U.S. patent application number 14/447874 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for truck cover system and method of using the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to ADRIAN NANIA.
Application Number | 20160031302 14/447874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54193617 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160031302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NANIA; ADRIAN |
February 4, 2016 |
TRUCK COVER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
Abstract
According to one or more embodiments, a truck cover system
includes a panel cover including first and second panels connected
via a first hinge, a track unit detachably receiving the first
hinge, and a latch including first and second latch members
detachably connected to each other, wherein a detachment between
the first and second latch members causes detachment of the first
hinge from the track unit.
Inventors: |
NANIA; ADRIAN; (ROCHESTER,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54193617 |
Appl. No.: |
14/447874 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/100.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/02 20130101; B60J
7/198 20130101; B60J 7/041 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/04 20060101
B60J007/04; B60P 7/02 20060101 B60P007/02; B60J 7/19 20060101
B60J007/19 |
Claims
1. A cover system of a truck, comprising: a panel cover including
first and second panels connected via a first hinge; a track unit
detachably receiving the first hinge; and a latch including first
and second latch members detachably connected to each other,
wherein a detachment between the first and second latch members
causes detachment of the first hinge from the track unit.
2. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the first latch member is
connected to the first hinge and the second latch member is
connected to the track unit.
3. The cover system of claim 2, further comprising a second hinge
connected to at least one of the first and second panels, the
second hinge being connected to and movable along the track
unit.
4. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the track unit includes
first and second tracks each positioned along a side wall of a
truck bed of the truck.
5. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the first and second tracks
each includes a head portion, a body portion, and a toe portion,
the head portion and toe portion protruding outwardly away from the
truck bed.
6. The cover system of claim 4, further comprising a first belt and
a second belt drivable by a motor, a portion of the first belt and
a portion of the second belt being in contact with the first and
second tracks, respectively.
7. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels
each independently include at least one of steel, aluminum,
fiberglass and carbon fiber.
8. The cover system of claim 1, further comprising a third panel
positioned next to and connected via a second hinge with the second
panel, the second hinge being non-detachably connected to the track
unit.
9. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the panel cover further
includes third, fourth, fifth and sixth panels, the third panel
connected to the second panel via a non-floating hinge, the fourth
panel connected to the third panel via a floating hinge, the fifth
panel connected to the fourth panel via a non-floating hinge, and
the sixth panel connected to the fifth panel via a floating
hinge.
10. A cover system of a truck, comprising: first and second panels
each including head and toe-sides, the head-side of the first panel
and the toe-side of the second panel connected via a floating
hinge, the toe-side of the first panel and the head-side of the
second panel each connected to a non-floating hinge; and a track
unit for driving the first and second panels via the hinges.
11. The cover system of claim 10, further comprising a hinge cup to
receive the floating hinge when the first and second panels are in
a first operating position.
12. The cover system of claim 10, wherein the non-floating hinges
each including an end portion which glides along a longitudinal
axis of the track unit when the first and second panels change from
the first operating position to a second operating position
different from the first operating position.
13. The cover system of claim 10, wherein the non-floating hinges
are connected to the track unit via a first belt.
14. The cover system of claim 13, wherein the track unit includes a
pair of tracks and a motor positioned there between, the pair of
tracks being each positioned along a side wall of a truck bed of
the truck.
15. The cover system of claim 14, wherein the end portion of one of
the non-floating hinges contacts a top surface of one of the pair
of tracks.
16. The cover system of claim 14, wherein the end portion of one of
the non-floating hinges contacts a side surface of one of the pair
of tracks.
