TRAILER TARP COVER SYSTEM
A trailer tarp cover system comprising a main arm, a rectangular joint, a gas spring, and a motor located on the distal end of the main arm. In a first embodiment, the rectangular joint is comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members, two first support members, and two second support members. In a second embodiment, the rectangular joint is comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members, one first support member, and one second support member. In an alternate embodiment, torsion springs are used in lieu of the gas spring.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of trailer covers, and more specifically, to a trailer tarp cover system that uses a main arm with a rectangular joint at its base to open and close the cover.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention is a side-to-side tarp cover system for a grain trailer of the type shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,935 (Waltz et al., 2001) discloses a flexible sheet cover apparatus for a load-carrying box on a land vehicle in which an arm is coupled to a roller for rolling and unrolling the flexible sheet from side to side. The arm is in the form of a box beam with a fixed length, and the arm has a slot. A pin is coupled to the load-carrying box and slidably engaged in the slot in the arm to define a pivot for the arm. The roller remains in constant contact with the top edges of the two non-contiguous walls that form the load-carrying box. A motor is fixed to the arm between the roller and the slot, and a drive unit enclosed within the box beam couples the motor to the roller.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,449 (Searfoss, 2001) provides an apparatus for extending and retracting a cover over a bed of a truck. The main arm, which is located at the rear of the truck bed, has a first base and a first extension. The bearing arm, which is located at the front of the truck bed, has a second base and a second extension. The first extension is pivotally connected to the upper end of the first base, and the second extension is pivotally connected to the upper end of the second base. A reel extends between distal ends of the first and second extensions. A motor is mounted on the distal end of either the first or second extension and is also connected to the distal end of the reel.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,856 (Swanson et at, 2003) involves a mechanism for rolling and unrolling a tarp over a trailer container. An electrically operated drive assembly is used to roll the roll bar back and forth between longitudinal edges of the container. The drive assembly comprises an electric motor and a gear reduction mechanism, both of which are supported on a telescoping tube assembly that is pivotably attached to the front of the container. A double reel member is fixedly attached to the forward end of the roll bar, and a single reel member is fixedly attached to the rearward end of the roll bar. Constant force spring members are fixedly attached to the double and single reel members and also to hinge plates mounted on the side of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,561 (Royer, 2009) discloses a device for covering and uncovering the top of a container with a tarp, the device comprising a rod, a rod rotating component, and an actuator. The tarp is rolled around the rod when the cover is in a retracted position, and the rod rotating component is couple to the rod such that rotating the rod rotating component around its longitudinal axis also rotates the rod around its longitudinal axis. The rod rotating component is linked to an actuator that is operated manually and that causes the rod rotating component to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The length of the rod rotating component varies to allow the rod to remain linked to the actuator as the rod travels over the top of the container.
Examples of tarp covering systems that involve front-to-back rather than side-to-side retraction and extension systems include: U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,891 (O'Brian et al., 2006); U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,071 (Chabot, 2005); U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,790 (Henning, 2001); U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,274 (Henning, 2005); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,519 (Henning, 2003).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a trailer tarp cover system comprising: a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion; a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, two first support members each having two ends, and two second support members each having two ends; a gas spring having two ends; and a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar; wherein the two first support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end; wherein the two second support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end; wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to one of the two first support members on one end and to one of the two second support members on the other end; wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm; wherein the two first support members are the same length as and vertically parallel to the two second support members; wherein the gas spring is attached to one of the two axle support brackets on one end and to a main bracket on the other end; wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer; and wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket.
In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is a trailer tarp cover system comprising: a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion; a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, two first support members each having two ends, and two second support members each having two ends; one or more torsion springs each having two ends; and a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar; wherein the two first support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end; wherein the two second support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end; wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to one of the two first support members on one end and to one of the two second support members on the other end; wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm; wherein the two first support members are the same length as and vertically parallel to the two second support members; wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer; wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket; wherein the torsion springs are mounted on the axle between the two axle support members; and wherein one end of each torsion spring member is secured to the axle and the other end of each torsion spring member wraps around a spacer located between the two axle support members.
In yet another alternate embodiment, the present invention is a trailer tarp cover system comprising: a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion; a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, a first support member with a first end and a second end, and a second support member with a first end and a second end; a gas spring having two ends; and a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar; wherein the first end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members; wherein the first end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members; wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the second end of the first support member on one end and to the second end of the second support member on the other end; wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm; wherein the first support member is the same length as and vertically parallel to the second support member; wherein the gas spring is attached to one of the two axle support brackets on one end and to a main bracket on the other end; wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer; and wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket.
In yet another alternate embodiment, the present invention is a trailer tarp cover system comprising: a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion; a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, a first support member with a first end and a second end, and a second support member with a first end and a second end; one or more torsion springs each having two ends; and a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar; wherein the first end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members; wherein the first end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members; wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the second end of the first support member on one end and to the second end of the second support member on the other end; wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm; wherein the first support member is the same length as and vertically parallel to the second support member; wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer; wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket; wherein the torsion springs are mounted on the axle between the two axle support members; and wherein one end of each torsion spring member is secured to the axle and the other end of each torsion spring member wraps around a spacer located between the two axle support members.
