Abstract: The invention is directed to an oil extended rubber and composition comprising: a solution polymerized elastomer derived from isoprene and optionally at least member of the group consisting of conjugated dienes and vinyl aromatic monomers; and from about 5 to about 70 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a process oil having a glass transition temperature of from about ?80° C. to about ?40° C. and a polycyclic aromatic content of less than 3 percent by weight as determined by the IP346 method.

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 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: An improved tarp cover system for covering the open-topped container body of a vehicle is characterized by the provision of a generally U-shaped inverted hold-down arm that is pivotally connected with the front wall of the container body and that is spring biased to apply a downward force on the front portion of the cover when the container is in the completely closed condition, thereby to reduce flapping of the cover during transport. The flexible tarp cover is wound on a roll that is rotatably supported adjacent the front wail of the container. In a first embodiment, to cover the container, the free end of the cover is displaced rearwardly of the container by a cover arm that is pivotally connected with the side walls of the container. The cover arm is biased toward its rearmost container covering position by a pair of side mounted spring arrangements that include compression springs that are concealed within the hollow leg portions of the cover arm.

Abstract: A cover system for an open-topped container, such as a dump truck body, includes a flexible tarpaulin sized to extend across the length of the container. A weighted element is carried by the tarp adjacent to but offset from the front end of the tarp. The weighted element is “gravity-biased” so that it pulls the tarp down and holds it down against the load within the container when the tarp is in its deployed position. In a preferred embodiment, the weighted element includes one or more metal bars that are contained within pockets spanning the width of the tarp.

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: 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 cover system for an open-topped container, such as a dump truck body, includes a flexible tarpaulin sized to extend across the length of the container. A weighted element is carried by the tarp adjacent to but offset from the front end of the tarp. The weighted element is “gravity-biased” so that it pulls the tarp down and holds it down against the load within the container when the tarp is in its deployed position. In a preferred embodiment, the weighted element includes one or more metal bars that are contained within pockets spanning the width of the tarp.

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 wind deflector assembly for a roll tarping system mounted on a vehicle includes a pair of side mounting plates, each associated with a corresponding opposite end of the roll tarping system. Each of the mounting plates includes a first edge and at least one flange projecting from a notch formed in the first edge of the mounting plate. An elongated deflector plate includes at least one variable location mounting element defined on an inner surface thereof. Each mounting element is arranged to be aligned with a corresponding flange when the deflector plate is mounted to the side mounting plates. The flange includes a fastener opening, while the mounting element includes a T-slot and channel. At least two fasteners are provided for connecting the deflector plate to each side mounting plate. The fastener can include a bolt sized to slide within the T-slot and channel, and a nut that is threaded onto the bolt when it extends from the mounting element through the opening in the flanges.

Abstract: An automatic tarp tensioning device operable to remove slack from a tarp cover due to stretching and wear includes an extension mechanism attached to a tarp cover and an adjusting element attached to the tarp cover and movable relative to the extension mechanism to apply tension to the tarp cover. A biasing mechanism is disposed between the extension mechanism and the adjusting element to bias the adjusting element away from the extension mechanism to thereby tension the tarp cover. The biasing mechanism includes a plurality of springs under compression between the extension mechanism and the adjusting element and a limiting element to limit the maximum extension of the spring. The limiting element includes a bolt and nut assembly interconnecting the extension mechanism and the adjusting member and is adjustable to control the expansion of the spring. The device operates to automatically tension the tarp cover when the cover is deployed.

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: 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: An improved tarp cover system for covering the open-topped container body of a vehicle is characterized by the provision of generally U-shaped inverted hold-down arm that is pivotally connected with the front wall of the container body and that is spring biased to apply a downward force on the front portion of the cover when the container is in the completely closed condition, thereby to reduce flapping of the cover during transport. The flexible tarp cover is wound on a roll that is rotatably supported adjacent the front wall of the container. In a first embodiment, to cover the container, the free end of the cover is displaced rearwardly of the container by a cover arm that is pivotally connected with the side walls of the container. The cover arm is biased toward its rearmost container covering position by a pair of side mounted spring arrangements that include compression springs that are concealed within the hollow leg portions of the cover arm.

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. 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 hand and a left hand 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: An improved tarp cover system for covering the open-topped container body of a vehicle, characterized by the provision of generally U-shaped inverted hold-down arm that is pivotally connected with the front wall of the container body and that is spring biased to apply a downward force on the front portion of the cover when the container is in the completely closed condition, thereby to reduce flapping of the cover during transport. The flexible tarp cover is wound on a roll that is rotatably supported adjacent the front wall of the container. In a first embodiment, to cover the container, the free end of the cover is displaced rearwadly of the container by a cover arm that is pivotally connected with the side walls of the container. The cover arm is biased toward its rearmost container covering position by a pair of side mounted spring arrangements that include compression springs that are concealed within the hollow leg portions of the cover arm.

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. The actuation mechanism includes a number of double coil spiral torsion springs anchored on a shaft attached to the dump body. The springs each includes a right hand and a left hand 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 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. In one embodiment the housing is made in two connectable halves with one half of each reaction post integrally formed into each housing half.

Abstract: A wind-actuated hold-down mechanism is provided for restricting movement of a deployment component of a flexible cover deployment system associated with an open-topped container. In certain embodiments, the mechanism includes a vane member pivotably mounted to either the container or the deployment component. The vane member can include one locking element that engages another locking element mounted on the other of the container or the deployment component. The hold-down locking mechanism in certain embodiments is configured to restrict movement of a bail member for a cover deployment system. Other embodiments are configured to engage the end of a transverse bow. A hold-down mechanism can be biased to a neutral position clear of engagement between the container and the deployment component, using either a mechanical biasing component or a gravity biasing feature.

Abstract: An improved tarp cover system for covering the open-topped container body of a vehicle, characterized by the provision of generally U-shaped inverted hold-down arm that is pivotally connected with the front wall of the container body and that is spring biased to apply a downward force on the front portion of the cover when the container is in the completely closed condition, thereby to reduce flapping of the cover during transport. The flexible tarp cover is wound on a roll that is rotatably supported adjacent the front wall of the container. In a first embodiment, to cover the container, the free end of the cover is displaced rearwardly of the container by a cover arm that is pivotally connected with the side walls of the container. The cover arm is biased toward its rearmost container covering position by a pair of side mounted spring arrangements that include compression springs that are concealed within the hollow leg portions of the cover arm.

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. 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 hand and a left hand 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.