Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a tonneau cover with movable panels that may be used on future Ford pickups, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on March 31st, 2022, published on October 1st, 2024, and assigned serial number 12103371.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford has filed quite a few patents outlining features that it may one day employ in its pickups, including ideas for a convertible work station that would keep tools and other valuables out of sight, as well as a multi-panel bed that’s more customizable. Now, this newly filed patent shifts that focus to a popular accessory these days – a tonneau cover with movable panels that may one day be used on future Ford pickups, too.
Tonneau covers are a great way to enclose the bed of a pickup and provide dry (and more secure) storage, which is precisely why so many truck owners have one. These types of covers also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some rolling up while others fold or retract into a certain space, and they’re also available in variety of materials and finishes as well. However, tonneau covers typically only cover up the bed itself, and aren’t terribly configurable, which is precisely where this patent filing would come into play.
If it comes to fruition, this special kind of tonneau cover could be folded into all kinds of positions thanks to a number of special panels. This way, users could opt to fold the tonneau cover in a way that gives them more space when needed – even extending up to the top of the cab – and then fold it down into a more traditional form for everyday use. It’s certainly an idea that has a lot of merit, given its flexibility, and one that we could very well see on day in future Ford pickups as a result.
Comments
Poor 2025 Maverick. Ford made do cheap looking, sk ugly that even the truck is ashamed if it’s looks by covering its eyes….
Ugliest, most hideous truck ever created. 70% of the people polled hate this truck and the other 30% are blind!
Agreed … and you’d think after basically 3 model years Farley’s Fool in R&D could have solved the Maverick water/snow leakage issues with the tonneau cover … not create more leaks by offering removable panels.
The 2025 Ford Maverick front end facia interface with the headlights is a design nightmare. Previous year Maverick model front ends were much better. So sad to hurt the Maverick like that.
Agreed, Farley’s Fools in the design department have literally screwed the pooch on the ’25 look for the Maverick. Aside from that … they are re-developing the tonneau cover … I’ll throw out the challenge Ford … how about you make a water proof/tight tonneau cover for the Ford Maverick. A friend that lives close to the NC/KY border remarked more than once, leaks in wet weather light or hard rain … and snow drifts in the winter months in the cargo box. The tonneau factory cover on the Hyundai Santa Cruz is 100% water tight. And Ford … the cost of a XLT Maveick FWD and SEL Santa Cruz FWD equipped the same is about $400 apart with the Hyundai being slightly higher, but the Santa Cruz comes with Sat/Radio an Factory Nav/System for that $400 … so, oh well, and the Santa Cruz wasn’t dealt a ugly front end for the ’25 model year.