A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a plurality of panels; (b) one or more hinges between each panel of the plurality of panels so that the plurality of panels are rotatably connected together, wherein some or all of the one or more hinges include: (i) a plurality of expansion links that are movably interconnected together, some of the plurality of expansion links including: (1) one or more expansion projections; (2) one or more pockets that receive all or a portion of the one or more expansion projections from an adjacent one of the plurality of expansion links; and (3) one or more expansion stops that restricts movement of the one or more expansion projections from the adjacent one of plurality of the expansion links that extend within the one or more pockets; wherein the one or more hinges rotate so that the one or more hinges form of angle of about 90 degrees or more and about 225 degrees or less.

A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a plurality of panels; (b) one or more hinges between each panel of the plurality of panels so that the plurality of panels are rotatably connected together, wherein some or all of the one or more hinges include: (i) a plurality of expansion links that are movably interconnected together, some of the plurality of expansion links including: (1) one or more expansion projections; (2) one or more pockets that receive all or a portion of the one or more expansion projections from an adjacent one of the plurality of expansion links; and (3) one or more expansion stops that restricts movement of the one or more expansion projections from the adjacent one of plurality of the expansion links that extend within the one or more pockets; wherein the one or more hinges rotate so that the one or more hinges form of angle of about 90 degrees or more and about 225 degrees or less.

A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a plurality of panels; (b) one or more hinges between each panel of the plurality of panels so that the plurality of panels are rotatably connected together, wherein some or all of the one or more hinges include: (i) a plurality of expansion links that are movably interconnected together, some of the plurality of expansion links including: (1) one or more expansion projections; (2) one or more pockets that receive all or a portion of the one or more expansion projections from an adjacent one of the plurality of expansion links; and (3) one or more expansion stops that restricts movement of the one or more expansion projections from the adjacent one of plurality of the expansion links that extend within the one or more pockets; wherein the one or more hinges rotate so that the one or more hinges form of angle of about 90 degrees or more and about 225 degrees or less.

A retractable truck bed cover having an array of parallel aluminum slats joined together by connective hinges including leading and trailing edge configuration for improving the security of the cover by covering and concealing the seam between adjacent slats while improving the connective hinge's resistance to the effects of aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. The truck bed cover connective hinge slat is designed to be in an array of discrete slats, which are joined to one another by means of joiner members secured at each end to slat end caps. The distal ends of the joiner members are attached to slat end caps at the distal ends of the slats, thereby preventing the joiner members from shrinking in relationship to the slats due to aging and I or exposure to temperature fluctuations.

A vehicle roof is provided having, according to one embodiment, two lateral longitudinal roof beams that laterally define a roof opening and are connected to each other via a transverse roof beam that has a base support. The transverse roof beam can be selectively secured to and detached from the longitudinal roof beams by a latching device and has a fixing device for at least one rigid roof panel, the fixing device being displaceable between a locked position, in which the at least one rigid roof panel is secured, and a release position, in which the at least one rigid roof panel can be removed from the vehicle roof.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a storage container and storage container lid configured for stowage and extraction of panels, the panels having complementary mating interfaces that cause the panels to stack onto one another as the panels enter the storage container lid, and to couple to one another as the panels are extracted from the storage container lid. In an illustrative example, the mating interface for the panels may include a first linearly decreasing section, a linearly increasing section, and a second linearly decreasing section that complements the mating interface of an adjacent panel. The panels may slide along a channel into and out of an opening in the storage container lid. A panel storage system may advantageously store panels in the lid of the storage container, while still providing access to the contents of the storage container by opening of the lid.

A retractable cover system includes laterally spaced apart guide rails that define an opening and each provide a track. A drive assembly includes a motor that drives a first gear. The first gear is coupled to a second gear. A cover has multiple slats configured to interlock with one another in a deployed configuration. The slats cooperate with the drive assembly and are slidable in the tracks between first and second positions within the opening in response to actuation of the drive assembly. The slats are stacked onto one another in a stowed configuration. One of the first and second gears is axially movable relative to the other of the first and second gears between coupled and decoupled positions. The motor is coupled to the slats with the first and second gears in the coupled position for automated operation. The motor is disconnected to the slats with the first and second gears in the decoupled position for manual operation.

A tonneau cover that includes a first panel, a second panel, a hinge between the first panel and the second panel, and a torsion element between the first panel and the second panel. The torsion element applies an urging force onto one or both of the first panel and the second panel during movement of the first panel and/or the second panel about the hinge.

A set of hinges (1) that allow a user to open and close a set of removable rigid rooftop panels (5, 6) for a vehicle having a hardtop cover, such as a Jeep or sport utility vehicle, without being required to fully remove and store the rigid roof panels. The hinges may be locked in an open position using one or more hasps (24) integrated into the hinges.

A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a plurality of panels; (b) one or more hinges between each panel of the plurality of panels so that the plurality of panels are rotatably connected together, wherein some or all of the one or more hinges include: (i) a plurality of expansion links that are movably interconnected together, some of the plurality of expansion links including: (1) one or more expansion projections; (2) one or more pockets that receive all or a portion of the one or more expansion projections from an adjacent one of the plurality of expansion links; and (3) one or more expansion stops that restricts movement of the one or more expansion projections from the adjacent one of plurality of the expansion links that extend within the one or more pockets; wherein the one or more hinges rotate so that the one or more hinges form of angle of about 90 degrees or more and about 225 degrees or less.