Handle, latch device, and tonneau cover

Abstract

A latch device for a cover assembly for at least partially covering a cargo area of a vehicle, the latch device includes: a base; a handle at one end of the base; a catch device at an opposing end of the base, the catch device comprises a latch finger; a connecting member extending between the handle and the latch finger; and a fastener attaching the base to a bottom side of the panel, the bottom side of the panel faces an interior part of the cargo area of the vehicle; and movement of the handle pulls the connecting member which pulls the finger out of engagement with the receiving region of the side rail to unlatch the panel from the side rail.

Description

Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)HANDLE, LATCH DEVICE, AND TONNEAU COVERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.FIELD

[0002] These teachings relate to a cover for a vehicle cargo area and more particularly to a handle, latch device, and tonneau cover for a vehicle.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 assembly, such as a tonneau cover or topper, may be placed over the cargo area. The cover assembly may include one or more panels that can be opened to access cargo and / or the inside of the cargo area and then closed to conceal cargo from view and / or to prevent fluid and / or debris from entering the cargo area.

[0004] Some cover assemblies have one or more latch devices for latching and unlatching one or more panels of the cover assembly. The one or more latch devices may be operated by manipulating a handle. Some handles are, however, not intuitive to operate, can only be operated from one side of the vehicle, and / or include complicated mechanisms that add to high engineering costs, weight, and complexity. Accordingly, it may be desirable to have an improved cover, handle, and / or latch device.SUMMARY

[0005] These teachings relate to a cover for a vehicle cargo area and more particularly to a handle, latch device, and tonneau cover for a vehicle.

[0006] These teachings provide a latch device for a cover assembly for at least partially covering a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area having opposing side walls, the cover assembly having a panel; a first side rail comprising an attaching wall for attaching the first side rail to a first side wall of the opposing side walls of the cargo area of the vehicle, the latch device includes: a base; a handle at one end of the base; a catch device at an opposing end of the base, the catch device comprises a latch finger; a connecting member extending between the handleDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) and the latch finger; and a fastener attaching the base to a bottom side of the panel, the bottom side of the panel faces an interior part of the cargo area of the vehicle; and movement of the handle pulls the connecting member which pulls the finger out of engagement with the receiving region of the side rail to unlatch the panel from the side rail.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle that includes a cover assembly.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cargo area of the vehicle and a cover assembly that is partially exploded.

[0009] Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a panel of the cover assembly that includes two latch devices.

[0010] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the latch device from Fig. 3.

[0011] Fig. 5A is a bottom perspective view of a latch device engaged with a side rail.

[0012] Fig. 5B is a bottom perspective view of a latch device disengaged from a side rail.

[0013] Fig. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of the latch device of Fig. 4.

[0014] Fig. 7A is a top perspective view of the handle of the latch device of Fig. 4.

[0015] Fig. 7B is a bottom perspective view of the handle of the latch device of Fig. 4

[0016] Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a panel of the cover assembly that includes two latch devices

[0017] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the latch device from Fig. 8.

[0018] Fig. 10A is a perspective view of the handle of the latch device of Fig. 9.

[0019] Fig. 10B is a perspective view of the handle of the latch device of Fig. 9.

[0020] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the catch device of Fig. 9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] A vehicle 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1. The vehicle 10 comprises a bed or cargo area 12 and a passenger cab 14. The vehicle 10 is a pickup truck. However, these teachings may apply to other vehicles that include a cargo area or bed structure. The cargo area 12 is defined by a plurality of walls that include: opposing side walls 16a, 16b, a front wall 18 located adjacent the passenger cab 14, and a rear wall or tailgate 20 that opposes the front wall 18. The front wall 18 of the cargo area 12 may be a shared or common wall with a wall of the passenger cab 14. TheseDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) vehicles may be one piece or uni-body vehicles. In other vehicles, the front wall 18 may be a separate wall, segment, or portion of the vehicle from a rear wall of the passenger cab 14. The front wall 18 may also provide access to the passenger cab 14 via a pass through or fold down wall or door.

