A new Stellantis patent could bring a different approach to pickup truck bed covers, with a design that folds out of the way when not needed and can transform into a secure, weather-resistant enclosure for the entire bed.
The concept would take up very little space when stored while providing cargo protection similar to that of a full pickup truck cap. The invention could also give truck owners a way to switch between an open bed and a covered, lockable storage area with minimal effort.
A Pickup Bed Cover That Folds Like an Accordion
Pickup owners already have numerous bed-cover options, including one-piece solid covers, roll-up fabric designs and multi-section folding covers. However, the Stellantis invention is designed to combine compact storage with the security of solid panels while also functioning as a topper.
The patent describes a solid panel roughly the size of a pickup bed with a series of thin cuts made into the material. The cuts do not extend completely through the panel, allowing it to fold along each line and collapse flat in an accordion-like fashion.
Two additional lines of sawtooth-shaped cuts would allow the panel to fold in another direction. Once folded, the panel could form a U shape with three flat sides rather than a curved profile.
How the Stellantis Folding Cover Works
Patent drawings show the system installed on the back of a Ram pickup equipped with a sport bar. In the first configuration, the cover is completely folded in accordion style, with the sport bar positioned toward the front of the truck bed.
The entire sport bar can then be moved toward the rear, or tailgate end, of the bed. As it moves, it carries the folding cover with it until the panel extends across the entire bed.
In that configuration, the system creates a hard-surface, lockable enclosure over the bed, effectively turning the pickup into a truck with an instant topper.
Materials Could Balance Security, Weight and Cost
The patent suggests using metal for the cover to help keep water and thieves out. However, Stellantis also indicates that other materials could be used to address weight and cost considerations.
The cover could also be painted to match the truck or provide a contrasting appearance.
Although the patent illustrations show the invention on a pickup, the system could also be used on larger commercial vehicles, including tipper-bed trucks and flatbeds.
The design would allow the vehicle to remain open when weather conditions permit, then switch to a weatherproof and secure configuration when covered storage is needed. The change between configurations would take minimal time.
Could Pickup Owners Embrace the Design?
The concept draws on a type of sliding accordion cover that has been used on large trucks in Europe for years. Those systems, however, typically serve as walls on large trailers with a fixed frame above them.
On a pickup, moving the sport bar all the way toward the back could create an unusual appearance, particularly for owners who planned to install lights on it.
Still, the Stellantis patent presents a solution for situations when protecting cargo from rain or theft is more important than keeping the bed completely open.
