AU2007221861B2 - Roof-open Tonneau Cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The roof-open tonneau cover comprises the tonneau cover for covering up the pickup truck bed, the first transverse bar, the second transverse bar, the means of 5 pushing the rear end of the tonneau cover elevate upwardly, two sets of drive linkage with motor and the tonneau cover support braces which comprise the right of the tonneau cover support brace installed in the position adjacent the right side wall of the truck bed and the left tonneau cover support brace installed in the position adjacent the left side wall of the truck bed. Each drive linkage with motor set will drive the first rod of the right tonneau 10 cover support brace and the first rod of the left tonneau cover support brace to rotate in the same direction so that the tonneau cover can be elevated in the slanting open and the roof open. 0 o

Description

Roof-open tonneau cover FIELD OF THE INVENTION Engineering relating to the roof-open tonneau cover. 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pickup drivers nowadays tend to favour the installation of the tonneau cover in order to cover up the pickup truck bed and to secure luggage from environments, such as, sunlight, rain, etc. The tonneau cover is divided into several categories based upon the 10 open types, such as the slanting open type which the rear end of the tonneau cover is raised to greater height than the front end of the tonneau cover whereas the front end of the tonneau cover is seated over the top edge of the truck bed, and the roof-open type which the tonneau cover is laid parallel to the floor approximately and over the top edge of the truck bed. The advantage of the roof-open type is the capability to carry and transport tall 15 objects. The present invention is related to the types of the tonneau cover as mentioned above which can be switched from the slanting open to the roof-open by using motor. An example of the said tonneau covers is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,086,134 of Cravens et al.. The disadvantage of the said patent is that it is a complex structure, which increases costs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof-open tonneau cover with a 20 simplified structure; reducing the cost of production. The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the 25 common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a roof-open tonneau cover comprises a tonneau cover of sufficient size to cover a top opening of a pickup truck 30 bed, a first transverse bar having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end, the first end being mounted to a second end of a second rod, whereas the second end of the first transverse bar is mounted to a second end of a second rod located at the opposite side of the truck bed, 2 a second transverse bar having opposite ends: a first end and a second end. The first end being mounted to a second end of a fifth rod whereas the second end of a second transverse bar is mounted to a second end of a fifth rod located at the opposite side of the truck bed, 5 a means of pushing a rear end of the tonneau cover to elevate upwardly, two sets of drive linkage with motor : the first set being installed in a position adjacent to a right side wall of the truck bed, and the second set being installed in a position adjacent to a left side wall of the truck bed and a tonneau cover support brace comprising a right tonneau cover support 10 brace installed in a position adjacent the right side wall of the truck bed and a left tonneau cover support brace installed in a position adjacent to the left side wall of the truck bed; the roof-open tonneau cover is characterized in that: the sets of drive linkage with motor causes the first rod of each of the right tonneau cover support 15 braces and the left tonneau cover support brace to move in the same direction, each set of drive linkage with motor drives the associated first rod around a rotating point at a first end of the first rod, each of the right and left tonneau cover support braces comprise a front brace and a rear brace; the front brace is installed in a position near the front of the truck bed, and 20 can move between two positions: a contracted position and an expanded position, the front brace comprises: the first rod having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably mounted to the truck bed whereas the second end is rotatably mounted to a first end of the second rod and 25 the second rod having two opposite ends: the first end and the second end, the second end being rotatably mounted to the tonneau cover; the rear brace is installed in a position next to the front brace towards the rear of the truck bed, and can move between two positions : a contracted position and an expaneded position; the rear brace comprises : 30 a third rod having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end; the first end is rotatably mounted to the truck bed whereas the second end is rotatably mounted to a first end of the fifth rod, a fourth rod having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end, the first end is rotatably mounted to the truck bed in a position next to the first end of 3 the third rod towards the rear of the truck bed whereas the second end is rotatably mounted to the fifth rod at a position between a first end of the fifth rod and a second end of the fifth rod and the fifth rod having two opposite ends: the first end and the second 5 end; the second end is rotatably mounted to the tonneau cover. The roof-open tonneau cover comprises the tonneau cover having size that can cover the top opening of the pickup truck bed, the first transverse bar, the second transverse bar, the means of pushing the rear end of the tonneau cover to elevate, two sets of drive linkage 10 with motor and the tonneau cover support brace. The tonneau cover support brace comprises the right tonneau cover support brace which is installed in the position adjacent the right wall of the truck bed and the left tonneau cover support brace which is installed in the position adjacent the left wall of the truck bed. Each support brace comprises the front brace and the rear brace. The front brace comprises the first rod and the second rod while 15 the rear brace comprises the third rod, the fourth rod and the fifth rod. Moreover, the roof open tonneau cover comprises the means of making the rear brace remain in the expanding position. The object of the present invention is to provide a roof-open tonneau cover which can open in two manners, one being where the cover is in a slant opened position in 20 which the rear of the cover is open only, and another being a roof opened position, in which the cover is raised from and supported above the truck bed opening. Another object is to provide a cover which may be opended by utilizing an electric motor. Another object of the present invention is to provide the roof-open tonneau cover which can open in two manners as described above with more simplified structure, 25 so the production cost are reduced to those covers currently available. Other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30 The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: FIG.1 is a perspective view of a pickup truck bed. FIG.2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2, as shown in FIG. 1 showing the top edge of the side walls of the truck bed.

