As used herein, the term “Elevation Structure” refers to one or more components, members, interfaces, supports, assemblies, structures, and/or combinations thereof configured to position, support, space, raise, lower, maintain, or otherwise locate another component or structure at one or more selected elevations relative to a surface, region, component, structure, position, orientation, and/or other reference. An elevation structure may be fixed, movable, adjustable, extendable, retractable, collapsible, telescoping, pivotable, articulated, and/or otherwise configured and may include a single component or a plurality of interconnected, cooperating, adjacent, and/or spatially separated components. An elevation structure need not actively raise or lower the supported component, extend in a vertical direction, maintain a constant elevation, or be physically separate from the supported component or reference structure. An elevation structure may include one or more walls, panels, risers, posts, legs, frames, brackets, spacers, arms, linkages, supports, actuators, and/or other structures. In certain embodiments, an elevation structure may extend between a vehicle and a support structure and may position a cargo cover vertically above a cargo area to define cargo space above the cargo area. … more As used herein, the term “Elevation Structure” refers to one or more components, members, interfaces, supports, assemblies, structures, and/or combinations thereof configured to position, support, space, raise, lower, maintain, or otherwise locate another component or structure at one or more selected elevations relative to a surface, region, component, structure, position, orientation, and/or other reference. An elevation structure may be fixed, movable, adjustable, extendable, retractable, collapsible, telescoping, pivotable, articulated, and/or otherwise configured and may include a single component or a plurality of interconnected, cooperating, adjacent, and/or spatially separated components. An elevation structure need not actively raise or lower the supported component, extend in a vertical direction, maintain a constant elevation, or be physically separate from the supported component or reference structure. An elevation structure may include one or more walls, panels, risers, posts, legs, frames, brackets, spacers, arms, linkages, supports, actuators, and/or other structures. In certain embodiments, an elevation structure may extend between a vehicle and a support structure and may position a cargo cover vertically above a cargo area to define cargo space above the cargo area.

As used herein, the term “Folded Configuration” refers to a configuration in which one or more portions, sections, panels, members, components, structures, assemblies, or combinations thereof are repositioned relative to another portion, structure, or reference by folding, bending, pivoting, articulating, overlapping, stacking, collapsing, nesting, or other relative movement or deformation. A folded configuration may include one or more complete, partial, intermediate, sequential, or compound folds and need not include a sharp crease, complete overlap, contact, or parallel alignment between the repositioned portions. A folded configuration may include alternating, zigzag, accordion, concertina, stacked, nested, overlapping, layered, or other arrangements and may reduce or otherwise alter an area, width, length, height, volume, profile, or spatial extent of a structure. In certain embodiments, two or more cover sections and/or cover panels may assume a folded configuration as they move toward a side of a vehicle or from a closed position toward an open or side-stowed position. … more As used herein, the term “Folded Configuration” refers to a configuration in which one or more portions, sections, panels, members, components, structures, assemblies, or combinations thereof are repositioned relative to another portion, structure, or reference by folding, bending, pivoting, articulating, overlapping, stacking, collapsing, nesting, or other relative movement or deformation. A folded configuration may include one or more complete, partial, intermediate, sequential, or compound folds and need not include a sharp crease, complete overlap, contact, or parallel alignment between the repositioned portions. A folded configuration may include alternating, zigzag, accordion, concertina, stacked, nested, overlapping, layered, or other arrangements and may reduce or otherwise alter an area, width, length, height, volume, profile, or spatial extent of a structure. In certain embodiments, two or more cover sections and/or cover panels may assume a folded configuration as they move toward a side of a vehicle or from a closed position toward an open or side-stowed position.

As used herein, the term “Lateral Direction” refers to a direction extending generally transverse to or across a longitudinal direction of an object, structure, space, area, assembly, or combination thereof. A lateral direction may be defined physically, geometrically, functionally, or relative to another direction, feature, object, orientation, axis, or frame of reference and need not be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, correspond to a shortest dimension, or follow a straight line. A lateral direction may follow a straight, curved, angled, segmented, irregular, compound, and/or other path and may be used to describe movement, spacing, alignment, positioning, extension, or orientation of one or more components or structures. In certain embodiments, a lateral direction of a truck bed may extend generally between opposing sidewalls of the truck bed. In other embodiments, a lateral direction of a storage rack or shelving assembly may extend generally between opposing side supports of the assembly. … more As used herein, the term “Lateral Direction” refers to a direction extending generally transverse to or across a longitudinal direction of an object, structure, space, area, assembly, or combination thereof. A lateral direction may be defined physically, geometrically, functionally, or relative to another direction, feature, object, orientation, axis, or frame of reference and need not be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, correspond to a shortest dimension, or follow a straight line. A lateral direction may follow a straight, curved, angled, segmented, irregular, compound, and/or other path and may be used to describe movement, spacing, alignment, positioning, extension, or orientation of one or more components or structures. In certain embodiments, a lateral direction of a truck bed may extend generally between opposing sidewalls of the truck bed. In other embodiments, a lateral direction of a storage rack or shelving assembly may extend generally between opposing side supports of the assembly.

