The present invention relates to a trunk cover for a trunk or bed of a vehicle. Moreover, the present invention relates to a clamp for fastening a trunk cover to a trunk. Moreover, the present invention relates to an arrangement for adjusting the tension of a spring for biasing a rod onto which a trunk cover is rolled during opening of the trunk cover. Finally, the present invention relates to a locking mechanism for locking a trunk cover for movement in a predetermined direction .

SU M MARY OF THE INVENTION In a FIRST ASPECT, the present invention relates to a trunk cover for a trunk of a vehicle, the trunk having at least three trunk sidewalls which extends from a trunk bottom and towards an upper trunk opening, the upper trunk opening being defined by an upper trunk surface which is defined by each of the trunk sidewalls, wherein the trunk cover is designed to cover at least a part of the upper trunk opening, the trunk cover defining a trunk cover rim which is fastened to the trunk sidewalls, wherein at least a part of the trunk cover rim defines an inclined surface which extends from an upper surface of the trunk cover rim and down towards the upper trunk surface.

By providing an inclined surface, it may be ensured that most - such as any - water (e.g . from rain) will be guided away from the trunk. This provides the advantage that it may be avoided that water is collected in the trunk when it is raining.

The trunk may be a trunk of a pick-up, a lorry, a truck, a station wagon, or any other kind of vehicle. In the context of the present invention, synonyms to the term 'trunk cover' are tonneau, tonneau cover, bed cover.

The sidewalls may extend in a substantially vertical direction . The trunk cover may extend in a substantially horizontal direction . In one embodiment, the trunk cover is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so as to gu ide any liquid away from the trunk cover.

The trunk cover rim may be fastened to the trunk sidewalls, e.g . by means of screws, bolts, an adhesive or the clamp described below. As an example the trunk cover rim may rest on an upper trunk surface. A sealing material may be provided between the upper trunk surface and the trunk cover rim so as to prevent water from passing between the trunk cover rim and the u pper trunk surface.

The inclined surface of the trunk cover rim may be slope downwards towards the outer surface of the trunk sidewalk

In one embodiment, the trunk comprises a tail gate which may be pivotally connected to the floor of the trunk by means of hinges provided at the lower part of the tail gate.

In one embodiment, the trunk cover defines a slidable part which is movable between a fully open position in which at least a part of the upper trunk opening is not covered by the slidable part and a fully closed position in which the slidable part covers the entire upper trunk opening .

In one embodiment, at least 25 percent of the trunk opening is accessible when the slidable part is in its fully open position,, such as at least 50 percent of the trunk opening, such as 75 percent of the trunk opening, such as 80 percent of the trunk opening, such as 90 percent of the trunk open ing .

In one embodiment, at least 25 percent of the trunk opening is covered by the trunk cover when the slidable part is in its fully closed position, such as at least 50 percent of the trunk opening, such as 75 percent of the trunk open ing, such as 80 percent of the trunk opening, such as 90 percent of the trunk opening . In order to lock the slidable part, it may comprise a locking mechanism which is movable between a locked position in which the slidable part is prevented from moving further towards the fully open potion and an un-locked position in which the slidable part can move towards the fully open position .

When locking mechanism is in its locked position, the slidable part may be allowed to move towards its fully closed position while at the same time being prevented from moving towards the fully open position . When the locking mechanism is in its un-locked position, the slidable part may be movable towards either of (such as both of) the fully open position and the fully closed position .

In one embodiment, the slidable part is locked in movement in any direction when the locking mechanism is in its locked position . Accordingly, the slidable part can neither be moved towards its fully open position nor towards its fully closed position . In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is remotely controllable by means of a flexible element which is secured to the locking mechan ism such that then the flexible element is moved in a locking direction towards a first side of the trunk, the locking mechan ism is moved into the locked position and when the flexible element is moved in an unlocking direction towards a second side of the trunk, the locking mechanism is moved into the unlocked position .

In one embodiment the first side is the left side of the trunk - when seen in the direction towards the bonnet of the vehicle - while the second side is the right side. Accordingly, the locking mechanism moved into its locking position when the flexible element is moved to the left, while the locking mechanism is moved into its unlocking position when moved to the right side. In another embodiment, the first side is the right side of the trunk - when seen in the direction towards the bonnet of the vehicle - while the second side is the left side.