4 FIG.3 is a perspective view showing the installation device for attaching to the top edge of the side walls at the front of the truck bed. FIG.4 is a perspective view showing the installation device for attaching to the top edge of the side walls at the rear of the truck bed. 5 FIG.5 is a perspective view showing the installation device when completely installed to the truck bed. FIG.6 is a perspective view showing the bed liner drilled with a number of holes. FIG.7 is a perspective view showing the front brace, the front base, motor, 10 the first transverse bar and the cover of motor. FIG.8 is a perspective and partial cut-away view showing the meshing of the gear of drive linkage with motor set with gear of the first rod. FIG.9 is a perspective view showing the rear brace, the rear base, the second transverse bar and the telescoping support rod. 15 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the obstructive plate. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fourth rod. FIG.12 is a perspective view of the rear base. FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the rear base showing the position of the extension of the fourth rod when the tonneau cover is in the roof-open position. 20 FIG.14 is the same view as FIG.13 showing sliding obstructive plate according to the arrow direction towards the position adjacent the bottom end of the extension of the fourth rod. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the front brace and the rear brace when completely installed with the truck bed. 25 FIG.16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 16-16, as shown in FIG. 15 showing the components of the roof-open tonneau cover when the tonneau cover is in the closed position. FIG.17 is the same view as FIG.16 showing the components of the roof open tonneau cover when the users elevate the rear end of the tonneau cover so that the 30 tonneau cover is in the slanting open position. FIG. 18 is the same view as FIG. 16 showing the components of the roof open tonneau cover when the users press the first button of switch which makes the shaft of motor rotate in the preset direction and the first rod rotate into the vertical position so that the tonneau cover is in the roof-open position.

5 FIG.19 is the same view as FIG.16 showing the components of the roof open tonneau cover when the users press the second button of switch which makes the shaft of the motor rotate in the preset direction and the first rod rotate into the horizontal position so that the tonneau cover is in the slanting open position. 5 FIG.20 is the same view as FIG.16 showing the components of the roof open tonneau cover when the users press the rear end of the tonneau cover so that the tonneau cover is in the closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 10 FIG. 1 illustrates a typical pickup truck 80 of which a truck bed 81 is next to the rear wall of the cab 82. Generally, the truck bed 81 comprises the side walls 83 of the truck bed of which the top edge comprises a horizontaly extending edge 84, as shown in FIG.2, extending into the inner truck bed 81 and downwardly extending edge 85 extending from the horizontal extended edge 84 in the downward direction to the floor of the truck 15 bed 81. A roof-open tonneau cover according to the present invention comprises: 1) a tonneau cover 100, as shown in FIG.16-20 of a size that can cover over the top opening of the pickup truck bed 81. The tonneau cover 100 can be opened in either a slanting open orientation or roof-open orientation. 20 2) a first transverse bar 24, as shown in FIG.7 is characterized as a bar of which two ends are opposite : a first end 24a and a second end 24b. The first end 24a of the first transverse bar 24 is mounted to a second end 104 of a second rod 35. The second end 24b of the first transverse bar 24 is mounted to a second end of an opposite second rod which is on the other side of the truck bed 36 (not shown in the drawing) in order that the 25 second rods 35 on the left side and the right side of the truck bed move together. 3) a second transverse bar 25, as shown in FIG.9 is characterized as a bar of which two ends are opposite : a first end 25a and a second end. The first end 25a of the second transverse bar 25 is mounted to a second end 110 of a fifth rod 39. The second end of the second transverse bar 25 is mounted to a second end of an opposite fifth rod which is 30 on the other side of the truck bed 81 (not shown in the drawing) in order that the fifth rods 39 on the left side and the right side of the truck bed 81 move together. 