[0022] With additional reference to Fig. 2, a cover assembly 22 may be applied on top of or over the open or top end of the cargo area 12. The cover assembly 22 may include one or more panels. In Fig. 1, the cover assembly 12 includes three panels 24a, 24b, and 24c. However, the cover assembly 12 may include any number of panels, including as little as only one panel (i.e., no more than one panel) or more than three panels (i.e., four, five, six, etc. panels). The panels may be separated from one another by one or more hinges or spacer bars 26a, 26b that allow panels to move or fold relative to each other, other panels, the cargo area 12, and / or the vehicle 10. The cover assembly 22 and panels 24a, 24b, 24c are illustrated in the closed configuration in Fig. 1, where the panels are arranged in a substantially flat or horizontal orientation. The panels 24a, 24b, 24c can be moved or folded relative to one another about the hinges or spacer bars to move the cover assembly into an open configuration to provide access to the cargo area 12.

[0023] For purposes of orientation, panel 24a may be referred to as a first panel, rear panel, or tail panel; panel 24b may be referred to as a second panel or middle panel; and panel 24c may be referred to as a third panel, front panel, or cab panel. It is understood however that referring to a panel as “first”, second”, “third” etc. herein does not limit the scope of these teachings to a particular panel, orientation, or position of the panels unless otherwise noted. Instead, unless otherwise noted, reference to a first panel having certain features, such as a handle and / or latch device, does not necessarily mean that it must be only the panel 24a that has these features. Instead, reference to a first panel having certain features such as a handle and / or latch device may also mean or may instead mean that panel 24b, 24c, 24x etc. has those feature(s). This is especially true when reviewing and interpreting the rest of the disclosure and claims.

[0024] The cover assembly 22 comprises side rails 28a, 28b. The side rails 28a, 28b are attached to respective opposing side walls 16a, 16b of the cargo area 12 via one or more fasteners or clamps. The side rails 28a, 28b may extend at least partially or entirely along a respective length of the sidewalls 16a, 16b of the cargo area 12 between the front wall 18 and the rear wall or tailgate 20. Details of the side rails 16a, 16b are further discussed with reference to Figs. 5A and 5B below.Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)

[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates a panel 24 of the cover assembly 22. The panel 24 may be the rear or tail panel (Figs. 1 and 2, 24a), the second or middle panel (Figs. 1 and 24b), and / or the front or header panel (Figs. 1 and 2, 24c). One or more latch devices 30 may be attached or secured to the bottom side of the panel 24. The bottom side of the panel 24 is the side of the panel that faces an inside of the cargo area 12 when the panel 24 or cover assembly 22 is in a closed position (i.e., Fig. 1). A latch device 30 may be attached to a side or edge region of a panel 24 adjacent each of the side walls 16a, 16b. In some configurations, a latch device 30 may be attached to a central region of a panel 24, generally along a center line of the vehicle or cargo area.

[0026] With additional reference to Fig. 4, the latch device 30 comprises a base 32 that supports both a handle 34 and a catch device 36. The base 32 can be attached to the panel 24 via one or more fasteners 37. Since both latch devices 30 that are attached to the panel 24 are substantially the same, the right side latch device 30 will be described. However, the same description applies to the left side latch device in Fig. 3 as well. Of course, one of the latch devices can be eliminated and the cover assembly may include only one latch device (i.e., only the left side latch device or the right side latch device or only a latch device moved to a middle region of the panel).

[0027] The latch device comprises a handle 34 at one end of the base 32 and a catch device 36 at an opposing end of the base 32. The handle 34 is operatively connected to the catch device 36 via a connecting member 38. The handle 34 is connected to a moveable latch finger 40 of the catch device 36 that extends outwardly from the latch device 36. The connecting member 38 may be a wire, rod, bar, cable, chain, or any combination thereof. The connecting member 38 may be a flexible cable or device. During operation of the latch device, movement or actuation of the handle 34 causes tension to be applied to the connecting member 38, which in turn moves or pulls the latch finger 40 of the catch device 36 relative to the side rail 28. More specifically, rotation of the handle 34 in the clockwise rotational direction, the counterclockwise rotational direction, or both, applies tension on the connecting member 38, thereby causing the connecting member 38 to be pulled, which thereby pulls the latch finger 40 into the housing or cover 46 of the catch device 36. The handle 34 is configured to be rotated in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction to effect the pulling of the connecting member. Accordingly, the handle 34 is bi-directionally rotatable to effect the unlatching of the catch device 36. The catch device 36 comprises a biasing member 39 within the housing or cover 46 that acts on the fingerDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)40 to bias the latch finger 40 laterally outward. Therefore, when the handle 34 is rotated or moved thereby applying tension on the connecting member 38 causing the connecting member 38 to be pulled and thereby pull the finger 40 into the housing or cover 46, the biasing member is compressed. Upon release of the handle, the biasing member uncompresses and pushes the finger 40 laterally out of the housing or cover 46 in a steady state configuration of the handle, connecting member, and finger. The catch device 36 may be a slam latch device. The catch device 36 may be of the type illustrated and described at least in Figs. 12, 13, etc. in commonly owned US Patent No. 10,286,765 B2 dated May 14, 2019 the contents of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0028] In some configurations, the connecting member 38 may be a single member that extends between the two opposing catch devices 36 located at opposite sides of the panel 24. In such a configuration, the connecting member 38 extends through the two handles 34. For example, referring to Fig. 3, a single connecting member 38 extends between both handles 34 so that movement, actuation, or rotation of one handle (i.e., the left handle) also causes the other handle (i.e., the right handle) to move or rotate, which causes both catch devices 36 to be actuated, as will be described further below.

