Patents Assigned to Smith Patents, L.L.C.
  • Publication number: 20130020829
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH PATENTS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: SMITH PATENTS, L.L.C.
  • Patent number: 8287026
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
  • Publication number: 20110227363
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH PATENTS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: FRED P. SMITH, NATHAN H. MORRILL
  • Patent number: 7954877
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
  • Patent number: 7673926
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
  • Patent number: 7458629
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
  • Publication number: 20080277961
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
  • Publication number: 20080116710
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH PATENTS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred Smith, Nathan Morrill
  • Patent number: 7350846
    Abstract: A tarpaulin system for covering an open top container typically mounted on a truck includes a four-bar linkage wherein one of the bars is extendable and typically a first linear actuator. A tarpaulin is windingly mounted on the linkage and a second actuator is connected to the four-bar linkage in order to provide primary movement of the linkage. The tarpaulin is movable between a stowed position between the cab of a truck and the front of the container to a deployed position adjacent the rear of the container in order to cover the open top of the container. The four-bar linkage allows the tarpaulin to move from the stowed axis Forwardly toward the cab and upwardly above the container by operation of the second actuator without use of the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Fred P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6935829
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring a transfer body onto a truck. The impetus to move the transfer body is provided by a driver mounted to the truck. The driver may engage a track extending along the transfer body in order to move the transfer body onto the truck. The track may be mounted to a pull bar pivotably secured near one end to the transfer body. The truck may have a dump-truck body with a continuous floor. The pull bar may be pulled underneath the floor as the transfer body is transferred onto the truck whereas the transfer body is pulled onto the floor. A latching system for a transfer module is actuated by a mechanism mounted on the truck and maintains the tailgate of the transfer body closed when remote from a truck. The mechanism may also operate a latching system latching and unlatching a tailgate secured to the body of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Todd Mendenhall, Curtis B. Workman