EP4658532A2

EP4658532A2 - Cover system for a transportable container

Info

Publication number: EP4658532A2
Application number: EP24751191.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Barry DUES; Ryan HORGAN; Daniel KOTECKI
Original assignee: Roll Rite LLC
Current assignee: Roll Rite LLC
Priority date: 2023-02-03
Filing date: 2024-02-05
Publication date: 2025-12-10
Also published as: WO2024164010A3; WO2024164010A2; AU2024215192A1

Abstract

A cover system for covering a transportable container. The cover system comprises a base assembly, an arm assembly, and a flexible cover. The base assembly comprises a housing member and a housing pulley rotatably coupled to the housing member. The arm assembly is pivotably coupled to the base assembly and pivotable about a pivot axis. The arm assembly comprises a pivot frame, an arm pulley coupled to the pivot frame, a center pulley arranged on the pivot axis, a biasing member coupled to the pivot frame, and a flexible tension element. The flexible tension element has a first end and a second end, the first end is coupled to the pivot frame and the second end is coupled to the biasing member. The biasing member exerts a tension force on the flexible tension element that urges the center pulley out of engagement with the flexible tension element.

Description

COVER SYSTEM FOR A TRANSPORTABLE CONTAINER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The subject patent application claims priority to, and all the benefits of, United States Provisional Patent Application JN 63/443,075, filed on February 3, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many trucks, particularly those transporting bulk materials in an open-topped container, need a cover to prevent material from being blown out of the container during transportation. Various cover systems have been devised for covering the open-top of a container, such as a dump bed, attached to the truck or to a trailer. Some such systems utilize a pair of arms pivotably mounted to the open-top container to unroll a tarp from one end of the container to the opposite end.

[0003] Trucks that transport containers that are intended to be removed from the truck, such as bulk refuse containers, generally utilize a cover system that is attached to the truck. These cover systems may utilize a cover system that is biased using a torsion or clock spring, however, the biasing force of the spring varies according to the position of the cover, resulting in a very high force when the cover is stowed and a low force when the cover is deployed.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a cover system is provided for covering a transportable container. The cover system comprises a base assembly, an arm assembly, and a flexible cover. The base assembly comprises a housing member and a housing pulley rotatably coupled to the housing member. The arm assembly is coupled to the base assembly and pivotable about a pivot axis relative to the base assembly. The arm assembly comprises a pivot frame, an arm pulley, a center pulley, a biasing member, and a flexible tension element. The pivot frame is supported for pivoting movement about the pivot axis. The arm pulley is coupled to the pivot frame and radially spaced from the pivot axis. The center pulley is arranged on the pivot axis. The biasing member is coupled to the pivot frame. The flexible tension element has a first end and a second end, the first end is coupled to the pivot frame and the second end is coupled to the biasing member. The biasing member exerts a tension force on the flexible tension element that urges the center pulley out of engagement with the flexible tension element. The flexible cover has a first end coupled to the arm assembly. [0005] In another aspect, a cover system for covering a transportable container is provided. The cover system comprises a flexible cover, a base assembly, an arm assembly, and a biasing member. The arm assembly is pivotally coupled to the base assembly for pivoting movement about a pivot axis. The flexible cover has a first end coupled to the arm assembly and is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position covering the transportable container. The biasing member is coupled to the arm assembly and arranged to exert a biasing force on the arm assembly to urge the flexible cover toward the deployed position. The biasing member exerts an equal biasing force on the arm assembly when the flexible cover is in the stowed position and when the flexible cover is in the deployed position.

[0006] Any of the above aspects can be combined in full or in part. Any features of the above aspects can be combined in full or in part. Any of the above implementations for any aspect can be combined with any other aspect. Any of the above implementations can be combined with any other implementation whether for the same aspect or a different aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0008] FIG. l is a perspective view of a cover system for a transportable container assembled onto a truck, according to one implementation of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cover system assembled onto the truck of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another implementation of the cover system of FIG. 1 showing an arm assembly and a base assembly having a rail and a carriage.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the base assembly and the arm assembly of the cover system of FIG. 3.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional side view of the base assembly and the arm assembly of the cover system of FIG. 4.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cover system of FIG. 3 showing a biasing assembly of the arm assembly.

[0014] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the biasing assembly of FIG. 6 showing a biasing member.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a close-up end view of the base assembly and the arm assembly of FIG. 3. [0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the base assembly and arm assembly of FIG. 3 with a portion of the arm assembly removed to show a flexible tension element.

