Illuminated tonneau cover system

Abstract

A tonneau cover system (10) and a vehicle comprising the same. The tonneau cover system (10) comprises a tonneau cover, the tonneau cover comprising one or more lighting elements and a secondary transformer winding (50) in electrical communication with the one or more lighting elements and adapted to inductively communicate with a primary transformer winding (48) located off-board of the tonneau cover. The primary transformer winding (48) is located on at least one frame rail (12, 12') of the tonneau cover system (10) and / or on a cargo area upon which the tonneau cover system (10) is located..

Description

Attorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)ILLUMINATED TONNEAU COVER SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.FIELD

[0002] The present teachings generally relate to a tonneau cover system for illuminating a cargo area.BACKGROUND

[0003] Some truck beds include lighting on the walls of the bed to assist visibility within the bed in low light conditions. Although, this lighting may not adequately illuminate the entire bed and can be blocked by cargo. Some truck beds may not even include lighting in the bed.

[0004] Some tonneau cover with powered features rely on on-board batteries or wired connections to the vehicle power system. Examples include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6.406,169 B; 6,783,267 Bl; and 10,239,447 B2. However, onboard batteries require periodic replacement or charging, and wired solutions are susceptible to failure points in the wiring, corrosion, and short circuiting. Wired configurations are limited in the routing of wires with respect to movable components of tonneau covers. Others draw power from onboard solar panels or use chemical luminescence, respectively described in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,286,763 B2 and 10,464,402 B2. However, the functioning of solar panels and luminescent chemicals is limited in low -light conditions.

[0005] It would be desirable to provide a tonneau cover with lighting that can illuminate a cargo area.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide a tonneau cover that mitigates or eliminates failure points and other limitations of wires.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide a tonneau cover system with lighting that can function in low-light conditions.SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a tonneau cover system, which may address at least some of the needs identified above.

[0009] Tire tonneau cover system may comprise a tonneau cover. The tonneau cover may comprise one or more lighting elements and a secondary transformer winding in electrical communication with the one or more lighting elements and adapted to inductively communicate with a primary transformer winding located off-board of the tonneau cover. Tire primary transformer winding may be located on at least oneAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781) frame rail of the tonneau cover system and / or on a cargo area upon which the tonneau cover system is located.

[0010] Tire primary and secondary transformer windings may be locatable in mutual proximity to one another, in one or more configurations of the tonneau cover, to provide for said inductive communication.

[0011] The tonneau cover system may further comprise a switching power source located off-board of the tonneau cover and in electrical communication with the one or more lighting elements via the primary and secondary transformer windings.

[0012] The tonneau cover system may have a wiring discontinuity between the tonneau cover and the at least one frame rail or between the tonneau cover and the cargo area.

[0013] Tire one or more lighting elements may include LEDs, incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, halogen lights, or any combination thereof. The one or more lighting elements may function to illuminate the cargo area, illuminate a region exterior of the cargo area, signal braking, signal turning, or any combination thereof.

[0014] The tonneau cover system may comprise two or more of the secondary transformer windings inductively communicating with the primary transformer winding, or vice versa. The one or more lighting elements may include two or more lighting elements. The two or more secondary transformer windings may each electrically communicate with one of the two or more lighting elements.

[0015] The tonneau cover may be: a soft rolling tonneau cover comprising a fabric supported over the cargo area by one or more cross bows, a soft folding tonneau cover comprising a fabric disposed over a rigid frame; a hard folding tonneau cover comprising a plurality of rigid panels hingedly connected end-to- end, or a hard rolling tonneau cover comprising a plurality of rigid slats hingedly connected end-to-end.

[0016] The one or more lighting elements and the secondary transformer winding may be located on: the one or more cross bows, the rigid frame, the plurality of rigid panels, or the plurality of rigid slats.

[0017] The primary transformer winding may be located on the at least one frame rail adapted to fasten to the cargo area or the primary transformer winding is located on the cargo area, such as a sidewall of the cargo area. The tonneau cover may be supported by the at least one frame rail, the cargo area, or both.

