Abstract: A locking system for locking a container to a vehicle includes a locking assembly mounted to a hoist frame and a striker assembly mounted to the vehicle chassis. The locking assembly has at least one hook for hooking over a frame member of the container. The hook has a center of mass that biases the hook to an unlocked position. The striker assembly strikes the hook at a location to move the hook against the bias of the hook's center of mass into a locked position in which the hook is hooked over the frame member of the container. As the hoist frame supporting the container is lowered, the striker assembly contacts the hook and rotates the hook against the bias of the hook's center of mass into the locked position. As the hoist frame is raised, the hook rises as well and loses contact with the striker assembly, thereby falling away from the hoist frame and unlocking the container.

Abstract: A covering system for a container body of a dump truck or roll-off dumpster with a rollable cover uses a pair of pivot arms attached to a leading edge of the cover. A shaft is transversely disposed and rotatably supported by an underside of the container body. Each pivot arm has a lower end fixedly attached to ends of the shaft for rotation with the shaft. A hydraulic or pneumatic rotation actuation mechanism operative to rotate the shaft is mounted to the underside of the container body, where it is not likely to be damaged during loading operations. The pivot arms are also readily kept in synchronization by operation of a single rotation actuation mechanism. A hydraulically or pneumatically actuated cover hold-down tensioning device is also provided, which may be operative in cooperative sequence with the covering system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for drawing a flexible cover over an upwardly open container body having an upper edge. The apparatus includes a flexible cover of a size to substantially cover the open container body and fixed at one end of the container body by a cover support for retraction and extension over the open container body. A pair of arms is each pivotally mounted at a fixed end to the container body. Each arm has a free end opposite the fixed end attached to an edge of the flexible cover and configured such that movement of the arms causes movement of the cover over the open container body. Each arm has a hollow, longitudinally extending, tabular member having at least one and preferably two stiffening fins extending longitudinally along substantially the length of the tubular member. The fins are integrally formed with and attached to the tubular member, preferably as an extrusion of an aluminum material to form a single, unitary body.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a transport container cover using a variable height gantry or other elevator mechanism. In one embodiment, a gantry supports an assembly for storing the cover including a winding mechanism, the gantry height being adjustable so that the cover may be raised above the top of the transport container for unfurling. In a second embodiment, the cover storage assembly is mounted on a dump truck body by a support which may include an elevator mechanism to raise the storage assembly above the container top. In a third embodiment, the storage assembly is mounted on the cab end of the tilt frame of a container truck. The tilt frame in its raised position, elevates the storage assembly above the container top. When the storage assembly is in the raised position the cover is unfurled over the top of the container and the cover is secured over the container by an attachment mechanism on the back end of the container or truck.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a transport container cover using a variable height gantry. The gantry supports an assembly for storing the cover including a winding mechanism. The gantry height is adjustable so that the cover may be raised above the top of the transport container. The cover is extended over the top of the container when the gantry is at a position such that the storage assembly can release the cover above the top of the transport container. An attachment mechanism on the other end of the cover secures the cover. The gantry is adjusted to a low position for transporting the covered container. A motor is included to drive the winding mechanism to assist in withdrawing the cover. Alternatively, the winding mechanism may be operated by way of a hand crank, or may include a spring loaded roller. The system is operable to withdraw the cover when the gantry is in its raised position.

Abstract: A system for covering a transport container is disclosed which is especially useful with a load lugger or retriever type truck. The system provides a cover storage assembly which may be operated to dispose a flexible container cover outwardly beyond the end of the transport vehicle and over a top of a transport container positioned behind the transport vehicle. An attachment mechanism on the outer end of the container serves to attach the flexible cover to the container prior to loading the container onto the transport vehicle. When the container is then loaded onto the transport vehicle, the cover storage assembly retracts the resulting excess cover length. After the transport container is loaded onto the vehicle, it may then be transported to its destination and unloaded. The cover may then be removed by unloading the container from the vehicle, and detaching the cover from the container. The cover storage assembly then retracts the cover from over the top of the container.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a transport container cover using a variable height gantry. The gantry supports an assembly for storing the cover including a winding mechanism. The gantry height is adjustable so that the cover may be raised above the top of the transport container. The cover is extended over the top of the container when the gantry is at a position such that the storage assembly can release the cover above the top of the transport container. An attachment mechanism on the other end of the cover secures the cover. The gantry is adjusted to a low position for transporting the covered container. A motor is included to drive the winding mechanism to assist in withdrawing the cover. The system is operable to withdraw the cover when the gantry is in its raised position. The motor and the clutch mechanism may be operated through radio signals generated with a wireless remote control.