[0017] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the arm assembly of FIG. 4 with the arm in a stowed position.

[0018] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the arm assembly of FIG. 4 with the arm in an intermediate partially deployed position.

[0019] FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view of the arm assembly of FIG. 4 with the arm in a deployed position.

[0020] FIG. 11 A is a perspective view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 3 with the cover in the stowed position.

[0021] FIG. 1 IB is a perspective view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 3 with the cover in the intermediate partially deployed position.

[0022] FIG. 11C is a perspective view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 3 with the cover in the deployed position.

[0023] FIG. 12A is a side view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 11 A with the cover in the stowed position.

[0024] FIG. 12B is a side view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 1 IB with the cover in the intermediate partially deployed position.

[0025] FIG. 12C is a side view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 11C with the cover in the deployed position.

[0026] FIG. 13A is a rear view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 11A with the cover in the stowed position.

[0027] FIG. 13B is a rear view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 11B with the cover in the intermediate partially deployed position.

[0028] FIG. 13C is a rear view of the cover system and truck of FIG. 11C with the cover in the deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIGS. 1-13C illustrate components of a cover system 100 for covering a rear portion of a truck 104, according to implementations described herein. Directional references employed or shown in the description, figures, or claims, such as top, bottom, upper, lower, upward, downward, lengthwise, widthwise, left, right, and the like, are relative terms employed for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any respect. Referring to the Figures, like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0030] A first exemplary implementation of the cover system 100 is shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover system 100 includes a flexible cover 106, such as a tarp, for covering an open-top transportable container 108 supported on a hoist frame 102 attached to the rear portion of the truck 104. The hoist frame 102 supports the transportable container 108 and facilitates loading the unloading the transportable container 108 using a cable or hook hoist (not shown). The flexible cover 106 is shown partially deployed over the hoist frame 102 in FIG. 1. The cover system 100 includes a winding assembly 110 fixedly coupled to an extendable tower 112 attached to the truck 104. The tower 112 is operable between a lowered position (for example, FIG. 12A) and a raised position (for example, FIG. 12B) to adjust a height of the winding assembly 110 above the hoist frame 102 of the truck 104. The height of the tower 112 may be adjusted during the course of operation (described below) to facilitate deploying and/or stowing the cover 106. Additionally, the height of the tower 112 may be adjusted to accommodate transportable containers 108 having different heights (not shown). The winding assembly 110 is operatively coupled to a proximal end of the cover 106 for winding and storing the cover 106. The winding assembly 110 may be powered by a motor to wind the cover 106 over a spool, which extends the width of the cover 106.

[0031] The cover system 100 also includes a transverse arm 114, opposing arm assemblies 116, and a pair of base assemblies 117. In this first implementation of the cover system 100, each arm assembly 116 is coupled to one of the base assemblies 117, which are configured to be coupled to opposite sides of the truck 104. A distal end of the cover 106 is fixedly coupled to the transverse arm 114. Opposing ends of the transverse arm 114 are fixedly coupled to an upper end of the respective arm assembly 116. In FIG. 2, a bottom view of the truck 104 with the cover 106 in a fully deployed position is shown. Here, the base assemblies 117 are supported on transverse beams 126 attached to the truck 104.

[0032] In a second implementation of the cover system 100, shown in FIGS. 3-13C, the cover system 100 may be a sliding cover system. Here, the base assembly 117 may include a pair of carriage assemblies 118, a pair of pivot assemblies 120, a pair of rails 122, and a pair of cylinders 124. Similar to the implementation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base assembly 117 of FIG. 3 may be supported on the transverse arms 126 (FIG. 2) of the truck 104. The lower end of each arm assembly 1 16 is pivotably coupled to a respective carriage assembly 118 via the associated pivot assembly 120. The carriage assembly 118 is slidably coupled to the associated rail 122 extending longitudinally along the hoist frame 102 of the truck 104. The cylinders 124 are connected to the associated carriage assembly 118 and develop a force along a plane defined by the rails 122 to slide the carriage assemblies 118 along the rails 122. The arm assemblies 116 are slidable and pivotable to move the cover 106 over the hoist frame 102 of the truck 104 from a stowed position proximate a front end of the hoist frame 102 to a deployed position proximate a rear end of the hoist frame 102. A stop 128 is attached to each end of the rails 122 to restrict movement of the carriage assembly 118 along the associated rail 122. Also shown in FIG. 3, one end of the cylinder 124 is fixedly coupled to the carriage assembly 118 at location 130. As will be discussed in further detail below, the carriage assemblies 118, rails 122, and cylinders 124 may be utilized to adjust the location of a pivot axis 177 of the arm assembly 116 relative to the truck 104 by moving the carriage assembly 118 forward or rearward. During the course of operation, the carriage assembly 118 may be slid forward or rearward to facilitate deploying and/or stowing the cover 106. Additionally, the location of the carriage assembly 118 may be adjusted to accommodate transportable containers 108 having different lengths (not shown).

