Cover for cargo in transit and device for securing a cover to cargo

Abstract

A device for covering an object which is transported in an air stream, including a cover which at least partially traverses the object, and a differential pressure device disposed on the cover which creates a pressure differential between the air under the cover and the air passing over or around the cover, where the pressure differential causes the air under the cover to exhaust to an exterior of the cover, drawing the cover toward the object, and where the pressure differential device creates the pressure differential when the covered object is transported in a frontward position with respect to a direction of travel and in a rearward position with respect to the direction of transport.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for covering an object which is transported in an air stream, comprising:
 a cover which at least partially traverses the object; and   a differential pressure device disposed on the cover which creates a pressure differential between air under the cover and air passing over or around the cover;   wherein the pressure differential causes the air under the cover to exhaust to an exterior of the cover, drawing the cover toward the object; and   wherein the pressure differential device creates the pressure differential when the covered object is transported in a frontward position with respect to a direction of transport and in a rearward position with respect to the direction of transport.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure differential device creates the pressure differential when the object is pitched forwardly with respect to the direction of transport and when the object is pitched rearwardly with respect to the direction of transport. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the differential pressure device includes at least one opening through which the air from under the cover exhausts, the opening facing a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the differential pressure device includes at least one opening through which the air from under the cover exhausts, the opening facing a direction substantially parallel to the direction of transport. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the differential pressure device includes at least one opening through which the air from under the cover exhausts, the opening facing a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport, or substantially parallel to the direction of transport, or at an angle therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the differential pressure device comprises a body member, the cover comprises an aperture formed therethrough, and the body member delimits a pathway from the aperture to the exterior of the cover. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the air from under the cover exhausts to the exterior by passing through the aperture and through the pathway. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the differential pressure device further comprises a base affixed to the cover proximate to the aperture such that the body member extends at least partially over the aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure differential device further comprises at least one open end, the pathway extending from the aperture to the open end. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the pathway opens to the exterior in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the pressure differential is created proximate to the opening of the pathway to the exterior. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of said apertures formed in the cover, the body member affixed to the cover so as to extend at least partially over the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the body member is substantially partially conical in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure differential device comprises a body member and wherein the cover comprises at least one aperture formed therethrough, the body member delimiting a first and a second pathway from the at least one aperture to the exterior of the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the air from under the cover exhausts to the exterior by passing through the at least one aperture and through the first and second pathways. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the differential pressure device further comprises a base affixed to the cover proximate to the at least one aperture such that the body member extends at least partially over the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure differential device further comprises a first open end and a second open end, the first pathway extending from the aperture to the first open end, the second pathway extending from the aperture to the second open end. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second pathways open to the exterior in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the pressure differential is created proximate to the openings of the first and second pathways to the exterior. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the body member comprising a first portion extending at least partially over the first aperture to delimit the first pathway, the body member further comprising a second portion extending at least partially over the second aperture to delimit the second pathway. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the body member further comprises a closed middle portion, and wherein each of the first and second portions include a closed end and an open end, the closed ends being disposed at the closed middle portion, the open ends extending in opposite directions from the closed middle portion. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the open ends of the first and second portions face a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the body member comprises two substantially partially conical members adjoined at respective closed apex ends and extending oppositely therefrom, over the aperture, to respective open ends, the conical members including rectilinear and/or curvilinear features. 
     
     
         24 . A device for covering an object which is transported in an air stream, comprising:
 a cover;   an exhaust aperture formed in the cover;   a member disposed at least partially over the aperture including an opening oriented at an angle of 180° with respect to a direction of transport;   a pathway extending from the aperture to the opening.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the member includes a closed end disposed opposite the opening, and wherein the member delimits the pathway. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the member, when exposed to the air stream, forms a pressure differential between air under the cover and air passing over or around the member, wherein the pressure differential causes the air under the cover to exhaust through the aperture and pathway to an exterior of the cover, drawing the cover toward the object. 
     
     
         27 . A device for covering an object which is transported in an air stream, comprising:
 a cover;   at least one exhaust aperture formed in the cover;   a member disposed at least partially over the aperture including a plurality of openings; and   a plurality of pathways extending from the at least one aperture to the corresponding openings.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the member, when exposed to the air stream, forms a pressure differential between air under the cover and air passing over or around the member, wherein the pressure differential causes the air under the cover to exhaust through the aperture and pathways to an exterior of the cover, drawing the cover toward the object. 
     
     
         29 . A device for securing a first object to a second object in a fluid stream, comprising:
 a member disposed on the first object proximate to an aperture formed in the first object;   wherein the member creates a low pressure in the fluid stream proximate to the aperture independent of a direction of the fluid stream, wherein said low pressure draws higher pressure fluid from between the first and second objects through the aperture to create a suction between the first and second objections which secures the first object to the second object.