US 12,281,515 B2
Capacitive touch vehicle accessory
Chad Carter, Manchester, MI (US); and Jerome Facchinello, Grand Blanc, 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. 18/203,178.
Application 18/203,178 is a continuation of application No. 17/005,162, filed on Aug. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,702,880.
Prior Publication US 2023/0323726 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E05F 15/73 (2015.01); B60J 7/14 (2006.01); B60Q 3/30 (2017.01); B60Q 3/80 (2017.01); B62D 33/027 (2006.01); G08C 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC E05F 15/73 (2015.01) [B60J 7/141 (2013.01); B60Q 3/30 (2017.02); B60Q 3/80 (2017.02); B62D 33/0273 (2013.01); G08C 17/02 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/44 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/45 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/86 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/546 (2013.01); G08C 2201/91 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a tonneau cover for a vehicle, comprising:
communicating one or more signals from a touch sensor to the tonneau cover to cause the tonneau cover to perform one or more actions;
wherein the touch sensor is attached to or located on an exterior part of the vehicle;
wherein the touch sensor is activated by an external source;
wherein the method comprises deactivating the touch sensor to prevent the communicating of the one or more signals to the tonneau cover; and
wherein the tonneau cover includes one or more accessories that include one or more lights, one or more latches, and/or one or more actuators, and the one or more accessories are actuated or controlled via the one or more signals.