The advantage of the locking mechanism and the flexible element is that the user may operate the locking mechanism by means of the flexible element while the locking

mechanism is out of reach . As an example the flexible element is 1 meter long, such as 1.5 meters long, such as 2 meters long such as 2.5 meters long, such as 3 meters long.

In one embodiment, the flexible element comprises one or more of a wire, a rope, a flexible band, a strap such as a braided strap.

In one embodiment, the slidable part is defines two or more segments which are adapted to be rolled up on a rod when the slidable part is moved into the fully open position . In one embodiment, a spring is arranged to strain the rod in a predetermined direction such that the slidable part is biased towards the fully open position . It will be appreciated that the more the spring is tensioned, the larger the force, which biases the slidable part towards the fu lly open position, will be. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the less the spring is tensioned, the smaller the force, which biases the slidable part towards the fully open position, will be.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to be able to adjust the force provided by the spring . Thus in one embodiment, the tension of the spring is adjustable by means of an adjustment screw.

In a SECON D ASPECT, the present invention relates to a clamp for fastening a trunk cover according to any of the preceding claims to an upper trunk surface of a trunk according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the camp comprises a first hinge part, a second hinge part and a third hinge part, wherein a screw is arranged such that when the screw is rotated in a predetermined direction, the first and the second hinge parts are forced towards each other in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the first hinge part whereby the third h inge part is moved in the longitudinal direction and towards an end stop of the first hinge part.

In one embodiment, the first h inge part may be pivotally connected to the second hinge part, and the second hinge part is pivotally connected to the third hinge part. In one embodiment, the third h inge part defines a clamping end wh ich when the screw is rotated in the predetermined direction is forced towards the end stop of the first hinge part.

The invention according to the second aspect may comprise any combination of features and or elements of the invention according to the first aspect.

In a THIRD ASPECT, the present invention relates to an arrangement for adjusting the tension of a spring for biasing a rod according to the first aspect of the invention in a predetermined direction, the arrangement comprising an adjustment screw which when moved in a first direction causes the spring to be tensioned and when moved in an opposite second direction causes the spring to be un-tensioned.

The invention according to the third aspect may comprise any combination of features and or elements of the invention according to the first aspect.

In a FOU RTH ASPECT, the present invention relates to a locking mechanism according to the first aspect of the invention and suitable for use in connection with the trunk cover according to the first aspect of the invention .

The invention according to the fourth aspect may comprise any combination of features and or elements of the invention according to the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig . 1 discloses a trunk cover,

Fig . 2 discloses an adjustment screw,

Fig . 3 discloses a rod, onto which the slidable part is rolled when the slidable part is moved towards its fully open position, Figs. 4-5 discloses a clamp for fastening the trunk cover rim to the trunk upper trunk surface, and

Figs. 6- 11 disclose a locking mechanism,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig . 1 discloses a trunk cover 100 for a trunk of a vehicle. In the figure only a part of the trunk is disclosed namely a part of the trunk sidewalls 102. The trunk sidewalls 102 extend from a trunk bottom (not illustrated) and towards an upper trunk opening which is defined by at least three upper trunk surfaces 104. The upper trunk surfaces 104 are defined by the trunk sidewalls 102. In one embodiment, a fourth trunk sidewall 102 is defined in the form of a tail gate 105. The tail gate 105 may be pivotally connected to the bottom of the trunk such that it may pivot about a horizontal axis which extends orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the embodiment of Fig . 1 only the upper part of the tail gate 105 and the trunk sidewalls 102 are disclosed.