Abstract: A tensioning device for use with a flexible cover on an open top receptacle such as a dump truck maintains the cover in a taut position and minimizes billowing of the cover during deployment, refurling, or transit. Spring biased arms attached to a tensioning bar urge said cover towards the top edge of said receptacle, keeping the tensioned cover proximate to the top edge of the receptacle sides. The open top of the receptacle is thereby closed during transit as the cover remains in substantial communication with the top edge of the receptacle and therefore resistant to billowing and wind agitation.

Abstract: An hydraulic circuit for operating a truck cover assembly incorporates a flow divider/combiner which puts pairs of hydraulic actuators back into synchronization. The cover assembly is operable by pairs of hydraulic actuators. A hydraulic three-position, four-way valve is provided for each pair of actuators. In a first position, the valve allows hydraulic fluid to flow to each actuator of the pair through a flow divider/combiner. The flow divider/combiner includes a cross-over pressure relief valve and a divider/combiner section. The divider/combiner section divides the flow generally equally on lines to each actuator of the pair. If the actuators get out of synchronization, an increased pressure in one line triggers the cross-over relief valve to open a line to the other actuator, thereby diverting fluid away from the actuator that has finished its stroke to the actuator that is still completing its stroke.

Abstract: For a truck having an upwardly open container and a support structure, a truck cover system is securable to the support structure and capable of drawing a flexible cover over the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the truck cover system includes a pair of nonlinear arms, movable in unison from a first position to a second position. Each of the arms includes an elongate base member slidably engaged with an elongate extension member wherein the extension member has a first elongate portion disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to a second elongate portion, the second elongate portion of the extension member being substantially parallel, noncoaxial, and in slidable engagement with the base member. The first elongate portion of the extension member is secured to the first end of the flexible cover. The truck cover system further includes first and second actuators associated with each of the nonlinear arms to move the arms from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A cover mechanism is provided that includes a first assembly having: a first flexible cover, a first pivot arm unit engagable with a trailer or other open container, and a first roller; and a second assembly having a second flexible cover, a second pivot arm unit securable to said trailer between the first assembly and a second end of the trailer, and a second roller. The first pivot arm unit is operative to pull the first flexible cover over the trailer from one end of the trailer toward a central portion of the trailer and the second pivot arm unit is operative to pull the second flexible cover over the trailer from the opposite end of the trailer toward a central portion of the trailer.

Abstract: A trick cover assembly is provided having an improved telescopic arm assembly for drawing a flexible cover across an upwardly open truck body or container. In one embodiment, the front mounted assembly is secured to a portion of the truck frame between the cab and the body, and comprises a pair of pivoting telescopic arms, a drive motor, a flexible truck cover, a tie-rod, and a cover housing. As the drive motor moves the arms fore or aft, arm mounted actuators cause the segmented arms to extend or retract so that the tie-rod connecting the upper arm ends and securing one end of the cover, travels horizontally over the upper edge of the body in close proximity to it. Extension or retraction of the telescopic arms occurs simultaneously and proportionately with the rearward or forward pivoting of the arms. The cover housing, optionally mounted on a retractable gantry, protects the cover and incorporates a spring tension device to assist in smoothly rolling and unrolling the flexible cover.

Abstract: An electrically insulated truck cover manipulator assembly which includes two arms, a drive mechanism, and a tie-rod. The tie-rod is attached both to a flexible cover which moves longitudinally along the length of a truck body or trailer and to the two arms. In one embodiment, the arms each include an upper support member and a lower support member joined by an electrically insulating connector. Both the upper and lower support members may be filled with dielectric foam. The drive mechanism moves the arms about a pivot causing the tie-rod joining the upper ends of the upper support members to pull the flexible cover over the length of the truck trailer or body and its contents. In the event either of the upper support members or the tie-rod makes contact with overhead power lines during operation, the insulating connectors prevent electricity from flowing from the upper support members to the lower support members and thus to the truck frame.