17. A method of providing covering to a truck, comprising:
providing a cover system to the truck, the cover system including
first and second panels each including head and toe-sides, the
head-side of the first panel and the toe-side of the second panel
connected via a floating hinge, the toe-side of the first panel and
the head-side of the second panel each connected to a non-floating
hinge, and a track unit for driving the first and second panels via
the hinges.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the track unit is further
provided to include a hinge cup to receive the floating hinge in a
first operating position and to release the floating hinge in a
second operating position.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the track unit is further
provided to include a latch, the latch including first and second
latch members detachably connected to each other, wherein a
detachment between the first and second latch members causes
detachment of the floating hinge from the hinge cup such that the
second operating condition is effectuated.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the toe-side of the first panel
lift off the truck bed while driving the cover panel from the first
operation position to the second operating position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a truck cover
system and a method of using the same.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For trucks with rear cargo beds, various designs of cargo
bed covers have been provided in attempts to protect the cargo
content. Certain of these existing designs are directed to a single
panel that gets lifted up and opens in its entirety, which makes it
difficult and if not all impossible to loading large objects like a
refrigerator or a tall plant without the complete removal of the
bed cover. For such a removal, the removed bed cover may need to be
at least temporally stored inside the vehicle, taking up valuable
space.
[0003] Other of some of the existing designs use soft covers;
however these design based on soft covers may require manual
roll-up and manual operation may not be user friendly as often
being labor intensive.
[0004] Some of the existing designs involve motorized cover
systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,072 B1 discloses similar
systems.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one or more embodiments, a cover system of a
truck includes a cover panel including first and second panels
connected via a first hinge, a track unit detachably receiving the
first hinge, and a latch including first and second latch members
detachably connected to each other, wherein a detachment between
the first and second latch members causes detachment of the first
hinge from the track unit.
[0006] The first latch member may be connected to the first hinge
and the second latch member may be connected to the track unit.
[0007] The cover system may further include a second hinge
connected to at least one of the first and second panels, wherein
the second hinge may be connected to and movable along the track
unit.
[0008] The track unit may include first and second tracks each
positioned along a side wall of a truck bed of the truck.
[0009] The first and second tracks may each include a head portion,
a body portion, and a toe portion, wherein the head portion and toe
portion may be bent toward the bottom of the truck relatively to
the body portion.
[0010] The cover system may further include a first belt and a
second belt drivable by a motor, wherein a portion of the first
belt and a portion of the second belt may be in contact with the
first and second tracks.
[0011] The first and second panels may include at least one of
steel, aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fiber.
[0012] The cover system may further include a third panel
positioned next to and connected via a second hinge with the second
panel, wherein the second hinge may be non-detachably connected to
the track unit, such that the first and second panels are
positioned relative to the third panel with a first elevation in a
first operating position and with a second elevation different from
the first elevation in a second operating position.
[0013] According to another one or more embodiments, a cover system
of a truck includes first and second panels each including head and
toe-sides, the head-side of the first panel and the toe-side of the
second panel connected via a floating hinge, the toe-side of the
first panel and the head-side of the second panel each connected to
a non-floating hinge; and a track unit for driving the first and
second panels via the hinges.
[0014] The cover system may further include a hinge cup to receive
the floating hinge when the first and second panels are in a first
operating position.
[0015] The non-floating hinges may each include an end portion
which glides along a longitudinal axis of the track unit when the
first and second panels change from the first operating position to
a second operating position different from the first operating
position.
[0016] The non-floating hinges may be connected to the track unit
via a first cable.
[0017] The track unit may include a pair of tracks and a motor
positioned there between, the pair of tracks being each positioned
along a side wall of a truck bed of the truck.
[0018] The end portion of one of the non-floating hinges may
contact a top surface of one of the pair of tracks.
[0019] The end portion of one of the non-floating hinges may
contact a side surface of one of the pair of tracks.
[0020] According to another one or more embodiments, a method of
providing covering to a truck includes providing a cover system to
the truck, the cover system including first and second panels each
including head and toe-sides, the head-side of the first panel and
the toe-side of the second panel connected via a floating hinge,
the toe-side of the first panel and the head-side of the second
panel each connected to a non-floating hinge, and a track unit for
driving the first and second panels via the hinges.
[0021] The track unit may be further provided to include a hinge
cup to receive the floating hinge in a first operating position and
to release the floating hinge in a second operating position.
[0022] The track unit may be further provided to include a latch,
wherein the latch may include first and second latch members
detachably connected to each other, and a detachment between the
first and second latch members causes detachment of the floating
hinge from the hinge cup such that the second operating condition
is effectuated.