The trunk cover 100 defines a trunk cover rim 106 which is secured to the upper trunk surfaces 104. A sealing material may be provided between the trunk cover rim 106 and the upper trunk surfaces 104 so as to avoid that water is collected in the trunk. In the

embodiment of Fig. 1 only the right trunk cover rim 106 is illustrated, however it will be appreciated, that a left trunk cover rim will also be provided . The trunk cover rim 106 defines a inclined surface 108, which is inclined such that liquid is gu ided away from the trunk . The trunk cover 100 additionally comprises a slidable part 110 which is movable between a fully open position and the fully closed position which is illustrated in Fig . 1. In order to move the slidable part 110 into the fully open position, a handle 120 must be operated. Operation of the handle 120 causes the locking mechanism 300 to be operated . The locking mechanism 300 is described in further detail in relation to Figs. 6-11. When the slidable part 110 is moved towards its fully open position it is moved in the direction of arrow 122. When the slidable part is moved towards its fully closed position it is moved in the direction of arrow 124.

In the embodiment of the figures, the slidable part 110 comprises a plurality of segments 112 which are rolled onto a rod 114 when the slidable part 110 is moved towards the fully open position . A spring 116 is provided for biasing the slidable part 110 in towards the fully open position, see Fig . 3. In order to adjust the tension of the spring 116, an adjustment screw 118 is provided which when turned in one direction e.g . by means of a screw driver, causes the spring 116 to be tensioned and when it is turned in an opposite direction the spring is de-tensioned . Rotation of the adjustment screw 118 causes the wheel 126 to be rotated due to the worm drive 128. The wheel 126 is connected to the rod 114. In order to secure the trunk cover rim 106 to the trunk upper trunk surfaces 104, a clamp 200 is provided . The clamp 200 comprises a first hinge part 202, second hinge part 204, and a third hinge part 206. Which are pivotally connected relative to each other as one end of the second hinge part 204 is pivotally connected to the first hinge part 202 and the other end of the second hinge part 204 is pivotally connected to the third hinge part 206. A screw 208 is arranged such that when it is rotated in a first direction, the first hinge part 202 and the second hinge part 204 are moved towards each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the first hinge part 202. The effect is that the third hinge part 206 is moved in the longitudinal direction and towards an end stop 210 of the first hinge part. This causes a clamping end 212 of the third hinge part 206 to be moved towards the end stop 210.

The first hinge part 202 is connected to the second hinge part 204 by means of the first hinge 214 and the second hinge part 204 is connected to the third h inge part 206 by means of the second hinge 216.

It may be seen in Fig. 4 that the lower surface of the end stop 210 and the contacting surface 211 of the trunk cover rim 106 defines grooves which are adapted to engage each other to as to lock the clamp 200 for lateral movement.

Figs. 6-11 disclose locking mechan ism 300 which is used to unidirectionally lock the slidable part 110 for movement in one direction . The locking mechanism 300 comprises a first lever 302 and a second lever 304. When the first lever 302 and the second lever 304 are moved away from each other the unidirectional lock is opened as the first wire 306 and the second wire 308 moves locking pins (not illustrated) out of engagement with the trunk cover rim 106 whereby the slidable part 110 is free to move in any direction .

In order to move the first lever 302 and the second lever 304 away from each other, a lock actuator 310 is provided . Due to actuator pin 312 movement of the lock actuator 310 in one direction causes the first lever 302 and the second lever 304 to be moved away from each other as is illustrated in Fig . 8. When the lock actuator 310 is moved in the opposite direction, the first lever 302 and the second lever 304 are moved towards each other due to the levers 302,304 being biased towards each other by means of a biasing element (not illustrated) . The lock actuator 310 comprises an actuator projection 314 which when the slidable part 110 reaches its fu lly open poison causes the locking mechanism 300 to move into the

unidirectionally locked state as the actuator projection 314 engaged with a surface whereby the lock actuator 310 is rotated .

A locking element 316 may be used to move the lock actuator 310 between the position, in which it unidirectionally locks the slidable part 110, and a position in wh ich the slidable part 110 is not unidirectionally locked. This is done by rotating the locking element 316 about its axis of rotation 318, whereby the projection 320 moves inside the enclosure 322, whereby it will abut the inner surfaces of the enclosure 322 and thus rotate the lock actuator 310.

A flexible element (not illustrated) e.g. in the form of a strap, may be secured to the locking element 316 by being secured to the passage 324. The flexible element may be used to change the position of the locking element (and thus also the lock actuator 310) from a position in which the handle 120 is out of reach whereby the unidirectional lock may be enabled or disabled .