IP Library Granted Patent US 12,570,130
Granted Patent B2
US 12,570,130 · App. 18/141,492 · Granted Mar 10, 2026

Tonneau cover, bed rail, and a tonneau cover system

Inventors: Robert Paul Talbert (South Lyon, MI); Nolin Miller Livingston (Clinton, MI); David Brian Michaud (Fenton, MI)
Assignee: Extang Corporation
B60J7/141B60J7/0084B60J7/198
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,570,130
App. No.
18/141,492
Granted
Mar 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tonneau cover for at least partially covering a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area having a pair of opposing side walls, a front wall, and a tailgate, the tonneau cover including: a first panel configured to be arranged adjacent to the front wall; a second panel adjacent to the first panel and rearward of the first panel, the second panel configured to be folded relative to the first panel to move the tonneau cover between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The first panel comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, and the first panel section is arranged at an incline relative to the second panel section.

Claims (43)

1 . A tonneau cover for at least partially covering a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area having a pair of opposing side walls, a front wall, and a tailgate, the tonneau cover comprising:

a first panel configured to be arranged adjacent to the front wall;

a second panel adjacent to the first panel and rearward of the first panel, the second panel configured to be folded relative to the first panel to move the tonneau cover between an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein the first panel comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, wherein the first panel section is arranged at an incline relative to the second panel section;

wherein the first panel section includes a first uppermost panel surface and a first lowermost panel surface, and the first uppermost panel surface is spaced apart from the first lowermost panel surface along a vertical direction;

wherein the second panel section includes a second uppermost panel surface and a second lowermost panel surface, and the second uppermost panel surface is spaced apart from the second lowermost panel surface along the vertical direction;

wherein the first uppermost panel surface of the first panel section has an uppermost portion;

wherein the first uppermost panel surface of the first panel section has a lowermost portion;

wherein the first panel section has a first maximum height at the uppermost portion of the first uppermost panel surface;

wherein the first panel section has a second maximum height at the lowermost portion of the first uppermost panel surface;

wherein each of the first maximum height and the second maximum height are defined from the second uppermost panel surface of the second panel section to the first uppermost panel surface of the first panel section along the vertical direction;

wherein the first maximum height of the first panel section is greater than the second maximum height of the first panel section; and

wherein the lowermost portion of the first uppermost panel surface is closer to the second panel section than the uppermost portion of the first uppermost panel surface.

2 . The tonneau cover according to claim 1 , wherein the uppermost portion of the first uppermost panel surface is closer to the front wall than the lowermost portion of the first uppermost panel surface when the tonneau cover is installed in the vehicle.

3 . The tonneau cover according to claim 2 , wherein the incline comprises an angle is between about 110 degrees and 145 degrees.

4 . The tonneau cover according to claim 3 , wherein the first panel section and the second panel section are formed as a single, integral structure.

5 . The tonneau cover according to claim 4 , wherein the first panel section comprises a forward end comprising a seal that is configured to abut the front wall.

6 . The tonneau cover according to claim 5 , wherein the seal comprises a first seal section, a second seal section, and a third seal section, wherein one or more of the first seal section, the second seal section, and the third seal section contact the front wall, depending on a distance defined between the first panel section and the front wall.

7 . A tonneau cover for at least partially covering a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area having a pair of opposing side walls, a front wall, and a tailgate, the tonneau cover comprising:

a first panel configured to be arranged adjacent to the front wall;

a second panel adjacent to the first panel and rearward of the first panel, the second panel configured to be folded relative to the first panel to move the tonneau cover between an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein the first panel comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, wherein the first panel section is arranged at an incline relative to the second panel section;

wherein the first panel section comprises a forward end comprising a seal that is configured to abut the front wall; and

wherein the seal comprises a seal block attached to the seal, the seal block being made from a different material than the seal.

8 . The tonneau cover according to claim 7 , wherein the seal includes a cut out portion and the seal block is attached to the seal in the cut out portion.

9 . The tonneau cover according to claim 1 , wherein the tonneau cover comprises a bed rail attached to one or both of the side walls, the bed rail comprises a latch catch and the tonneau cover comprises a latch assembly that engages the latch catch to restrict or prevent fore-aft movement of the tonneau cover.

10 . The tonneau cover according to claim 9 , wherein the latch catch comprises a base part and one or more members extending from the base part.

11 . The tonneau cover according to claim 10 , wherein the bed rail comprises a groove and the base part is received into the groove.

12 . A tonneau cover for at least partially covering a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area having a pair of opposing side walls, a front wall, and a tailgate, the tonneau cover comprising:

a first panel configured to be arranged adjacent to the front wall;

a second panel adjacent to the first panel and rearward of the first panel, the second panel configured to be folded relative to the first panel to move the tonneau cover between an open configuration and a closed configuration;

wherein the first panel comprises a first panel section and a second panel section, wherein the first panel section is arranged at an incline relative to the second panel section;

wherein the tonneau cover comprises a bed rail attached to one or both of the side walls, the bed rail comprises a latch catch and the tonneau cover comprises a latch assembly that engages the latch catch to restrict or prevent fore-aft movement of the tonneau cover;

wherein the latch catch comprises a base part; and

wherein the latch catch comprises two members extending from the base part, each of the two members extend in an inwardly and downwardly direction in vehicle position.

13 . The tonneau cover according to claim 9 , wherein the latch assembly comprises a latch and a track, the track is secured to a B-side of the first panel or the second panel, and wherein the latch assembly comprises an unlatching tab to move the latch within the track to engage and disengage the latch catch, wherein the track extends in a cross car direction in vehicle position.

14 . The tonneau cover according to claim 1 , comprising a drain for evacuating fluid and/or debris from a drain channel of a bed rail upon which the tonneau cover is configured to be supported on, wherein the drain comprises a first section configuration to engage a tube having a first diameter and a second section that is configured to engage a tube having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

15 . The tonneau cover according to claim 14 , comprising an end cap for attaching to an end of the bed rail, the end cap comprising a closed end wall.

16 . The tonneau cover according to claim 14 , comprising an end cap for attaching to an end of the bed rail, the end cap comprising an end wall comprising an opening for evacuating fluid and/or debris from the drain channel.

17 . The tonneau cover according to claim 11 , wherein the tonneau cover comprises one or more holding latches, and the one or more holding latches are configured to engage the groove that the base part of the latch catch engages.

18 . The tonneau cover according to claim 17 , wherein the one or more holding latches are disengaged from the groove by pulling a cable.

19 . The tonneau cover according to claim 8 , wherein the front wall is mid-gate of a vehicle that is configured to be moved to provide a pass through between a passenger area of the vehicle and the cargo area of the vehicle.

20 . The tonneau cover according to claim 1 , wherein the first panel section includes a forwardmost surface, and the tonneau cover comprises a seal attached directly at the forwardmost surface of the first panel section.

Assignments (3)
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 May 1, 2023
From: TALBERT, ROBERT PAUL; LIVINGSTON, NOLIN MILLER; MICHAUD, DAVID BRIAN
To: EXTANG CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063490/0643 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63350563 · Jun 9, 2022
Related Publication 20230398847A1 · Dec 14, 2023
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