RETRACTABLE TONNEAU COVER FOR TRUCK BED VEHICLES AND SIMILAR

Abstract

The retractable tonneau cover for truck bed vehicles and similar, object of the present invention, comprises a mechanism box (100) provided with a winding stress shaft (10), and in the electric model, a drive axle (20) driven by an electric motor that enable the movement of opening and closing a retractable tonneau cover mat. The mechanism box is provided with an embodiment that improves the drainage system in order to prevent the accumulation of water inside it. In addition to the electrical model, the box (100) has a relief on its face that receives the control module with access from the outer portion, which improves accessibility and avoids the need to open the entire set, in case it needs maintenance, further having a management and activation system via Bluetooth and radio frequency.

Claims

1. A retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar characterized in that it comprises a mechanism box (100) provided in the inner portion with a stress shaft (10) consisting of a profile (10A) provided with a cylindrical geometry with protrusions (10B) arranged longitudinally in order to allow fixing of rollers (12) through the grooves (121) that fit together with the 3 projections (10B) of the axis (10), and fixing of the rollers (12) with the axis (10) occurs through a screw (122) and at its ends the axis (10) describes tips (11) and (11A) that fit together with the supports (100C) of the box (100), said profile (10A) having in its inner portion a helical spring (13) threadedly attached to the tip (11A) keeping the spring anchored to the side of the box and locking its rotational movement and at the other end it is threaded to another piece called a torpedo (14) responsible for rotationally securing the spring (13) in relation to the profile (10A) of the stress shaft (10), this assembly being provided with a cylindrical rod (15) responsible for supporting the spring (13) within the profile (10A) of the stress shaft (10), said rod (15) fitting at its ends the tips (11) and (11A) of the stress shaft (10), said torpedo (14) provided with projections (141) allowing the attachment to the protrusions (10B) of the profile of the traction shaft (10), in order to allow the rotational locking of the spring (13) but still let the spring end move linearly as it is being wound; a drive axle (20) provided with supports (21) that receive at one end of the shaft the clutch system (22) and at the opposite end the motor (23) provided with coupling shaft and connecting tube, said clutch system (22) which is provided with a handle (103) which, when threaded by the user, moves and enters the mechanism box (100) abutting and pushing the end of a fork (221) provided with a support (222) that is fitted with a gear (223) fixed to the main shaft, laterally shifting the drive axle (10), compressing the spring (224) more and more in order to decouple the motor shaft (23), at the end opposite the shaft (20) is provided with a gear (24) that directs the traction of the motor (23) for the movement of the mat (200), and the gear (24) is fixed to the shaft (20), said shaft (20) which is provided with a motor (23) arranged with the support (21) which is provided with a shaft (231) connected and locked with the coupling shaft (25) provided with protrusions (251) that fit together with the grooves (241) of the gear (24), so that when the clutch system (22) is actuated the gear (24) is moved together with shaft (20) in order to decouple the grooves (241) from the protrusions (251) of the coupling shaft (25) of the motor (23) and the manual movement of the mat (200); the mechanism box (100) is provided on its outer portion with drains (101) with water outlet hoses (102), clutch decoupling handle (103) and module (104), so that these components are positioned inside the truck bed, said box (100) which is provided with a mat (200) of interconnected profiles that moves in a sliding manner along the side profiles (300) fixed to the sides of the truck bed, and in the upper portion of the box mechanism (100) a finishing lid (201) is arranged through screws (202) with the side profiles (300) allowing access to the internal components of the box (100), said profiles (300) which are provided with rails (301) which are fitted together with a relief (103) of the box (100) and are fixed to the mechanism box (100) through a set of screws (104) arranged on the side portion of the box.

2. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly and fixation of the shaft (10) occurs through the upper portion due to the fitting system between the structures and subsequent screwing through the holes (111) connecting the set of stress (10) to the tip (100C).

3. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod (15) is covered by a cover (not shown) preventing the contact of the spring (13) with the shaft, avoiding noise and wear of the system.

4. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the clutch system (22) allows the manual use of the cover in the event of an electrical unforeseen event that prevents the movement of the mat (200) automatically.

5. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the injected drains (101) are fitted in the mechanism box (100) through an hole (100A) provided with protrusions (100B), said drain (101) having a fitting pin (101A) allowing fixation of the set.

6. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixation of the drain (101) with the hole (100A) occurs by rotating the injected drain (101) 90 degrees until the fitting pin (101A) find its retaining position (100B) from the hole in the gearbox (100).

7. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 5, characterized in that the drain (101) is provided with a sealing ring (101B) that serves to seal the coupling between the parts, being arranged between the injected drain (10) and the mechanism box (100) and is pressed between these surfaces when locking occurs by the rotation of the injected drain (101).

8. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail (301) capture any water infiltration from the mat (200) and direct it to the mechanism box (100) through the inlet (103) of the mechanism box (100) or to the tips of the side profile (302) located at the ends of the profiles (300).

9. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the tips (302) of the profiles (300) are provided with built-in drains (302A) that carry the water captured by the rails (301) to the outside of the bed through the hoses (302B) connected to the tips (302) by threading.

10. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the mat (200) has a pair of plastic straps (123) that have fitting details (123A) and (123B), said strap (123) which is connected to the mat (200) connecting the end (123A) with the mat fitting so that the fastening takes place through the end (123A) along the groove (200A) of the mat (200).

11. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 10, characterized in that the connection of the mat (200) to the stress shaft (10) is performed by fitting the base (123B) of the strap (123) to projection (124) of the rollers (12) providing that the rotational force promoted by the accumulation of energy in the spring (13) is transferred to the mat (200) enabling the retraction of the mat to the interior of the mechanism box (100) and maintaining the mat tightly wound to the stress shaft (10) with the smallest winding diameter of the mat (200).

12. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism box (100) is provided with a module (102) provided with a set of buttons (102A) that allows the manual activation of the settings and the opening and closing system and by a lighting point (102B) that is activated when the user opens the cover or by the button of the remote control, illuminating the inside of the bed.

13. The retractable cover for truck bed vehicles and similar according to claim 12, characterized in that the module (102) is equipped with embedded software that allows management via Bluetooth through an application on a smartphone or other electronic device, allowing the user to control remotely the opening and closing system and settings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the closed retractable tonneau cover.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the front perspective view of the closed retractable tonneau cover.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the front perspective view of the closed retractable tonneau cover, demonstrating the mechanism box without the lid.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the side view of the closed retractable tonneau cover.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows the rear view of the closed retractable tonneau cover, detailing the positioning of the mechanism box in relation to the profiles and mat.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows the bottom view of the closed retractable tonneau cover, detailing the placement of the drains.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows the bottom perspective view of the closed retractable tonneau cover, detailing the placement of the drains.

[0045] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D show the detailed view of the drain system and hose of the mechanism box.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the retractable tonneau cover with the mat rolled up to the box, showing the activation and movement of the mat along the side profiles.

[0047] FIG. 9 shows the front perspective view of the box of mechanisms and profiles, FIGS. 9A and 9B show the detailing of the box with relief for fixing the side profile with rail, FIG. 9C shows the detailing of the rail profile at the other end and the FIG. 9D shows the detailing of the system for fixing the side profile to the box.

[0048] FIG. 10 shows the perspective view of the mechanism box, detailing its components.

[0049] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a detailed view of the stress shaft fixing system with the support from the box.

[0050] FIG. 10C shows the side view of the stress shaft to be fitted together with the support from the box.

[0051] FIG. 11 shows the top view of the mechanism box, detailing its components.

[0052] FIGS. 11A to 11G show a detailed view of the stress shaft, describing the embodiment of its inner components.

[0053] FIG. 12 shows the rear perspective view of the mechanism box, detailing the positioning of the roller straps fixing along the mat.

[0054] FIGS. 12A to 12C show the detailed view of the straps and rollers.

[0055] FIGS. 12D and 12E show the detailing of the roller attached to the shaft provided with a strap, detailing the way it is attached to the mat.

[0056] FIGS. 13 and 13A show the details of the drive axle, positioned with the mechanism box.

[0057] FIGS. 13B and 13C show the details of the clutch system applied to the drive axle.

[0058] FIGS. 13D and 13E show the details of the motor fixing system with the drive axle.

[0059] FIGS. 13F and 13G show the details of the fixing and displacement system of the gear with the motor.

[0060] FIG. 13H shows the perspective view of the engine arranged with the support, detailing the motor shaft.