[0033] Turning to FIGS. 4-7, the cover system 100 also includes a biasing assembly 132 fixedly coupled to the arm assembly 116. In the exemplary implementation illustrated herein, the biasing assembly 132 includes two biasing members 134 arranged in parallel. Other implementations of the biasing assembly 132 may utilize additional or fewer biasing members 134.

[0034] The biasing assembly 132 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, the biasing members 134 are gas springs. More specifically, the biasing assembly 132 includes a biasing member 134 having a piston rod 136 operatively coupled to a cylinder 138. Each biasing member 134 has a first end 142 and a movable second end 140. The first end 142 is coupled to a pivot frame 168, 170 (discussed below) and the second end 140 is coupled to a flexible tension element 198 (discussed below). Here, the biasing member 132 is arranged such that the first end 142 is the piston rod 136 and the second end 140 is the cylinder 138. In addition, the first ends of the piston rods 136 and the second ends of the cylinders 138 include threaded shafts. The biasing assembly 132 also includes upper and lower gas spring carriers 144, 148. Each of the gas spring carriers 144, 148 include laterally spaced apart apertures 150, 152 and a centrally-located passageway 154 extending axially through the gas spring carriers 144, 148. In addition, the biasing assembly 132 includes washers 156, upper binding barrels 158, and lower binding barrels 160. The upper gas spring carrier 144 includes two laterally spaced apart apertures 150 and the lower gas spring carrier 148 includes two laterally spaced apart apertures 152.

[0035] As the pivot assembly 120 moves between the stowed position and the deployed position the biasing assembly 132 likewise moves between a compressed position and an extended position. When the pivot assembly 120 is in the stowed position the biasing assembly 132 is in the compressed position, with the piston rod 136 of each biasing member 134 compressed into the corresponding cylinder 138. Similarly, when the pivot assembly 120 is in the deployed position the biasing assembly 132 is in the extended position, with the piston rod 136 of each biasing member 134 extended from the corresponding cylinder 138. Because the biasing members 134 shown here are implemented as gas springs, the biasing force of each biasing member 134 is constant as the biasing assembly 132 moves between the extended position and the compressed position. Said differently, the biasing force of the biasing members 134 when the biasing assembly is in the extended position is substantially the same as the biasing force of the biasing members 134 when the biasing assembly 134 is in the compressed position. Because the biasing force is constant, the force biasing the pivot assembly 120 toward the deployed position is the same at every position of the arm assembly 116. The constant biasing force allows the arm assembly 116 to apply constant tension to the cover 106 in the deployed position, which prevents the cover 106 from moving or sailing in the wind as the container 108 is being transported. Similarly, the constant biasing force prevents the tension on the cover 106 from becoming too high when the cover 106 is in the stowed position.