[0018] Tire at least one frame rail, the tonneau cover, or both may comprise one or more nests functioning at least in part to align the primary and secondary transformer windings.

[0019] The one or more nests may be located on the at least one frame rail or on the cargo area, and respectively receive one or more elements of the tonneau cover.

[0020] The one or more nests may be respectively located on platforms extending from the at least one frame rail or the cargo area, in an inboard direction.

[0021] Tire one or more nests may be located on the at least one frame rail and may be adapted to respectively receive the one or more cross bows.Attorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)

[0022] The one or more nests may be located on the tonneau cover and respectively receive one or more elements of the at least one frame rail or the cargo area.

[0023] Tire tonneau cover system may further comprise a printed circuit board to which the primary transformer winding is comiected, a printed circuit board to which the secondary transformer winding is connected, or both.

[0024] The switching power source may signally communicate with one or more sensors on the tonneau cover system, with a vehicle network (e.g., controller area network), or both. Based on said signal communication, the switching power source may selectively provide power to the one or more lighting elements.

[0025] Tire one or more sensors may function to detect a configuration of the tonneau cover relative to the at least one frame rail and / or the cargo area. The one or more sensors may include optical sensors, magnetic sensors, mechanical switches, or any combination thereof.

[0026] The one or more sensors may be located on the at least one frame rail.

[0027] The switching power source may provide power to the one or more lighting elements when: the primary and secondary' transformer windings enter into mutual proximity, the tonneau cover is converted at least partially into the un-folded or un-rolled configuration from a folded or rolled configuration; a door of a vehicle upon which the tonneau cover system is located is opened; a tailgate is opened; a drive train of the vehicle is shut off; signally activated via a key fob or a mobile device; or any combination thereof.

[0028] The present teachings provide for a vehicle comprising the tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding paragraphs. The vehicle may comprise the cargo area upon which the tonneau cover is located to selectively cover and un-cover the cargo area.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0030] FIG. IB is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0031] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0032] FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0033] FIG. 2C is a sectional view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0034] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0035] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0036] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0037] FIG. 3D is a sectional view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0038] FIG. 3E is a sectional view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0039] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.Attorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)

[0040] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0041] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0042] FIG. 4D is a sectional view7of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.

[0043] FIG. 4E is a sectional view of a tonneau cover system according to the present teachings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The present teachings meet one or more of the above needs by the improved tonneau cover system and cargo area comprising the same, as described herein. The tonneau cover system may function to illuminate the cargo area. The tonneau cover system may provide other illumination solutions. Tire tonneau cover system may include lights that illuminate tire exterior of tire cargo area. Tire tonneau cover system may include lights that function as brake lights, turn signals, running lights, or any combination thereof. The tonneau cover may provide one or any combination of the foregoing illumination solutions.

[0045] The tonneau cover system may be installed on a cargo area of a vehicle (e.g., a bed of a pickup truck). The cargo area may be defined by a tailgate, a front wall in opposing relationship to the tailgate, two sidewalls in opposing relationship to each other and extending between the tailgate and front wall, and a floor. One or any combination of tire foregoing may be referred to as walls. The tonneau cover system may be supported by at least the two sidewalls. The tonneau cover system may function to protect the cargo area from access to cargo stored therein, water ingress, debris ingress, or any combination thereof.

[0046] The tonneau cover system may comprise a tonneau cover, at least one frame rail, one or more cross bows, or any combination thereof. Typically, the tonneau cover system comprises two frame rails respectively located on the two opposing sidewalls. The tonneau cover may be a soft tonneau cover or a hard tonneau cover. Tire tonneau cover may be a folding tonneau cover or a rolling tonneau cover.

[0047] Soft tonneau covers are typically constructed from a fabric, such as a vinyl fabric. Soft tonneau covers may be pliable and thus they may be rolled and un-rolled to respectively un-cover and cover a cargo area. Soft tonneau covers may be at least partially supported by one or more cross bows extending transversely across at least a portion of a cargo area. The cross bows may or may not be attached to the fabric. Cross bows attached to the fabric may be rolled-up with the fabric. Cross bows not attached to the fabric may remain engaged with frame rails when the fabric is rolled-up, although the cross bows may be separable from the frame rails. Typically, cross bows may cooperate with frame rails to support a tonneau cover. However, it is contemplated that cross bows may cooperate with sidewalls of the cargo area to support a tonneau cover. That is, one or more frame rails may be eliminated.