As used herein, the term “Longitudinal Direction” refers to a direction extending generally along a length or lengthwise extent of an object, structure, space, area, assembly, or combination thereof. A longitudinal direction may be distinguished from a lateral direction extending generally transverse to the longitudinal direction. A longitudinal direction may be defined physically, geometrically, functionally, or relative to another direction, feature, object, orientation, axis, or frame of reference and need not correspond to the longest dimension or a straight line. A longitudinal direction may follow a straight, curved, angled, segmented, irregular, compound, or other path and may be used to describe movement, spacing, alignment, positioning, extension, or orientation of one or more components or structures. In certain embodiments, a longitudinal direction of a truck bed may extend generally between a front wall and a tailgate of the truck bed. In other embodiments, a longitudinal direction of a storage rack or shelving assembly may extend generally between opposing end supports of the assembly. … more As used herein, the term “Longitudinal Direction” refers to a direction extending generally along a length or lengthwise extent of an object, structure, space, area, assembly, or combination thereof. A longitudinal direction may be distinguished from a lateral direction extending generally transverse to the longitudinal direction. A longitudinal direction may be defined physically, geometrically, functionally, or relative to another direction, feature, object, orientation, axis, or frame of reference and need not correspond to the longest dimension or a straight line. A longitudinal direction may follow a straight, curved, angled, segmented, irregular, compound, or other path and may be used to describe movement, spacing, alignment, positioning, extension, or orientation of one or more components or structures. In certain embodiments, a longitudinal direction of a truck bed may extend generally between a front wall and a tailgate of the truck bed. In other embodiments, a longitudinal direction of a storage rack or shelving assembly may extend generally between opposing end supports of the assembly.

As used herein, the term “Open Position” refers to a position or configuration of one or more components, members, assemblies, structures, or combinations thereof in which access to, through, around, or relative to another component, structure, space, opening, or region may be increased, enabled, or otherwise altered relative to a closed position or another reference position or configuration. An open position may include a fully open, partially open, intermediate, temporary, selected, or variable position and may be achieved by moving, folding, translating, pivoting, raising, lowering, retracting, rolling, tilting, rotating, sliding, separating, displacing, stowing, or otherwise repositioning one or more components. In certain embodiments, an open position of a cargo cover may provide complete or partial access to at least a portion of a cargo area. A cargo cover, cover panels, and/or one or more cover sections may be moved toward a side, front, rear, or other region of a vehicle or cargo area and may be positioned in a tilted-up, side-stowed, or other repositioned configuration. An open position may include a partial-access configuration in which another cover section or cover panel remains in a closed position or is disposed in another position or configuration. … more As used herein, the term “Open Position” refers to a position or configuration of one or more components, members, assemblies, structures, or combinations thereof in which access to, through, around, or relative to another component, structure, space, opening, or region may be increased, enabled, or otherwise altered relative to a closed position or another reference position or configuration. An open position may include a fully open, partially open, intermediate, temporary, selected, or variable position and may be achieved by moving, folding, translating, pivoting, raising, lowering, retracting, rolling, tilting, rotating, sliding, separating, displacing, stowing, or otherwise repositioning one or more components. In certain embodiments, an open position of a cargo cover may provide complete or partial access to at least a portion of a cargo area. A cargo cover, cover panels, and/or one or more cover sections may be moved toward a side, front, rear, or other region of a vehicle or cargo area and may be positioned in a tilted-up, side-stowed, or other repositioned configuration. An open position may include a partial-access configuration in which another cover section or cover panel remains in a closed position or is disposed in another position or configuration.