[0036] To assemble the biasing assembly 132, the lower ends of the cylinders 138 are inserted into the upper end of the respective apertures 150, 152 in the lower gas spring carrier 148. Next, the lower binding barrels 160 are inserted into the lower end of the respective apertures 150, 152, and fastened to the threaded ends at the second end 140 of each cylinder 138. Next, the upper ends of the piston rods 136 are inserted through the openings in the washers 156 and into a lower end of the respective apertures 150, 152 in the upper gas spring carrier 144. Finally, the upper binding barrels 158 are inserted into the upper end of the respective apertures 150, 152 and fastened to the respective upper ends of the piston rods 136. [0037] Depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6, each arm assembly 116 further comprises an elongate member 164 coupled to the pivot assembly 120 and extending to a distal end 165. The biasing assembly 132 is generally arranged inside the elongate member 164 with the lower end of the biasing assembly 132 inserted into a pocket tube 162 fixedly coupled to the arm assembly 116. The upper gas spring carrier 144 is inserted into a slot 166 (FIG. 4) in the arm assembly 116. The upper gas spring carrier 144 is configured to travel along the slot 166 in response to changing loads on the biasing assembly 132.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3-8, and FIG. 3 in particular, the pivot assembly 120 comprises a pair of axially spaced pivot frames 168, 170. The pivot frames 168, 170 are coupled to the elongate member 164 such that the elongate member 164 extends from the pivot frames 164 to the distal end 165. Similarly to the pivot assembly 120, the base assembly 117 comprises a pair of axially spaced housing members 172, 174, and a pivot shaft 176. The pivot shaft 176 defines a pivot axis 177 around which the arm assembly 116 is pivotable. The arm assembly 116 is coupled to the base assembly 117 and pivotable about the pivot axis 177 relative to the base assembly 117. More specifically, the pivot frames 168, 170 are supported on the pivot shaft 176 for pivoting movement about the pivot axis 177. Said differently, the pivot frames 168, 170 are pivotably coupled to the housing members 172, 174 by the pivot shaft 176, which extends laterally between the housing members 172, 174 and through the pivot frames 168, 170. Further, a lower end of the housing members 172, 174 are attached to the carriage assembly 118 by fasteners 178.

[0039] The pivot assembly 120 is a torque multiplying device and includes a pulley system 180. The pulley system 180 comprises a center pulley 182, an arm pulley 184, and a housing pulley 186, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8-10C. The center pulley 182 is arranged on the pivot axis 177 between the opposing pivot frames 168, 170 and supported by the pivot shaft 176. The center pulley 182 may include two axially spaced pulleys, a first axially spaced pulley 232 and a second axially spaced pulley 230, as shown in FIG. 8. The first axially spaced pulley 232 and the second axially spaced pulley 230 are spaced from each other axially along the pivot axis 177 and able to rotate in opposite directions. The arm pulley 184 is pivotably supported on a bracket shaft 188 passing axially through the arm pulley 184 such that the arm pulley 184 is arranged between the opposing pivot frames 168, 170. The bracket shaft 188 has opposing ends fixedly coupled to the pivot frames 168, 170 such that the bracket shaft 188 is generally parallel to and radially spaced from the pivot shaft 176. The housing pulley 186 is pivotably supported on a housing shaft 190 passing axially through the housing pulley 186 such that the housing pulley 186 is arranged between the housing members 172, 174. The housing shaft 190 has opposing ends fixedly coupled to the housing members 172, 174 such that the housing shaft 190 is generally parallel to and radially spaced from the pivot shaft 176. In addition, each pivot assembly 120 may further include a bumper 192 supported by a bumper pin 194 extending axially through the bumper 192 and having ends fixedly coupled to the opposing housing members 172, 174. The bumper 192 is configured to restrict pivoting movement of the arm assembly 116 as the cover 106 is moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. The pivot assemblies 120 also include a support pin 196 having ends fixedly coupled to the opposing pivot frames 168, 170.

[0040] As mentioned above, the pivot assembly 120 is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position and more specifically, the pivot frame 168, 170 pivots about the pivot axis 177 between the corresponding stowed position and deployed position. As such, the components coupled to the pivot frame 168, 170 pivot about the pivot axis 177 in a coordinated manner. Specifically, the arm pulley 184 is movable between a first position and a second position. The arm pulley 184 moves along an arcuate path around the pivot axis 177 and the center pulley 182. The arm pulley 184 moves relative to both the center pulley 182 and the housing pulley 186, with the arm pulley 184 moving from one side of the center pulley 182 relative to the housing pulley 186 to the opposite side of the center pulley 182. More specifically, as the arm pulley 184 moves around the center pulley 182, the center pulley 182 passes between the arm pulley 184 and the housing pulley 186 as the pivot frame 168, 170 pivots between the stowed position and the deployed position. Best shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, the arm pulley 184 is on a first side of the center pulley 182 relative to the housing pulley 186 in FIG. 10A. In FIG. 10B the center pulley 182 is between the arm pulley 184 and the housing pulley 186, and in FIG 10C, the arm pulley 184 is on a second side of the center pulley 182 relative to the housing pulley 186.

