Closing means for trucks
AssigneeThe Coca-Cola Company
InventorThomas Kramer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
To close the opening (15) of the load compartment (14) of a truck, one end of a tarpaulin (20) is fixed above the opening (15), while its other end comprises a hooking means (24) that can be firmly hooked in the lower end of the opening (15). The tarpaulin (20) is provided with holes (25) through which the traction elements (18) are threaded. The latter are wound on tension rollers (17) contracting the tarpaulin (20) to form a parcel. To close the opening (15), the hooking means (24) is hooked to catch the lower end of the opening (15). By inflating a cushion (23) over which the tarpaulin (20) is guided, it will be stretched accordingly.
Claims4
Closing means for a truck having a load compartment with at least two vertical members a horizontal ceiling member and a horizontal floor member defining an opening comprising:
- a tarpaulin secured along a substantial portion of its upper end to the horizontal ceiling member;
- means disposed along substantially the entire length of the lower end of said tarpaulin for securing the lower end of said tarpaulin to the horizontal floor member;
- means coupled to the tarpaulin for upwardly folding the tarpaulin;
- and
- an inflatable cushion disposed between the ceiling member and the tarpaulin;
- and
- means for inflating the cushion when the tarpaulin is secured to the horizontal floor member, whereby the tarpaulin is placed under tension in the vertical direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.