[0029] In another configurations, the connecting member 38 may be comprised of multiple segments that extend between and connect a catch device 36 and the handle 34 and / or between the two opposing handles 34. In some configurations, if a panel 24 includes only one latch device 30, then a connecting member 38 can extend between a handle 34 and catch device 36. In some configurations, a latch device 30 and or panel 24 and / or cover assembly may include more than two handles. For example a third handle may be located in a central region of the panel 24 between the two illustrated handles 34. A single connecting member 38 may extend through all three (or more handles).

[0030] Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate a latch device 30 and side rail 28. The side rail 28 comprises an attaching wall 42. The attaching wall 42 may be attached or secured to the sidewall of the cargo area of the vehicle with one or more clamps or other fasteners. The side rail 28 comprises a receiving region 44. The receiving region 44 may be sized and configured to receive the finger 40 of the catch device 36 to latch or lock the panel 24 to the side rail 28. The receiving region 44 may be a C- or U-shaped channel or slot into which the finger 40 may fit. In some configurations, the receiving region 44 may be a tab or undercut below which the finger 40Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) may fit. In some configurations, the receiving region 44 may be an aperture, slot, or other absence of material into which the finger 40 may be received into to lock the panel and removed from to unlock the panel.

[0031] During use, moving or rotating the handle 34 in either direction (clockwise or counterclockwise); Fig. 5B, applies tension to the connecting member 38 which pulls or otherwise causes the finger 40 of the catch device to retract out of, from, or away from the receiving region 44 of the side rail and out of engagement with the receiving region of the side rail to unlatch the panel from the side rail. After the catch 34 is retracted or disengaged from the receiving region 40, the panel can be moved or repositioned relative to the side wall of the cargo area or side rails 28 to move the panel 24 or cover assembly into an open configuration.

[0032] Referring back to Fig. 3 where two latch devices are shown, during movement of the handle of the first latch device (i.e., left side) the connecting member 38 is pulled which applies tension on the connecting member 38 which pulls the finger 40 of the first latch device out of engagement with the side rail as described above, but also pulls the finger of the second latch device (i.e., right side) out of engagement with the receiving region of the side rail on the other side of the vehicle to unlatch the panel from the side rail. Accordingly, the rotation of one handle can actuate both latch devices on both sides of the panel.

[0033] Fig. 6 illustrates the latch device 30. The latch device 30 comprises a base 32, a handle 34 secured to one end of the base 32, a catch device 36 secured to an opposing end of the base 32, and a connecting member 38 extending between the handle 34 and a finger 40 of the catch device 36. The latch device 30 comprises one or more fasteners 37 for attaching or securing the base 32 to a bottom side of a panel of the cover, the bottom side of the panel faces an interior part of the cargo area of the vehicle. The latch device 30 comprises a cover or housing 46 that at least partially covers the base 32, the catch device 36, and / or the connecting member 38.

[0034] With additional reference now to Figs. 7A and 7B, the handle 34 may have a one- piece design or construction or a multiple-piece design or construction. The handle 34 may comprise a top part 48 and an opposing bottom part 50. The handle 34 comprises an inside or cavity 52 defined between the top and bottom parts 48, 50.

[0035] The top part 48 of the handle 34 comprises one or more downwardly extending projections 54 and one or more recesses 56 defined between adjacent projections 54. One orDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) more of the downwardly extending projections 54 comprise one or more apertures 62 that may have a size and or shape that corresponds to or complements a size, shape, and or cross section of the connecting member 38. The bottom part 50 of the handle 34 comprises one or more upwardly extending projections 58 and one or more recesses 60 defined between adjacent projections 58. In the event the handle is a one-piece design, then the connecting member 38 is fed through the apertures 62 to connect the connecting member 38 to the handle.

