Box-like utility storage apparatus for pick-up trucks

Claim 1

In combination with a pick-up truck having a truck bed and a tailgate at one end thereof, a storage cover for a portion of a bed of said truck comprising: a first rigid panel member positioned horizontally from side to side across the rear end portion of said bed adjacent to the tailgate of the truck and supported on the side walls of said bed, a second rigid panel member secured to a first edge of said first panel member to a hinge connection and having a contour fitting the side walls of said bed when installed therein at an angle downwardly and forward from said first edge of said first panel member, means for hingedly attaching said second panel member to said bed, said first panel member being supported on the side walls of said bed by channel means, one mounted on each of said side walls and extending longitudinally of said bed, said channel means being adapted for receiving opposite end edge portions of said first panel member therein for supporting same and enabling said first panel member to slide forwardly in a substantially horizontal position on the side walls of the said bed within said channel means a predetermined distance to one end thereof for partially opening the enclosures formed by said cover and said bed before sliding of said first panel member out of said channel means to enable same to be pivoted about said second panel member, and each of said channel means at said one end having like top portions removed for enabling said first edge of said first panel member to be slid forwardly and lifted from said channel means while being supported thereon for preventing jamming of said first panel member during its pivotal movement about said second panel member, whereby when said first panel member and said second panel member are folded they lie flatly on said bed of said truck.