 122 that is generally aligned with the track 116 defined on the inside surfaces of the side walls 112 of the canister 104. The canister rail track 122 is also aligned with the track 126 defined on the side rails 106 so that the cover 102 or slats or panels Pl, P2, Pn can be moved, slid, or rolled between or along the mating tracks 116, 122, 126 whenthe cover is moved into and out of the canister 104 and between the open and closed configurations.

[0030] The outside surface of the side wall 112 (surface that opposes the inside surface of the side wall 112 that includes the track 116) comprises a canister securing channel 124. The canister securing channel 124 is configured to engage a mating canister securing feature on the side rail to align, secure, and maintain a position of the canister 104 in a fore-aft direction in vehicle position. The canister securing feature may also or may instead be located on or at one or more of the walls defining the cargo area.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates side rail 106. The side rails 106 might be mirror images of one another. Side rail 106 comprises a side rail track 126. The side rail track 126 may be configured to accommodate the cover 102 or slats or panels so that the cover or the one or more panels or slats can be moved or slid along the side rails 106 as the cover is moved between the closed and open configurations. When the canister is attached or latched with the side rails 106 via the latching assembly, the side rail track 126 may be aligned with the canister rail track 122 and the track 116 inside the canister so that the cover or slate or panels can be moved into and out of the canister and along the side rails between the open and closed configurations.

[0032] The side rail 106 comprises a rail extension or bar 128 that cantilevers from a front or forward end thereof. In vehicle position, the rail extension 128 is configured to extend toward the canister.

[0033] The side rail 106 or the rail extension or bar 128 comprises a canister securing feature 130. The canister securing feature 130 is configured to engage the canister to maintain a position of the canister. For example, the canister securing feature 130 may engage the canister and position the canister 104 in a fore-aft direction in vehicle position, a cross-car position, and, when engaged by the securing device discussed further below, in a vertical up and down direction. The canister securing feature 130 may be a projection that may extend towards a center of the cargo area. In some configurations, the canister securing feature 130 may be separate from the side rail 106 or rail extension 128 and instead be attached to the side walls of the cargo area of the vehicle, to a stake pocket of the cargo area, etc. In some configurations, the canister securing feature 130 may be part of the structure or material defining the cargo area.

[0034] The side rail 106 comprises a keeper 132, which will be discussed further below.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates the outside of the side wall 112 of the canister 104. For reference, the inside of the side wall 112 comprises the previously disclsoed and illustrated track 116, which is facing into the page. The outside of the side wall 112 comprises one or more canister securing channels 124. The canister securing channel 124 may be defined by two opposing walls or ribs 134. The opposing walls or ribs 134 may extend generally parallel to one another or may converge towards one another, as illustrated, starting from an opening 136 and terminating at a peak 138. The opening 126, the canister securing channel 124, and the peak 138 may be sized and configured to accommodate or receive the canister securing feature 130 as the canister 104 is loaded or installed into the cargo area of the vehicle and / or during attachment or connection of the canister 104 to the side rails 106.

[0036] As previously described, the tonneau cover assembly comprises a latch assembly 100. The latch assembly comprises a securing device 140. At the outside of the side wall 112, the securing device 140 comprises a latch 142, a biasing member 144, and a link 146. A cover may be placed over the securing device 140 so that it is hidden and shielded from view. The cover may also restrict or prevent a user from directly accessing the latch 142, biasing member 144. The cover may of course be removable for service or adjustment. As will be described further below, the latch 142 is configured to move or slide in a fore-aft direction in vehicle position. When a reduced amount of tension or when no tension is applied on the link 146, the biasing member 144 is configured to move or push the latch 142 in the first direction F, discussed below at FIG. 7A and 7B. The latch 142 is moved in the opposite second direction S when the link 146 is in tension, discussed below at FIG. 8A and 8B. The latch may be or may have a hook, finger, or fork shape or feature. The link 146 may be one or more cables, wires, or bars that connect the handle and the latch 142.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 7A, the canister 104 can be loaded into the cargo area of the vehicle for installation or attachment thereto. The canister 104 can be positioned at the forward end of the cargo area, adjacent to or against the front wall 16 (FIG. 2) and between the two opposing side walls 18, 20 of the cargo area.

[0038] The canister 104 can be positioned so that the canister securing feature 130 at one or both sides 112 of the canister 104 is aligned with the opening 136 into the canister securing channel 124 defined on the canister 104. It should be noted that the side rail 106 and / or side wall of the 18, 20 of the cargo area of the vehicle to which the canister securing feature 130 istypically attached has been removed from this view to better illustrate the attachment of the canister to the canister securing feature 130.

[0039] The canister 104 can then be lowered down onto the canister securing feature 130 so that the canister securing feature 130 passes between the opposing wall or ribs 134 and into the peak 138 of the channel 124. After the canister securing feature 130 is in a region of the peak 138 of the channel 124, the canister 104 is restricted from further downward movement into the cargo area of the vehicle as well as restricted from further fore-aft movement in the cargo area of the vheicle. Because the canister 104 is between the opposing side walls of the cargo area and engaged at both sides by opposing canister securing features 130, the canister 104 is also limited to cross-car movements as well. During loading of the canister 104 into the cargo area of the vehicle and onto the canister securing features 130, tension on the link 146 is reduced or eliminated or not existent. Therefore, the latch 142 of the securing device 140 is in a retracted position, which therefore allows the canister securing feature 130 to pass into the opening 146 of the latch 142.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 7B, the latch assembly 110 may comprise a draw latch 148. The draw latch 148 may include a hook or loop part 150, a handle 152, and the mating keeper 126 on the side rail 106. The latch in FIG. 7B is illustrated in an unlatched position.

[0041] The canister 104 can be locked and secured to the canister securing feature 130 by actuating the latch assembly 110.

[0042] With reference now to FIG. 8A, the hook or loop part 150 of the draw latch 148 can be placed over the keeper 132 and then the handle 152 can be engaged or moved into a closed position, thereby moving the latch assembly into the latched position and causing the canister rail 120 to be pulled tightly against the side rail 106 and at the same time also pulling the link 146 into tension, which referring to FIG. 8B, causes the latch 142 of the securing device 140 to be moved into the first direction F. This movement of the latch 140 causes the canister securing feature 130 to be engaged and secured into or by the hook-shaped latch 142 so that the canister 104 is restricted from being removed from the cargo area of the vehicle. This also ensures the rails 120, 106 are tightly attached together so that the corresponding tracks 122, 126 are aligned with the track 116 of the canister 104 so that the cover 102 can be moved into and out of the canister and along a length of the side rails 106 to cover or expose the inside of the cargo area.

[0043] Referring back to FIGS. 7A, 7B, to remove the canister 104 from the cargo area, the handle 152 of the draw latch 148 can be opened or manipulated so that the hook or loop part 150 can disengage the keeper 132, which will reduce or release tension on the link 146, which will cause the biasing member 144 to move the latch 142 in the second direction S so release the canister securing feature 130. Thereafter, the canister 104 is free to be moved vertically or upward in vehicle position so that the canister securing feature 130 can be removed from the canister securing channel 124.

[0044] The tonneau cover assembly 100 may include one or more motors 154. The one or more motors 154 may function to cause the cover 102 or the one or more panels Pl, P2, Pn, to be moved between the open and closed configurations. The one or more motors 154 may function to cause the cover 102 or the one or more panels Pl, P2, Pn, to be moved between the open and closed configurations, as disclosed in US 20230114568A1, published on April 13, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0045] Additionally, or alternatively, a user may manually push or pull the cover 102 or the one or more panels into an out of the canister between the open and closed positions.