[0036] The top and bottom parts 48, 50 of the handle are configured to be attached, joined, or snapped together by aligning the one or more projections 54 of the top part 48 with or into the one or more recesses 60 in the bottom part 50. The connecting member 38 is configured to extend into and through the inside 52 of the handle by passing through the apertures 62 and / or recesses 56, 60 in the handle 34. The handle 34, and more specifically the inside 52 of the handle 34, is free of any biasing members, cams, arms, cross members, connected to the connecting member 38. Instead, the connecting member 38 only passes through the handle and or is fixedly attached to the handle 34. To further explain this, the handle 34 and or the inside 52 of the handle is free of features such as arms or couplings identified at reference number 120 in US Patent No 10,286,765 at least in Fig. 22. Advantageously, by being free of such biasing members, cams, arms, cross members, couplings, the handle 34 according to these teachings can be assembled in a less costly and complicated manner, is lighter than other designs, and can be assembled and / or serviced, if necessary, in a more efficient manner.

[0037] The base 32 comprises an upwardly extending flange 64. The bottom part 50 of the handle 34 comprises one or more projections 66. The projections 66 are configured to extend into and engage an interior of the flange 64 to attach the handle 34 or at least the bottom part 50 of the handle to the base 32. The projection 66 comprise one or a plurality of biasable members or fingers that are configured to compress upon insertion of the projections 66 into the interior of the flange 64. Upon insertion of the biasable members or fingers into the flange 64, the fingers will expand into the interior of the flange 64 thereby securing the handle 34 to the base 32. In some configurations, the one or more projections 66 can be replaced by other fastening members such as a screw, a pen, a bearing, a cylinder, or combination thereof.

[0038] While the handle 34 is shown as being generally oval shaped, the handle 34 can instead be any shape such as a round shape, a square shaped, a rectangular shape, a star shape, etc. The top and bottom parts 48, 50 of the handle 34 can we joined or connected together via aDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) suitable method or fastening step and or with suitable fasteners such as screws, adhesives, welding, rabbits, or any combination that are out. In some configurations, rather than the connecting member 38 passing through the handle 34 is illustrated in Fig. 6, the connecting member 38 may instead terminate at or within the handle and be connected to the handle via a suitable fastener such as by a screw, attachment to an aperture or projection, the like or combination thereof. In some configurations, two or more connecting members 38 may be joined or connected together within the inside 52 of the handle 34. In some configurations to a more connecting members 38 may be joined or connected together in a region above or below the handle. In these types of configurations, rotation or movement of the handle still applies a tension onto the one or more, or to a more connecting members which causes the finger to be retracted to allow the panel to be moved or unlocked relative to the side rail. Well these teachings are generally directed towards a handle that is configured to rotate about a rotational axis to apply tension to a connecting member in order to move a finger 40, in some configurations the latch may be configured to be moved along a different path such as a linear path by sliding moving or otherwise repositioning the handle.

[0039] Advantageously, the latch device according to these teachings is simplified as compared to latch devices or handles currently available in the market. By removing any biasing members, cams, latches, arms, are there members within the handle, the handle and or the latch device are lighter, last expensive, easier to engineer and manufacture, and service. Furthermore, the handle can be operated in a bidirectional manner where the handle can be rotated in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction to effect movement of the latch device. Advantageously, this allows an operator of the latch device or cover assembly the freedom to turn the handle in either direction and still affect movement of the latch device. Furthermore, by removing the spring, biasing member, or coil spring from within the handle, the last device is more simplified in that it can rely on the coil spring in the catch device to return the rotated handle into a steady state position.

[0040] Fig. 8 illustrates a panel 24 of the cover assembly 22. The panel 24 may be the rear or tail panel (Figs. 1 and 2, 24a), the second or middle panel (Figs. 1 and 24b), and / or the front or header panel (Figs. 1 and 2, 24c). One or more latch devices 130 may be attached or secured to the bottom side of the panel 24. The bottom side of the panel 24 is the side of the panel that faces an inside of the cargo area 12 when the panel 24 or cover assembly 22 is in a closed positionDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)(i.e., Fig. 1). A latch device 130 may be attached to a side or edge region of a panel 24 adjacent each of the side walls 16a, 16b. In some configurations, a latch device 130 may be attached to a central region of a panel 24, generally along a center line of the vehicle or cargo area.