[0048] Hard tonneau covers are typically constructed from a plurality of panels or slats. The plurality of panels or slats are typically formed from aluminum optionally including a coating (e.g., a vinyl coating), elastomeric connecting elements functioning to connect adjacent panels or slats, filler material disposedAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781) between opposing sides of panels or slats, or any combination thereof. Panels and slats are understood as belonging to different types of tonneau cover systems, as discussed below.

[0049] Tire plurality of panels typically include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, or even six or more panels. Adjacent panels may be hingedly connected such that they may pivotably translate relative to each other. The plurality of panels may progressively fold upon each other. For example, with a three-panel tonneau cover, a first panel may fold upon an adjacent second panel such that the top surface of the first panel contacts the top surface of the second panel, and the first and second panels may fold upon a third panel such that the bottom surface of the first panel contacts the top surface of the third panel.

[0050] In some aspects, the tonneau cover may comprise one panel pivotably engaged with one or more frame rails or a cargo area. The one panel may typically pivot proximate to a front wall of the cargo area. The one panel may be retained in an open position by one or more struts, props, or the like.

[0051] The plurality of slats typically include 10 or more, 20 or more 30 or more, or even 50 or more slats. Adjacent slats may be hingedly connected such that they may pivotably translate relative to each other. The smaller dimension(s) (e.g., a dimension measured along the axis extending between tire two opposing sidewalls) of the plurality of slats, relative to the panels described above, may make the plurality of slats suitable for forming a roll or other arrangement to un-cover the cargo area.

[0052] In some aspects, the plurality of slats may retract into a storage device, such as a cannister. to uncover a cargo area. The storage device may be located below the top surfaces of the two opposing sidewalls. Retraction may refer to axial translation of the plurality of slats into the storage device and a rolling or stacking action of the plurality of slats as they enter and / or travel within the storage device. The plurality of slats may translate axially within tracks fonned in one or more frame rails. Within the storage device, the plurality of slats may fonn a roll, progressively stack upon each other, or form a U-shape.

[0053] The tonneau cover system may comprise one or more lighting elements. The lighting elements may function to illuminate the cargo area, illuminate the exterior of the vehicle, provide brake or turn signaling, or any combination thereof. Cargo area illumination may aid users in viewing and manipulating cargo stored in the cargo area, particularly in low ambient light conditions. Such illumination may be particularly advantageous in tonneau covers that are in an un-folded or un-rolled configuration such that they are covering at least a substantial portion of the cargo area. In this regard, light may only be entering the cargo area from the region of the open tailgate.

[0054] The one or more lighting elements may be located on and / or within one or more cross bows, two or more cross bows, or even three or more cross bows. The one or more lighting elements may be located on and / or within one or more panels, two or more panels, or even three or more panels. Tire one or moreAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781) lighting elements may be located on and / or within one or more slats, two or more slats, or even three or more slats.

[0055] Tire one or more lighting elements may be located on a cross bow, panel, or slat that locates proximate to a tailgate of the cargo area. The one or more lighting elements may be located on a cross bow, panel, or slat that locates proximate to a front wall of the cargo area. The one or more lighting elements may be located on a cross bow. panel, or slat that locates generally midway between the tailgate and the front wall. The one or more lighting elements may be located at two or more of the foregoing positions. Although, the present teachings contemplate that the one or more lighting elements may be located in any position between the aforementioned positions.

[0056] Tire one or more lighting elements may include LEDs, such as LED strips; incandescent lights; fluorescent lights; halogen lights; or any combination thereof. Hie foregoing is not intended to be limiting of the present teachings and are provided for example.

