Abstract: A system includes a pair of gearboxes each having an output shaft. A first adapter is connected to the output shaft of the first gearbox, and a second adapter is connected to the output shaft of the second gearbox. A first drive shaft is connected to the first adapter, and a second drive shaft is connected to the second adapter. Each drive shaft may articulate with respect to an axis defined by its associated output shaft through an angle of at least twenty degrees.

Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism contained within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring, with a cable or wire extending through the element. The cable is fastened at one end to an end cap that bears against one end of the compression spring. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a base mounted to the container body. The base includes a pulley about which the cable is wound as the arm pivots relative to the base. As the arm pivots and the cable winds about the pulley, the end cap bears against the spring to compress the spring.

Abstract: A cover system includes a cover, two bail arms, and a fluid circuit. Each bail arm is mounted on a gliding assembly. Each gliding assembly includes a gliding body slidably supported on a vehicle frame, and a cylinder connected to the gliding body and defining first and second ends. The fluid circuit is configured to supply fluid to the first end of the first cylinder and the second end of the second cylinder. A fluid line connects the second end of the first cylinder to the first end of the second cylinder and is configured to direct the fluid between the cylinders such that a flow of the fluid to the first cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a first direction, and a flow to the second cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a second opposite direction.

Abstract: A drive assembly mounted on a pivot arm for a cover system having a cover supported on an axle for the cover to be wound and unwound, the drive assembly including a housing, a drive motor including a hypoid pinion gear in meshed engagement with a hypoid ring gear, a transfer gear engaged to the hypoid ring gear for rotation therewith, an output gear in meshed engagement with the transfer gear, and an output shaft engaged to the output gear for rotation therewith, the output shaft engaged to the axle to transmit rotation from the drive assembly to the axle. The hypoid ring gear, the transfer gear and the output gear are sized and arranged so that the output gear overlaps the hypoid ring gear, and so that the hypoid pinion gear and the output gear are on the same side of the hypoid ring gear and laterally overlap each other.

Abstract: A drive assembly mounted on a pivot arm for a cover system having a cover supported on an axle for the cover to be wound and unwound, the drive assembly including a housing, a drive motor including a hypoid pinion gear in meshed engagement with a hypoid ring gear, a transfer gear engaged to the hypoid ring gear for rotation therewith, an output gear in meshed engagement with the transfer gear, and an output shaft engaged to the output gear for rotation therewith, the output shaft engaged to the axle to transmit rotation from the drive assembly to the axle. The hypoid ring gear, the transfer gear and the output gear are sized and arranged so that the output gear overlaps the hypoid ring gear, and so that the hypoid pinion gear and the output gear are on the same side of the hypoid ring gear and laterally overlap each other.

Abstract: A drive assembly mounted on a pivot arm for a cover system having a cover supported on an axle for the cover to be wound and unwound, the drive assembly including a housing, a drive motor including a hypoid pinion gear in meshed engagement with a hypoid ring gear, a transfer gear engaged to the hypoid ring gear for rotation therewith, an output gear in meshed engagement with the transfer gear, and an output shaft engaged to the output gear for rotation therewith, the output shaft engaged to the axle to transmit rotation from the drive assembly to the axle. The hypoid ring gear, the transfer gear and the output gear are sized and arranged so that the output gear overlaps the hypoid ring gear, and so that the hypoid pinion gear and the output gear are on the same side of the hypoid ring gear and laterally overlap each other.

Abstract: A railcar has a pair of sidewalls, a cover, a take up spool, and a motor. The take up spool may store panels of the cover, and the motor moves the cover between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A railcar may include a pair of opposed sidewalls, and a support disposed on the top of each sidewall. The supports are configured to engage clamps to rotate the railcar.

Abstract: A cover system for an open-topped container body includes a cover assembly supported by a first arm assembly pivotably mounted at one end of the container body and a second arm assembly mounted at the opposite end of the body. The first arm assembly is coupled to one end of the cover assembly and includes a drive motor for rotating the cover assembly between deployed and retracted positions. The second arm assembly includes an arm pivotably mounted to the container body, a chain connected at one end to the free end of the arm, and an engagement element connected at the opposite end of the chain that is coupled to the opposite end of the cover assembly.

Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism contained within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring, with a cable or wire extending through the element. The cable is fastened at one end to an end cap that bears against one end of the compression spring. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a base mounted to the container body. The base includes a pulley about which the cable is wound as the arm pivots relative to the base. As the arm pivots and the cable winds about the pulley, the end cap bears against the spring to compress the spring.

Abstract: A system includes a pair of gearboxes each having an output shaft. A first adapter is connected to the output shaft of the first gearbox, and a second adapter is connected to the output shaft of the second gearbox. A first drive shaft is connected to the first adapter, and a second drive shaft is connected to the second adapter. Each drive shaft may articulate with respect to an axis defined by its associated output shaft through an angle of at least twenty degrees.

Abstract: A cover system includes a cover, two bail arms, and a fluid circuit. Each bail arm is mounted on a gliding assembly. Each gliding assembly includes a gliding body slidably supported on a vehicle frame, and a cylinder connected to the gliding body and defining first and second ends. The fluid circuit is configured to supply fluid to the first end of the first cylinder and the second end of the second cylinder. A fluid line connects the second end of the first cylinder to the first end of the second cylinder and is configured to direct the fluid between the cylinders such that a flow of the fluid to the first cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a first direction, and a flow to the second cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a second opposite direction.

Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism contained within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring, with a cable or wire extending through the element. The cable is fastened at one end to an end cap that bears against one end of the compression spring. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a base mounted to the container body. The base includes a pulley about which the cable is wound as the arm pivots relative to the base. As the arm pivots and the cable winds about the pulley, the end cap bears against the spring to compress the spring.

Abstract: A cover system includes a flexible cover, a pair of bail arms connected to one end of said flexible cover, and a corresponding pivot mechanism for pivotably supporting each bail arm. Each pivot mechanism is mounted on a corresponding gliding assembly, and each gliding assembly includes a pair of oppositely disposed rails fixedly mounted to the frame of the vehicle, a gliding body slidably supported on the pair of rails, and a cylinder supporting the gliding body and slidably supported on a rod assembly. The rod assembly includes a pair of collinearly disposed rods, coupled together by a piston element, the piston element defining opposite fluid paths for a pressurizing fluid conveyed under pressure to the cylinder. A fluid circuit is configured to selectively supply pressurized fluid to each cylinder through the pair of rods to move the cylinder, and therefore the gliding body and bails arms supported thereon, in one of two opposite directions along the length of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A drive assembly mounted on a pivot arm for a cover system having a cover supported on an axle for the cover to be wound and unwound, the drive assembly including a housing, a drive motor including a hypoid pinion gear in meshed engagement with a hypoid ring gear, a transfer gear engaged to the hypoid ring gear for rotation therewith, an output gear in meshed engagement with the transfer gear, and an output shaft engaged to the output gear for rotation therewith, the output shaft engaged to the axle to transmit rotation from the drive assembly to the axle. The hypoid ring gear, the transfer gear and the output gear are sized and arranged so that the output gear overlaps the hypoid ring gear, and so that the hypoid pinion gear and the output gear are on the same side of the hypoid ring gear and laterally overlap each other.

Abstract: A gear motor includes an electric motor, a high ratio hypoid ring and pinion coupled to the motor, and one set of spur gears to couple to and work with the spiroid gear set to transfer power to an output shaft.

Abstract: A cover system for an open-topped container body includes a cover assembly supported by a first arm assembly pivotably mounted at one end of the container body and a second arm assembly mounted at the opposite end of the body. The first arm assembly is coupled to one end of the cover assembly and includes a drive motor for rotating the cover assembly between deployed and retracted positions. The second arm assembly includes an arm pivotably mounted to the container body, a chain connected at one end to the free end of the arm, and an engagement element connected at the opposite end of the chain that is coupled to the opposite end of the cover assembly.

Abstract: An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism contained within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring, with a cable or wire extending through the element. The cable is fastened at one end to an end cap that bears against one end of the compression spring. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a base mounted to the container body. The base includes a pulley about which the cable is wound as the arm pivots relative to the base. As the arm pivots and the cable winds about the pulley, the end cap bears against the spring to compress the spring.

Abstract: A railcar has a pair of sidewalls, a cover, a take up spool, and a motor. The take up spool may store panels of the cover, and the motor moves the cover between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A gear motor includes an electric motor, a high ratio hypoid ring and pinion coupled to the motor, and one set of spur gears to couple to and work with the spiroid gear set to transfer power to an output shaft.