Automated cover system for vehicle-mounted containers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle-mountable self-contained system for operating a retractable cover with respect to an open top container or truck body mounted on a vehicle to cover and uncover the container or truck body comprising:
- (a) a flexible cover configured to cover an open top transport container of interest, the cover having a first end attached to a retracting storage source and a free end;
(b) a support structure designed to be mounted on a vehicle at one end of a container or truck body to be covered, as located on said vehicle, said support structure having a base section and a mast section, the height of the mast section being adjustable with respect to the base section and a lift mechanism fixed with respect to the base section and operable to adjust the height of the mast section, said mast section having a cover support for the cover as retracted and said mast being connected to the free end of said cover;
(c) a deployment mechanism for extending and retracting said flexible cover, said deployment mechanism further comprising a pair of spaced pivotally mounted articulated arms, one arm disposed on each side of a container to be covered, a drive mechanism connected to pivot each of said arms, each arm having a plurality of segments, including a segment of adjustable length having a locking mechanism and having a free end generally connected such that pivoting said arms moves said storage source to extend and retract said flexible cover;
(d) a hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to operate the system;
(e) a control system for controlling the operation of the system; and
(f) wherein said self-contained system requires only a source of electric power from a vehicle on which it is mounted to operate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained, vehicle-mounted system for operating a retractable cover with respect to proximate open top containers transported by the vehicle to cover and uncover the containers. The system includes all of the items necessary to accomplish the covering and uncovering of a container and needs only to be mounted on the vehicle and connected to a source of electric power on the vehicle.
47 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vehicle-mountable self-contained system for operating a retractable cover with respect to an open top container or truck body mounted on a vehicle to cover and uncover the container or truck body comprising:
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(a) a flexible cover configured to cover an open top transport container of interest, the cover having a first end attached to a retracting storage source and a free end; (b) a support structure designed to be mounted on a vehicle at one end of a container or truck body to be covered, as located on said vehicle, said support structure having a base section and a mast section, the height of the mast section being adjustable with respect to the base section and a lift mechanism fixed with respect to the base section and operable to adjust the height of the mast section, said mast section having a cover support for the cover as retracted and said mast being connected to the free end of said cover; (c) a deployment mechanism for extending and retracting said flexible cover, said deployment mechanism further comprising a pair of spaced pivotally mounted articulated arms, one arm disposed on each side of a container to be covered, a drive mechanism connected to pivot each of said arms, each arm having a plurality of segments, including a segment of adjustable length having a locking mechanism and having a free end generally connected such that pivoting said arms moves said storage source to extend and retract said flexible cover; (d) a hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to operate the system; (e) a control system for controlling the operation of the system; and (f) wherein said self-contained system requires only a source of electric power from a vehicle on which it is mounted to operate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A load-hauling vehicle for loading, unloading and transporting large open-topped containers comprising a self-contained system for operating a retractable cover with respect to an open top container or truck body as mounted on said vehicle to cover and uncover the container further comprising:
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(a) a flexible cover configured to cover an open top transport container of interest, the cover having a first end attached to a retracting storage source and a free end; (b) a support structure designed to be mounted on a vehicle at one end of a container or truck body to be covered, as located on said vehicle, said support structure having a base section and a mast section, the height of the mast section being adjustable with respect to the base section and a lift mechanism fixed with respect to the base section and operable to adjust the height of the mast section, said mast section having a cover support for the cover as retracted and said mast being connected to the free end of said cover; (c) a deployment mechanism for extending and retracting said flexible cover, said deployment mechanism further comprising a pair of spaced pivotally mounted articulated arms, one arm disposed on each side of a container to be covered, a drive mechanism connected to pivot each of said arms, each arm having a plurality of segments, including a segment of adjustable length having a locking mechanism and having a free end generally connected such that pivoting said arms moves said storage source to extend and retract said flexible cover; (d) a hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to operate the system; (e) a control system for controlling the operation of the system; and (f) wherein said self-contained system requires only a source of electric power from a vehicle on which it is mounted to operate.
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Specification