As used herein, the term “Pivot Connection” refers to one or more components, members, interfaces, joints, material regions, couplings, assemblies, structures, and/or combinations thereof configured to permit, guide, constrain, support, control, or otherwise facilitate rotational or angular movement of one component or structure relative to another component, structure, position, and/or reference. A pivot connection may be direct or indirect, discrete or integral, fixed or movable, rigid or flexible, permanent or releasable, and may include one or more intervening components. A pivot connection need not include a physical pin, conventional hinge, fixed pivot axis, circular bearing surface, or purely rotational movement and may define an actual, virtual, instantaneous, movable, variable, and/or compound pivot axis or region. A pivot connection may include a hinge, pin joint, journal, axle, bearing, flexible joint, living hinge, linkage, articulated connection, rotational interface, and/or other pivoting structure. In certain embodiments, a pivot connection may permit a cargo platform, cover section, cover panel, support arm, retainer, and/or another component to move through a selected angular range alone or in combination with translational, folding, vertical, lateral, longitudinal, and/or other movement. … more As used herein, the term “Pivot Connection” refers to one or more components, members, interfaces, joints, material regions, couplings, assemblies, structures, and/or combinations thereof configured to permit, guide, constrain, support, control, or otherwise facilitate rotational or angular movement of one component or structure relative to another component, structure, position, and/or reference. A pivot connection may be direct or indirect, discrete or integral, fixed or movable, rigid or flexible, permanent or releasable, and may include one or more intervening components. A pivot connection need not include a physical pin, conventional hinge, fixed pivot axis, circular bearing surface, or purely rotational movement and may define an actual, virtual, instantaneous, movable, variable, and/or compound pivot axis or region. A pivot connection may include a hinge, pin joint, journal, axle, bearing, flexible joint, living hinge, linkage, articulated connection, rotational interface, and/or other pivoting structure. In certain embodiments, a pivot connection may permit a cargo platform, cover section, cover panel, support arm, retainer, and/or another component to move through a selected angular range alone or in combination with translational, folding, vertical, lateral, longitudinal, and/or other movement.

As used herein, the term “Raised Position” refers to a position or configuration in which at least a portion of a component, structure, assembly, or combination thereof is positioned higher, farther from a supporting surface, or otherwise displaced in a generally vertical direction relative to another position, configuration, component, structure, region, or reference. A raised position may be defined physically, geometrically, or functionally and need not be horizontal, upright, fully raised, directly above another position, or reached through purely vertical movement. A raised position may include vertical, inclined, tilted, pivoted, rotated, translated, folded, partially raised, fully raised, side-stowed, or compound configurations and may be reached manually, through powered or assisted operation, automatically, or through combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, a cargo platform may move from a cargo position to a raised position to increase access to an underlying region, cargo floor, cargo space, or another portion of a cargo area. … more As used herein, the term “Raised Position” refers to a position or configuration in which at least a portion of a component, structure, assembly, or combination thereof is positioned higher, farther from a supporting surface, or otherwise displaced in a generally vertical direction relative to another position, configuration, component, structure, region, or reference. A raised position may be defined physically, geometrically, or functionally and need not be horizontal, upright, fully raised, directly above another position, or reached through purely vertical movement. A raised position may include vertical, inclined, tilted, pivoted, rotated, translated, folded, partially raised, fully raised, side-stowed, or compound configurations and may be reached manually, through powered or assisted operation, automatically, or through combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, a cargo platform may move from a cargo position to a raised position to increase access to an underlying region, cargo floor, cargo space, or another portion of a cargo area.

As used herein, the term “Retracted Position” refers to a position or configuration, as distinguished from a corresponding extended position or another reference position or configuration, in which at least a portion of a component, structure, assembly, and/or combination thereof is received, withdrawn, shortened, collapsed, nested, overlapped, moved toward, or otherwise positioned nearer to or within a reference region, supporting structure, component, position, and/or other reference. A retracted position need not place the component entirely within another structure, minimize every external dimension, represent a fully retracted position, or correspond to an endpoint of movement. A retracted position may represent a partial, intermediate, selected, temporary, and/or full degree of retraction and may be reached through translational, rotational, pivoting, folding, telescoping, compound, and/or other movement. In certain embodiments, a cargo platform in a retracted position may be received within, positioned over, or otherwise located relative to a cargo area and may be movable from the retracted position toward an extended position by a translation assembly. … more As used herein, the term “Retracted Position” refers to a position or configuration, as distinguished from a corresponding extended position or another reference position or configuration, in which at least a portion of a component, structure, assembly, and/or combination thereof is received, withdrawn, shortened, collapsed, nested, overlapped, moved toward, or otherwise positioned nearer to or within a reference region, supporting structure, component, position, and/or other reference. A retracted position need not place the component entirely within another structure, minimize every external dimension, represent a fully retracted position, or correspond to an endpoint of movement. A retracted position may represent a partial, intermediate, selected, temporary, and/or full degree of retraction and may be reached through translational, rotational, pivoting, folding, telescoping, compound, and/or other movement. In certain embodiments, a cargo platform in a retracted position may be received within, positioned over, or otherwise located relative to a cargo area and may be movable from the retracted position toward an extended position by a translation assembly.

