Tonneau Cover Latch System with Cable Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tonneau cover systems for pickup trucks often have cumbersome attachment and detachment processes, inhibit access to the front or header portion of the cargo box, and lack reliable retention in all three degrees of direction (longitudinal, transverse, and vertical), with complex clamping systems prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A tonneau cover system featuring a bracket system with a ratchet receiving member, a tonneau cover assembly with a pivotal design, and a latching system including a ratchet striker member and actuation system, which allows for quick, simple, and reliable coupling of the header portion to the vehicle, providing adjustable retention in all three directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamping systems are used to attach the tonneau cover to the side rails, then the cover can be retained on the vehicle, but the attachment and detachment processes become cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional complex clamping systems with a simplified latch mechanism that uses a striker member engaging with a latch receiver, actuated by a cable-operated latch. This mechanical substitution reduces complexity while maintaining reliable retention, allowing quick attachment and detachment without cumbersome procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential retention function from complex clamping systems and implements it through a dedicated latch mechanism separate from the main cover structure. The latch mechanism is independently operable and can be actuated from inside the cargo box, separating the retention function from the overall cover operation.
2Reliability
If conventional attachment systems are used, then the cover can be secured to the side rails, but access to the front or header portion of the cargo box is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cable-operated latch mechanism that can be actuated from inside the cargo box. The cable system transmits the actuation force from the interior latch location to the external striker, enabling cover release without requiring access to the front or header portion of the cargo box.
3Reliability
If conventional clamps or retention systems are used for header attachment, then the header can be secured to the vehicle, but the attachment process becomes difficult and subject to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces difficult-to-install conventional clamps with a pre-assembled latch mechanism that integrates the striker, latch receiver, and cable actuation system. This standardized mechanical assembly simplifies the attachment process while ensuring reliable header retention through the engaged latch mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A tonneau system for a pickup bed having a bracket system connectable with a side wall of the pickup bed having a ratchet receiving member, a tonneau cover assembly having a pivotal first cover section and a second section, and a latching system operably coupled between the tonneau cover assembly and the bracket system. The latching system includes a ratchet striker member operably coupled to the tonneau cover assembly selectively engageable with the ratchet receiving member of the bracket system to define a latched condition of the first cover section of the tonneau cover assembly relative to the bracket system. An actuation system is operably coupled to the latching system to permit actuation of the latching system. The actuation system includes an actuation lever operably coupled to a drive member and the drive member being coupled to the latching system for actuation of the ratchet striker member.