US Patent 6899372 Pickup bed cover

A cover for the bed of a pickup truck provides a front rigid panel fastened to the front wall of the pickup bed, at least one intermediate rigid panel attached to the front rigid panel by a first transverse hinge, and a rear rigid panel attached to the intermediate rigid panel by a second transverse hinge. The rear rigid panel has a tailgate locking lip flaring downwardly and outwardly to prevent the tailgate from opening. In the fully covering position, the pickup bed cover provides a water-resistant, locked cargo area. In the partially covering position, the rear rigid panel and, optionally, the intermediate rigid panel fold forward to permit access to the cargo bed.