[0041] With additional reference to Fig. 9, the latch device 130 comprises a base 132 that supports a handle 134 and a catch device 136 at opposite ends of the base 132. The base 132 can be attached to the panel 24 via one or more fasteners. In some configurations, the panel 24 may have a recess into which the base 132 can be received or attached to provide the latch device 130 in a substantially flush position on the panel 24. Since both latch devices 130 are substantially the same, the right side latch device 130 will be described. However, the same description applies to the left side latch device in Fig. 8 as well. Of course, one of the handles or latch devices can be eliminated and the cover assembly may include only one handle or latch device (i.e., only the left side handle or latch device or the right side handle or latch device). In some configurations, a handle may be eliminated but two catch devices remain. That is, a single handle 134 may control or operate two opposing catch devices 136.

[0042] The handle 134 is operatively connected to the catch device 136 via a connecting member 138. More specifically, the handle 134 is connected to a moveable finger 140 of the catch device 136 that extends outwardly from the latch device 136. The connecting member 138 may be a wire, rod, bar, cable, chain, or any combination thereof. During operation of the latch device 130, movement or actuation of the handle 134 causes tension to be applied to the connecting member 138, which moves or pulls the finger 140 of the catch device 136. More specially, rotation of the handle 134 in a downwardly rotational direction applies tension on the connecting member 138, thereby causing the connecting member 138 to be pulled, which thereby pulls the finger 140. The catch device 136 comprises a biasing member 139 within the housing or cover 146 that acts on the finger 140 to bias the finger 40. Therefore, when the handle 134 is rotated or moved thereby applying tension on the connecting member 138 causing the connecting member 138 to be pulled and thereby pull the finger 140, the biasing member is compressed. Upon release of the handle 134, the biasing member uncompresses and pushes the finger 40 into a steady state configuration.

[0043] Figs. 10A and 10B illustrate the handle 134. The handle 134 comprises a base part 148 and a moveable part 150.Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)

[0044] The base part 148 comprises a substantially C- or U-shaped structure having a first leg 152, a second leg 154, and a connecting leg 156 that connects the first and second legs 152, 154. The first and second legs 152, 154 each have an aperture 158 through which the connecting member 138 moveably extends. The connecting leg 156 comprises an opening 160 through which an axel 162 extends to connect the moveable part 150 to the base part 148.

[0045] The moveable part 150 has an aperture 160 through which the connecting member 138 moveably extends. The movable part 150 has another aperture 161 through which the axel 162 extends to connect the movable part 150 to the base part 148 and to allow the movable part 150 to rotate or pivot about the axel 162 relative to the base part 148.

[0046] Fig. 11 illustrates catch device 136. The catch device comprises a retaining part 164, a latch finger 166 that is guided within channel 168 of the retaining part 164, a biasing member 170 between the latch finger 166 and channel 168 that biases the latch finger 166 in an outwardly direction. The connecting member 138 is secured to an end of the latch finger 166. The catch device 136 may be of the type illustrated and described in commonly owned US Patent No. 11,097,605 B2 dated August 24, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Specifically, the catch device 136 may be of the type illustrated and described at least in Fig. 7B of the aforementioned US Patent 11,097,605 B2.

[0047] During use, moving or rotating the moveable part 150 away from the base part applies tension to the connecting member 138 which pulls or otherwise causes the latch finger 166 of the catch device 136 to retract into the channel 168 and out of engagement with a side rail or other retaining hook member. The panel can be moved or repositioned relative to the side wall of the cargo area or side rails 28 to move the panel 24 or cover assembly into an open configuration. When the moveable part 150 is released, the biasing member 170 moves or pushes the latch finger 166 back out of the channel 168 into a steady state position. By doing so, tension is applied onto the connecting member 138, which in turn returns the moveable part 150 of the handle back into its steady state position illustrated in Fig. 10A.

[0048] The following description of elements refers to all examples disclosed herein.