4) A means of elevating a rear end 46 of the tonneau cover 100 upwardly, said means serving to release the power to the users when the rear end 46 is raised in order that the tonneau cover 100 opens diagonally, as shown in FIG. 17. The present invention 6 provides a telescoping support rod or shock absorber 42, as shown in FIG. 18 of which two ends are opposite: a first end 111 and a second end 112. The first end 111 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 at rotating point 63. The present invention provides that the first end 111 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 at the same point as a first end 105 of 5 a third rod 37. This reduces the number of positions of rotating points in order to simplify the complex mechanism. Furthermore the telescoping support rod 42 is assembled to the rear brace. Nevertheless, the rotating point 63 of the first end 111 can be in the position next to the end 105 of a third rod towards the rear of the truck bed 81, A fourth rod 38 is rotatably mounted to a rear base 41; similarly, the present 10 invention provides that a first end 111 of the shock absorber 42 is rotatably mounted to a rear base 41 (FIG.9). Afterwards, when installing the rear base 41 to an outer clamp 91 (FIG.5), the first end 111 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 while a second end 112 of the shock absorber 42 is rotatably mounted to a second end 110 of the fifth rod 39 and has rotating point 66 (FIG. 18). Alternatively, the second end 112 can be rotatably mounted 15 directly to the tonneau cover 100 as opposed to the fifth rod 39. The second end 112 may be removably mounted to the fifth rod 39. When the second end 112 is disconnected from the fifth rod 39 the rear brace 27 can be folded. This will allow the manufacture to fold the rear brace 27 in the contracting position when transporting or storing. 20 5) two sets of drive linkage with motor, as shown in FIG.7, 8 and 18. of which each set comprises a motor 30, a worm gear (not shown in the drawing) and a spur gear. The first set of drive linkage with motor is installed adjacent the right side wall of the truck bed whereas the second set is installed adjacent the left side wall of the truck bed. The worm gear is installed to a shaft of the motor 30. While the shaft of the motor spins in 25 the preset direction, the worm gear drives another spur gear which is mounted concentrically with gear 44. Thus, gear 44 drives gear 43 (FIG.8) which is mounted to a first end 101 of a first rod 34. This can make the first rod 34 rotate around a rotating point 70. Both drive linkage with motor sets are controlled to work jointly by controlling device which comprises a control box, a switch and connecting electric wires (not shown in the 30 drawing). The control box serves to control both the spinning of the shaft of the motor and the direction of rotation of the shaft of the motor. The switch serves to receive the signal when the user presses the button of the switch. The switch has two buttons: a first and the second button. The first button is used to control both sets of drive linkages with the motor with the first rods 34 rotate upwardly, whereas the second button is used to control the 7 motor which controls the drive linkage causing the first rods 34 to rotate downwardly. The switch can be positioned as needed, for example, installing in the cab or the truck bed by connecting electric wires with the switch. Motor 30 of the present invention may be the same type of motor used to drive the electric mirror of the car upwardly and downwardly 5 and which uses the battery of the car as the electricity supply. 6) The tonneau cover support brace comprises the right tonneau cover support brace which is installed adjacent the right side wall of the truck bed and the left tonneau cover support brace which is installed adjacent the left side wall of the truck bed. The right and the left tonneau cover support braces comprise 10 a) a front brace 26, as shown in FIG. 18 is installed near the front of the truck bed. The front brace 26 can move between two positions: a contracting position, as shown in FIG. 16 and 20 and an expanding position, as shown in FIG. 18. The front brace 26 comprises: the first rod 34, as shown in FIG.18 which is characterized as a bar and has 15 two opposite ends: the first end 101 and the second end 102. The first end 101 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 and has the rotating point 70. The first end 101 can be mounted to the truck bed 81 by either drilling or not drilling the truck bed. In the case of drilling into the truck bed, the first end 101 can be mounted to the truck bed 81 by drilling a hole on the truck bed. A pin can then be used to secure the first end 101 to the hole on the 20 truck bed. However, it is preferable that the truck bed is not drilled. In this regard the present invention provides