A retractable cover system includes laterally spaced apart guide rails that each provide a track. A drive assembly includes a motor operatively connected to a gear. A cover has multiple slats configured to interlock with one another in a deployed configuration. The slats cooperate with the gear and are slidable in the tracks between first and second positions within the opening in response to actuation of the drive system. The slats are stacked onto one another in a stowed configuration. A method of servicing a retractable cover system includes the step of removing an access cover from a magazine to expose a cavity housing stacked rigid slats. A method of retracting a tonneau cover includes the steps of actuating a handle and decoupling the tonneau cover from a drive mechanism.

The electrical system between the battery and the tarp motor uses a significant amount of heavy cabling to deliver the power required. Disclosed are electrical systems to reduce the amount of wire necessary by employing the vehicle body for the electrical ground; momentarily configuring the battery bank to raise the voltage; and a control system to simplify the user interface.

Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.

A drive system serves for reciprocating, between an extended position and a retracted position, a roll-up truck bed cover above a truck bed, said roll-up truck bed cover being composed of a rear profile, a plurality of elongate slats that are hinged together and has a foremost front slat, said drive system comprising at least one reciprocating means adapted for reciprocating the roll-up truck bed cover, and at least one reversible electric motor adapted for driving the reciprocating means. The at least one reciprocating means comprises at least one pulley system comprising at least one set of pulleys and at least one drive belt, which at least one set of pulleys includes a driven pulley and an idle pulley, and the drive belt is secured to the rear profile of the roll-up truck bed cover.

A slat assembly for a roll top cover enables an improved sealing arrangement and reduced frictional forces. The assembly includes: a plurality of successive and interconnected slats, each of the slats comprising opposed and adjoining first and second ends and upper and lower surfaces; and first and second hinge elements disposed at the respective first and second ends of each slat and integral therewith, the first and second hinge elements configured to define a hinge arrangement that facilitates relative pivotal movement between the slats; wherein the slat assembly is operable between extended and retracted positions.

A bed cover assembly for a pickup truck may include cover guides coupled to upper ends of both body sides of a pickup truck and having guide means such as a guide rail formed inward of the truck; a bed cover coupled between the cover guides to slide along the guide means; and rotary guide rail assemblies hinged to both body sides of the rear of the truck, wherein when the bed cover moves rearward, the rotary guide rail assemblies rotate upward about respective hinge axes thereof and the bed cover moves along guide means formed at the rotary guide rail assemblies.

A retractable aerodynamic panel for an automotive truck cargo bed comprises a first support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a first side wall of an automotive truck bed and a second support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a second side wall of an automotive truck cargo bed, a panel adapted to be mounted onto a tailgate of the automotive truck cargo bed, the panel adapted to extend between a retracted position, wherein the automotive truck cargo bed is substantially open, and a deployed position, wherein the panel extends outward from the tailgate across a portion of the automotive truck cargo bed between the top edges of the first and second side walls, the panel supported between side walls within the support rails, and an actuator adapted to selectively extend the panel between the retracted and deployed positions.

A retractable overhead assembly for a vehicle having a retractable cover (912) under tension and an integrated stiffening rod that includes attachment features (916) to selectively connect to a windshield area. The retractable system is self contained within an extrusion keeping the overall package size small and the installation/removal simple. The retractable cover creates a sun shade over the vehicle front cockpit and/or rear passenger area when deployed, and is retractable to a stowed position. The retractable overhead assembly is installable under any hard or soft top assembly configuration, and does not impede use or operation of the hard top or soft top assembly.

A truck bed cover integrated in a vehicle (e.g., a truck), configured to move through an opening formed between a cab and a truck bed, and along a set of channels on the truck bed. The vehicle includes a motor engaged with the truck bed cover and configured to enable an automated movement of the truck bed cover along the set of channels. The vehicle in one embodiment is an electric truck configured to run off a battery pack stored within the electric truck. The truck bed cover includes a plurality of movable portions, the plurality of movable portions linked together in a flexible format.

A drive system serves for reciprocating, between an extended position and a retracted position, a roll-up truck bed cover above a truck bed, said roll-up truck bed cover being composed of a rear profile, a plurality of elongate slats that are hinged together and has a foremost front slat, said drive system comprising at least one reciprocating means adapted for reciprocating the roll-up truck bed cover, and at least one reversible electric motor adapted for driving the reciprocating means. The at least one reciprocating means comprises at least one pulley system comprising at least one set of pulleys and at least one drive belt, which at least one set of pulleys includes a driven pulley and an idle pulley, and the drive belt is secured to the rear profile of the roll-up truck bed cover.