[0023] The toe-side of the first panel may lift off the truck bed
while driving the cover panel from the first operation position to
the second operating position.
[0024] One or more advantageous features as described herein will
be readily apparent from the following detailed description of one
or more embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] For a more complete understanding of one or more embodiments
of the present invention, reference is now made to the one or more
embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying
drawings and described below wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 illustratively depicts a truck cover system at a
closed position according to one or more embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 2 illustratively depicts a track unit of the truck
cover system referenced in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 illustratively depicts an enlarged, cross-sectional
view of the track unit referenced in FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 4A illustratively depicts a cross-sectional view of the
cover system referenced in FIG. 1 at a fully covered, closed
position;
[0030] FIG. 4B illustratively depicts a cross-sectional view of the
cover system referenced in FIG. 1 at a ready-to-fold position;
[0031] FIG. 4C illustratively depicts a cross-sectional view of the
cover system referenced in FIG. 1 at a partially folded position;
and
[0032] FIG. 4D illustratively depicts a cross-sectional view of the
cover system referenced in FIG. 1 at a fully folded, open
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS
[0033] As referenced in the FIGS., the same reference numerals are
used to refer to the same components. In the following description,
various operating parameters and components are described for
different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and
components are included as examples and are not meant to be
limiting.
[0034] As will be detailed herein elsewhere, the present invention
in one or more embodiments is advantageous at least by providing a
truck cover system believed to offer relatively enhanced security
in cargo protection, relatively increased space utilization
efficiency and relatively reduced noise generation.
[0035] In particular, and as described herein elsewhere, the cover
system may include a panel cover having multiple panels connected
via a concurrent use of floating and non-bloating hinges and
drivable via a cable-like motorized track unit. Some of the
benefits include the use of rigid panel materials with these two
types of hinges that would not otherwise operable in certain of the
existing designs. Accordingly, the partial open position may be
effected and even locked via the synergistic combination of the
cable system and both types of the hinges. Further, since the cover
system may be installed above the truck bed, the cargo capacity may
not be compromised.
[0036] In particular also, and with the employment of several
hinges as described herein to tie down the panels while fully or
partially covering the cargo bed, the panel cover is thus
relatively secured to the cargo bed and hence noises due to
movement collisions may be substantially reduced. In addition,
portions of the panel cover that are folded during use are directed
upward as opposed downward into the cargo bed. Therefore, the
likelihood of the folded panels being in unwanted contacted with
the cargo content is reduced if not all diminished. As a result,
operating noises associated with movement collisions between the
panels and the cargo content are also substantially reduced.
[0037] FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A illustratively depict, respectively, a
perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a cover system
generally shown at 100 as positioned relative to a truck bed 10 of
truck 1 according to one or more embodiments. It is to be
appreciated that term "truck" refers to any vehicle having a cargo
area, with non-limiting examples thereof including light duty
truck, heavy duty truck, and pickup.
[0038] The cover system 100 includes a panel cover 180, a track
unit 500, and a latch 400. The panel cover 180 includes a first
panel 120 and a second panel 122 connected to each other via a
first hinge 200. As shown in FIG. 1 and further in view of FIG. 4B,
the panel cover 180 may further include one or more panels such as
panels 124, 126, 128 and 130 to accommodate particular needs in
coverage size and folding specifics. In particular, the first panel
120 has a head-side 120a and a toe-side 120b, and the second panel
122 has a head-side 122a and a toe-side 122b. The head-side 120a of
the first panel 120 is connected with the toe-side 122b via a first
hinge 200. As described herein elsewhere, the first hinge 200 may
be detachably received by the track unit 500. Therefore, the first
hinge 200 may also be referred to floating hinge 200.
[0039] Similarly, the third and fourth panels 124, 126 may be
connected via a connection including a hinge such as the floating
hinge 200; and the fifth and sixth panels 128, 130 may be connected
via a connection including a hinge such as the floating hinge
200.
