Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roll-up covers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-03-27
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roll-up covers
C296S100010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206448
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to transport container covers and more particularly to a system for manipulating a truck mounted container cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Covers for transport containers, as found in or used with trucks, trailers and other transport vehicles, are necessary for many reasons. For example, such covers reduce the likelihood that the load being carried escapes, and also protect the load from the elements. Typically these covers are large and heavy, and therefore manipulating them manually is very difficult. Accordingly, various automated systems for manipulating transport container covers have been developed.
Some existing systems for manipulating truck container covers include telescopic arms deployed on opposite sides of the container to be covered. These arms are used to open and close the cover over the top of the container. Such systems may deploy the cover by extending the telescopic arms along the sides of the container. An example of such an existing system including a cover housing mounted on a retractable gantry is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,287, filed Aug. 14, 1992, of Edward N. Haddad, Jr.
While generally effective, covering systems including side mounted telescopic arms are not appropriate for all situations. For example, when a container being covered must be maneuvered in a relatively small area, the amount of clearance beyond the sides of the transport container may be minimal. In that circumstance, arms disposed beyond the sides of the container limit the maneuverability of the transport vehicle. Side mounted telescopic arms are also relatively expensive, and are susceptible to damage from inadvertent contact with walls or other vehicles.
For these reasons and others, it would be desirable to have a new system for covering a transport container. The new system should be conveniently operable by a single user, and should eliminate the need for any telescoping arms mounted to the sides of the container to be covered.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with principles of the invention, there is disclosed a new system for manipulating a transport container cover using a variable height gantry. The variable height gantry supports an assembly for storing the cover and a clutch mechanism which operates to put the assembly for storing the cover into a freewheel mode. The gantry height is adjustable to a raised position such that the cover may be extended out of the storage assembly at a point above the top of the transport container. The system enables an operator to conveniently extend the cover over the top of the transport container when the gantry is in the raised position. In a first embodiment, the assembly for storing the cover is put into the freewheel mode and then the cover may be manually extended over the container by the operator. A motor is provided in the first embodiment to assist the operator in withdrawing the cover and/or taking up any excess cover length when securing the cover.
In a second embodiment, a bi-directional motor is provided to also assist in extending the cover out from the storage assembly, while the operator guides the cover over the top of the container, as well as in withdrawing the cover and/or taking up any excess cover length.
Alternatively, the present system may be embodied without a motor. In such alternative embodiments, a hand crank or spring loaded roller may be included as part of the assembly for storing the cover.
After the cover is extended out from the storage assembly, the operator uses an attachment mechanism on the end of the cover to secure it down over the top of the container. The gantry may be adjusted to a lower position for transporting the covered container.
The system is operable to withdraw the cover when the gantry is in its raised position. The gantry height may be adjusted hydraulically in response to a switch or lever, and the motor and clutch mechanism may be operated through radio signals generated by a wireless remote control.
Another feature of the disclosed system is a pair of independently mounted feeders which axially swivel to guide the cover to and from the storage assembly as the cover is withdrawn or extended. The feeders for example operate in conjunction with a rope or wire rope attached to the outside edges of the cover. The feeders accommodate variations in height between the outside edges of the cover.
Other aspects of the illustrative embodiment include a stiffening tube at the end of the cover to provide stability along its width and an alarm operable to alert an operator when the gantry is raised.
Thus there is provided a new system for covering a transport container. The disclosed cover system does not extend significantly beyond the profile of the container during transport, thus allowing good maneuverability of the transport vehicle carrying or embodying the container. The disclosed system further does not require costly side mounted telescoping arms, and can accommodate a variety of container heights. The disclosed system is also conveniently operable by a single user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3549197 (1970-12-01), Sibley
patent: 3774958 (1973-11-01), Thorpe
patent: 3868142 (1975-02-01), Bachand et al.
patent: 4050734 (1977-09-01), Richard
patent: 4341416 (1982-07-01), Richard
patent: 4516802 (1985-05-01), Compton
patent: 4740029 (1988-04-01), Tuerk
patent: 4842323 (1989-06-01), Trickett
patent: 4848823 (1989-07-01), Flohr et al.
patent: 5031955 (1991-07-01), Searfoss
patent: 5054840 (1991-10-01), Wilhite
patent: 5179991 (1993-01-01), Haddad
patent: 5205605 (1993-04-01), Haddad
patent: 5238287 (1993-08-01), Haddad
patent: 5292169 (1994-03-01), O'Brian
patent: 5303972 (1994-04-01), Heider et al.
patent: 5340187 (1994-08-01), Haddad
patent: 5697664 (1997-12-01), Chenowth
patent: 5823604 (1998-10-01), Chenowth
patent: 5829819 (1998-11-01), Searfoss
patent: 5957523 (1999-09-01), Haddad, Jr.
patent: 6089645 (2000-07-01), Haddad, Jr.
patent: 581512 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 131835 (1987-06-01), None
patent: 173740 (1988-07-01), None
Publication: Do It Right with Roll Rite, Tarp Systems and Components, 1996 Roll-Rite Corporation Printed in the U.S.A. (4 pp.).
Pape Joseph D.
Pioneer Consolidated Corporation
Weingarten, Schurgin Gagnebin & Hayes LLP
LandOfFree
Variable height covering system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Variable height covering system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Variable height covering system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2496556