Cover assembly for a vehicle bed

US6676189B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Webasto Sunroofs, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael G. Schall · New Baltimore, US
• Thomas W. Murray · Philadelphia, US
• Anthony Michon · Beverly Hills, US
• Michael McIsaac · Chesterfield Township, US
• Thomas J. Mack · Palatine, US
• Daniel G. Beohmer · Krailling, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 29, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 13, 2004
• Expiry date: Jan 29, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60J7/062
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes track members, support members, a flexible cover, and a reversible motor. The support members are movably arranged on the track members such that (1) movement of a distal one of the support members in the opening or closing direction causes the distal support member to push or pull each of the other support members in a sequential manner in the opening or closing direction. A drive cable is engaged with a gear operatively connected to the motor in intermeshed relation such that (a) rotation of the gear by the motor in a first rotational direction pushes the cable in a distal direction to push the distal support member in the closing direction and (b) rotation of the gear in a second rotation direction pulls the cable in a proximal direction to pull the distal support member in the opening direction.