BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to truck bed covers and in particular to latching apparatus for the truck bed cover.

The latching devices of the existing truck bed covers have a complicated structure which requires an inefficient procedure to operate; they often requires users to operate the latches twice in order to open the truck bed cover. In addition, a mounting frame needs to be pre-installed on the two side panels of the truck bed, and since the models of the trucks are different every year, variations in the separation of the two side panels must be compensated for to some extent, resulting in the inaccuracy of the installation dimension between the truck bed cover and a mounting frame.

Moreover, some of the side panels of the existing truck beds would be tilted at a certain angle, while some are vertical. Since the standard is not uniform, the installation of the mounting frame might not meet the requirement, causing the cover to be installed loosely.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a pickup truck bed cover including foldable horizontal sections retained on a mounting frame by left and right latches attached under the sections. The latches mounting plates, left and right locks, and left and right operating mechanisms. The operating mechanisms are connected to the locks to pull the locks into disengagement with the mounting frame allowing the sections to be folded. Connecting members connect the operating mechanisms. When a handle of one of the operating mechanism is being twisted, both the left and right locking blocks are simultaneously retract to disengage with the mounting frame. When the handle is released, the left and right locks extend to engage the mounting frame. The rotation of the handles may be coupled to the locks by sliding cylinders having spiral surfaces engaged by inside protrusions in the handles.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a operating mechanism including sliding cylinders inside rotatable handles. The exterior of the sliding cylinders include spiral surfaces, and the handles include interior protrusions engaging the spiral surfaces. The cylinders can slide laterally but include

