Flexible cover system for an open-topped container
AssigneeAero Industries, Inc.
InventorSteven A. Henning
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cover system for an open-topped container, such as a dump truck body, includes a flexible tarpaulin sized to extend across the length of the container. A weighted element is carried by the tarp adjacent to but offset from the front end of the tarp. The weighted element is “gravity-biased” so that it pulls the tarp down and holds it down against the load within the container when the tarp is in its deployed position. In a preferred embodiment, the weighted element includes one or more metal bars that are contained within pockets spanning the width of the tarp.
Claims30
A cover system for an open-topped container, comprising:
- a flexible cover having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a retraction mechanism connected to said flexible cover at said first end for moving said cover to a retracted position relative to the container;
- an extension mechanism connected to said flexible cover at said second end for extending said cover from said retracted position to an extended position spanning at least a portion of the open top of the container;
- and
- a weighted element carried by said flexible cover between said first and second ends and having a weight sufficient to pull said flexible cover down by the force of gravity when said cover is in said extended position.
A cover for a cover system for an open-topped container, the system having a retraction mechanism mounted to the container and a extension mechanism, the cover comprising:
- a flexible tarpaulin sized to substantially close the open top of the container when extended, said tarpaulin having a first end configured for engagement to the retraction mechanism and an opposite second end configured for engagement to the extension mechanism;
- and
- a weighted element carried by said tarpaulin between said first and second ends and having a weight sufficient to pull said flexible tarpaulin down by the force of gravity when said tarpaulin when extended.
19 The cover according to claim 18, wherein:
- said tarpaulin has a length between said first and second ends and a width transverse to said length;
- and
- said weighted element includes a weighted bar extending across a portion of said width.
The cover according to claim 19, wherein said weighted bar has a width and a thickness sized to permit said weighted to be wound onto a spool of a retraction mechanism with said tarpaulin.
The cover according to claim 19, wherein said tarpaulin includes a pocket extending across a portion of said width and sized to receive said weighted bar therein.
A cover for a cover system for an open-topped container, the system having a retraction mechanism mounted to the container and a extension mechanism, the cover comprising:
- a flexible tarpaulin sized to substantially close the open top of the container when extended, said tarpaulin having a first end configured for engagement to the retraction mechanism and an opposite second end configured for engagement to the extension mechanism, said tarpaulin having a length between said opposite ends and a width transverse to said length;
- and
- a pocket extending across a portion of said width of said tarpaulin adjacent but offset from said first end thereof, said pocket sized to receive a weighted bar therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.