Covering device for a vehicle container

A device mounted upon a frame of a vehicle for covering and uncovering an opening of an open container mounted on the frame of the vehicle comprising:

• a thin, flexible covering that is configured to overlay the opening of the container;
• a pivotal arm which mounts along one side of the container, the arm having an outer end that couples to the flexible covering and an inner end that is mounted to the vehicle at a pivot point so that the arm can be pivoted about the pivot point between a starting position and an end position, and wherein the flexible covering is drawn over the opening when the arm is moved to the end position and withdrawn from the opening when the arm is moved to the starting position, and wherein the inner end of the arm has a convex arcuate contact portion located about the pivot point;
• a piston rod and cylinder that mount to the vehicle adjacent to the inner end of the arm, the piston rod and cylinder having an axis that is maintained in a fixed position relative to the vehicle on which it is mounted during actuation of the piston rod and cylinder;
• an arm engagement member that is coupled to the piston rod and cylinder, the arm engagement member being moved linearly between a first and second position along a line parallel to the axis of the piston rod and cylinder when the piston rod and cylinder are actuated, the arm engagement member having engagement means for engaging the contact portion of the arm so that linear movement of the arm engagement member causes the arm to pivot about the pivot point between the starting and end position when moved between the first position and second position;
• wherein the arcuate contact portion is a sheave;
• and
• the arm engagement member includes a bar and the engagement means includes a flexible line attached to the bar at one end and at the other end to the inner end of the arm, the flexible line having an intermediate portion that wraps around the sheave so that linear movement of the bar causes the arm to pivot about the pivot point.

A device mounted upon a frame of a truck or trailer for covering and uncovering an opening of an open container mounted on the frame of the truck or trailer comprising:

• a thin, flexible covering configured to overlay the opening of the container;
• a cross member to which one end of the flexible covering is coupled, the other end of the covering being coupled to the truck or trailer;
• a pair of pivotal arms which mount along opposite sides of the container, each arm having an outer and inner end, the cross member extending between and being mounted to the outer ends of the pivotal arms so that the pivotal arms are coupled together, and wherein the inner end of each arm is mounted to the truck or trailer at a pivot point so that the arms can be pivoted about the pivot points between starting and end positions, and wherein the flexible covering is drawn over the opening when the arms are moved to the end position and withdrawn from the opening when the arms are moved to the starting positions, and wherein the inner end of at least one arm has a convex arcuate contact portion located about the pivot point;
• a piston rod and cylinder that mount to the truck or trailer adjacent to the inner end of said at least one arm, and wherein the piston rod and cylinder have an axis that is maintained in a fixed position relative to the truck or trailer during actuation of the piston rod and cylinder;
• an arm engagement member that is coupled to the piston rod and cylinder, the arm engagement member being moved linearly between a first and second position along a line parallel to the axis of the piston and cylinder when the piston and cylinder are actuated, the arm engagement member having engagement means for engaging the contact portion of the said at least one arm so that linear movement of the arm engagement member causes the arms to pivot about the pivot points between the starting and end positions when moved between the first and second position;
• wherein the arcuate contact portion is a sheave;
• and
• the arm engagement member includes a bar and the engagement means includes a flexible line attached to the bar at one end and at the other end to the inner end of the said at least one arm, the flexible line having an intermediate portion that wraps around the sheave so that linear movement of the bar causes the arms to pivot about the pivot points.