A method for opening and closing a retractable roof of a convertible vehicle, wherein the roof includes a first portion and a second portion, connected together. The method includes: moving the first portion relative to the second portion between a first position and a second position, such that, at the first position, the first portion is at least partly superposed on the second portion and, at the second position, the first portion lies in substantially the same plane as the second portion, rotating the first and second portions about an axis of rotation, and translating the superposed first and second portions between a first position and a second position, such that, at the first position, the first and second portions are inside a compartment in the vehicle and, at the second position, the first and second portions are outside the compartment.

A tonneau cover system, comprising: (a) one or more brackets secured to at least one of a pair of opposing sidewalls of a cargo box of a vehicle; (b) a foldable tonneau cover having a plurality of interconnected panels, at least one of the plurality of interconnected panels including: (1) one or more latch assemblies that engage the one or more brackets; and (2) an actuator assembly connected to each of the one or more latch assemblies by a cable, wherein actuation of the actuator assembly moves the cables that in turn release engagement of the one or more latch assemblies from the one or more brackets.

A rigid extendable storage unit comprises a front wall and a back wall positioned adjacent to the front wall in a folded state and configured to be deployed opposite the front wall, wherein the back wall has an opening configured to be covered. Side walls that are made of at least one section are provided and positioned adjacent to the front wall in a folded state and extended between the front wall and the back wall in a deployed state. A roof is positioned adjacent to the front wall in a folded state and extended to enclose a volume formed between the front wall, the back wall, and the side walls. In the folded state, the extendable storage unit occupies minimal area of the surface or the platform it is mounted on, and transforming the storage unit from folded state to deployed state and vice versa can be handled manually or automatically.

A vehicle rear structure is applied to a vehicle, in which at least one of a roof and a rear window is capable of being accommodated in a vehicle body. The structure includes a deflection plate standing upright between a pair of seats on the rear side of the seats, and a light source provided on the lower front side of the deflection plate. When it is assumed that an imaginary straight line connecting between the light source and a reflection surface of the deflection plate is a first imaginary line, an imaginary straight line connecting between a middle portion of a rear view mirror and the reflection surface of the deflection plate is a second imaginary line, and, an imaginary straight line orthogonal to the reflection surface of the deflection plate is a reference imaginary line, the reflection surface of the deflection plate is inclined at a predetermined angle in such a manner that the angle defined by the reference imaginary line and the first imaginary line, and the angle defined by the reference imaginary line and the second imaginary line are different from each other in a side view.

A tonneau cover assembly located over the cargo bed of a truck is provided. The tonneau cover assembly includes a base panel that extends over the cargo bed of the truck. The tonneau cover also includes at least one cover section that selectively shrouds the cargo bed and is located adjacent the base panel. The tonneau cover assembly includes either one or both a tie-down block assembly and/or a tether assembly.

An integral compact collapsible cap for a pickup truck having multiple interconnected folding panel members hinged together forming a cap on the truck bed. Side and end panels are hinged to and from a top member deployable from a flat storage position in the truck bed to a co-planar vertically spaced position over the truck bed. Manually operated secure and release latch arms on the deployed side panel ends registerably engage end pins on a cap mounting frame secured to the truck bed rails of the truck with a deployable rear and access panel having doors there within.

A release system of a tonneau cover, the release system comprising: (a) a spring latch, wherein the spring latch is located adjacent to or at least partially within an opening of a side rail of the tonneau cover to engage a drive system of the tonneau cover located within the side rail; and (b) a release latch connected to the spring latch by a release cable so that articulation of the release latch moves the spring latch between an engaged position, where the spring latch engages the drive system, and a disengaged position, where the spring latch is free of engagement with the drive system and the tonneau cover is free to move along the side rail independently of the drive system.

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.

Provided is an automobile cargo compartment cover plate, including a first cover assembly, a second cover assembly, and a third cover assembly, where the first cover assembly includes a first frame and a first cover disposed on the first frame; the second cover assembly includes a second frame and a second cover disposed on the second frame, and the second frame is rotatably connected to the first frame; and the third cover assembly includes a third frame and a third cover disposed on the third frame, and the third frame is rotatably connected to the second frame.

A method of operating a tonneau cover and a tailgate of a vehicle, including: transmitting one or more signals to a first control module to open or lower the tailgate; determining a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module or a second control module and transmitting by the first control module and/or the second control module one or more signals to a mechanism associated with the tonneau cover to open the tonneau cover if the tonneau cover is determined by the first control module and/or the second control module to be in a closed position; and then lowering the tailgate.