means in which an outer clamp 89 is mounted to the truck bed without drilling. Once secured, the front base 33 can be mounted to the outer clamp 89. The first end 101 is rotatably mounted to the front base 33, so the first end 101 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 as well (see figures 5 and 7). Thus the first end 101 is 25 rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 whereas the second end 102 (FIG.18) is rotatably mounted to a first end 103 of the second rod 35 at a rotating point 69. At the first end 101, the gear 43 is mounted to mesh with gear 44 of the drive linkage with motor set, as shown in FIG.8 and the second rod 35, as shown in FIG. 18 characterized as a bar having two 30 opposite ends: the first end 103 and the second end 104. The second end 104 is rotatably mounted to the tonneau cover 100 at a rotating point 68. The present invention provides a flange 61, as shown in FIG. 7 and 18. The second end 104 is rotatably mounted to the flange 61 by utilizing rivet, whilst the flange 61 is mounted to the tonneau cover 100 with a nut and bolt. The second rod 35 also comprises an extending pipe 36 (FIG.7) extending 8 from the second end 104. The extending pipe 36 is used to mount to the end 24a of the first transverse bar 24 by inserting the end 24a of the first transverse bar into the extending pipe 36 and securing them together using bolt and threaded hole (not shown in the drawing). 5 The front base 33, as shown in FIG. 7 is not only used to install the first rod 34, but it is also used to install the motor 30. The front base 33 comprises a first wall 21, as shown in FIG.7, 18 and 19 serving to abut the first rod 34 when the first rod 34 rotates upwardly to the vertical position, and a second wall 22, as shown in FIG. 7, 18 and 19 serving to abut the first rod 34 when the first rod rotates downwardly to the horizontal 10 position. When the first rod 34 abuts the first wall 21 or the second wall 22, the shaft of the motor stops rotating owing to the control of control box. As a result, the first rod 34 remains in that position. The first rod 34 cannot rotate because the spur gear cannot drive the worm gear around the shaft of the motor. Only the worm gear at the shaft of motor can drive spur gear. Thus, worm gear serves to abut on spur gear, so the first rod 34 can 15 remain in a roof-open position. b) the rear brace 27, as shown in FIG. 18 which is installed next to the front brace 26 towards the rear of the truck bed. The rear brace 27 can move between two positions: the contracted position, as shown in FIG. 16 and 20 and the expanded position, as shown in FIG. 17-19. The rear brace 27 comprises : 20 the third rod 37, as shown in FIG. 18 characterized as a bar having two opposite ends : a first end 105 and a second end 106. The first end 105 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 at a rotating point 63. The first end 105 can be mounted to the truck bed 81 by either drilling or not drilling the truck bed. In the case of drilling into the truck bed, the first end 105 can be mounted to the truck bed 81 by drilling a hole on the 25 truck bed. A pin can then be used to secure the first end 105 to the hole on the truck bed. However, it is preferable that the truck bed is not drilled. In this regard the present invention provides means in which an outer clamp 91 is mounted to the truck bed without drilling. Once secured, the rear base 41 can be mounted to the outer clamp 91. The first end 105 is rotatably mounted to the rear base 41, so the first end 105 is rotatably mounted 30 to the truck bed 81 as well (see figures 5 and 9).Thus the first end 105 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81. The second end 106 (FIG. 18) is rotatably mounted to a first end 109 of the fifth rod 39 at the rotating point 64. The fourth rod 38, as shown in FIG.18 is characterized as a bar which has two opposite ends: a first end 107 and a second end 108. The first end 107 is rotatably 9 mounted to the truck bed 81 at rotating point 62. The first end 107 can be mounted to the truck bed 81 by either drilling or not drilling the truck bed. In the case of drilling into the truck bed, the first end 107 can be mounted to the truck bed 81 by drilling a hole on the truck bed. A pin can then be used to secure the first end 107 to the hole on the truck bed. 5 However, it is preferable that the truck bed is not drilled. In this regard the present invention provides means in which an outer clamp 91 is mounted to the truck bed without drilling. Once secured, the rear base 41 can be mounted to the outer clamp 91. The first end 107 is rotatably mounted to the rear base 41, so the first end 107 is rotatably mounted to the truck bed 81 as well (see figures 5 