[0040] As depicted in FIG. 3, the latch 404 may include a first
latch member 420 and a second latch member 440 detachably connected
to each other, and a detachment between the first and second latch
members 420, 440 causes detachment of the first hinge 200 from the
track unit 500.
[0041] In one or more embodiments, the first latch member 420 may
be connected to the first hinge 200. Optionally, the first latch
member 420 may be part of the first hinge 200 and more particularly
an end or distal portion of the first hinge 200. The second latch
member 440 may be connected to the track unit 500. As described
herein elsewhere, when the cover system 100 is in the fully closed
position, the first latch member 420 engages the second latch
member 440, which causes the first hinge 200 to attach to the track
unit 500, such that the first and second panels 120, 122 at least
temporally attached to the track unit 500. The second latch member
440 may be a hinge cup as illustratively depicted in FIG. 3. In
other words, when the cover system 100 is in the fully closed
position, the second latch member 400 may receive the floating
hinge 200 via the first latch member 420. And when the cover system
100 is in ready-to-fold position, the first latch member 420
detaches from the second latch member 440, which causes the first
hinge 200 to detach from the track unit 500, such that the first
and second panels 120, 122 may be detached from the track unit 500.
In the embodiments depicted in FIG. 3, the cover system 100
includes three latches 400, 402, 404, which each corresponds to one
of the three panel pairs 126 and 124, 130 and 128, and 122 and
120.
[0042] In one or more embodiments, and in view of FIG. 1 and FIGS.
4A-4B, the cover system 100 may include a second hinge 300
connected to at least one of the first and second panels 120, 122.
In particular, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, the toe-side 120b of
the first panel 120 and the head-side 122a of the second panel 122
may each connect to one or more second hinges 300. Also, the panel
pairs 124 and 126, 128 and 130 may connect with each other end to
end. The second hinge 300 may be connected to and movable along the
track unit 500. In certain instances, the second hinge 300 will not
be detached from the track unit 500. Therefore, the second hinge
300 may also be referred to non-floating hinge 300.
[0043] In one or more embodiments and further in view of FIG. 3,
the second hinge 300 includes an end portion 320, which glides
along the track unit 500 when the first and second panels 120, 122
change from the first operating position to a second operating
position different from the first operating position. In certain
instances, the first operating position may be closed position, and
the second operating position may be ready-to-fold position. For
example, the end portion 320 may include a roller 520 which may
slide along a channel of the first track 580. Roller 520 may be
part of the track unit 500 and is free to slide along the truck bed
rail such as 580, 590. So with the movement of the roller 520,
along comes the movement of the panels. The most rearward panel
such as panel 120 moves the entire cover 180. The drive cable such
as the first belt 540 is attached to and pulls on the panel 120,
which pushes on all the other panels including panels 122, 124,
126, 128 and 130. Panel 120 shown as the most rearward in FIG. 1
and panel 130 shown as the most forward in FIG. 1 may move
horizontally and up the ramp.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one or more studs 550 may be
provided to stabilize the first and second belt 540, 545.
[0045] As detailed herein elsewhere, the roller 520 may be attached
to the rearmost panel such as panel 120 and the foremost panel such
as panel 130, which in turn is attached to the first belt 540. When
the motor switch is actuated in an open position the first belt 540
pulls on panel 120 and panel 130 in a forward direction along the
longitudinal axis "L" which causes the roller 520 to roll up the
ramps in the track. This rolling-up causes the panel(s) to lift off
the sealing surface. Lifting off the sealing surface reduces
drag/friction on the seal and allows for clearance for the panel(s)
to rotate.