[0057] The one or more lighting elements may receive electrical power from off-board the tonneau cover. The electrical power may be communicated to the one or more lighting elements while avoiding the interference of wires, understanding that wires can interfere with the positional manipulation of a tonneau cover. Hie tonneau cover system may be free of any wires extending between the vehicle and the tonneau cover. Hius. the present teachings provide for a unique and unconventional approach to powering lighting elements located on a tonneau cover.

[0058] The electrical power may be drawn from the vehicle (e.g., the primary vehicle battery adapted for powering at least the drivetrain), an auxiliary battery , or both. The auxiliary battery may be auxiliary of the primary battery . For example, the auxiliary battery may function to power the lighting elements and perhaps other accessories.

[0059] The tonneau cover system may comprise a primary transfonner winding and a secondary transformer winding. The primary and secondary transformer windings may inductively communicate with each other. Inductively communicate, as referred to herein, may mean transmitting electrical power via induction. Inductive communication between transformer windings may ultimately be provided to one or more lighting elements.

[0060] The primary transformer winding may be located off-board of the tonneau cover. The secondary transformer winding may be located on-board the tonneau cover. The secondary transformer winding maybe wired to the one or more lighting elements. By the inductive communication between the primary and secondary transformer windings, wires extending between the tonneau cover and the vehicle, or between the tonneau cover system and the vehicle, may be eliminated.

[0061] Two or more primary- transfonner windings may inductively communicate with one secondary transformer winding. Two or more secondary transformer windings may inductively communicate with oneAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781) primary transformer winding. Each of the two or more of the secondary transformer winding may provide power to separate lighting elements, or separate groups of lighting elements.

[0062] Tire primary and secondary transformer windings may enter into mutual proximity when the tonneau cover is in an unfolded or unrolled configuration. Conversely, they may be removed from mutual proximity when the tonneau cover is in a folded or rolled configuration. The primary and secondary transformer windings may be removed from mutual proximity by removing the tonneau cover from the cargo area.

[0063] In some aspects, a tonneau cover, such as a hard tonneau cover, may comprise a panel or slat or other component (e.g., a cannister adapted to receive slats of a rolling tonneau cover) that is engaged with at least one frame rail and / or a side wall of a cargo area while the remainder of the tonneau cover is free to fold or roll or otherwise be manipulated as described herein. In this regard, there may be one or more primary and secondary transformer windings consistently engaged via said panel or slat or other component.

[0064] Power may be automatically provided upon entering said mutual proximity. However, the present teachings contemplate other control arrangements. The one or more lighting elements may be powered when: the tonneau cover is converted into the un-folded or un-rolled configuration from a folded or rolled configuration; a door of the vehicle is opened: a tailgate is opened; a vehicle is shut off; signally activated via a key fob or a mobile device; or any combination thereof.

[0065] One or more of each primary’ and secondary transformer winding may include a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly may function to manage any of the foregoing control arrangements, modulate current and / or voltage, provide fault protection, provide surge protection, or any combination thereof.

[0066] Whether the tonneau cover is in the un-folded or un-rolled configuration may be detennined via circuit feedback (e.g., changes in the voltage or current measured in the circuit), one or more sensors, or any combination thereof. The sensor may include optical sensors, magnetic sensors, mechanical switches, or the like. The sensor may be located on-board one or more frame rails and / or the tonneau cover. Thus, when the tonneau cover meets with a frame rail, the sensor may produce a signal.

[0067] Tire tonneau cover system may comprise one or more switching power sources. Tire switching power source may be located off-board of the tomieau cover. For example, the switching power source may be located in a bed of a vehicle (e.g., resting on the floor of a cargo area, or mounted upon a wall of the cargo area), in a cabin of a vehicle, on one or more of the frame rails, or any combination thereof. The one or more lighting elements may be inductively connected to the switching power source via the primary and secondary’ transformer windings.

[0068] Tire one or more lighting elements and the secondary' transformer winding may be located on-board at least one cross-bow (e.g., at or proximate to one or both ends of a cross bow, the end adapted to beAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781) received by a nest formed in a frame rail; optionally both ends). The primary transfonner winding may be located on-board at least one frame rail. Each frame rail may include a nest for each cross-bow. The primary transfonner winding may be located on-board one or more of the nests.

