Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin. The device includes a rod to deploy the tarpaulin across the container and an actuator. An arm extends between the actuator and the rod to allow the actuator to rotate the rod, the arm having an arm first end coupled to the rod and an opposed arm second end. The rod is coupled to the container so that the rod second end is movable relative to the container.

Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin. The device includes a rod to deploy the tarpaulin across the container and an actuator. An arm extends between the actuator and the rod to allow the actuator to rotate the rod, the arm having an arm first end coupled to the rod and an opposed arm second end. The rod is coupled to the container so that the rod second end is movable relative to the container.

Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin. The device includes an actuator assembly operable selectively in a manual mode and in a motorized mode.

Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin. The device includes an actuator assembly operable selectively in a manual mode and in a motorized mode.

Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin, comprising: a rod for rolling the tarpaulin thereonto and unrolling of the tarpaulin therefrom; a support arm mountable to the container for rotatably supporting the rod, the support arm being pivotally movable relative to the container; a rod actuator for selectively rotating the rod; and an arm biasing element for biasing the support arm towards a predetermined position. Rotating the rod using the rod actuator to roll the tarpaulin therearound moves the support arm towards a support arm first position to move the tarpaulin to a tarpaulin retracted configuration and rotating the rod using the rod actuator to unroll the tarpaulin therefrom moves the support arm towards a support arm second position to move the tarpaulin to a tarpaulin extended configuration.

Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin, comprising: a rod for rolling the tarpaulin thereonto and unrolling of the tarpaulin therefrom; a support arm mountable to the container for rotatably supporting the rod, the support arm being pivotally movable relative to the container; a rod actuator for selectively rotating the rod; and an arm biasing element for biasing the support arm towards a predetermined position. Rotating the rod using the rod actuator to roll the tarpaulin therearound moves the support arm towards a support arm first position to move the tarpaulin to a tarpaulin retracted configuration and rotating the rod using the rod actuator to unroll the tarpaulin therefrom moves the support arm towards a support arm second position to move the tarpaulin to a tarpaulin extended configuration.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container, comprising: a guide mountable to the container along an aperture first side edge; a stopper positioned along the guide; a caddie mounted to the guide and movable therealong, the stopper being configured and sized for preventing movements of the caddie beyond the stopper; a tarpaulin rod support defining a pivot section and a tarpaulin rod supporting section spaced apart therefrom, the tarpaulin rod support being pivotally mounted to the caddie in the pivot section; a tarpaulin rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound and unrolling the tarpaulin therefrom, the tarpaulin rod being rotatably mounted to the tarpaulin rod supporting section so as to be rotatable about a rod longitudinal axis thereof; and an actuator operatively coupled to the tarpaulin rod for selectively rotating the tarpaulin rod about the rod longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container, comprising: a guide mountable to the container along an aperture first side edge; a stopper positioned along the guide; a caddie mounted to the guide and movable therealong, the stopper being configured and sized for preventing movements of the caddie beyond the stopper; a tarpaulin rod support defining a pivot section and a tarpaulin rod supporting section spaced apart therefrom, the tarpaulin rod support being pivotally mounted to the caddie in the pivot section; a tarpaulin rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound and unrolling the tarpaulin therefrom, the tarpaulin rod being rotatably mounted to the tarpaulin rod supporting section so as to be rotatable about a rod longitudinal axis thereof; and an actuator operatively coupled to the tarpaulin rod for selectively rotating the tarpaulin rod about the rod longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system for covering a vehicle platform defining opposed ends. End elements are mountable to the vehicle platform adjacent its ends and a tarpaulin attachment element extends therebetween. A tarpaulin defines a tarpaulin movable end and a tarpaulin fixed portion extending in a parallel and spaced apart relationship relative to each other, the tarpaulin fixed portion being secured to the tarpaulin attachment element. An end rod is mounted to the tarpaulin adjacent the tarpaulin movable end and a support member is mounted to the tarpaulin a location intermediate the tarpaulin fixed portion and movable end. An actuator moves the tarpaulin between tarpaulin retracted and extended configurations. In the tarpaulin retracted configuration, at least part of the tarpaulin is wound around the end rod. In the tarpaulin extended configuration, the tarpaulin is unwound from the end rod and extends along the end elements, the support member abutting against the end elements.

Abstract: A method for manipulating and securing a tarpaulin across an aperture defining opposed aperture first and second ends, the tarpaulin being secured at one end thereof adjacent the aperture first end and secured to a rod at the other end thereof. With the tarpaulin at least partially rolled around a rod, the tarpaulin is unrolled from the rod and substantially simultaneously the rod is moved across the aperture toward the aperture second end so that the tarpaulin is extended across the aperture as the tarpaulin in unrolled from the rod. After the rod has been moved substantially adjacent to the aperture second end, the rod is inserted in the recess of a hook provided adjacent the aperture second end so as to prevent movements of the rod toward the aperture first end beyond a predetermined location. After inserting the rod in the recess, the tarpaulin is rolled around the rod to move the rod to the predetermined location and create a tension in the tarpaulin to secure the tarpaulin to the hook.