Abstract: A truck cover assembly is provided having an improved telescopic arm assembly for drawing a flexible cover across an upwardly open truck body or container. The front mounted assembly is secured to a portion of the truck frame between the cab and the body, and comprises a pair of pivoting telescopic arms, a drive motor, a flexible truck cover, a tie-rod, and a cover housing. As the drive motor moves the arms fore or aft, arm mounted actuators cause the segmented arms to extend or retract so that the tie-rod connecting the upper arm ends and securing one end of the cover, travels horizontally over the upper edge of the body in close proximity to it. Extension or retraction of the telescopic arms occurs simultaneously and proportionately with the rearward or forward pivoting of the arms. The cover housing, optionally mounted on a retractable gantry, protects the cover and incorporates a spring tension device to assist in smoothly rolling and unrolling the flexible cover.

Abstract: An open top receptacle cover apparatus is provided for completely covering an open top receptacle. The apparatus includes a cover having a main portion, a pair of descending side portions, and an end portion. The cover is stored on a roller mounted on a first end of the receptacle, and is extendable from the first end to a second end after being pulled off the roller. As the cover moves across the opening of the receptacle, a guide assembly mounted at the first end urges each descending side portion from a rolled condition to an extended condition that reaches partly down each of the two sides of the receptacle. The width of the cover in the rolled condition is generally equal to the width of the open top receptacle.

Abstract: A covering apparatus, for a receptacle having an open top, including a cover having a first end and a second end and a length and width sufficient to cover the open top, a spring loaded roller, rotatably mounted at one end of the receptacle, and to which the first end of the cover is attached, the roller being adapted for retracting and winding the cover about the roller, a cable having a first end and a second end, the first end of the cable attached to said second end of the cover and adapted for unwinding said cover from the roller, a cable spool, rotatably mounted at one end of the receptacle and attached to which is the second end of the cable, the cable spool being adapted for spooling and unspooling the cable, and an energizing means for causing the cable spool to rotate.

Abstract: A covering apparatus for a receptacle having an open top including, a cover having a first end and a second end and a length and width sufficient to cover the open top of the receptacle, a spring loaded roller, rotatably mounted at one end of the receptacle and to which the first end of the cover is attached, the roller being adapted for retracting and winding the cover about said roller, a pair of first cable pulleys, one of each of the first cable pulleys rotatably mounted at one end of the receptacle, a pair of second cable pulleys, one of each of the second cable pulleys rotatably mounted at the other end of the receptacle, a cable loop engaging the first cable pulley and the second cable pulley, the second end of said cover attached to the cable loop, and an energizing device for causing the pair of first cable pulleys to rotate so as to cause the cable loop to move about the first and said second cable pulleys.

Abstract: A flexible truck cover is attached to supporting members which downwardly overlap the upper side edges of the truck container to cover the entire width of the container. The cover is extended and retracted along the length of the container by cable means on which the support members are mounted and which interconnect drive pulleys and pull-down pulleys mounted at opposing ends of the trailer. The pull-down pulleys draw the flexible cover downwardly over the rear edge of the container to cover the entire length of the container.

Abstract: A truck cover having an improved telescopic arm assembly for drawing a cover across an open topped truck body or other vessel or container. The assembly is powered by a pneumatic, hydraulic or other power source and comprises a pair of pivoting telescopic arms motivated by actuators The activators cause the telescopic arms to move pivotally from one end of the container to the opposite end and during the pivotal movement to cause the telescopic arms to retract as they move to a vertical position and to extend as they move from the vertical position to the opposite end of the container. The extension and retraction of the telescopic arms during pivotal movement from one end of the container to the opposite end causes a flexible cover carried by the upper ends of the telescopic arms to be drawn across the container in a low trajectory resulting in improved ease and safety of operation and reduced opportunity for damage to the flexible cover.