[0069] Tire one or more lighting elements and the secondary transfonner winding may be located on-board at least one of the plurality of panels. Tire primary transfonner winding may be located on-board at least one frame rail.

[0070] The one or more lighting elements and the secondary' transformer winding may be located on-board at least one of the plurality of slats. The primary transformer winding may be located on-board at least one frame rail.

[0071] In any of the foregoing arrangements, it is also contemplated that the primary transformer winding is located on-board one or both of the two opposing side walls of the cargo area.

[0072] The first and secondary transformer windings may engage in a nesting arrangement. That is, the structure surrounding a primary winding may be received by a structure surrounding a secondary winding, or vice versa. Nest may refer to a structure that receives another structure, and includes a shape and / or one or more walls that receives the other structure. Tire nest may function to align the primary and secondary windings. In this regard, any misalignment may be prevented, which interferes with the inductive communication of the primary and secondary transfonner windings.

[0073] FIG. 1A and FIG. IB show a tonneau cover system 10 comprising two frame rails 12, 12' and a cover material 14 extending therebetween. The frame rails 12, 12' are adapted to attach to opposing sidewalls of a cargo area. Extending between the frame rails 12, 12' are cross bows 16, 16', 16". Although three cross bows 16, 16', 16" are depicted, the present teachings contemplate any number of cross bows 16, 16', 16". including less than three or more than three. Tire frame rails 12. 12' and the cross bows 16, 16', 16" support the cover material 14 over a cargo area. Tire cover material 14 can be a pliable cover material, which may be rolled and un-rolled to respectively expose and cover the cargo area. Although, the present teachings contemplate a rigid cover material 14, described herein.

[0074] FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C show a magnified view of the engagement of the cross bow 16 with the frame rail 12'. The frame rails 12, 12' each comprise nests 18 to which the cross bows 16, 16', 16" engage. The cross bows 16, 16', 16" drop into the nests 18 and are removable therefrom. Hie cross bows 16, 16', 16" may be retained within the nests 18 by gravity and optionally a positive engagement such as a frictional engagement, an elastically deformable engagement, a snap-fit engagement, or the like. Each of the frame rails 12, 12' include a nest 18 for each of the cross bows 16, 16', 16". Thus, opposing ends of the cross bows 16, 16', 16" may be supported by the frame rails 12, 12'.

[0075] FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C are sectional views along the line A-A. The cross bow 16 comprises a printed circuit board assembly 20 and a primary transformer winding 22. The nest 18 comprises a printed circuitAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781) board assembly 24 and a secondary transformer winding 26. The primary and secondary transformer windings 22, 26 inductively communicate with each other. Tirus, power can be provided to lighting units located on the cross bows 16, 16', 16".

[0076] FIG. 3A through FIG. 3E show a tonneau cover system 28 in the fomr of a hard, rolling tonneau cover system. Hie tonneau cover system 28 comprises frame rails 30, 30' disposed on either side of and receiving a plurality of slats 32 arranged end-to-end. Shown in greater detail in FIG. 3D, the plurality of slats 32 are hingedly engaged to each other and thus are movable axially along the frame rails 30, 30' and rollable into a generally cylindrical shape. The tonneau cover system 28 comprises a cannister 34 that receives the plurality of slats 34 when they are rolled-up to uncover a cargo area.

[0077] Tire tonneau cover system 28 comprises a primary’ transformer winding 36 associated with the frame rail 30 and a secondary transformer winding 38 associated with one of the slats 32. The primary transformer winding 36 is located upon a platform 40 that extends inboard from and offsets the primary transformer winding 36 from the frame rail 30. The primary transformer winding 36 is located within a nest 42 which receives the secondary’ transformer winding 38 located in a projection extending from the slat 32, the projection being received by the nest 42. In this regard, the nest 42 functions to align tire primary and secondary transformer windings 36, 38.

[0078] It can be seen that the nest 42 includes walls defining a pocket, the walls being discontinuous on at least one side. In this regard, as the slats 32 move in the direction D, the projection enters the nest 42 and ultimately is prevented from further axial translation by one of the walls of the nest 42.

