Tarpaulin system for covering an open-topped container
AssigneeSmith Patents, L.L.C.
InventorFred P. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tarpaulin system for covering an open top container typically mounted on a truck includes a four-bar linkage wherein one of the bars is extendable and typically a first linear actuator. A tarpaulin is windingly mounted on the linkage and a second actuator is connected to the four-bar linkage in order to provide primary movement of the linkage. The tarpaulin is movable between a stowed position between the cab of a truck and the front of the container to a deployed position adjacent the rear of the container in order to cover the open top of the container. The four-bar linkage allows the tarpaulin to move from the stowed axis Forwardly toward the cab and upwardly above the container by operation of the second actuator without use of the first actuator.
Claims31
A tarpaulin system comprising:
- a pair of side assemblies, each side assembly comprising
- a mounting base;
- a first arm;
- a second arm;
- a first pivot for pivotally mounting the first arm to the mounting base;
- a second pivot for pivotally mounting the second arm to the mounting base;
- a tarpaulin arm;
- a third pivot for pivotally mounting the tarpaulin arm to the first arm;
- a fourth pivot for pivotally mounting the tarpaulin arm to the second arm;
- and
- a tarpaulin carried by the tarpaulin arm.
A process for covering an open top container comprising:
- positioning a tarpaulin roll forward of the container and below the top thereof;
- and
- moving the tarpaulin roll forward of the container and upwardly toward the top of the container;
- and
- in which the step of moving further includes the step of actuating an arm assembly positioned on either side of the container by way of a first linear actuator associated with each arm assembly;
- moving the tarpaulin roll back toward the container over the top thereof with one of the first linear actuator, a second linear actuator and both the first and second linear actuators.
A tarpaulin system movable between a stowed-position and a deployed position, the system comprising:
- a pair of arm assemblies, each assembly comprising:
- a four-bar linkage wherein the four bars are interconnected at four pivotal connections which define a four-sided geometric shape;
- a first actuator for moving at least one of the four bars to alter the geometric shape;
- and
- a tarpaulin mounted on the four-bar linkage wherein the tarpaulin is adapted to move between the stowed position and the deployed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.