[0046] In one or more embodiments, panels 130 and 128 which are
shown as the most forward two panels in FIG. 1 have there between a
floating hinge. Similarly panels 122 and 120 which are shown as the
most rearward two panels in FIG. 1 have there between a floating
hinge. In addition, panels 124 and 126 which are shown as middle
positioned in FIG. 1 also have there between a floating hinge. As
the floating hinges are positioned along the first and second
tracks 580, 590, one or more connectors such as the floating and/or
non-floating hinges described herein may be provided between the
two end floating hinges 200 between the panel pairs along a width
direction "W", for instance, a direction traverses a longitudinal
axis "L". The one or more connectors may be hinge pins with axis in
the "W" direction to connect any two adjacent panels and secure
relative position between thereof. As depicted in FIG. 2, the track
unit 500 may be installed on the truck bed 10 and include a first
track 580, a second track 590, and a motor 560 positioned there
between. Tracks 580, 590 may be each positioned along a side wall
of the truck bed 10. In other embodiments (not shown), tracks 580,
590 may be positioned along the front wall and the rear wall of the
truck bed 10, wherein the front wall may be close to the truck cab
and the rear wall may be close to the rear end of the truck 1. The
motor 560 may be fastened to the front wall of the truck bed 10,
and may be opened from a key-fob, IP mounted switch, or exterior
mounted switch. The track unit 500 may further include a first belt
540 and a second belt 545 drivable by the motor 560. A portion of
the first belt 540 and a portion of the second belt 560 may be in
contact with the first and second tracks 580, 590, respectively.
Optionally, the motor 560 drives both belts 540, 545 and both belts
are driven at the same time through a motor pinion gear.
[0047] Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the end portion 320 of the
second hinge 300 may be connected with the first belt 540. As
driven by motor 560, the first belt 540 then causes the end portion
320 to move along the first track 580. Similarly, the second belt
545 may drive the end portion (not shown) of the second hinge 300
which may be located within the second track 590 to slide along the
second track 590. In other words, the first belt 540 may function
as the drive belt for the first track 580, and the second belt 545
may function as the drive belt for the second track 590.
[0048] In one or more embodiments, the first track 580 may include
a head portion 582, an elongated body portion 584, and a toe
portion. The head portion 582 and the toe portion 586 may act as
lift ramps, function to permit the first and last panels 130, 120
to rotate without unnecessary interference, and may also remove and
apply the seal loads to the panel cover 180. The head portion 582
and the toe portion 586 may each independently be integral or
structurally separate from the body portion 584. If structurally
separate, the head portion 582 and/or the toe portion 586 are in
belt or cable communication with the first track 580. The head
portion 582 and the toe portion 586 may be of any suitable shapes
as long as they function to permit the panels up for rotation. In
certain designs and as depicted in FIG. 2, the head portion 582 and
toe portion 586 may bend toward the bottom of the truck bed 10
relatively to the body portion 584. In particular, the head portion
582 and/or toe portion 586 may extend towards the bottom of the
truck bed 10 along a vertical or height direction
[0049] In one or more embodiments and as depicted in FIG. 2 and
FIG. 3, the first track 580 may include a channel-like recess to
receive and guide a gliding movement of the end portion 320 of the
second hinge 300. In another one or more embodiments, the first
track 580 may include a channel-like recess on its top surface,
such that the end portion 320 of the second hinge 300 may contact
the top surface of the first track 580. The first belt 540 may be
the cable that is attached to the end portion 320 such that the
second hinge 320 may be pulled and pushed via the end portion 320
and the first belt 540.
[0050] In one or more embodiments, the cover system 100 may further
include a seal 170, which may connect to the cover panel 120 and be
next to the track unit 500. The seal 170 may be formed of any
suitable materials, with non-limiting examples thereof including
rubber materials such as EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene
monomer rubber. The seal 170 may be indirectly next to the truck
bed 10 via track unit 500, or may be directly next to the truck bed
10 without anything there between. In particular, the seal 170 may
be configured to extend along the entire perimeter of the panel
cover 180 and its connection to the truck bed may be strengthened
with the use of adhesive tapes such as pressure sensitive
tapes.
[0051] In one or more embodiments, the first and second panels 140,
160 may include a generally rigid material, including but not
limited to steel, aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fiber. In
particular, and as described herein elsewhere, the cover system may
include multiple panels connected via a concurrent use of floating
and non-bloating hinges and drivable via a cable-like motorized
track unit. Some of the benefits include the use of rigid panel
materials with these two types of hinges that would not otherwise
operable in certain existing truck cover designs. Accordingly, the
partial open position may be effected and even locked via the
synergistic combination of the cable system and both types of the
hinges.