[0049] These teachings provide a cover. The cover may be an apparatus or assembly for at least partially covering or concealing at least a portion of a vehicle, such as a cargo area. The cover may be a tonneau cover, topper, cap, tent, or a combination thereof.Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)

[0050] The cover may be attached, placed, supported, connected or made to rest on one or more top surfaces of the one or more walls defining a cargo area. The cover may be attached, placed, supported, connected, or made to rest on one or more rails or supports that are attached or connected to one or more surfaces of one or more walls defining the cargo area. The cover or one or more components thereof may be an aftermarket product that is / are attached to a vehicle by a vehicle owner. The cover or one or more components thereof (e.g., the one or more panels, torsion elements, frames, frame members, hinges, etc.) may be assembled, installed, and / or integrated into the vehicle or cargo area by an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

[0051] The vehicle may be any vehicle. The vehicle preferably has a cargo area or bed. The cargo area or bed may be any area or portion of a vehicle that may be used for storing and / or transporting goods or cargo. The cargo area may be a cargo box, bed, trunk, storage compartment, or a combination thereof. The cargo area may be located in a front portion of a vehicle, a middle portion of a vehicle, and / or a rear portion of a vehicle. The cargo area may be located behind or adjacent a passenger area of a vehicle, where one or more passengers, occupants, and / or drivers may sit. A cargo area may be a trailer that is configured to be pulled, towed, or pushed by a vehicle. The cargo area may be any part of the vehicle that has an open top. The cargo area or open top can be at least partially closed or covered by a cover. The cargo area may be part of a pickup truck. The cargo area may be part of a utility task vehicle or utility terrain vehicle (UTV). In some configurations, the cargo area may have another cover or top on it, and the cover according to these teachings may be provided between the floor of the cargo area and the cover or top. For example, the cover according to these teachings may be provided inside a vehicle or sport utility vehicle (SUV) to close or cover or conceal contends in the hatch, trunk, or other region of the vehicle.

[0052] The cover may be an assembly comprising one or more panels. A panel as used herein may be any of the one or more parts, portions, components, or sections of the cover that are moveable or can be moved relative to another part, portion, component or section of the cover, a vehicle, a cargo area, or a combination thereof. The one or more panels may be separate or discrete pieces that are joined together with one or more hinges, spacers, torsion elements, frames, frame members, or other panels. In some configurations, two or more panels may be defined in or within a single panel. For example, a single panel may be provided that includes one or more living hinges that divide the single panel into two or more panels. A living hingeDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) may be a cutout, detent, notch, groove, channel, thinned-area, flexible material, or a combination thereof formed or added to a panel. Two or more of such panels with one or more living hinges may be combined to define the cover. A living hinge may be one of the hinges used in this application.

[0053] The one or more panels may be made of a suitable material, such as plastic, metal, foam, composite, wood, fiberglass, or a combination thereof. The one or more panels may be substantially rigid, soft or flexible, bendable, resilient, or a combination thereof. The one or more panels may comprise a core that is covered in a skin. The core may be a plastic material such as extruded polypropylene or foam. The skin may be a sheet or spray that covers the core. The skin may be TPU, TPV, TPE, and / or TPR. The one or more panels may be made of the same or similar material as the cargo area or fenders so that the cover and the cargo area and vehicle have a uniform appearance. The one or more panels may be made of a single material or may be formed of multiple materials or components that are assembled together. The one or more panels may include one or more frames or frame members that provide strength and rigidity to the panels. The one or more hinges, torsion elements, spacers, frames, frame elements, or a combination thereof may be part of the panel or separate members. The one or more frames or frame members may be covered by a skin or over molded with a material to form the one or more panels. The hinge and / or torsion elements may be over molded or covered by a skin so that the cover has a uniform and sleek appearance, to cover or protect the hinge and / or torsion elements from wear and tear and / or bumping with objects inside the cargo area. The one or more of the panels can be moved or repositioned relative to one another and / or relative to the cargo area or vehicle to move the cover or one or more panels thereof between a closed configuration and an open configuration and vice versa. The one or more panels may be a rear liftgate of a topper or a side panel or window of a topper.

