US 11,701,954 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 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/318,068.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/024,585, filed on May 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0354537 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. B60J 7/12 (2006.01); B62D 33/03 (2006.01); B60J 7/14 (2006.01); B60J 7/19 (2006.01); B60P 7/02 (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 and a tailgate of a vehicle, the method comprises:
transmitting one or more signals to a first control module to open or lower the tailgate;
determining a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module or a second control module and transmitting by the first control module and/or the second control module one or more signals to a mechanism associated with the tonneau cover to open the tonneau cover if the tonneau cover is determined by the first control module and/or the second control module to be in a closed position; and then
lowering the tailgate,
wherein after a transmission gear of the vehicle is changed, the method comprises checking a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module and/or the second control module.