Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roll-up covers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-04
2001-06-26
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roll-up covers
C296S100010, C296S100150, C296S100160
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250709
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 or other elevator mechanism. In one embodiment, a 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 one version of this 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 using a pull rope attached to one end of the cover. A motor may be provided to assist the operator in extending the cover and/or taking up any excess cover length when securing the cover over the container. 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. 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 or other signals generated by a wireless remote control.
In a second embodiment the cover storage assembly is mounted on a dump truck body, the mounting of which may include a hoist or elevator mechanism for raising the assembly above the top of the body. The cover may be unrolled manually or via motor power and the cover may be withdrawn or re-rolled into the assembly by motor operated or spring operated roller.
In a third embodiment, the cover storage assembly is mounted on the cab end of the tilt frame of a container truck. The tilt frame in its raised position provides elevation of the storage assembly without need for a separate hoist mechanism. As in the other embodiments the roller may be manually operable or motor driven to unroll and re-roll the cover, or the roller may be spring loaded for re-rolling of the cover.
When a spring loaded roller is employed or when a long cover is employed such as for long containers, the amount of force necessary to withdraw the cover from the storage assembly over the container may be more than an operator can comfortably provide. In a spring mounted roller the spring tension increases as the cover is unwound from the roller thereby requiring more and more force to completely unfurl the cover over the container. In such circumstances, any of the embodiments described above can employ a capstan, block and tackle or other device providing a mechanical advantage to reduce the amount of force required on the part of the operator to deploy the cover.
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 a mechanism for securing the pull rope during and/or after unfurling of the cover.
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: 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: 5031955 (1991-07-01), Searfoss
patent: 5054840 (1991-10-01), Wilhite
patent: 5125713 (1992-06-01), Willingham et al.
patent: 5179991 (1993-01-01), Haddad, Jr.
patent: 5205605 (1993-04-01), Haddad
patent: 5238287 (1993-08-01), Haddad
patent: 5303972 (1994-04-01), Heider et al.
patent: 5340187 (1994-08-01), Haddad, Jr.
patent: 5697664 (1997-12-01), Chenowth
patent: 5823604 (1998-10-01), Chenowth
patent: 5957523 (1999-09-01), Haddad, Jr.
patent: 581512 (1994-02-01), None
patent: 2 288 581 (1995-10-01), None
patent: 131835 (1987-06-01), None
patent: 173740 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 98/05527 (1998-02-01), 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
Vehicle mounted 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 Vehicle mounted covering system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle mounted covering system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2464896