and 9). Thus the first end 107 is rotatably 10 mounted to the truck bed 81. The second end 108 (FIG. 18) is rotatably mounted to the fifth rod 39 at a position between the first end 109 and the second end 110 of the fifth rod 39 at a rotating point 65. The fourth rod 38 can move between two positions : a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 17-19 which makes the rear brace expand and a horizontal position in FIG. 16 and 20 which makes the rear brace contract and 15 the fifth rod 39, as shown in FIG. 18 is characterized as a bar which has two opposite ends : the first end 109 and the second end 110. The second end 110 is rotatably mounted to the tonneau cover 100 at rotating point 67. The present invention provides a flange 40, as shown in FIG.9 and 18. The second end 110 is rotatably mounted to the flange 40 by utilizing rivet. The flange 40 is mounted to the tonneau cover 100 with nut 20 and bolt. The fifth rod 39 also comprises an extending pipe 48 (FIG.9) extending from the second end 110. The extending pipe 48 is used to mount the end 25a of the second transverse bar 25 by inserting the end 25a of the second transverse bar into the extending pipe 48 and securing them together using a bolt and a threaded hole (not shown in the drawing). 25 When mounting the third rod 37, the fourth rod 38 and the fifth rod 39 to the tonneau cover 100 and the truck bed 81 as mentioned above, a front end 45 of the tonneau cover 100 will move towards the rear of the car when the tonneau cover 100 is opened diagonally by the users, as shown in FIG. 17. Moving the front end 45 of the tonneau cover 100 towards the 30 rear of the car produces a gap "Y" between the rear wall of the cab 82 and the front end 45 of the tonneau cover 100, as shown in FIG. 17. When the user presses the switch to operate the two sets of drive linkage with motor, the front end 45 of the tonneau cover will move upwardly into the roof-open position without impacting upon the rear wall of the cab 82.

10 The roof-open tonneau cover according to the present invention provides means to allow the rear brace 27 to remain in the expanded position during either the slanting open or roof-open operation. The said means comprises an obstructive plate 32, as shown in FIG.10, an extension 60 at the fourth rod 38, as shown in FIG.1 1 and a hole 59 at 5 the rear base 41, as shown in FIG.12. The obstructive plate 32, as shown in FIG. 10 is characterized as a U-shaped cross-section sheet which comprises two side walls 49, a base 53, a hole 51 at the side wall, a projecting ridge 54 and a downwardly pointed extension 52 which is used to accommodate handling. The downwardly pointed extension 52 extends from the base 53 10 and creates an angle to base 53. Hole 51 is a long channel with a left hole side edge 51L and a right hole side edge 51R. The first end 107 (FIG.9) of the fourth rod 38 is rotatably mounted to the rear base 41 by utilizing a mounting pin 23. The mounting pin 23 is threaded through hole 51 of both side walls 49 so that the obstructive plate 32 is slidably mounted to the rear base 41 and can slide between two positions: the first position, as 15 shown in FIG.13 and the second position, as shown in FIG.14. In the first position the obstructive plate 32 is not positioned over the hole 59 of the rear base 41, the left hole side edge 51L of hole 51 is close to the mounting pin 23, and the projecting ridge 54 is not adjacent to the bottom end 55 of the extension 60. In the second position, the obstructive plate 32 is positioned over the hole 59 of the rear base 41, the right hole side edge 51R of 20 hole 51 is close to the mounting bolt 23, and projecting ridge 54 is adjacent the bottom end 55 of the extension 60. The rear brace 27 remain in the expanded position when the fourth rod 38 moves towards the vertical position, as shown in FIG.14 and the obstructive plate 32 is slid over hole 59 of the rear base 41. This is because the projecting ridge 54 of the base 53 of 25 the obstructive plate 32 engages the bottom end 55 of the extension 60, which obstructs the movement of the extension 60 so that the fourth rod 38 cannot move further. The present invention also provides a motor cover 28, as shown in FIG. 7 to cover the motor 30 in order to protect the motor from spill of liquid. The motor cover 28 is mounted to the front base 33 by threading bolt 58 through hole 57 of the motor cover 28, 30 then fasten to threaded hole 56 of the front base 33. The present invention also provides an installation device serving to install the tonneau cover support brace to the truck bed 81 without drilling or damaging the truck bed 81. The installation device is installed at the right side wall and the left side wall of the truck bed.