[0054] A closed configuration means that the one or more panels are arranged to at least partially conceal, block, hide, restrict, or otherwise prevent sight, access, and / or entry to an inside of the cargo box. In the closed configuration, the one or more panels may be arranged to protect against dirt, debris, fluid, sunlight, and / or other contaminants or items from entering an inside of a cargo area. In the closed configuration, one or more of the panels may be in a generally horizontal position, and free from being stacked or folded on top of another panel. The closed configuration may refer to one or more panels being in a closed configuration or to theDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) entire cover assembly being in the closed configuration. In other words, one of the panels may be in the closed configuration (for example, a panel that is located near or adjacent to the passenger area, while another panel (for example one that is located rearward of the closed panel, closer to the tailgate) is in the open configuration. A closed configuration may be when the one or more panels restrict more access into the cargo area than when the cover or panel is in an open configuration. In other words, a closed configuration may still provide access into the cargo area, but the access or opening is smaller or less than when the cover or panel is in an open configuration. In the closed or partially closed configuration, one or more of the panels may be in any non-horizontal position. A partially closed configuration may be when the panel is more closed than a panel when the panel is in a partially open configuration. In some instances, a partially open configuration and a partially closed configuration may be used synonymously.

[0055] An open configuration means that the one or more panels are arranged to at least partially provide access or entry to or into the cargo area or an inside thereof. In the open configuration, one or more of the panels may be moved or repositioned from the closed configuration to provide sight and / or access to an inside of the cargo box. In the open configuration, one or more of the panels may be in any non-horizontal position. In the open configuration, one or more of the panels may be in a generally horizontal position but may be stacked or folded on top of one or more other panels. The open configuration may refer to one or more panels being in an open configuration or to the entire cover assembly being in the open configuration. In other words, one of the panels may be in the closed configuration (for example, a panel that is located near or adjacent to the passenger area, while another panel (for example one that tis located rearward of the closed panel, closer to the tailgate) is in the open configuration.

[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 determinedDocket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745) 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 may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)

[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

Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)CLAIMS1) A latch device for a cover assembly for at least partially covering a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area having opposing side walls, the cover assembly comprising a panel; a first side rail comprising an attaching wall for attaching the first side rail to a first side wall of the opposing side walls of the cargo area of the vehicle, wherein the latch device comprises: a base; a handle at one end of the base; a catch device at an opposing end of the base, the catch device comprises a latch finger; a connecting member extending between the handle and the latch finger; and a fastener attaching the base to a bottom side of the panel, the bottom side of the panel faces an interior part of the cargo area of the vehicle; wherein movement of the handle pulls the connecting member which pulls the finger out of engagement with the receiving region of the side rail to unlatch the panel from the side rail.2) The latch device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member extends into an inside of the handle, wherein the inside of the handle is free of a cam, arm, cross member, and / or spring.3) The latch device according to claim 2 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the handle comprises a top part and an opposing bottom part and the inside of the handle is defined in between the top part and the bottom part.4) The latch device according to claim 3 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the top part comprises a projection, the bottom part comprises a recess, and the connecting member extends into the handle in a region between the projection and the recess.5) The latch device according to claim 4 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the projection comprises an aperture having a size and shape that compliments a size and shape of the connecting member.Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)6) The latch device according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the base comprises an upwardly extending flange and the bottom part of the handle comprises a projection, wherein the projection of the handle extends into the flange to connect the handle to the base.7) The latch device according to claim 6 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the projection of the handle comprises a plurality of bias able fingers that are compressed upon insertion of the projection into the flange.8) The latch device according to claim 2 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the catch device comprises a biasing member that outwardly biases the latch finger in a steady state configuration and moves the handle into a steady state position.9) The latch device according to claim 8 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the handle is free of any biasing members.10) The latch device according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein handle is rotatable in both a clockwise rotational direction and a counterclockwise rotational direction to pull the connecting member.11) The latch device according to claim 10 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the connecting member is a flexible cable.12) The latch device according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the cover assembly comprises: a second side rail attached to a second side wall of the opposing side walls of the cargo area of the vehicle; and the latch device is operably connected to a second latch device comprising: a base; a handle secured to one end of the base; a catch secured to an opposing end of the base, the catch comprises a finger; a fastener attaching the base to the bottom side of the panel; wherein the connecting member extends between the handle of the second latch and the finger of the catch of the second latch, the connecting member extends between the handle of the first latch device and the handle of the second latch device.Docket No.: 2021A.042WO (9114745)13) The latch device according to claim 12 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the inside of the handle of the second latch is free of a cam, arm, cross member, and / or spring.14) The latch device according to claim 13 or any one of the previous claims, wherein movement of the handle of the first latch device pulls the connecting member which pulls the finger of the first latch device and the finger of the second latch device out of engagement with the receiving region of the side rail and the second side rail to unlatch the panel from the side rail.15) The latch device according to claim 14 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the connecting member is a single cable that extends between the first latch device and the second latch device.

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