[0052] Non-limiting examples of the cover system 100 may be
operated are described herein below in view of the drawings.
[0053] As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the cover system 100 is
in the closed position. The first latch member 420 engages the
second latch member 440, and the latch 400 is engaged, which causes
the first hinge 200 to attach to the track unit 500. Both of the
latches 402, 404 may be similarly engaged. Accordingly, panels 120
through 130 may be secured to the track unit 500 or the truck bed
10, the seal 170 forms a seal around the track unit 500 or the
truck bed 10, such that the truck bed 10 is covered. To reduce or
eliminate fluid leakage through any possible spaces between any two
adjacent panels, certain seals may also be employed between the
panels along the "W" direction. For instance, bulb seals may be
used to run along the "W" direction between any two panels, wherein
the bulb seal is attached to one panel and compressed against the
other.
[0054] Then, the motor 560 may drive the first belt 540 and/or the
second belt 545. The end portion 320 of the first hinge 200 may be
driven leftward. As stated herein elsewhere, the motor 560 may
drive simultaneously both the first and the second belts 540, 545.
The term "leftward" refers to the direction towards the driver or
truck operator. In this way, the panel pair 120 and 122 may be
driven by the motor 560 to move leftward.
[0055] As described herein elsewhere, the panel cover 180 may
include or be entirely formed of a rigid material. Therefore, the
panel pair 120 and 122 may be rigid and sturdy enough to force
panel pairs 124 and 126, and 128 and 130 in turn to move upward and
leftward, to effectuate the change from the ready-to-fold position
as depicted in FIG. 4B to the fully open position as illustratively
depicted in FIG. 4D. To disengage the latch 400, the first latch
member 420 may be operated to detach from the second latch member
440, and thereafter the first hinge 200 detaches from the track
unit 500. Both of the latches 402, 404 may each be disengaged in a
similar fashion. In operation, the latches 400, 420 and 404 may be
disengaged all at the same time. Also, the end portion 320 of the
second hinge 300 may move toward the body portion 584 from the toe
portion 582 of the first track 580, which causes the toe-side 120b
of the first panel 120 to be lifted up off the truck bed 10.
Additionally, the seal 170 may also detach from the track unit 500
of truck bed 10.
[0056] The motor 560 may further drive the movement of the panel
cover 100 from its ready-to-fold position as illustratively
depicted in FIG. 4B. The end portion 320 moves along the first
track 580 towards the driver side, which causes the first panel 120
to push up the second panel 122, while panels 124, 126, 128, and
130 maintain substantially unmoved on the truck bed 10, to
effectuate a partially folded position of the cover system 100 as
illustratively depicted in FIG. 4C. As mentioned herein elsewhere,
the panel cover 180 may be locked while being in a partially folded
position. The partial folding may be realized as the foremost panel
130 and/or the rearmost panel 120 are connected to the belts,
wherein the belt or the cable stops the folding movement of the
panel cover 180 also stops. In this connection, the partial folding
position is maintained because the motor 560 may not support
reverse movement of the belts.
[0057] The motor 560 may further drive the movement of the end
portion 320 towards the driver side via the first belt 540, which
causes the panels 124, 126, 128, and 130 to sequentially move
upward and fold in turn, so as to effectuate a folded position as
illustratively depicted in FIG. 4D. Optionally, one or more
rearview cameras may be used to guide the vehicle operation when
the panel cover 180 is fully folded as shown in FIG. 4D.
[0058] It is to be appreciated that the cover system 100 may be
operated conversely from the fully folded or the open position to
the fully closed position via one or more intermediate partially
folded positions as detained herein elsewhere. This may be
initiated and effectuated via a reverse operation of the track unit
500 as driven by the motor 560.
[0059] As stated in the specification, the present invention
provides a cover system of a truck, and a method to of providing
covering to a truck. However, one skilled in the art will readily
recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings
and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can
be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair
scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *