Abstract: A method for shipping a retractable cover system include pre-assembling the cover system to include the flexible cover and enough components to support the cover on guide rails mounted to a trailer or other transport vehicle. At least two pre-assembled cover systems are compressed along their length and then loaded sequentially onto the guide rails of the same trailer. In certain embodiments, four compressed partially pre-assembled cover systems are loaded onto a single trailer. The trailer is then transported to one or more customer sites where one or more of the compressed cover systems are unloaded. The cover systems may be only partially pre-assembled, with the remaining components placed on the trailer within the compressed cover system when it is loaded on the trailer. The cover systems may be maintained in their compressed state by a tension element or tensioned apron wrapped around the compressed cover system.

Abstract: A plastic molded deck board provides a sturdy, durable, lightweight, economical, readily identifiable, and easily handled surface for supporting cargo on top of trailer load beams. The deck board defines a platform having a top face for supporting cargo, a bottom face and a plurality of side faces. The top face defines a plurality of protrusions having variable shapes and heights and rubber stoppers for providing surface friction. The bottom face defines a plurality of side walls, a plurality of angled cross walls, a first platform channel and optionally a second platform channel disposed between the plurality of angled cross walls for receiving a center load beam of a cargo trailer. The top face defines recessed slots for receiving the angled cross walls of another deck board such that two or more deck boards can be securely stacked.

Abstract: Locking systems are provided for a retractable cover system mounted on the bed of a flat bed trailer or similar structure. The cover system includes a bow arrangement for supporting a flexible cover or tarpaulin with a front and a rear bow structure. A front locking mechanism includes a plurality of self-latching latch mechanism mounted within a hollow beam of a bulkhead mounted on the bed. Hasps are mounted to the front bow structure and aligned to activate and engage the latch mechanisms. A rear locking mechanism includes a telescoping mechanism mounted with the rear bow structure. The telescoping mechanism includes a pressure foot that engages a reaction plate mounted to the bed. The pressure foot and reaction plate define complementary features that allow the foot to engage the reaction plate at multiple positions prior to extension of the telescoping mechanism.

Abstract: A bulkhead for a transport vehicle, such as a flatbed trailer, includes a corrugated front panel, side panels attached to the sides of the front panel and a top panel attached to the upper edge of the front panel. The side and top panels are formed from two interlocking extrusions that are substantially identical whether used to form the top panel or the side panels. The extrusions include a first extrusion with a substantially forward facing wall that is angled and curved relative to the front panel. A second extrusion is connected to the first through a male-female interlocking connection along the mutual length of the extrusions. The second extrusion includes a side facing wall and a forward facing wall portion that merges with the forward facing wall of the first extrusion to form non-perpendicular side corners of the bulkhead. The side and top panels combine to form open upper corners that support a light assembly and corner bezel. A decorative panel is mounted to and covering the corrugated front panel.

Abstract: A cover system (10) for an open-topped container, such as a transfer trailer (T), includes a cover (11) carried by a support frame (13) pivotably mounted to the container. The support frame includes a triangular construct (20) at the opposite ends of the container to improve the rigidity of the cover system. A continuous drive shaft (28) extends along the length of the container and is connected to the support frame. A drive assembly (15) rotates the continuous drive shaft to pivot the cover between retracted and deployed positions. The drive assembly is reversible to accommodate covers mounted on either side of the container.

Abstract: A cover system for an open-topped container includes two covers that are individually and separately deployable over the open top of the container body. The covers may be fabricated from different material and may be deployed using different deployment mechanism.

Abstract: A cover system (10) for an open-topped container, such as a transfer trailer (T), includes a cover (11) carried by a support frame (13) pivotably mounted to the container. The support frame includes a triangular construct (20) at the opposite ends of the container to improve the rigidity of the cover system. A continuous drive shaft (28) extends along the length of the container and is connected to the support frame. A drive assembly (15) rotates the continuous drive shaft to pivot the cover between retracted and deployed positions. The drive assembly is reversible to accommodate covers mounted on either side of the container.

Abstract: A deployment apparatus for a flexible cover sized to cover a side-dump container comprises first and second swing arm assemblies pivotally mounted at a pivot point to opposite sides of the container. A drive assembly connected to the roll tube of the flexible cover is operable to rotate the roll tube so that the flexible cover winds around the roll tube. The drive assembly is slidably supported on one of the swing arms so that the mechanism translates along the length of the swing arm as it winds the flexible cover around the roll tube. A stop is provided on the swing arm between the pivot point and the free end to limit the translation of the drive assembly along swing arm. In another form, the drive assembly is fixed to a swing arm that is slidably received in a pivoting spring mechanism.

Abstract: A cover system for an open-topped container, such as a transfer trailer, includes a cover carried by a support frame pivotably mounted to the container. The support frame includes a triangular construct at the opposite ends of the container to improve the rigidity of the cover system. A continuous drive shaft extends along the length of the container and is connected to the support frame. A drive assembly rotates the continuous drive shaft to pivot the cover between retracted and deployed positions. The drive assembly is reversible to accommodate covers mounted on either side of the container.

Abstract: An open-topped vehicle body, such as a dump body, includes a tarping system that is deployed over the body by a pivoting bail member. An actuation mechanism applies a torque to the bail member to automatically pivot the member and deploy the tarp cover. The actuation mechanism includes a number of double coil spiral torsion springs anchored on a shaft attached to the dump body. The springs each include a right and a left coil portion concentrically wound about an integral center anchor portion. The shaft includes an elongated slot to receive and support the center anchor portion of each spring within the mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a housing attached to the bail member. The housing contains the double coil springs and supports a pair of reaction posts extending therethrough. The coil portions of each spring include a left and right reaction end configured to contact and provide a torsional force against a corresponding reaction post within the housing.

Abstract: A plastic molded deck board provides a sturdy, durable, lightweight, economical, readily identifiable, and easily handled surface for supporting cargo on top of trailer load beams. The deck board defines a platform having a top face for supporting cargo, a bottom face and a plurality of side faces. The top face defines a plurality of protrusions having variable shapes and heights and rubber stoppers for providing surface friction. The bottom face defines a plurality of side walls, a plurality of angled cross walls, a first platform channel and optionally a second platform channel disposed between the plurality of angled cross walls for receiving a center load beam of a cargo trailer. The top face defines recessed slots for receiving the angled cross walls of another deck board such that two or more deck boards can be securely stacked.

Abstract: A one-piece molded end cap is provided for use with a container tarping system. The end cap is in the form of an aerodynamically shaped shell and includes a trough and ridge configuration at the rear edge to provide a sealing surface for the side edge of the flexible cover of the tarping system. A deflection barrier is formed at the underside of the end cap shell and is configured to deflect material loaded into the container away from the end cap. In a further embodiment, the end cap can include a tensioning mechanism integral with a front edge of the end cap. The tensioning mechanism includes an elongated body having a bore within which a tensioning element is disposed. The tensioning element applies tension to a drive mechanism of the tarping system through a cable.

Abstract: A deployment apparatus for a flexible cover sized to cover a side-dump container comprises first and second swing arm assemblies pivotally mounted at a pivot point to opposite sides of the container. A drive assembly connected to the roll tube of the flexible cover is operable to rotate the roll tube so that the flexible cover winds around the roll tube. The drive assembly is slidably supported on one of the swing arms so that the mechanism translates along the length of the swing arm as it winds the flexible cover around the roll tube. A stop is provided on the swing arm between the pivot point and the free end to limit the translation of the drive assembly along swing arm. In another form, the drive assembly is fixed to a swing arm that is slidably received in a pivoting spring mechanism.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bulkhead extension for a DOT rated bulkhead installed on a flatbed vehicle includes a pair of wings attached one to each side of the bulkhead. The bulkhead extension also includes a top bar coinciding with the top panel of the bulkhead and connected between the pair of wings to provide a unitary bulkhead extension. The bulkhead extension widens the bulkhead to accommodate an extendable/retractable flexible cover system mounted on the bed of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the extension apparatus is mounted inboard of the vertical legs of the front bow-shaped beam of the cover system. In this embodiment, the extension apparatus can include a pair of wings or swing flaps that are pivotably mounted to the vertical legs so that the wings can be pivoted between an outboard position and an inboard operative position.

