US 12,269,330 B2
Integrated vehicle cover
Kelly Kneifl, Yankton, SD (US); Robert Gaarder, West Bloomfield, MI (US); Jerome Facchinello, Grand Blanc, MI (US); Daniel J. Delaney, Pinckney, MI (US); Robbie Mosingo, Saline, MI (US); and Chad Carter, Manchester, MI (US)
Assigned to EXTANG CORPORATION, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed by Tectum Holdings, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed on May 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/203,203.
Application 18/203,203 is a continuation of application No. 17/318,068, filed on May 12, 2021, granted, now 11,701,954.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/024,585, filed on May 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0294495 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. B60J 7/12 (2006.01); B60J 7/14 (2006.01); B60P 7/02 (2006.01); B62D 33/03 (2006.01); B60J 7/19 (2006.01)
CPC B60J 7/1204 (2013.01) [B60J 7/141 (2013.01); B62D 33/03 (2013.01); B60J 7/198 (2013.01); B60P 7/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a tonneau cover, the method comprises:
transmitting one or more signals to a control module to cause the tonneau cover to move from an open position towards a closed position;
detecting presence of an object that is located in between an end of the tonneau cover and a tailgate of a vehicle and that interferes with further moving the tonneau cover into the closed position;
stopping movement of the tonneau cover after the end of the tonneau cover makes contact with the object; and
holding the object in place with the tonneau cover in between the end of the tonneau cover and the tailgate.