Sectioned Tonneau Cover for Fifth-Wheel Hitch Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Tonneau covers currently available do not allow for the attachment of fifth wheel or goose neck trailers while maintaining coverage of the truck bed, exposing cargo to theft and weather elements.

Innovation Solution

A tonneau cover system with a sheet of material featuring a hitch aperture and detachable sections, along with support bars and a wind-resistant boot, allows for the attachment of trailers while keeping the truck bed covered, using a combination of soft, hard, or mixed materials and fastening mechanisms to create a channel for the trailer hitch and prevent weather ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the tonneau cover covers the entire bed of the truck, then cargo is protected from theft and weather, but the fifth wheel trailer cannot be attached to the hitch in the bed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo protection from theft and weatherVSAvoidtrailer attachment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tonneau cover is divided into multiple sections including a first section, second section, third section, and fourth section that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the cover to be partially opened at the rear to accommodate trailer attachment while maintaining coverage over the majority of the truck bed, thus protecting cargo while enabling trailer hitching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tonneau cover incorporates movable and adjustable components including support bars with multiple positions and sections that can be detached or repositioned. This dynamic design allows the cover to transition between a closed protective state and an open state that accommodates fifth wheel or goose neck trailer attachment, resolving the contradiction between protection and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tonneau cover is removed or rolled to the cab to allow trailer attachment, then the trailer can be connected, but cargo in the bed is exposed to theft and weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer attachment capabilityVSAvoidcargo exposure to theft and weather

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cover into multiple sections, the system allows localized opening at the rear for trailer attachment while keeping the front and middle sections closed to protect cargo. This eliminates the need to remove or fully roll the cover to the cab.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover provides different states of openness to different regions of the truck bed - the rear section can be opened for trailer access while the front and middle sections remain closed for cargo protection. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing trailer attachment without exposing cargo.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the tonneau cover is made from hard material, then structural strength and protection are improved, but weight and difficulty of manipulation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover structural strengthVSAvoidcover manipulation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the cover into multiple smaller sections makes it easier to manipulate individual parts without having to move the entire heavy cover. Each section can be independently opened, closed, or adjusted, reducing the physical effort required compared to moving a single large hard cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The incorporation of movable support bars and detachable sections transforms the static hard cover into a dynamic system that can be easily reconfigured. The support bars provide structural strength when needed but can be repositioned or removed to facilitate easy manipulation during trailer attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the tonneau cover is made from soft material, then ease of manipulation and flexibility are improved, but structural strength and protection are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover manipulation easeVSAvoidcover structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines soft cover material with rigid support bars to create a composite structure. The soft material provides ease of manipulation and flexibility, while the rigid support bars contribute structural strength and protection. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between softness and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic support bars can be positioned to provide structural reinforcement when the cover is closed for protection, and can be repositioned or removed when manipulation ease is prioritized for trailer attachment, allowing the system to adapt between strength and flexibility needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12090828B2Tonneau cover system

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 BURNS TERESA L

AI summary

A tonneau cover includes a sheet of material. The sheet of material may have a first section and a second section, with a hitch aperture to receive a pin box of a fifth wheel trailer. The hitch receiver may be located under the hitch aperture when the tonneau cover is positioned on the truck. The first and second sections may couple to the truck bed via a first and second bracket. After the first and second sections are in position, a trailer may be attached to the truck while the truck bed is covered.