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US 5,026,109 AGranted
Segmented cover system
AssigneeSundance, Inc.
InventorVincent J. Merlot, Jr.
Life of this patent
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AssigneeSundance, Inc.
InventorVincent J. Merlot, Jr.
Estimating the term…
The present invention provides a segmented cover system utilizing a series of cover sections, which can be of any size and shape, and a series of curved or straight supporting bows to form a cover assembly which allows for the easy replacement of a cover section or a bow without disassembling the entire cover system. The present cover assembly preferably utilizes a series of standard cover sections which are detachably secured to the two adjacent supporting bows. Preferably, the supporting bows are curved and consist of a bow center section and two easily removable bow end sections. The unique design, construction and interaction of the cover sections, the bow center sections and the bow ends enable damaged cover sections and bows to easily be removed and replaced without disassembling or removing the cover system from its location. A drive assembly can be used to extend and retract the segmented cover system of the present invention.
A retractable segmented cover system used with a truck trailer comprising a plurality of flexible cover sections with a plurality of substantially parallel supporting bows spaced therebetween and a drive assembly, wherein each cover section is detachably connected between substantially parallel supporting bows, the bows are slideably supported on the truck trailer and at least one bow is fixedly connected to the drive assembly such that the cover system can be extended or retracted by the drive assembly and wherein a cover section can be removed from the cover system independent of the other cover sections.
A supporting bow for use in a segmented cover system comprising a bow center section having a groove along opposite sides, parallel to one another, which is capable of receiving an edge of a cover section, and a pair of bow ends each detachably connected to one end of the bow center section by a fastening means such that the bow ends hold the cover section in position.
A segmented cover system for use on a truck trailer comprising a plurality of cover sections with a plurality of substantially parallel supporting bows spaced therebetween wherein each cover section is detachably connected between substantially parallel supporting bows such that one cover section can be removed from the cover system independent of the other cover sections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.