11 The installation device for mounting the front brace 26 to the truck bed comprises an outer clamp 89, as shown in FIG.3, an inner clamp 90, a plurality of first connectors 93, a plurality of second connectors 94, a plurality of bolts 74 , a plurality of nuts 97 and a plurality of supporters 98. 5 The installation device of mounting the rear brace 27 to the truck bed are outer clamp 91, as shown in FIG.4, inner clamp 92, a plurality of first connectors 93, a plurality of first second connectors 94, a plurality of bolt 74, a plurality of nuts 97 and a plurality of supporters 98. Each supporter 98 is used to abut the side wall 83 of the truck bed 81 in 10 order that respective outer clamp 89 and 91 are positioned approximately vertically. The supporters 98 can be used to adjust the distance to abut by threading the threaded bar of the supporters, as shown in FIG.3 and 4 through nuts 97, then fasten the supporters to the respective threaded holes 77, 78. When fastening the supporter in an appropriate distance for abutting as needed, then fasten nut 97 tightly. 15 The connectors 93 and 94 are used to connect outer clamp 89 with the front base 33 (Fig 3) as well as to connect outer clamp 91 with the rear base 41(Fig 4). The connector 93 is identical to the connector 94, but the length is different. Each connector has two opposite ends : a first end and a second end. The first end of each connector has a threaded bar 72, 73 serving to mount the nut 97, as shown in FIG.7 and 9. The second end 20 of each connector has threaded hole (not shown in the drawing) serving to mount to a threaded bar 95, 96 extended from the outer clamps 89 and 91 respectively. The outer clamp 89 is mounted to inner clamp 90 by using bolt 74 and threaded hole 99, as shown in FIG.3 . Outer clamp 91 is mounted to inner clamp 92 by using bolt 74 and threaded hole 79, as shown in FIG.4. 25 The present invention incorporates connecting rods for the front brace 26 and the rear brace 27, the components of which may be made from durable metal. The tonneau cover can be made from several materials, such as, plastic, fiberglass. The roof-open tonneau cover according to the present invention has the following installation procedure: 30 In case the truck bed 81 has been installed with a bed liner 86, the installation of the roof-open tonneau cover has the procedure as follows: remove bed liner 86 from the truck bed 81 first, drill holes 87 and 88 in the preset position, as shown in FIG.6 in the left side and right side wall of the bed liner.

