US 12,485,737 B2
Folding tonneau cover apparatus
Charles M. Schmeichel, Jamestown, ND (US); and John W. Simon, Nerstrand, MN (US)
Assigned to Agri-Cover, Inc., Jamestown, ND (US)
Filed by Agri-Cover, Inc., Jamestown, ND (US)
Filed on Jun. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/214,358.
Application 18/214,358 is a continuation of application No. 17/589,505, filed on Jan. 31, 2022, granted, now 11,685,242.
Application 17/589,505 is a continuation of application No. 16/252,345, filed on Jan. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,235,652, issued on Feb. 1, 2022.
Application 16/252,345 is a continuation of application No. 15/794,549, filed on Oct. 26, 2017, granted, now 10,189,340, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/414,591, filed on Oct. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0331074 A1, Oct. 19, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60J 7/19 (2006.01); B60J 7/14 (2006.01)
CPC B60J 7/198 (2013.01) [B60J 7/141 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck, the perimeter of the cargo box including a forward end, two opposing sidewalls and a tailgate, the tailgate being positioned rearward of the forward end and having an open position and a closed position, the tonneau cover apparatus comprising:
a cover assembly including a plurality of rigid panels including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel; wherein the first panel and the second panel are pivotally interconnected by a first hinge; and
wherein the first panel includes a first panel edge, and the cover assembly further includes a securing recess proximate a top surface of the third panel, and wherein, when the cover assembly is engaged with the top of the perimeter of the cargo box, and the third panel is in a generally horizontal orientation, the first panel can pivot with respect to the second panel, and wherein when the first panel and the second panel are in a generally vertical orientation adjacent to and above a top surface of the third panel, the first panel edge can engage the securing recess to secure the first panel in the generally vertical orientation.