Worksport Ltd (WKSP)

[whizknock]

Yep. We can stop all the "where's the patent" bantor right now. In at the very least 3 different numerical sections in this patent it very clearly & completely describes, details & outright defines every significant aspect of a Solar Cover. So much so that any "get around" would amount to a hugely inferior product.

The money's in the bank!!!

I might add that it also clearly names the inventor=Steven+Rossi right in the link below,,,

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180339581A1/en?inventor=Steven+Rossi

See Sections 0020, 0021, 0022 & 0023,,,

[0020]
At least one tonneau section may comprise a solar panel disposed on the top surface thereof, and the tonneau system couples the solar panel to a battery to store power generated therefrom.
[0021]
Each tonneau section may be coupled by an electrical cabling system comprising a cable extending from a sheath, wherein the cable is decoupleable to permit removal or replacement of the respective tonneau section.
[0022]
Each tonneau section and spacers separating each tonneau section may comprise electrical contacts disposed along edges thereof to permit electrical coupling among the tonneau sections.
[0023]
The electrical contacts may be spring-loaded pins.

See Sections 0049, 0050, 0051 & 0052,,,

[0049]
FIG. 20 shows a tonneau system similar to that of FIG. 1, wherein solar panels are positioned at the top surfaces of the tonneau cover sections;
[0050]
FIG. 21 shows an electrical coupling system for the tonneau cover sections of FIG. 20;
[0051]
FIG. 22 shows a schematic view of the power collection and conversion system of the tonneau system of FIG. 20;
[0052]
FIG. 23 shows an electrical coupling system for the tonneau cover sections of FIG. 20 in an alternative embodiment;

See Sections 0095, 0096, 0097, 0098, 0099, 0100 & 0101.

[0095]
The tonneau section 212 a and the spacer members 216 a and 216 b are constructed from aluminum panels housing a honeycomb structure therein to provide rigidity. The tonneau sections 212 b, 212 c, and 212 d are constructed having solar panels 218 along their top surfaces.
[0096]
A utility rack 220 has a brake light aperture 224 along a top bar thereof to enable visibility of the brake light at the top of the rear of the cabin when the tonneau system 200 is deployed thereon.
[0097]
In order to transfer power generated from each solar panel 218 in tonneau sections 212 b, 212 c, and 212 d, the solar panels 218 are coupled to a battery that stores the power.
[0098]
FIG. 21 shows the electrical cabling system employed with the tonneau cover 204. A plug 228 on the bottom of tonneau section 212 d adjacent the front edge thereof receives a cable 232 that extends from a sheath 236 on the bottom surface of the tonneau section 212 c adjacent a rear edge thereof. The cable 232 is rigid enough to resist bunching and pinching between the tonneau sections 212 c, 212 d when they abut one another in an expanded state. The sheath 236 extends into the tonneau section 212 c and is sufficiently long enough to permit compression of the cable 232 therein when the tonneau section 212 d is stacked atop of the tonneau section 212 c. The cable 232 can be unplugged from the plug 228 to permit disassembly of the tonneau cover 204, for example, to replace a tonneau section having a faulty solar panel. Such cabling and connections are employed between tonneau sections 212 a, 212 b, 212 c, and 212 d and spacer members 216 a and 216 b. As will be understood, the slack length of the cable 232 between tonneau sections 212 and spacer members is not as great as between the tonneau section 212 c and the tonneau section 212 d.
[0099]
Each solar panel 218 may require its own cable to the battery. As a result, there may be two cables 232 between the tonneau section 212 c and the tonneau section 212 b, and three cables 232 between the tonneau section 212 b and the tonneau section 212 a.
[0100]
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the power elements of the tonneau system 200 relative to a pickup truck 240 in which it is deployed. An inlet plug 244 can receive three cables from the tonneau section 212 a. The cables are sufficiently long to permit pivoting of the tonneau cover 204 when stacked in a nested manner. The inlet plug 244 has a cable 248 extending back between the side rail 208 and the sidewall of the cargo box of the pickup truck 240. The cable 248 extends to a battery 252 in a retaining basket secured to the side utility track of the side rail 208. The battery 252 receives the power generated by the solar panels 218 and stores it. A transformer outlet 256 is coupled to the battery 252 for drawing power therefrom, converting it to alternating current, and powering a set of power outlets, such as a standard 220 volt household outlet, a USB port, etc. In this way, tools can be charged using solar power when they are not being used and when the tonneau cover 204 is extended to cover the cargo box of the pickup truck 240.
[0101]
FIG. 23 shows a variation of the tonneau system of FIG. 20, wherein, a tonneau cover 300 does not employ external cabling between tonneau sections 304 a, 304 b, 304 c, and 304 d. Instead, a set of spring-loaded pins 312 along a front edge of a tonneau section 304 or spacer member 308 are urged towards a set of contacts 316 along a rear edge of an adjacent tonneau section 304 or spacer member 308. The number of sets of spring-loaded pins 312 and contacts 316 is increased from one set between the tonneau section 304 d and the tonneau section 304 c to two sets between the tonneau section 304 c, the spacer member 308 b, and the tonneau section 304 b, to three sets between the tonneau section 304 b, the spacer member 308 a, and the tonneau section 304 a. Further, such sets of spring-loaded pins 312 and contacts 316 can be employed between the tonneau section 304 a and a front cross-member of a frame. Use of such spring-loaded pins and contacts avoids issues with the physical wearing of external cables that are articulated regularly.