[0041] When the arm pulley 184 is in the first position (FIG. 10A), the arm pulley 184 is spaced a first distance from the housing pulley 186 and when the arm pulley 184 is in the second position (FIG. 10C) the arm pulley 184 is spaced a second distance from the housing pulley 186. The arm pulley 184 may further be moved into an intermediated position (FIG. 10B) between the first position and the second position in which the arm pulley 184 is spaced a third distance from the housing pulley 186. The third distance is greater than the first distance and the second. Said differently, the arm pulley 184 is spaced a greater distance from the housing pulley in the intermediate position than in either the first position or the second position.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 9-10C, the cover system 100 further comprises a flexible tension element 198 having a first end 200 and a second end 204 and a length extending between the first end 200 and the second end 204. The first end 200 of the flexible tension element 198 is fixedly coupled to the support pin 196 by a first cable swage 202, as shown in FIG. 10A, and the second end 204 of the flexible tension element 198 is fixedly coupled to the biasing assembly 132 by a second cable swage 206, as shown in FIG. 6. In this way, the first end 200 of the flexible tension element 198 is coupled to the pivot frame 60, 62 and the second end 204 of the flexible tension element 198 is coupled to the biasing assembly 132. The flexible tension element 198 may be a metal tension element, such as the cable shown here, or a cable or rope constructed from a non- metallic material such as a polymer. Other implementations of the flexible tension element are contemplated such as a wire rope, a chain, a belt, and the like.

[0043] The flexible tension element 198 is coupled to the upper gas spring carrier 144, which is housed inside the arm assembly 116. The routing of the flexible tension element 198 is illustrated with the pivot assembly 120 in various positions in more detail in FIGS. 10A-10C. More specifically, in FIG. 10A, the pivot assembly 120 is shown in the stowed position; in FIG. 10B, the pivot assembly 120 is shown in an intermediate position between the stowed position and the deployed position; and in FIG. 10C, the pivot assembly 120 is shown in the deployed position. Referring to FIGS. 9- 10C, the flexible tension element 198 is routed partially around the arm pulley 184, wraps partially around the center pulley 182, and wraps around the housing pulley 186. Next, the flexible tension element 198 wraps around the arm pulley 184 followed by wrapping around the housing pulley 186. Finally, the first end 200 of the flexible tension element 198 is fixedly coupled to the support pin 196 at the first cable swage 202. The flexible tension element 198 is routed from the first end 200 to engage the center pulley 182, the housing pulley 186, the center pulley 182, and the arm pulley 184. Said differently, along the length of the flexible tension element 198 from the first end 200 to the second end 204, the flexible tension element 198 engages the center pulley 182, the housing pulley 186, the center pulley 182, and the arm pulley 184 in order.

[0044] As mentioned above and best shown in FIG. 8, the center pulley 182 may include the first axially spaced pulley 232 and the second axially spaced pulley 230, and each of the first axially spaced pulley 232 and the second axially spaced pulley 230 is configured to engage with the flexible tension element 198. The flexible tension element 198 engages with the center pulley 182 in a first location and a second location spaced apart by engagement with the housing pulley 186. Engagement between the flexible tension element 198 and the center pulley 182 at the first location is with the first axially spaced pulley 232 and engagement between the flexible tension element 198 and the center pulley 182 at the second location is with the second axially spaced pulley 230.

[0045] Similar to the arm pulley 184 described above, the first end 200 of the flexible tension element 198 moves between a first position and a second position as the pivot frame 168, 170 pivots between the stowed position and the deployed position. The first end 200 of the flexible tension element 198 is spaced a first distance from the housing pulley 186 in the first position and spaced a second distance from the housing pulley 186 in the second position. The first end 200 of the flexible tension element 198 is spaced a third distance from the housing pulley 186 in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. The third distance is greater than either the first distance or the second distance.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the second end 204 of the flexible tension element 198 is routed through a passageway in the bottom of the pocket tube 162 and through the passageways 154 in the lower and upper gas spring carriers 148, 144. Finally, the second cable swage 206 is fixedly coupled to the upper gas spring carrier 144. The tension in the flexible tension element 198 holds the biasing assembly 132 in place within the pocket tube 162. Rotational torque is maintained by the flexible tension element 198 throughout the entire travel radius of the arm assemblies 116. As a result, full system torque is available to hold the cover 106 in the deployed position.

