IP Library Granted Patent US 11,919,378
Granted Patent B2
US 11,919,378 · App. 17/743,732 · Granted Mar 5, 2024

Multi-hinge tonneau cover

Inventors: Jerome Facchinello (Grand Blanc, MI); David Germano (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Extang Corporation
B60J7/141B60J7/1607B60J7/198B60J7/04B60J7/196B62D33/046E05D1/04
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,919,378
App. No.
17/743,732
Granted
Mar 5, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (25)

1. A tonneau cover comprising:

(a) a header panel;

(b) a track located on the header panel; and

(c) a slider movable along the track that includes a connection arm having a connection recess therein adapted to secure the tonneau cover to a vehicle, wherein the connection arm extends external to the track so that the connection recess is adapted to receive a tether configured to secure the tonneau cover to the vehicle.

2. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the slider includes a track arm located within the track.

3. The tonneau cover of claim 2 , wherein the track includes an upper track wall and a lower track wall, and the track arm extends between the upper track wall and the lower track wall.

4. The tonneau cover of claim 3 , wherein the connection arm projects away from the track arm between the upper track wall and the lower track wall.

5. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the slider is adapted to secure additional panels of the tonneau cover connected to the header panel to the vehicle.

6. The tonneau cover of claim 5 , wherein the header panel is adapted to be located proximate to a cab of the vehicle and at least partially disposed along a cargo box of the vehicle.

7. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the track extends along a terminal edge of the header panel.

8. The tonneau cover of claim 7 , wherein the track extends along a width of the header panel.

9. The tonneau cover of claim 2 , wherein the track arm includes a track connector that engages the track to prevent removal of the slider from the track.

10. The tonneau cover of claim 9 , wherein the track connector is triangular in shape to engage a lip of the track and at least partially prevent movement of the slider.

11. The tonneau cover of claim 3 , wherein the track arm includes a track recess complimentary in shape to the upper track wall, the lower track wall, or both.

12. The tonneau cover of claim 11 , wherein the track recess is located between the connection arm and the track arm.

13. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the connection arm is adapted to secure the tonneau cover to the vehicle when the tonneau cover is in a folded or open position.

14. The tonneau cover of claim 3 , wherein the track arm is hollow.

15. The tonneau cover of claim 1 , wherein the tonneau cover includes a plurality of sliders located within the track.

16. The tonneau cover of claim 5 , wherein a first slider is located within a first end region of the track and a second slider is located within a second end region of the track.

17. A tonneau cover comprising:

(a) a panel; and

(b) a slider movably secured to the panel, wherein the slider includes a connection arm projecting externally away from the panel that is adapted to receive a tether that is configured to secure the tonneau cover to a vehicle when the tonneau cover is in a folded or open position.

18. The tonneau cover of claim 17 , wherein the connection arm includes a connection recess adapted to secure the tether to the connection arm.

19. The tonneau cover of claim 18 , wherein the panel is adapted to be located adjacent to a cab of the vehicle and at least partially rest along a cargo box of the vehicle.

20. The tonneau cover of claim 19 , wherein the connection arm forms a frame around the connection recess.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2026
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC; ADELL GROUP, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES, INC.; BEDRUG, INC.; BELMOR, INC.; BUSHWACKER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC; BUSHWACKER, INC.; CORD GROUP LLC; EXTANG CORPORATION; HUSKY LINERS, INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; LUND, INC.; HOPE VALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC; LUND INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY; MAXTON GROUP, INC.; N-FAB, INC.; OMIX-ADA, INC.; POWERFLOW, INC.; REALTRUCK GROUP, INC.; REALTRUCK, LLC; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION; RUGGED LINER, INC.; SUPERLIFT, LLC; TRUXEDO, INC.; ULTRA AXLE, LLC; UNDERCOVER, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 075566/0310 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2026
From: A.R.E. ACCESSORIES, LLC; ADELL GROUP, LLC; ADVANTAGE TRUCK ACCESSORIES, INC.; BEDRUG, INC.; BELMOR, INC.; BUSHWACKER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC; BUSHWACKER, INC.; CORD GROUP LLC; EXTANG CORPORATION; HUSKY LINERS, INC.; LAURMARK ENTERPRISES, INC.; LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.; LUND, INC.; HOPE VALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC; LUND INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY; MAXTON GROUP, INC.; N-FAB, INC.; OMIX-ADA, INC.; POWERFLOW, INC.; REALTRUCK GROUP, INC.; REALTRUCK, LLC; RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC; ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION; RUGGED LINER, INC.; SUPERLIFT, LLC; TRUXEDO, INC.; ULTRA AXLE, LLC; UNDERCOVER, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 075566/0472 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2023
From: TECTUM HOLDINGS, INC.
To: EXTANG CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 062855/0159 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2022
From: FACCHINELLO, JEROME; GERMANO, DAVID
To: TECTUM HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 061038/0521 →