12 Install the installation device which comprises outer clamp 89 and inner clamp 90, as shown in FIG. 3 to the downwardly pointed edge 85 of the top edge of the truck bed (FIG.2) at the left side and the right side of the truck bed near the front of the truck bed by threading bolts 74 through holes 76 in the outer clamp 89, then fasten to 5 threaded hole 99 in the inner clamp 90 which draws outer clamp 89 towards inner clamp 90 while the downwardly pointed edge 85 is positioned in the middle, so outer clamp 89 is mounted to the truck bed 81, as shown in FIG.5. Install the installation device which comprises outer clamp 91 and inner clamp 92, as shown in FIG.4 to the downwardly pointed edge 85 of the top edge of the 10 truck bed at the left side and the right side of the truck bed next to outer clamp 89 but towards the rear of the truck bed by threading bolts 74 through holes 75 in the outer clamp, 91 then fasten to threaded holes 79 in the inner clamp 92 which draws outer clamp 91 towards inner clamp 92 while the downwardly pointed edge 85 is positioned in the middle, so the outer clamp 91 is mounted to the truck bed 81, as shown in FIG.5. 15 Replace bed liner 86 on the truck bed 81. Install connectors 93 and 94 to outer clamp 89 by threading connectors 93 and 94 through holes 87 in the side wall 71 of the bed liner 86, then fasten to threaded bar 95 of outer clamp 89. Install connectors 93 and 94 to outer clamp 91 by threading connectors 93 20 and 94 through holes 88 in the side wall 71 of the bed liner 86, then fasten to threaded bar 96 of outer clamp 91. Install the front braces to the truck bed. Install the front brace 26, as shown in FIG.7 of the right tonneau cover support brace to the truck bed first. To do this install the front base 33 to connectors 93 and 94 of the outer clamp 89 at the right side of the truck 25 bed by placing holes 76 (FIG.7) of the front base over the threaded bars 73 and 72 (FIG.3) of connectors 93 and 94, then use nuts 97 (FIG.7) to fasten to the threaded bars 73 and 72 tightly to secure the front base 33 and the front brace 26 to the truck bed. Install the first transverse bar 24 to the second rod 35 of the right tonneau cover support brace by inserting the first end 24a of the first transverse bar 24 to the 30 extending pipe 36 of the second rod 35, as shown in FIG.7, then fasten with bolt and insert the second end 24b of the first transverse bar 24 to the extending pipe of the second rod of the left tonneau cover support brace, then fasten with bolt. The complete installation is shown in FIG.15.

13 Install the front brace of the left tonneau cover support brace to the truck bed in the same manner as the installation of the front brace 26 of the right tonneau cover support brace as mentioned above. Install the rear braces to the truck bed. Install the rear brace 27, as shown in 5 FIG.9 of the right tonneau cover support brace first. To do this, install the rear base 41 to connectors 93 and 94 of outer clamp 91 at the right side of the truck bed by placing holes 75 (FIG.9) of the rear base over the threaded bars 73 and 72 (FIG.4) of connectors 93 and 94, then use nut 97 (FIG.9) to fasten to the threaded bars 73 and 72 tightly to secure the rear base 41 and the rear brace 27 to the truck bed. 10 Install the rear brace of the left tonneau cover support brace to the truck bed in the same manner as the installation of the rear brace 27 of the right tonneau cover support brace as mentioned above. Install the rear transverse bar 25 to the fifth rod 39 of the right the tonneau cover support brace by inserting the first end 25a of the second transverse bar 25 to the 15 extending pipe 48 of the fifth rod 39, as shown in FIG.9, then fasten with bolt and insert the second end of the second transverse bar 25 to the extending pipe of the fifth rod of the left tonneau cover support brace, then fasten with bolt. The complete installation is shown in FIG.15. Install tonneau cover 100 to flanges 61 and 40 (FIG.15) at the right and the 20 left tonneau cover support braces by fastening with nuts. This makes tonneau cover 100 mount to the right and the left tonneau cover support braces. In case the truck bed is not installed with the bed liner, the procedure of installing the roof-open tonneau cover has the same manner as mentioned above, but skip the procedure concerning the bed liner. 25 The roof-open tonneau cover according to the present invention has mechanism of movement as follows: when the tonneau cover 100 is in closed position, the components are in position, as shown in FIG. 16. The extension 60 is received in hole 59 of the rear base. To open the tonneau cover 100 the user follows the following instructions: 30 When the users need to open tonneau cover 100 in the slanting open position, follow this instruction: Elevate the rear end 46 of the tonneau cover such that the components are in position, as shown in FIG. 17, and when closing the tonneau cover 100, the users press at the rear end 46 of the tonneau cover down such that it is closed.