[0047] As mentioned above, the pivot assembly 120 moves between the stowed position and the deployed position and the biasing assembly 132 moves in a corresponding manner between a compressed position and an extended position, with the biasing assembly 132 being biased toward the extended position. Linear biasing force from the biasing members 134 is translated to rotational torque on the arm assembly 116 through tension in the flexible tension element 198 and the pulley system 180. Movement of the arm assembly 116 and the pivot assembly 120 between the stowed position and the deployed position causes operates the pulley system 180 to effect a corresponding change the engagement between the flexible tension element 198 and the center pulley 182. In the implementation of the pulley system 180 illustrated herein, engagement between the flexible tension element 198 and the center pulley 182 varies between a minimum engagement (FIG. 1 OC) and a maximum engagement (FIG. 10A). Here, engagement between the flexible tension element 198 and the center pulley 182 refers to the amount or degree to which the flexible tension element 198 is wrapped around the circumference of the center pulley 182. For example, the flexible tension element 198 is less engaged with the center pulley 182 when the flexible tension element 198 is wrapped 45 degrees than when the flexible tension element 198 is wrapped 120 degrees. Movement of the center pulley 182 into engagement with the flexible tension element 198 refers to increasing the amount or degree of engagement. Likewise, movement of the center pulley 182 out of engagement with the flexible tension element 198 refers to decreasing the amount or degree of engagement.

[0048] Tension force in the flexible tension element 198 urges the flexible tension element 198 toward a straight configuration. With renewed reference to FIGS. 10A-10C, the implementation of the pulley system 180 illustrated herein is arranged such that the movable center pulley 182 is on an opposite side of the flexible tension element 198 as the arm pulley 184 and the housing pulley 186. As such, tension in the flexible tension element 198 urges the center pulley 182 out of engagement with the flexible tension element 198. Alternative implementations of the pulley system 180 (not shown) may be arranged such that the movable center pulley 182 is arranged on the same side of the flexible tension element 198 as the arm pulley 184 and the housing pulley 186. In such an arrangement tension in the flexible tension element 198 urges the center pulley 182 into engagement with the flexible tension element 198.

[0049] Movement of the arm assembly 116 and the pivot assembly 120 from the deployed position (FIG. 10C) toward the stowed position (FIG. 10A) moves the biasing members 134 from the extended position toward the compressed position. The biasing force of the biasing members 134 toward the compressed position exerts a tension force on the flexible tension element 198 that urges the center pulley 182 out of engagement with the flexible tension element 198. The tension force urging the center pulley 182 out of engagement with the flexible tension element 198 creates a rotational torque on the arm assembly 116 that biases the arm assembly 116 away from the stowed position and toward the deployed position.

[0050] The operation of the cover system 100 is described in more detail in reference to FIGS. 10A-13C. More specifically, FIGS. 10A, 11A, 12A, and 13A show the cover system 100 in the stowed position with the cover 106 stowed in the winding assembly 110. FIGS. 10C, 11C, 12C, and 13C show the cover system 100 in the deployed position with the cover 106 extended over the top of the transportable container 108. FIGS. 10B, 1 IB, 12B, and 13B show the cover system 100 in an intermediate position with the cover 106 partially extended over the top of the transportable container 108.

[0051] Starting from the stowed position, to deploy the cover system 100 over a transportable container 108, the arm assemblies 116 are pivoted toward the rear of the truck 104 while the cover 106 is unwound from the winding assembly 110. Specifically, the cover system 100 begins in the stowed position shown in FIGS. 11A, 12A, and 13A with the tower 112 in the lowered position, the carriage assembly 118 in the rearward position, the arm assemblies 116 pivoted forward to the stowed position, and the cover 106 wound into the winding assembly 110. Additionally, in this position the biasing members 134 are in the compressed position, as described above. To deploy the cover system 100, the various components are operated into the positions shown in FIGS. 1 IB, 12B, and 13B to place the cover system 100 into the intermediate position. The cover 106 is partially unwound from the winding assembly 110 and the tower 112 is moved from the lowered position to the raised position to raise the winding assembly 110 to a height above the top of the transportable container 108. In one implementation the cover 106 may be unwound from the winding assembly 110 by releasing a brake allowing the spool to freely rotate. In another implementation the cover 106 may be unwound from the winding assembly 110 by operating the motor in reverse. As described above, the biasing members 134 generate a biasing force that urges the arm assemblies 116 to pivot rearward, which tensions the cover 106 against the winding assembly 110. When the winding assembly 110 is operated to deploy the cover 106, the arm assemblies 116 are able to pivot rearward and unwind the cover 106 from the winding assembly 110. Raising the tower 112 and the winding assembly 110 facilitates unwinding the cover 106 without contacting the transportable container 108, which may abrade or damage the material of the cover 106.