As used herein, the term “Side” refers to a region, portion, boundary, edge, surface, face, or direction associated with an object, structure, space, area, geometric figure, or combination thereof. A side may be defined physically, geometrically, functionally, or relative to another object, structure, location, orientation, axis, direction, or frame of reference. A side may be straight, curved, angled, segmented, irregular, open, or otherwise configured and need not correspond to a continuous physical surface or boundary. Two or more sides may be opposing, adjacent, intersecting, spaced apart, corresponding, different, symmetric, or asymmetric. In certain embodiments, a side of a vehicle or cargo area may refer to a lateral region, boundary, or portion associated with a sidewall, bed rail, body panel, frame member, wheel-well region, or a lateral portion of the vehicle or cargo area. Opposing sides of a vehicle or cargo area may refer to laterally spaced side regions. … more As used herein, the term “Side” refers to a region, portion, boundary, edge, surface, face, or direction associated with an object, structure, space, area, geometric figure, or combination thereof. A side may be defined physically, geometrically, functionally, or relative to another object, structure, location, orientation, axis, direction, or frame of reference. A side may be straight, curved, angled, segmented, irregular, open, or otherwise configured and need not correspond to a continuous physical surface or boundary. Two or more sides may be opposing, adjacent, intersecting, spaced apart, corresponding, different, symmetric, or asymmetric. In certain embodiments, a side of a vehicle or cargo area may refer to a lateral region, boundary, or portion associated with a sidewall, bed rail, body panel, frame member, wheel-well region, or a lateral portion of the vehicle or cargo area. Opposing sides of a vehicle or cargo area may refer to laterally spaced side regions.

As used herein, the term “Side Support Structure” refers to one or more components, members, interfaces, supports, assemblies, structures, and/or combinations thereof associated with, positioned toward, extending along, or otherwise corresponding to a side or side region and configured to directly or indirectly support, position, retain, guide, couple, constrain, carry, or facilitate movement of one or more other components or structures. A side support structure may include a single component or a plurality of interconnected, cooperating, adjacent, and/or spatially separated components and need not be located entirely at the side, extend continuously along the side, or form an exterior boundary. A side support structure may be formed as a separate structure, incorporated into another component or assembly, or defined physically, geometrically, or functionally as a portion of a unitary or integrated structure without a visible or separable boundary. All or part of a side support structure may also form or function as all or part of a cover support structure, cargo platform support structure, elevation structure, translation assembly, mounting structure, vehicle structure, and/or another structure. First and second side support structures may be separate, interconnected, integrated into a common unit, corresponding, mirrored, asymmetric, and/or otherwise configured relative to one another. In certain embodiments, a side support structure may be associated with a side of a vehicle or cargo area and may support both a cover section and a cargo platform. … more As used herein, the term “Side Support Structure” refers to one or more components, members, interfaces, supports, assemblies, structures, and/or combinations thereof associated with, positioned toward, extending along, or otherwise corresponding to a side or side region and configured to directly or indirectly support, position, retain, guide, couple, constrain, carry, or facilitate movement of one or more other components or structures. A side support structure may include a single component or a plurality of interconnected, cooperating, adjacent, and/or spatially separated components and need not be located entirely at the side, extend continuously along the side, or form an exterior boundary. A side support structure may be formed as a separate structure, incorporated into another component or assembly, or defined physically, geometrically, or functionally as a portion of a unitary or integrated structure without a visible or separable boundary. All or part of a side support structure may also form or function as all or part of a cover support structure, cargo platform support structure, elevation structure, translation assembly, mounting structure, vehicle structure, and/or another structure. First and second side support structures may be separate, interconnected, integrated into a common unit, corresponding, mirrored, asymmetric, and/or otherwise configured relative to one another. In certain embodiments, a side support structure may be associated with a side of a vehicle or cargo area and may support both a cover section and a cargo platform.

