A tonneau cover access panel assembly connectable to a tonneau cover assembly that eliminates the need for side rails to both locate and tension the top cover. The tension works to seal out environmental elements and holds the tonneau cover and locating bows of the tonneau cover in place. The tonneau cover access panel holds the rear of the tonneau in the closed tension state keeping the tonneau secured and tight until the cover is opened by an operator. The tonneau cover access panel assembly is movable between a closed position and a fully open position, and, is movable between at least a first open position and the closed position for more limiting access to the cargo bed of the vehicle when desired. The tonneau cover access panel assembly also reduces weight and complexity.

A rain and sun shield for a covered golf cart semi-permanently attached to the roof of a golf cart. The device is easy to install; will retrofit to any standard golf cart roof; does not interfere with the parking and storing profile of a fleet of golf carts. The device is easily opened and closed to provide the golf cart user with added sun and rain protection when in use.

A method for enhancing the rain and sun protection of a golf cart roof using a rain and sun shield device. The rain and sun shield for a covered golf cart is semi-permanently attached to the roof of a golf cart. The idevice is easy to install; will retrofit to any standard golf cart roof; does not interfere with the parking and storing profile of a fleet of golf carts. The device is easily opened and closed to provide the golf cart user with added sun and rain protection when in use.

A rain and sun shield for a covered golf cart semi-permanently attached to the roof of a golf cart. The idevice is easy to install; will retrofit to any standard golf cart roof; does not interfere with the parking and storing profile of a fleet of golf carts. The device is easily opened and closed to provide the golf cart user with added sun and rain protection when in use.

A tonneau cover access panel assembly connectable to a vehicle that eliminates the need for side rails to both locate and tension a tonneau cover. The assembly also reduces weight and complexity. The assembly incorporates a readily accessible rear latching system that reduces or eliminates interference with the tonneau cover during operation. The assembly also incorporates a tonneau cover tensioning system. The tension seals out environmental elements and holds the tonneau cover and locating bows in place. The assembly holds the tonneau in the closed tension state keeping the tonneau cover secured and tight until the cover is opened by an operator. The assembly is movable between a closed position and a fully open/stowable position and any intermediate positions. The assembly is also movable between at least a first open position and the deployed position for more limiting access to the cargo bed of the vehicle when desired.

A tonneau cover for a cargo bed of a truck includes a rail system, and a panel secured to the rail system. At least a portion of the rail system or the panel is a layer jamming member having a layer jamming material operable to exhibit a first stiffness in response to a first confining pressure and a second stiffness in response to a second confining pressure. The layer jamming member may include all or a portion of the panel to provide specific regions of the cover, and/or may include portions of the rail system.

An apparatus and method for implementing a vehicle sun and rain shield that converts to a pop-up sheltered compartment. The apparatus semi-permanently attaches to the roof of any vehicle. The device is easy to install and does not interfere with the parking and storage profile of the vehicle. The device is sized to fit within the perimeter of any vehicle roof when deployed. The device is easily opened and closed to provide added sun and rain protection. The device has moveable panels that extend beyond the vehicle roof to provide sun and rain protection. The moveable panels deflect in response to contact. The moveable panels also lock in a position perpendicular with the plane of the roof to provide the pop-up sheltered compartment. The sheltered compartment is useful for storing items or providing temporary shelter for users.

Elements of drop-stitch material are formed into different structures. In a platform, two legs support a horizontal platform. All are of drop-stitch material, which can be inflated to sufficient pressure for it to be rigid. Valves between the legs and platform allow air to flow between the legs and the platform. Another design is a luggage or cargo carrier for vehicles with a base, top and front walls formed of interconnected drop-stitch material. When the drop-stitch material is inflated, the material forms a cavity which receives luggage or other items. Sidewalls create an enclosed space, elements of the drop-stitch material can form other structures such as a truck shell with openings through the material to acts as windows or a door.

An apparatus for covering at least a portion of an open bed of a vehicle includes a pair of support frames, where opposing ends of the support frames are removably mounted to opposing edges of the vehicle bed, and a rigid cover panel that is mounted between the support frames to cover the bed. A slot is formed in each support frame that extends along the length of each support frame. The rigid cover panel has edges that may removably slide into the slots of the support frames. The cover panel is held in place by inserting opposite edges into the slots of the support frames and then removably fixing the support frames at a selected location to the vehicle.

A tonneau cover for a cargo bed of a truck includes a rail system, and a panel secured to the rail system. At least a portion of the rail system or the panel is a layer jamming member having a layer jamming material operable to exhibit a first stiffness in response to a first confining pressure and a second stiffness in response to a second confining pressure. The layer jamming member may include all or a portion of the panel to provide specific regions of the cover, and/or may include portions of the rail system.