Abstract: A method for manipulating and securing a tarpaulin across an aperture defining opposed aperture first and second ends, the tarpaulin being secured at one end thereof adjacent the aperture first end and secured to a rod at the other end thereof. With the tarpaulin at least partially rolled around a rod, the tarpaulin is unrolled from the rod and substantially simultaneously the rod is moved across the aperture toward the aperture second end so that the tarpaulin is extended across the aperture as the tarpaulin in unrolled from the rod. After the rod has been moved substantially adjacent to the aperture second end, the rod is inserted in the recess of a hook provided adjacent the aperture second end so as to prevent movements of the rod toward the aperture first end beyond a predetermined location. After inserting the rod in the recess, the tarpaulin is rolled around the rod to move the rod to the predetermined location and create a tension in the tarpaulin to secure the tarpaulin to the hook.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin across a top aperture of a container, the tarpaulin defining a tarpaulin first end section and a substantially opposed tarpaulin second end section, the container defining a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending substantially upwardly from the bottom wall, the peripheral wall delimiting the top aperture substantially opposed to the bottom wall, the container defining substantially opposed container first and second ends, the tarpaulin first end section being secured to the container substantially adjacent to the container first end.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container, the device being usable in combination with an actuator, the device comprising: a rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound, the rod defining a rod longitudinal axis; a mounting bracket attachable to the container in a spaced apart relationship relatively to the top aperture; an articulated linking element defining a linking element first end and a substantially opposed linking element second end, the articulated linking element being pivotally attached to the mounting bracket substantially adjacent to the linking element first end, the articulated linking element being rotatably attached to the rod substantially adjacent to the linking element second end, the articulated linking element being movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the articulated linking element being in the first configuration when the tarpaulin is in a retracted configuration, and the articulated linking element

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container. The top aperture defines an aperture peripheral edge, the aperture peripheral edge including two substantially opposed substantially longitudinal segments. The tarpaulin is configurable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In the extended configuration, the tarpaulin substantially covers the top aperture. In the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is substantially retracted from the top aperture. The device includes an elongated guiding component defining a guiding component longitudinal axis. The guiding component is securable to the container so as to extend at least partially along at least one of the longitudinal segments. A tarpaulin mounting component is usable for attaching the tarpaulin thereto. A link, mechanically coupled to the guiding component, is longitudinally movable therealong between a link proximal position and a link distal position.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container the device being usable in combination with an actuator providing a rotational motion, the device comprising: a rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound and for unrolling the tarpaulin therefrom; a rod rotating component having a substantially elongated configuration, the rod rotating component defining a component longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being linkable to the actuator so as to be rotatable therewith about the rod longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being operatively coupled to the rod in a manner such that rotating the rod rotating component about the component longitudinal axis rotates the rod about the rod longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being pivotable relatively to the actuator and configurable between a component shortest configuration and a component longest configuration.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a tarpaulin in a substantially taut state over a top aperture of a container, the tarpaulin being configurable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein, in the extended configuration, the tarpaulin substantially covers the top aperture, and in the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is substantially retracted from the top aperture. The device includes a rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound when configuring the tarpaulin from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration and for unrolling the tarpaulin therefrom when configuring the tarpaulin from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, the rod defining a longitudinal axis; and a biasing element mechanically coupled to both the container and the rod for biasing the rod in such a manner so as to maintain the tarpaulin in a substantially taut state when the tarpaulin is being rolled and unrolled respectively onto and from the rod.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container. The top aperture defines an aperture peripheral edge, the aperture peripheral edge including two substantially opposed substantially longitudinal segments. The tarpaulin is configurable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In the extended configuration, the tarpaulin substantially covers the top aperture. In the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is substantially retracted from the top aperture. The device includes an elongated guiding component defining a guiding component longitudinal axis. The guiding component is securable to the container so as to extend at least partially along at least one of the longitudinal segments. A tarpaulin mounting component is usable for attaching the tarpaulin thereto. A link, mechanically coupled to the guiding component, is longitudinally movable therealong between a link proximal position and a link distal position.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container the device being usable in combination with an actuator providing a rotational motion, the device comprising: a rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound and for unrolling the tarpaulin therefrom; a rod rotating component having a substantially elongated configuration, the rod rotating component defining a component longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being linkable to the actuator so as to be rotatable therewith about the rod longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being operatively coupled to the rod in a manner such that rotating the rod rotating component about the component longitudinal axis rotates the rod about the rod longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being pivotable relatively to the actuator and configurable between a component shortest configuration and a component longest configuration.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a tarpaulin in a substantially taut state over a top aperture of a container, the tarpaulin being configurable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein, in the extended configuration, the tarpaulin substantially covers the top aperture, and in the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is substantially retracted from the top aperture. The device includes a rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound when configuring the tarpaulin from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration and for unrolling the tarpaulin therefrom when configuring the tarpaulin from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, the rod defining a longitudinal axis; and a biasing element mechanically coupled to both the container and the rod for biasing the rod in such a manner so as to maintain the tarpaulin in a substantially taut state when the tarpaulin is being rolled and unrolled respectively onto and from the rod.

Abstract: A supporting structure for supporting a tarpaulin over a container opening defined by a container body. The supporting structure includes generally elongated supporting bows pivotally attached to the container body so as to allow the bows to pivot between a bow operational configuration wherein the bow spans substantially transversally across the container opening and a stored configuration wherein the supporting bows are at least partially retracted from the container opening and extend in a substantially proximal relationship relative to the container first side wall. The supporting bows are also pivotally attached to the container body so as to allow the bows to pivot about a bow first end between a bow higher position wherein an opposed bow second end is raised and a bow lowered position wherein the bow second end is located substantially underneath the bow raised position. A bow biasing mechanism biases the supporting bows towards the bow raised position.