Tarping system for open top containers

Abstract

A relatively lightweight tarping system for use with trailers or other open top containers includes first and second spaced frame members and an elongated flexible member such as a cable or chain connected to and extending therebetween. A tarpaulin may be mounted thereon so that the frame members, flexible member and tarpaulin are pivotable between a covered position atop the open top container and an uncovered position. A four-bar linkage is preferably used in combination with a rotational drive mechanism to provide various advantages in rotating the tarpaulin assembly between the covered and uncovered positions. A width adjustment mechanism is provided to provide usage with trailers or other open top containers of different widths. An improved seal is provided between the tarpaulin and container.

1 . A covering system for use with an open top container, the system comprising:
 a cover comprising a first frame member and pivotally mounted about a longitudinally extending first axis between a generally horizontal covered position adapted to cover the open top container and an uncovered position adapted to allow access to the open top;   an actuator having a rotational drive shaft which rotates about a second axis which is adjacent and fixed relative to the first axis;   a drive arm which is secured to the drive shaft and extends radially outwardly therefrom so that the drive arm is pivotable about the second axis;   wherein the cover moves from the covered position to the uncovered position in response to pivotal movement of the drive arm.   
     
     
         2 . The covering system of  claim 1  further comprising a link pivotally connected to the drive arm and pivotally connected to the first frame member. 
     
     
         3 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is extendable and retractable. 
     
     
         4 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis;
 the first frame member pivots upwardly and to the right to move out of the covered position; and 
 the third axis moves from the left of the second axis to the right of the second axis during movement of the cover from the covered position to the uncovered position. 
 
     
     
         5 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis; and
 the third axis moves higher than the first axis to move the cover out of the covered position. 
 
     
     
         6 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis;
 the link is pivotally connected to the first frame member about a fourth axis; and 
 the third axis moves higher than the fourth axis to move the cover out of the covered position. 
 
     
     
         7 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis;
 the first frame member pivots upwardly and to the right to move out of the covered position; and 
 the third axis moves from the left of the first axis to the right of the first axis during movement of the cover from the covered position to the uncovered position. 
 
     
     
         8 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis;
 the first frame member pivots upwardly and to the right to move out of the covered position; and 
 the third axis is to the left of the second axis in the covered position. 
 
     
     
         9 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis;
 the first frame member pivots upwardly and to the right to move out of the covered position; 
 the link is pivotally connected to the first frame member about a fourth axis; and 
 the fourth axis is to the left of the second axis in the covered position. 
 
     
     
         10 . The covering system of  claim 2  wherein the link is pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis;
 the link is pivotally connected to the first frame member about a fourth axis; and 
 the fourth axis is lower than the second axis in the uncovered position. 
 
     
     
         11 . The covering system of  claim 1  in combination with the open top container;
 wherein the open top container comprises first and second longitudinally spaced end walls each having a top and bottom, and right and left axially spaced longitudinally extending sidewalls each having a top and bottom and extending between and connected to the first and second end walls whereby the end walls and sidewalls define therewithin an interior chamber with an entrance opening defined by the respective tops of the four walls; and 
 the first axis and the second axis are adjacent the top of the right sidewall. 
 
     
     
         12 . The covering system of  claim 11  further comprising a link pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis and pivotally connected to the first frame member about a fourth axis; and
 the fourth axis is to the left of the second axis in the covered position. 
 
     
     
         13 . The covering system of  claim 1  wherein the drive arm extends radially outwardly from the second axis to a free end; and
 the free end is movable to a position higher than the first frame member when the cover is in the covered position. 
 
     
     
         14 . The covering system of  claim 1  wherein the drive arm extends radially outwardly from the second axis to a free end; and
 the free end is movable to a position higher than the first axis when the cover is in the covered position. 
 
     
     
         15 . The covering system of  claim 1  wherein the drive arm extends radially outwardly from the second axis to a free end; and the free end is movable from the left of the second axis to the right of the second axis. 
     
     
         16 . The covering system of  claim 1  further comprising
 a catch adapted to mount on the open top container; and 
 a latch mounted on the first frame member and movable between a latched position engaged with the catch and an unlatched position disengaged from the catch; 
 wherein the latch moves from the latched position to the unlatched position in response to pivotal movement of the drive arm. 
 
     
     
         17 . The covering system of  claim 1  in combination with the open top container;
 wherein the open top container comprises first and second longitudinally spaced end walls each having a top and bottom, and right and left axially spaced longitudinally extending sidewalls each having a top and bottom and extending between and connected to the first and second end walls whereby the end walls and sidewalls define therewithin an interior chamber with an entrance opening defined by the respective tops of the four walls; 
 the first axis is adjacent the top of the right sidewall; and 
 the third axis is to the left of the second axis in the covered position. 
 
     
     
         18 . The covering system of  claim 1  in combination with the open top container;
 further comprising a link pivotally connected to the drive arm about a third axis and pivotally connected to the first frame member about a fourth axis; 
 wherein the open top container comprises first and second longitudinally spaced end walls each having a top and bottom, and right and left axially spaced longitudinally extending sidewalls each having a top and bottom and extending between and connected to the first and second end walls whereby the end walls and sidewalls define therewithin an interior chamber with an entrance opening defined by the respective tops of the four walls; 
 the first axis is adjacent the top of the right sidewall; and 
 the fourth axis is to the left of the second axis in the covered position. 
 
     
     
         19 . A combination of a covering system and an open top container which comprises first and second longitudinally spaced end walls each having a top and bottom, and right and left axially spaced longitudinally extending sidewalls each having a top and bottom and extending between and connected to the first and second end walls whereby the end walls and sidewalls define therewithin an interior chamber with an entrance opening defined by the respective tops of the four walls; the covering system comprising:
 a cover comprising a first frame member and pivotally mounted about a longitudinally extending first axis between a generally horizontal covered position adapted to cover the open top container and an uncovered position adapted to allow access to the open top;   an actuator secured to the container and having a rotational drive shaft which rotates about a second axis;   a drive arm which is secured to the drive shaft and extends radially outwardly from the second axis to a free end; and   the free end is movable to a position higher than the tops of the fours walls when the cover is in the covered position.   
     
     
         20 . A combination of a covering system and an open top container which comprises first and second longitudinally spaced end walls each having a top and bottom, and right and left axially spaced longitudinally extending sidewalls each having a top and bottom and extending between and connected to the first and second end walls whereby the end walls and sidewalls define therewithin an interior chamber with an entrance opening defined by the respective tops of the four walls; the covering system comprising:
 a cover comprising a first frame member and pivotally mounted about a longitudinally extending first axis between a generally horizontal covered position adapted to cover the open top container and an uncovered position adapted to allow access to the open top;   an actuator secured to the container and having a rotational drive shaft which rotates about a second axis;   a drive arm which is secured to the drive shaft and extends radially outwardly from the second axis to a free end; and   the free end is movable from a position to the left of the right sidewall to a position to the right of the right sidewall.