As used herein, the term “Side-Stowed Position” refers to a position or configuration in which at least a portion of a component, structure, assembly, or combination thereof is located, moved, retained, or otherwise positioned toward, adjacent to, along, within, beyond, or relative to a side or side region compared with another position and/or configuration. A side-stowed position need not place the component entirely at the side, outside another structure, vertically oriented, folded, inactive, and/or removed from use, and the component may remain supported, coupled, connected, or functional while in the side-stowed position. A side-stowed position may be reached through lateral, longitudinal, vertical, rotational, folding, pivoting, translating, compound, or other movement and may represent a partial, intermediate, temporary, selected, or fully stowed position. In certain embodiments, a cargo cover, cover section, cover panel, cargo platform, translation assembly, or associated component may be positioned in a side-stowed position toward at least one side of a vehicle or cargo area, thereby increasing access to cargo, a cargo floor, cargo space, and/or another region of the cargo area. … more As used herein, the term “Side-Stowed Position” refers to a position or configuration in which at least a portion of a component, structure, assembly, or combination thereof is located, moved, retained, or otherwise positioned toward, adjacent to, along, within, beyond, or relative to a side or side region compared with another position and/or configuration. A side-stowed position need not place the component entirely at the side, outside another structure, vertically oriented, folded, inactive, and/or removed from use, and the component may remain supported, coupled, connected, or functional while in the side-stowed position. A side-stowed position may be reached through lateral, longitudinal, vertical, rotational, folding, pivoting, translating, compound, or other movement and may represent a partial, intermediate, temporary, selected, or fully stowed position. In certain embodiments, a cargo cover, cover section, cover panel, cargo platform, translation assembly, or associated component may be positioned in a side-stowed position toward at least one side of a vehicle or cargo area, thereby increasing access to cargo, a cargo floor, cargo space, and/or another region of the cargo area.

As used herein, the term “Support Structure” refers to one or more components, members, assemblies, interfaces, structures, or combinations thereof that may support, position, guide, retain, couple, constrain, carry, or facilitate movement of another component or structure. A support structure may include a single component or a plurality of interconnected, cooperating, or spatially separated components. In certain embodiments, a support structure may support or interact with a cargo cover, cover section, cover panel, cargo platform, translation assembly, mounting structure, vehicle, cargo-area structure, or another component or structure. A support structure may include, for example, one or more rails, tracks, channels, guides, brackets, frames, arms, linkages, hinges, pivot connections, sliding interfaces, rollers, bearings, wheels, casters, latches, retainers, mounting members, actuators, supports, or the like. In certain embodiments, a support structure may permit, guide, constrain, assist, or control rotational, translational, folding, sliding, raising, lowering, compound, or other movement and may support a component in one or more selected positions. … more As used herein, the term “Support Structure” refers to one or more components, members, assemblies, interfaces, structures, or combinations thereof that may support, position, guide, retain, couple, constrain, carry, or facilitate movement of another component or structure. A support structure may include a single component or a plurality of interconnected, cooperating, or spatially separated components. In certain embodiments, a support structure may support or interact with a cargo cover, cover section, cover panel, cargo platform, translation assembly, mounting structure, vehicle, cargo-area structure, or another component or structure. A support structure may include, for example, one or more rails, tracks, channels, guides, brackets, frames, arms, linkages, hinges, pivot connections, sliding interfaces, rollers, bearings, wheels, casters, latches, retainers, mounting members, actuators, supports, or the like. In certain embodiments, a support structure may permit, guide, constrain, assist, or control rotational, translational, folding, sliding, raising, lowering, compound, or other movement and may support a component in one or more selected positions.

As used herein, the term “Cargo” refers to one or more articles, materials, objects, goods, equipment, tools, containers, supplies, or other items that may be carried, transported, stored, supported, or otherwise received within a cargo area or by a vehicle. Cargo may include rigid, flexible, loose, packaged, secured, unsecured, oversized, or irregularly shaped items. In certain embodiments, cargo may be positioned on a cargo floor, on a cargo platform, beneath a cargo cover, on a cargo cover, or in another location associated with a vehicle. … more As used herein, the term “Cargo” refers to one or more articles, materials, objects, goods, equipment, tools, containers, supplies, or other items that may be carried, transported, stored, supported, or otherwise received within a cargo area or by a vehicle. Cargo may include rigid, flexible, loose, packaged, secured, unsecured, oversized, or irregularly shaped items. In certain embodiments, cargo may be positioned on a cargo floor, on a cargo platform, beneath a cargo cover, on a cargo cover, or in another location associated with a vehicle.