End cap for roll tarp system
AssigneeAero Industries, Inc.
InventorsRobert Nolan, James R. Tuerk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A one-piece molded end cap is provided for use with a container tarping system. The end cap is in the form of an aerodynamically shaped shell and includes a trough and ridge configuration at the rear edge to provide a sealing surface for the side edge of the flexible cover of the tarping system. A deflection barrier is formed at the underside of the end cap shell and is configured to deflect material loaded into the container away from the end cap. In a further embodiment, the end cap can include a tensioning mechanism integral with a front edge of the end cap. The tensioning mechanism includes an elongated body having a bore within which a tensioning element is disposed. The tensioning element applies tension to a drive mechanism of the tarping system through a cable.
Claims25
An end cap for a container tarping system comprising:
- a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion and a second side portion;
- an aerodynamic panel having an upper surface extending from the front portion upwardly and toward the rear portion.
- a trough integrally formed in the upper surface of the aerodynamic panel, the trough extending between the first side portion and the second side portion and sized to receive an edge of a flexible cover;
- and
- a housing for a tarp tensioning mechanism, the housing integrally molded with the aerodynamic panel and comprising an elongated body having a first end and having a bore therethrough, the bore configured to admit a tension cable therethrough.
An end cap for a container tarping system comprising:
- a housing for a tarp tensioning mechanism, the housing configured to be positioned at one end of a container and outside of the perimeter of the container;
- a tarp tensioning mechanism mounted to the end cap and configured to fit at least partially within the housing;
- and
- an aerodynamic panel extending upwardly away from the housing and configured to be positioned above the perimeter of the container.
An end cap for reducing air turbulence associated with movement of a container comprising:
- a front portion and a rear portion;
- an aerodynamic panel having an upper surface extending from the front portion upwardly and toward the rear portion;
- a housing for a tarp tensioning mechanism connected to the aerodynamic panel, the housing and the aerodynamic panel configured to be offset from each other when the end cap is mounted to a container such that when the container is moving, the housing is outside of the container and air flows first over one of either the housing or the aerodynamic panel and then over the other of the housing or the aerodynamic panel;
- and
- a tarp tensioning mechanism mounted to the housing.
An end cap comprising:
- a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion and a second side portion;
- an aerodynamic panel having an upper surface extending from the front portion upwardly and toward the rear portion to an apex;
- a trough formed in the upper surface of the aerodynamic panel, the trough extending between the first side portion and the second side portion and sized to receive an edge of a flexible cover;
- and
- a ridge located between the trough and the rear portion, the ridge having a height higher than the apex of the upper surface of the aerodynamic panel.
An aerodynamic end cap for reducing air turbulence associated with movement of a container comprising:
- a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion and a second side portion;
- an aerodynamic panel having an upper surface extending from the front portion upwardly and toward the rear portion;
- a housing for a tarp tensioning mechanism, the housing adjacent the aerodynamic panel and positioned such that when the end cap is mounted to a moving container the aerodynamic panel extends upwardly and horizontally away from the housing such that at least a portion of the housing is not directly below the upper surface of the aerodynamic panel and air flow over the aerodynamic panel is not disturbed by the housing;
- and
- a tarp tensioning mechanism located at least partially within the housing and mounted to the housing.
An end cap for a container tarping system comprising:
- a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion and a second side portion;
- an aerodynamic panel having an upper surface extending from the front portion upwardly and toward the rear portion;
- a trough formed in the upper surface of the aerodynamic panel, the trough extending between the first side portion and the second side portion and sized to receive an edge of a flexible cover;
- and
- a ridge having a front rim, the ridge located between the rear portion of the end cap and the trough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.