[0061] FIG. 14 shows the perspective view of the mechanism box, detailing the module positioning and its embodiment equipped with buttons.

[0062] FIG. 14A shows the front view of the module arranged with the mechanism box and detailing the activation buttons and lighting points.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] The retractable tonneau cover for truck bed vehicles and similar, object of the present invention, comprises a mechanism box (100), arranged in the front portion of the bed, equipped with a mat (200) of interconnected profiles moving in a sliding manner along the profiles sides (300) fixed along the sides of the bed, and in the upper portion of the mechanism box (100) is arranged a finishing lid (201) fixed with screws (202) with the side profiles (300) allowing easy access to the internal components of the box (100), as described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows the front perspective view of the tonneau cover, detailing the mechanism box (100), mat (200) and side profiles (300), without the finishing lid (201), detailing how the user can access the internal components.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows the side view of the tonneau cover showing the arrangement of the mechanism box (100) provided by drains (101) with water outlet hoses (102) and with the side profiles (300) and with the finishing lid (201).

[0066] FIG. 5 shows the rear view of the tonneau cover showing the positioning of the mechanism box (100) on the front portion in order to allow the identification of the drains (101) with the water outlet hoses (102), clutch decoupling handle (103) and module (104) arranged in the outer portion of the box, so that these components are positioned inside the bed in order to allow easy access by the user when necessary.

[0067] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the bottom view of the tonneau cover in order to detail the arrangement of the mechanism box (100) with the drains (101) and the water outlet hoses (102), the mat (200) and the profiles sides (300).

[0068] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D show the injected drains (101) that are fitted in the mechanism box (100) through an hole (100A) of specific geometry equipped with protrusions (100B) and a drain (101) having a fitting pin (101A) that allow the set to be fixed. The drain (101) is fixed to the hole (100A) by turning the injected drain (101) 90 degrees until the fitting pin (101A) finds its retaining position (100B) of the mechanism box (100) hole. In addition, the drain (101) is provided with a sealing ring (101B) that serves to seal the coupling between the parts, being arranged between the injected drain (10) and the mechanism box (100) and is pressed between these surfaces when locking occurs by rotating the injected drain (101). This mechanism allows easy installation and maintenance, allowing cleaning whenever the drains are blocked or periodically in a preventive manner.

[0069] FIG. 8 shows the perspective view of the tonneau cover with the mat (200) being rolled up with the mechanism box (100), showing the mat (200) moves in a sliding manner along the side profiles (300).

[0070] FIG. 9 shows the perspective view of the mechanism box (100) arranged only with the side profiles (300), so that FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D show that the profiles (300) provided with rails (301) are fitted with a relief (103) of the box (100) and are fixed to the mechanism box (100) through a set of screws (104) arranged on the side of the box.

[0071] FIGS. 9A and 9B show details of the water collection rails (301) located on the side profiles (300) that capture any water infiltration from the mat (200) and direct it to the mechanism box (100) through the inlet (103) of the mechanism box (100) or to the tips of the side profile (302) located at the ends of the profiles (300).

[0072] FIG. 9C shows the detail of the tip (302) of the profiles (300) equipped with built-in drains (302A) that carry the water captured by the rails (301) to the outside of the bed through the hoses (302B) connected to the tips (302) through threading.

[0073] FIG. 9D shows the detail of fixing the mechanism box (100) through a set of screws (104) arranged along the sides.

[0074] The set of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show the perspective view of the mechanism box (100) detailing the arrangement of the clutch drive handle (103) and electronic module (104) of the system. In the inner portion, the box (100) describes the arrangement of the stress shaft (10), drive axle (20) and clutch system (22).

[0075] The mechanism box (100) has in its inner portion the supports (100C) arranged on both sides, said supports (100C) allowing the fixing of the stress shaft (10) through the tips (11) and (11A).

[0076] FIG. 10A shows the detail of the positioning of the stress shaft (10) provided by the tip (11) arranged with the support (100C) of the box (100).

[0077] FIGS. 10B and 10C shows the fixing detail between the support (100C) of the box (100) and the tips (11) and (11A) of the shaft (10), so that the assembly and fixation of the shaft (10) takes place by the upper portion due to the interlocking system between the structures and subsequent screwing through the holes (111) that connect the stress set (10) to the tip (100C), facilitating assembly and maintenance of the set.