[0079] FIG. 4A through FIG. 4E show a tonneau cover system 44 in the form of a hard, folding tonneau cover system. The tonneau cover system 44 comprises panels 46 that are hingedly engaged to each other. Frame rails (not shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) function to support opposing edges of the panels 46.

[0080] The tonneau cover system 44 comprises a primary transformer winding 48 and a secondary transformer winding 50. The primary transformer winding 48 is located upon a platform 52 that extends from and offsets the primary transformer winding 48 from a frame rail 54. The primary transformer winding 48 is located within a nest 56 which receives a projection, extending from tire panel 46, in which the secondary transformer winding 50 is located. In this regard, the nest 56 functions to align the primary and secondary transformer windings 48, 50. As panels 46 are unfolded, the projection and secondary transfomrer winding 50 drop down into the nest 56.

[0081] Printed circuit board assemblies 58, 60 are respectively connected to the primary and secondary transformer windings 48, 50.

[0082] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application.Attorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)

[0083] 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. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description.

[0084] Accordingly , the specific embodiments of the invention set forth herein are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0087] 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.

[0088] Tire disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps.

[0089] The use of “about” or “approximately” in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.

[0090] Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower endpoint and any higher endpoint. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component, a property, or a value of a process variable such as, e.g., temperature, pressure, time, and the like is, e.g., from 1 to 90, from 20 to 80, or from 30 to 70. it is intended that intermediate range values such as. e.g., 15 to 85. 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc., are within the teachings of this specification. Likewise, individual intermediate values are also within the present teachings.

[0091] For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest endpoint and the highest endpoint enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

[0092] The term “consisting essentially of’ to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components, or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the termsAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)‘‘comprising’’ or ‘‘including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components, or steps.

[0093] 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, and / or section from another region, layer, and / 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, and / or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, and / or section without departing from the teachings.

[0094] 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 drawings. 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 drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings 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. Hie device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0095] The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe angular measurements may mean about + / - 10° or less, about + / - 5° or less, or even about + / - 1° or less. The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe angular measurements may mean about + / - 0.01° or greater, about + / - 0.1° or greater, or even about + / - 0.5° or greater.

[0096] The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean about + / - 10% or less, about + / - 5% or less, or even about + / - 1% or less. Tire terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean about + / - 0.01% or greater, about + / - 0.1% or greater, or even about + / - 0.5% or greater.REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0097] 10 Tonneau cover system

[0098] 12 Frame rail

[0099] 12' Frame rail

[0100] 14 Cover material

[0101] 16 Cross bow

[0102] 16' Cross bowAttorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)