14 When the users need to open tonneau cover 100 into a roof-open position, follow this instruction: Elevate the rear end 46 of the tonneau cover in order to open the tonneau cover in the slanting open such that components are in position, as shown in FIG. 17. This 5 makes the extension 60 move out from hole 59 of the rear base. Press the first button of the switch in order to activate the two sets of drive linkage with motor work, causing the first rods 34 to rotate upwardly and elevate the front end 45 of the tonneau cover, as shown in FIG.18. The user then holds the downwardly pointed extension 52 (FIG. 13) moving 10 the obstructive plate 32 over the hole 59, as shown in FIG.14. This makes ridge 54 engage the bottom end 55 of the extension 60 preventing the rear brace 27 from moving to the contracting position. Then, when the users need to close the tonneau cover, follow this instruction: 15 Push the downwardly pointed extension 52 to move the obstructive plate 32 towards the rear of the truck bed so that the obstructive plate 32 is no longer positioned over the hole 59 of the rear base. Press the second button of the switch in order to activate the two sets of drive linkage with motor work, causing the first rods 34 to rotate downwardly to lower the 20 front end 45 of the tonneau cover, as shown in FIG.19. Then, the user presses the rear end 46 of the tonneau cover down, as shown in FIG.20. The present invention is not restricted as details disclosed only, but its objects include various modifications within the principle and scope of the invention as 25 appeared in the enclosed claims. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (3)

1. A roof-open tonneau cover comprises a tonneau cover of sufficient size to cover a top opening of a pickup truck bed, 5 a first transverse bar having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end, the first end being mounted to a second end of a second rod, whereas the second end of the first transverse bar is mounted to a second end of a second rod located at the opposite side of the truck bed, a second transverse bar having opposite ends: a first end and a second end. 10 The first end being mounted to a second end of a fifth rod whereas a second end of a second transverse bar is mounted to a second end of a fifth rod located at the opposite side of the truck bed, a means of pushing a rear end of the tonneau cover to elevate upwardly, two sets of drive linkage with motor : the first set being installed in a 15 position adjacent to a right side wall of the truck bed, and the second set being installed in a position adjacent to a left side wall of the truck bed and a tonneau cover support brace comprising a right tonneau cover support brace installed in a position adjacent the right side wall of the truck bed and a left tonneau cover support brace installed in a position adjacent to the left side wall of the 20 truck bed; the roof-open tonneau cover is characterized in that: the sets of drive linkage with motor causes the first rod of each of the right tonneau cover support braces and the left tonneau cover support brace to move in the same direction, each set of drive linkage with motor drives the associated first rod around a rotating point 25 at a first end of the first rod, each of the right and left tonneau cover support braces comprise a front brace and a rear brace; the front brace is installed in a position near the front of the truck bed, and can move between two positions: a contracted position and an expanded position, the front brace comprises: 30 the first rod having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably mounted to the truck bed whereas the second end is rotatably mounted to a first end of the second rod and 16 the second rod having two opposite ends: the first end and the second end, the second end being rotatably mounted to the tonneau cover; the rear brace is installed in a position next to the front brace towards the rear of the truck bed, and can move between two positions : a contracted position and 5 an expaneded position; the rear brace comprises : a third rod having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end; the first end is rotatably mounted to the truck bed whereas the second end is rotatably mounted to a first end of the fifth rod, a fourth rod having two opposite ends: a first end and a second end, 10 the first end is rotatably mounted to the truck bed in a position next to the first end of the third rod towards the rear of the truck bed whereas the second end is rotatably mounted to the fifth rod at a position between a first end of the fifth rod and a second end of the fifth rod and the fifth rod having two opposite ends: the first end and the second 15 end; the second end is rotatably mounted to the tonneau cover.

2. The roof-open tonneau cover of claim 1 further comprises a means of making the rear brace remain in the expanding position, the means comprises: a rear base which is mounted to the truck bed and has a hole; the fourth rod has a extension that can be received into the hole of the rear base, as the fourth rod 20 moves into a vertical position, the said extension is not received in the hole of the rear base, when the fourth rod moves into the horizontal position, the said extension is received into the hole of the rear base; and a obstructive plate which is characterized as a U-shaped cross-section sheet comprising two side walls and a base wherein each side wall has a hole; the 25 obstructive plate is slidably mounted to the rear base through holes in the two side walls; the obstructive plate can move between two positions : one in which the plate is over the hole of the rear base and the other in which it is not.; the base of the obstructive plate also comprises a projecting ridge; when the fourth rod is in a vertical position and the obstructive plate is 30 moved to be positioned over the hole of the rear base, the projecting ridge of the base of the obstructive plate will be located below the bottom end of the extension; this obstructs the movement of the extension; consequently, the fourth rod cannot move into the horizontal position and the rear brace remains in the expanded position. 17

3. A roof tonneau cover substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.