Patent ID: 11938800
Assignee: EXTANG CORPORATION
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A method of operating a tonneau cover, the tonneau cover configured for placement above a cargo area of a vehicle, the cargo area having a plurality of side walls, the method comprising:
a first pivoting step, where a first moveable panel of the tonneau cover is moved on top of a second moveable panel of the tonneau cover about a first hinge, and then a second pivoting step where both of the first moveable panel and the second moveable panel are moved together on top of a third panel of the tonneau cover about a second hinge; wherein during the second pivoting step, a torsion element that is arranged between the second moveable panel and the third moveable panel is configured to apply an assisting force or torque onto the second moveable panel to at least partially offset a weight of at least both of the first moveable panel and the second moveable panel as the first moveable panel and the second moveable panel are together moved on top of the third panel.