Abstract: An electrical connection assembly provides an electrical connection for an electrical component mounted on a movable bed of a vehicle. The electrical connection assembly includes a sub-assembly supported on the movable bed, and another sub-assembly supported on the frame of the vehicle so that the two sub-assemblies make electrical contact when the bed is in one position. The electrical contact can be broken when the bed moves relative to the vehicle frame. In one embodiment, both sub-assemblies are biased toward each other to maintain a solid electrically conductive path between conductive contacts on each sub-assembly. One sub-assembly can include a number of conductive plates, while the other can include a-like number of conductive plungers. The conductive components are supported on insulator plates. One of the plates defines a plunger bore to receive a plunger therein such that the plunger can reciprocate and pivot angularly relative to the plate.

Abstract: A one-piece molded end cap is provided for use with a container tarping system. The end cap is in the form of an aerodynamically shaped shell and includes a trough and ridge configuration at the rear edge to provide a sealing surface for the side edge of the flexible cover of the tarping system. A deflection barrier is formed at the underside of the end cap shell and is configured to deflect material loaded into the container away from the end cap. In a further embodiment, the end cap can include a tensioning mechanism integral with a front edge of the end cap. The tensioning mechanism includes an elongated body having a bore within which a tensioning element is disposed. The tensioning element applies tension to a drive mechanism of the tarping system through a cable.

Abstract: A hold-down system for a cover of an open-topped container, such as a dump truck body, includes a hold-down member operatively coupled to a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism is disposed within the container, and preferably below the hold-down member. The hold-down member is adapted to exert tension against the cover via the biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may include biased reels having respective biasing cordage such as cables.

Abstract: An endless cable tarp extension/retraction system spooled around front and rear pulleys includes drive components that are self-contained and encapsulated within an elongated housing that can be removably mounted to the container body using multiple clamp assemblies or mounting bolts disposed within a T-slot in the housing. A front idler pulley is provided that is sized and oriented relative to the drive pulley to maintain the upper and lower runs of the cable to travel essentially parallel along the length of the container. A self-tensioning rear idler pulley is provided that utilizes a spring to exert an adjustable force against the rear idler pulley. In another aspect of the invention, an anti-sail bracket extends downward from the bow ends of the tarp system and includes an inwardly projecting pin that is restrained from upward movement by a rail mounted to the side of the container.

Abstract: A deployment mechanism for a stowable tarping system includes a hydraulic rotary actuator that is connected to the ends of the bail member of the tarping system. The rotary actuator is generally centrally mounted on the underside of the vehicle body with a pair of half shafts projecting outward toward the sides of the vehicle body. The half shafts are rotationally connected to the bail member so that torque and rotational force generated by the actuator is translated to a pivoting movement of the bail member. The actuator can be integrated into the vehicle hydraulics and can include a control valve system capable of controlling speed and direction of actuation.

Abstract: An open-topped vehicle body, such as a dump body, includes a tarping system that is deployed over the body by a pivoting bail member. An actuation mechanism applies a torque to the bail member to automatically pivot the member and deploy the tarp cover. The actuation mechanism includes a number of double coil spiral torsion springs anchored on a shaft attached to the dump body. The springs each include a right and a left coil portion concentrically wound about an integral center anchor portion. The shaft includes an elongated slot to receive and support the center anchor portion of each spring within the mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a housing attached to the bail member. The housing contains the double coil springs and supports a pair of reaction posts extending therethrough. The coil portions of each spring include a left and right reaction end configured to contact and provide a torsional force against a corresponding reaction post within the housing.