[0103] 16" Cross bow

[0104] 18 Nest

[0105] 20 Printed circuit board assembly

[0106] 22 Primary transformer winding

[0107] 24 Printed circuit board assembly

[0108] 26 Secondary transformer winding

[0109] 28 Tonneau cover system

[0110] 30 Frame rail[01U] 30' Frame rail

[0112] 32 Slats

[0113] 34 Cannister

[0114] 36 Primary transformer winding

[0115] 38 Secondary transformer winding

[0116] 40 Platform

[0117] 42 Nest

[0118] 44 Tonneau cover system

[0119] 46 Panels

[0120] 48 Primary transformer winding

[0121] 50 Secondary transformer winding

[0122] 52 Platform

[0123] 54 Frame rail

[0124] 56 Nest

[0125] 58 Printed circuit board assembly

[0126] 60 Printed circuit board assembly

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:Claim 1 : A tonneau cover system comprising a tonneau cover, the tonneau cover comprising one or more lighting elements and a secondary transformer winding in electrical communication with the one or more lighting elements and adapted to inductively communicate with a primary transformer winding located off-board of the tonneau cover; wherein the primary transformer winding is located on at least one frame rail of the tonneau cover system and / or on a cargo area upon which the tonneau cover system is located.Claim 2: The tonneau cover system according to Claim 1. wherein the primary and secondary transformer windings are locatable in mutual proximity to one another, in one or more configurations of the tonneau cover, to provide for said inductive communication.Claim 3 : The tonneau cover system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a switching power source located off-board of the tonneau cover and in electrical communication with the one or more lighting elements via the primary and secondary transformer windings.Claim 4: Tire tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tonneau cover system has a wiring discontinuity between the tonneau cover and tire at least one frame rail or between the tonneau cover and the cargo area.Claim 5 : The tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more lighting elements include LEDs, incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, halogen lights, or any combination thereof; and wherein the one or more lighting elements function to illuminate the cargo area, illuminate a region exterior of the cargo area, signal braking, signal turning, or any combination thereof.Claim 6: The tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two or more of the secondary transformer windings inductively communicating with the primary transformer winding, or vice versa,' wherein the one or more lighting elements include two or more lighting elements; and wherein the two or more secondary transformer windings each electrically communicate with one of the two or more lighting elements.Attorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)Claim 7: The tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tonneau cover is: a soft rolling tonneau cover comprising a fabric supported over the cargo area by one or more cross bows, a soft folding tonneau cover comprising a fabric disposed over a rigid frame; a hard folding tonneau cover comprising a plurality of rigid panels hingedly connected end-to-end, or a hard rolling tonneau cover comprising a plurality of rigid slats hingedly connected end-to-end.Claim 8: The tonneau cover system according to Claim 7, wherein the one or more lighting elements and the secondary transformer winding are located on: the one or more cross bows, the rigid frame, the plurality of rigid panels, or the plurality of rigid slats.Claim 9: The tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary transformer winding is located on the at least one frame rail adapted to fasten to the cargo area or the primary transformer winding is located on the cargo area, such as a sidewall of the cargo area; and wherein the tonneau cover is supported by the at least one frame rail, the cargo area, or both.Claim 10: The tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one frame rail, the tonneau cover, or both comprise one or more nests functioning at least in part to align the primary and secondary transformer windings.Claim 11 : Tire tonneau cover system according to Claim 10, wherein the one or more nests are located on the at least one frame rail or on the cargo area, and respectively receive one or more elements of the tonneau cover.Claim 12: The tonneau cover system according to Claim 11, wherein the one or more nests are respectively located on platforms extending from the at least one frame rail or the cargo area, in an inboard direction.Claim 13 : The tonneau cover system according to Claim 11 , wherein the one or more nests are located on the at least one frame rail and are adapted to respectively receive the one or more cross bows.Claim 14: The tonneau cover system according to Claim 1 1 , wherein the one or more nests are located on the tonneau cover and respectively receive one or more elements of the at least one frame rail or the cargo area.Attorney Docket No.: 2021A.045WO (9121781)Claim 15 : The tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a printed circuit board to which the primary transformer winding is connected, a printed circuit board to which the secondary transformer winding is connected, or both.Claim 16: The tonneau cover system according to Claim 3, wherein the switching power source signally communicates with one or more sensors on the tonneau cover system, with a vehicle network (e.g., controller area network), or both; and wherein based on said signal communication, the switching power source selectively provides power to the one or more lighting elements.Claim 17 : Tire tonneau cover system according to Claim 16, wherein the one or more sensors function to detect a configuration of the tonneau cover relative to the at least one frame rail and / or the cargo area; and wherein the one or more sensors include optical sensors, magnetic sensors, mechanical switches, or any combination thereof.Claim 18: Tire tonneau cover system according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors are located on the at least one frame rail.Claim 19: The tonneau cover system according to any one of Claims 16 through 18, wherein the switching power source provides power to the one or more lighting elements when: the primary and secondary transformer windings enter into mutual proximity, the tonneau cover is converted at least partially into the un-folded or un-rolled configuration from a folded or rolled configuration; a door of a vehicle upon which the tonneau cover system is located is opened; a tailgate is opened; a drive train of the vehicle is shut off; signally activated via a key fob or a mobile device; or any combination thereof.Claim 20: A vehicle comprising the tonneau cover system according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein the vehicle comprises the cargo area upon which the tonneau cover is located to selectively cover and un-cover the cargo area.

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