Patents Represented by Law Firm Zarley, McKee, Thompte, Voorhees & Sease
  • Patent number: 4518193
    Abstract: The top closure of the present invention comprises a flexible sheet member sized to fit in covering relation over a top opening of a box. One edge of the sheet member is attached to the upper edge of one of the box walls. A pair of tracks are each positioned at the opposite ends of the box and an elongated shaft extends between the two tracks. The tracks guide the shaft from an open position adjacent one edge of the box to a closed position adjacent the other upper edge of the box. The flexible sheet member is rolled around the shaft when the shaft is in its open position, and the sheet member unrolls from the shaft as the shaft rolls towards its closed position. When the shaft reaches its closed position, it engages a plurality of flaps which are mounted along the edge of the box. These flaps wrap around the shaft as the shaft rotates, and become attached to the shaft, thereby fastening the shaft to the sidewalls of the box with the tarpaulin in covering relationship over the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Inventors: Merle J. Heider, Dale J. Heider, Leon J. Heider