[0046] The tonneau system functions to cover an open area and prevent fluid, debris, dirt, or a combination thereof from entering the open area (e.g., a bed of a vehicle and preferably a pickup truck, and hereinafter “bed”). The tonneau system may function to lock a bed so that items may be stored within the bed. The tonneau system may be collapsible so that items may be placed within the bed without interference from the tonneau system. The tonneau cover system may have a cover that is configured to fold upon itself to expose the bed. Preferably, the cover may roll up or roll into a canister that stores the cover when the cover is in an open configuration. The cover may include one or more sections and preferably a plurality of panel, slats, or sections that are pivotably connected together to form a cover. The cover may be a plurality of sections, panels, or slats that are connected together via one or more pivot pins or hinges so that the sections move relative to each other about an axis.

[0047] The one or more panels, slats or sections of the cover may roll or slide along the one or more tracks disclosed herein (in the canister, canister rail, and / or side rails) when the cover is moved between the open and closed configurations. The one or more slats or panels may have one or more bearings, rollers, blocks, wheels, or other low friction members that allow the cover to move along the tracks.

[0048] The tonneau cover system has one or more canisters. A canister may function to store the cover, the one or more panels, slats, or cover sections, when the cover is moved from a closed position to a stored position. The one or more canisters may be located below a top of the truck bed. The one or more canisters may extend into a truck bed or cargo area, through a truck bed, or both. A top of the one or more canisters and a top of the cover may be substantially flush in the installed state. The one or more canisters may include a space that receives a cover. The space in the canister may store a tonneau cover. The tonneau cover may roll up in the space, fold within the space, roll up on a track, roll up upon itself, stacked onto of itself, or a combination thereof. For example, the panels or slats of the cover may be stacked inside the canister, as disclosed in WO2018156921A1, published on August 30, 2018, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The space may be open. Preferably, the space is a closed space inside of canister. The canister may be connected to the cargo area, side walls defining the cargo area, and / or to one or more side rails attached to the cargo area. The one or more canisters may be inserted in and removed from the cargo area without adding or removing any other components of the tonneau system (e.g., side rails). The canister may be removed by actuating one or more latches. The one or more canisters may include one or more tracks. The one or more tracks in the canister may permit the tonneau sections to curve or bend within the canister so that the tonneau sections are stored and protected. The one or more canisters may angle the tonneau sections so that the tonneau sections are stored and are controllably moved into the canister. The one or more canisters may be connected to a bed, a forward wall of a bed, one or more side walls of a bed, or a combination thereof. The canister may store all or a portion of the tonneau cover and permit the canister and tonneau cover to be removed from the tonneau system. The canister may include one or more handles.

[0049] The one or more side rails may be connected to a side wall of a cargo area, allow the cover to move between a closed position and a stored position, or both. The one or more side rails may extend from a forward end of a bed to a rear end of a bed. The one or more side rails may have a length substantially equal to a length of a bed. The one or more side rails may connect a tonneau cover to a bed and a canister. A first side rail may extend along a driver side and a second side rail may extend along a passenger side of a bed.

[0050] The one or more latch assemblies may function to connect the canister to the side rails, the rail extension or bar, the cargo area, or a combination thereof when the latch assemblyis in a locked or latched state, and to release the canister when the latch assembly is in an unlocked or unlatched state.

[0051] The latch assembly may be located on a first side or driver side of the canister, on a passenger or second side, or both. The latch assemblies may be separably actuatable. Alternatively, actuating one latch assembly may cause the other latch assembly to also be actuated. The latch assembly may be or include a draw latch. The draw latch may have a hook or loop part, which may be circulator, oval, square, or rectangular. The hook or loop part may cooperate with a keeper. The keeper may be a projection or protrusion that extends from the side rail or canister for the hook or loop part to engage or surround. Actuation of the handle causes the hook or loop part to pull or draw the canister and / or canister rail into position against the side rail. Actuation of the handle causes the canister to lock into position at the cargo area, the side rails, or both.

[0052] The latch assembly comprises one or more securing devices. The securing device may function to engage or capture the canister engaging feature. The securing device may function to engage or capture the canister engaging feature to position and / or lock the canister into the cargo area. The securing device may function to engage or capture the canister engaging feature to prevent removal of the canister from the cargo area. The securing deivce may be a hook, a finger, a channel, slot, opening, projection, or any combination thereof.