[0052] From the position shown in FIGS. 11B, 12B, and 13B, the cover system 100 can be moved from the intermediate position to the deployed position by operating the components into the positions shown in FIGS. 11C, 12C, and 13C. As with above, the spool of the winding assembly 110 is allowed to rotate and the arm assemblies 116 continue to pivot rearward due to the constant biasing force generated by the biasing members 134 and unwind the cover 106. The arm assemblies 116 continue to rotate rearward until the arm assemblies 116 contact the bumper 192 in the pivot assembly 120 and the arm assemblies 116 are generally horizontal. Depending on the length of the transportable container 108, the cylinders 124 slide the carriage assembly 118 along the rails 122 towards the front of the truck 104 until the transverse arm 114 is adjacent to the rear end of the transportable container 108. The cover 106 can be partially re-wound by the winding assembly 110 to remove slack out of the cover 106 if desired. The tower 112 is moved into the lowered position to bring the cover 106 into contact with the front end of the transportable container 108.

[0053] From the deployed position the operation is reversed to move the cover system 100 into the stowed position and stow the cover 106 in the winding assembly 110. The tower 112 is moved from the lowered position to the raised position to raise the winding assembly 110 to a height above the top of the transportable container 108 and the cylinders 124 slide the carriage assembly 118 along the rails 122 reward toward the rear of the truck 104. The winding assembly 110 is operated to rotate the spool and wind the cover 106 into the winding assembly 110. As the winding assembly 110 winds the cover 106, the arm assemblies 116 pivot forward against the constant biasing force of the biasing members 134. As the arm assemblies 116 continue to pivot forward the biasing members 134 move from the extended position toward the compressed position. Once the arm assemblies 116 have reached the intermediate position the tower 112 can be moved from the raised position to the lowered position and the cover 106 fully wound into the winding assembly 110.

[0054] Several instances have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the aspects discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to any particular form. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A cover system for covering a transportable container, the cover system comprising: a base assembly comprising: a housing member; and a housing pulley rotatably coupled to the housing member; an arm assembly pivotally coupled to the base assembly about a pivot axis, the arm assembly comprising: a pivot frame supported for pivoting movement about the pivot axis; an arm pulley coupled to the pivot frame and radially spaced from the pivot axis; a center pulley arranged on the pivot axis; a biasing member coupled to the pivot frame; and a flexible tension element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the pivot frame and the second end is coupled to the biasing member, wherein the biasing member exerts a tension force on the flexible tension element that urges the center pulley out of engagement with the flexible tension element; and a flexible cover having a first end coupled to the arm assembly and operable between a stowed position and a deployed position covering the transportable container in response to biased pivotal movement of the arm assembly.

2. The cover system of claim 1, further comprising a winding assembly, wherein the flexible cover has a second end operatively coupled to the winding assembly for winding and storing the flexible cover.

3. The cover system of claim 2, wherein the winding assembly is configured to be coupled to a container transport vehicle, and wherein the winding assembly is further configured to wind the cover against the biasing member

4. The cover system of claim 3, further comprising a tower configured to be coupled to the container transport vehicle, wherein the winding assembly is coupled to the tower.

5. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the tower is further defined as an extendable tower operable to adjust the height of the tower.

6. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the base assembly is configured to be coupled to a container transport vehicle.

7. The cover system of claim 6, wherein the base assembly comprises a rail and a carriage, wherein the carriage is slidably coupled to the rail and the rail is configured to be coupled to a container transport vehicle.

8. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the arm assembly further comprises an elongate member extending from the pivot frame to a distal end.

9. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the pivot frame is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position and wherein the biasing member biases the pivot frame toward the deployed position.

10. The cover system of claim 9, wherein the arm pulley is movable between a first position spaced a first distance from the housing pulley, a second position spaced a second distance from the housing pulley, and an intermediate position spaced a third distance from the housing pulley, wherein the third distance is greater than the first distance and the second distance.