[0078] The stress shaft (10) consists of a profile (10A) provided with its own cylindrical geometry with protrusions (10B) arranged longitudinally in order to allow the fixation of rollers (12) through the grooves (121) that fit together with the 3 protrusions (10B) of the shaft (10), and the fixation of the rollers (12) with the shaft (10) occurs through a screw (122). The shaft (10) has tips (11) and (11A) at its ends, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

[0079] Inside the profile (10A) of the stress shaft (10), a helical spring (13) is positioned threadedly with the tip (11A) keeping the spring anchored to the side of the box and locking its rotational movement and at the other end the spring (13) it is threaded to another piece called the torpedo (14) responsible for rotationally fixing in relation to the profile (10A) of the stress shaft (10). Across the entire set there is still a cylindrical rod (15) responsible for supporting the spring (13) inside the profile (10A) of the stress shaft (10), said rod (15) fitting at its ends to the tips (11) and (11A) of the stress shaft (10) and is covered by a cover (not shown) that prevents the spring (13) from contacting the shaft, preventing noise and wear of the system. This system allows rotational force to build up as we rotate drive axle (10) relative to mechanism box (100), as detailed in FIGS. 11C, 11D, 11E and 11F. The torpedo (14) is provided with projections (141) that allow the attachment to the protrusions (10B) of the drive axle (10) profile, in order to allow the rotational locking of the spring (13) but still letting the end of the spring move linearly as it is being rolled, as detailed in FIG. 11G.

[0080] The mat (200) has a pair of plastic straps (123) that have fitting details (123A) and (123B). The strap (123) is connected to the mat (200) connecting the end (123A) with the mat fitting so that the fastening occurs through the end (123A) along the groove (200A) of the mat (200). The connection of the mat (200) to the stress shaft (10) is given through the fitting of the strap (123) base (123B) to the rollers (12) projection (124) providing the rotational force promoted by the accumulation of energy in the spring (13) is transferred to the mat (200) enabling the mat to be collected inside the mechanism box (100) and keeping the mat tightly wound to the stress shaft (10) ensuring the smallest possible winding diameter of the mat (200), as detailed in FIGS. 12, 12A, 12B and 12C.

[0081] In the set of FIG. 13 the arrangement of the drive axle (20) is detailed, provided with supports (21) that receive the clutch system (22) at one of the shaft ends and the motor (23) with coupling shaft and connecting tube at the opposite end.

[0082] The clutch system (22) serves to use the tonneau cover in the event of an electrical malfunction that prevents the mat (200) from moving automatically. The system is provided with a handle (103) which, when threaded by the user, moves more and more into the mechanism box (100) abutting and pushing the end of a fork (221) provided with a support (222) that is fitted with a clutch (223) fixed to the main shaft, laterally shifting the drive axle (10) and increasingly compressing the spring (224) in order to decouple the motor shaft (23), as described in FIGS. 13, 13A, 13B and 13C.

[0083] The opposite end of the shaft (20) is provided with a clutch (24) that directs the traction of the motor (23) for moving the mat (200), and the clutch (24) is fixed to the shaft (20).

[0084] The motor (23) arranged to the support (21) is provided with a shaft (231) that is connected and locked with the coupling shaft (25) provided by protrusions (251) fitting with the grooves (241) of the clutch (24), so that when the clutch system (22) is activated the clutch (24) is moved with shaft (20) in order to decouple the grooves (241) of the protrusions (251) from the coupling shaft (25) of the motor (23), thus allowing manual movement of the mat (200).

[0085] In FIG. 14, the electronic module (102) arrangement for managing the equipment with the box (100) is detailed, and this embodiment arrangement facilitates the fitting and removal of the component for maintenance and repairs without the need to disassemble the entire set, as access occurs through the inside of the bed.

[0086] The module (102) is completely sealed which allows a perfect water and dust seal, ensuring greater durability of the component even in extreme situations. In addition, the module (102) is equipped with a set of buttons (102A) that allow manual activation of the settings and the opening and closing system. The module is equipped with a lighting point (102B) that is activated when the user opens the tonneau cover or by the remote-control button, illuminating the inside of the bed, as detailed in FIG. 14A.

[0087] The module (102) is equipped with embedded software that allows management via Bluetooth through an application on a smartphone or other electronic device, allowing the user to remotely control the opening, closing and settings of the system.