[0053] The latch assembly comprises one or more canister engaging features. A canister engaging feature may be one or more features that engage the canister to position, lock, or retain the canister in the cargo area. A canister engaging feature may be located at the cargo area, one or more walls defining the cargo area, on one or more of the side rails, on a side rail extension, or any combination thereof. A canister engaging feature may be a projection, a protrusion, a hook, a tab, a knob, a post, a prong, a protuberance, a peg, or any combination thereof. The canister engaging feature may have a shape or cross section that is round, square, flat, rectangular, oval, star-shaped, T-shaped, or any combination thereof. A canister engaging feature may engage a canister securing channel.

[0054] The tonneau cover assembly may comprise one or more canister securing channels. A canister securing channel may cooperate with the canister engaging feature to lock or position the tonneau cover in the cargo area. A canister securing channel may be a channel, slot, opening, recess, void, absence of material, or any combination thereof. The canister securing channel maybe located on one or both of the side walls of the canister, on a bottom of the canister, one or more panels of the canister extending between the side walls, or any combination thereof.

[0055] It is understood that any of the method steps disclosed herein can be performed in virtually any order. Moreover, one or more of the following method steps can be combined with other steps; can be omitted or eliminated; can be repeated; and / or can separated into individual or additional steps.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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 motor” does not limit the teachings to a single motor. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a motor” may include “one or more motors.”

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A tonneau cover assembly for a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area comprising a front wall, and a pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls, the tonneau cover comprising: a cover; a canister comprising a space configured to receive all or a portion of the cover; a pair of side rails, each one of which is configured for attachment to a respective one of the pair of opposing and spaced apart side walls of the cargo area; wherein the tonneau cover assembly comprises a latch assembly for connecting the canister to the cargo area.2) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the latch assembly comprises a draw latch.3) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the latch assembly comprises a securing device that is configured to engage a canister securing feature to attach the canister to the cargo area.4) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 3 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the canister securing feature is a projection that extends from a side rail of the pair of side rails.5) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 4 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the canister comprises a canister securing channel that is defined by a pair of opposing walls or ribs and between an opening and a peak, wherein the securing device is configured to engage the canister securing feature at peak of the canister securing channel.6) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 3 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the latch assembly comprises a draw latch having a hook or loop part that engages a keeper, a handle, and a link between the handle and the securing device, wherein actuation of the handle pulls the link and a latch of the securing device around the canister securing feature.7) The tonneau cover assembly according to any one of claims 3-6 wherein the securing device comprises a latch having a hook, finger, or fork that extends around the canister securing feature.8) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 7 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the latch assembly comprises a biasing member that is configured to move the securing device into an unlatched position after the draw latch is disengaged.9) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 8 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the biasing member is compressed after the draw latch is moved into a latched position.10) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 6 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the keeper is attached to the side rail.11) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the side rail comprises a rail extension that extends from a forward end of the side rail, and the canister securing feature is located at the rail extension.12) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the tonneau cover assembly comprises a motor that is configured to move the cover into and out of the canister, wherein the canister comprise a spiral track into which the cover is helically arranged when the cover is in a retraced configuration.13) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the latch assembly is configured to be manually manipulated between the latched and unlatched positions.14) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the tonneau cover assembly comprises an electromechanical device configured to manipulate the latch assembly between the latched and unlatched positions.15) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the tonneau cover assembly comprises a second latch assembly, wherein the latch assembly is located at one side of the cargo area and the second latch assembly is located at the opposite side of the cargo area.16) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 6 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the link is a cable, wire, or bar.17) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 3 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the tonneau cover assembly comprises a cover for covering the securing device.18) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the latch assembly is configured to disconnect the canister from the cargo area so the canister is removable from the canister, wherein the side rails remain attached to the cargo area after the canister is removed.19) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 5 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the canister securing channel has an A or V-shape.20) The tonneau cover assembly according to claim 11 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the rail extension is a bar that is configured to engage the canister rail.

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