11. The cover system of claim 9, wherein the first end of the flexible tension element moves between a first position spaced a first distance from the housing pulley, a second position spaced a second distance from the from the housing pulley, and an intermediate position spaced a third distance from the housing pulley, wherein the third distance is greater than the first distance and the second distance.

12. The cover system of claim 9, wherein the arm pulley moves around the center pulley such that the center pulley passes between the arm pulley and the housing pulley as the pivot frame pivots between the stowed position and the deployed position.

13. The cover system of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member has a first end and a movable second end, and wherein the first end is coupled to the pivot frame the second end is coupled to the flexible tension element.

14. The cover system of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a gas spring.

15. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the flexible tension element is routed from the first end to engage the center pulley, the housing pulley, the center pulley, and the arm pulley.

16. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the flexible tension element has a length between the first end and the second end, and wherein the flexible tension element engages the center pulley, the housing pulley, the center pulley, and the arm pulley in order along the length from the first and to the second end.

17. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the center pulley comprises a first axially spaced pulley and a second axially spaced pulley, and wherein the flexible tension element engages the center pulley at a first location and at a second location, engagement with the flexible tension element at the first location is with the first axially spaced pulley and engagement with the flexible tension element at the second location is with the second axially spaced pulley.

18. The cover system of claim 1, wherein the flexible tension element is a cable.

19. A cover system for covering a transportable container, the cover system comprising: a base assembly; an arm assembly pivotally coupled to the base assembly about a pivot axis; a flexible cover having a first end coupled to the arm assembly and operable between a stowed position and a deployed position covering the transportable container; and a biasing member coupled to the arm assembly and arranged to exert a biasing force on the arm assembly to urge the flexible cover toward the deployed position, wherein the biasing member exerts equal biasing force when the flexible cover is in the stowed position and when the flexible cover is in the deployed position.

20. The cover system of claim 19, wherein the biasing member is a gas spring.

21. The cover system of claim 19, further comprising a pulley system and a flexible tension element coupled to the biasing member and engaged with the pulley system, and wherein the biasing force is transferred to the arm assembly through the flexible tension element and the pulley system.

22. The cover system of claim 21, wherein the pulley system comprises: a housing pulley rotatably coupled to the base assembly; an arm pulley coupled to the arm assembly and radially spaced from the pivot axis; and a center pulley arranged on the pivot axis; wherein the flexible tension element has a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the arm assembly and the second end coupled to the biasing member; and wherein the biasing force on the flexible tension element urges the center pulley out of engagement with the flexible tension element to move the flexible cover from the stowed position toward the deployed position.

23. The cover system of claim 22, wherein the arm assembly further comprises a pivot frame supported for pivoting movement about the pivot axis and an elongate member extending from the pivot frame to a distal end.

24. The cover system of claim 23, wherein the pivot frame is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position and wherein the biasing member biases the pivot frame toward the deployed position.

25. The cover system of claim 24, wherein the arm pulley is movable between a first position spaced a first distance from the housing pulley, a second position spaced a second distance from the housing pulley, and an intermediate position spaced a third distance from the housing pulley, wherein the third distance is greater than the first distance and the second distance.

26. The cover system of claim 24, wherein the first end of the flexible tension element moves between a first position spaced a first distance from the housing pulley, a second position spaced a second distance from the from the housing pulley, and an intermediate position spaced a third distance from the housing pulley, wherein the third distance is greater than the first distance and the second distance.

27. The cover system of claim 24, wherein the arm pulley moves around the center pulley such that the center pulley passes between the arm pulley and the housing pulley as the pivot frame pivots between the stowed position and the deployed position.

28. The cover system of claim 23, wherein the biasing member has a first end and a movable second end, and wherein the first end is coupled to the pivot frame the second end is coupled to the flexible tension element.

29. The cover system of claim 22, wherein the flexible tension element is routed from the first end to engage the center pulley, the housing pulley, the center pulley, and the arm pulley.

30. The cover system of claim 22, wherein the flexible tension element has a length between the first end and the second end, and wherein the flexible tension element engages the center pulley, the housing pulley, the center pulley, and the arm pulley in order along the length from the first and to the second end.

31. The cover system of claim 22, wherein the center pulley comprises a first axially spaced pulley and a second axially spaced pulley, and wherein the flexible tension element engages the center pulley at a first location and at a second location, engagement with the flexible tension element at the first location is with the first axially spaced pulley and engagement with the flexible tension element at the second location is with the second axially spaced pulley.