1 Main arm
1a Bottom portion (of main arm)
2 Rectangular joint
3 Motor housing
4 Trailer
5 Tarp cover
6 Adapter tube
7 Roll bar
8 Bolt
9 Cleat
10a Axle support member
10b Axle support member
11a First support member
11b First support member
12a Second support member
12b Second support member
13 Axle
14 Axle support bracket
15 Main bracket
16 Gas spring
17 Pivot point
18 Electrical conduit
19 Extension (for attachment of gas spring)
20 Collar
21 Spacer
22 Torsion spring
23 Upward leg (of cleat)
24 Inner end (of torsion spring)
25 Notch (in axle)
26 Outer end (of torsion spring)
27 Pin
28 Clip
29 First support member (alternate embodiment)
30 Second support member (alternate embodiment)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTIONThe motor housing 3 houses an electric motor (not shown) and a mechanical gear box (not shown). Referring to
Although the two first support members are shown as being exactly horizontally parallel to each other in the figures, in the embodiment involving the torsion springs (described below), it is possible that the distance between the ends of the two first support members 11a, 11b where they attach to the axle support members 10a, 10b could be slightly greater than the distance between the ends of the two first support members 11 a, 11b where they attach to the bottom portion 1a of the main arm 1 in order to accommodate the width of the torsion springs 22 on the axle 13. The same statement is true of the second support members.
Note also that the point at which the first support members 11a, 11b attach to the bottom portion 1a of the main arm 1 is closer to the distal end of the main arm (to which the motor housing 3 is attached) than the point at which the two second support members 12a, 12b attach to the bottom portion 1a of the main arm 1. The distance between these two points will be referred to herein as “X.”
Each axle support member 10a, 10b is attached on one end to a first support member 11a, 11b and on the other end to a second support member 12a, 12b. More specifically, axle support member 10a is attached on one end to first support member 11a and one the other end to second support member 12a. Axle support member 10b is attached on one end to first support member 11b and on the other end to second support member 12b. The two axle support members 10a, 10b are horizontally parallel to one another, which is why only one axle support member 10a is visible in
In order for the rectangular joint to function, each point of attachment between the bottom portion 1a of the main arm 1 and the first and second support members 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, and each point of attachment between the axle support members 10a, 10b and the first and second support members 11 a, 11b, 12a, 12b, is a pivot point 17. The first support members 11a, 11b are the same length as the second support members 12a, 12b. On each axle support member 10a, 10b, the distance between the point at which the axle support member 10a, 10b attaches to the first support member 11a, 11b and the point at which the axle support member 10a, 10b attaches to the second support member 12a, 12b will be referred to herein as “Y.”
In order for the rectangular joint to function properly, distance “X” (defined above) must equal distance “Y.” (In other words, the two first support member 11a, 11b are vertically parallel to the two second support members 12a, 12b.) In this manner, the bottom portion 1a of the main arm 1, the first support members 11a, 11b, the second support members 12a, 12b, and the axle support members 10a, 10b always form a perfect rectangle.
In a preferred embodiment, a gas spring 16 is used to create a smoother movement of the main arm 1 and to cushion the extension and retraction of the main arm 1 as it travels across the top of the grain trailer 4 from one end to the other. As shown in
The same configuration described above applies to the rectangular joint 2 on the rear of the trailer 4, although it is the mirror opposite of the rectangular joint 2 on the front of the trailer 4, with the exception of the electrical conduit 18.
As mentioned above, the axle 13 extends through both of the axle support members 10a, 10b and is then welded to the axle support bracket 14, which is preferably bolted to the main bracket 15. Two spacers 21 lie between the two axle support members 10a, 10b and are slightly greater in width than the main arm 1. (The location of the spacers is indicated with reference number 21 in
In all of
The cleat 9 (see
With this embodiment, the inner ends 24 of the torsion springs 22 are inserted into a notch 25 in the axle 13 (see
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A trailer tarp cover system comprising:
- a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion;
- a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, two first support members each having two ends, and two second support members each having two ends;
- a gas spring having two ends; and
- a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar;
- wherein the two first support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end;
- wherein the two second support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end;
- wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to one of the two first support members on one end and to one of the two second support members on the other end;
- wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm;
- wherein the two first support members are the same length as and vertically parallel to the two second support members;
- wherein the gas spring is attached to one of the two axle support brackets on one end and to a main bracket on the other end;
- wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer; and
- wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket.
2. A trailer tarp cover system comprising:
- a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion;
- a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, two first support members each having two ends, and two second support members each having two ends;
- one or more torsion springs each having two ends; and
- a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar;
- wherein the two first support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end;
- wherein the two second support members are roughly horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm on one end and to the two axle support members on the other end;
- wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to one of the two first support members on one end and to one of the two second support members on the other end;
- wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm;
- wherein the two first support members are the same length as and vertically parallel to the two second support members;
- wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer;
- wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket;
- wherein the torsion springs are mounted on the axle between the two axle support members; and
- wherein one end of each torsion spring member is secured to the axle and the other end of each torsion spring member wraps around a spacer located between the two axle support members.
3. A trailer tarp cover system comprising:
- a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion;
- a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, a first support member with a first end and a second end, and a second support member with a first end and a second end;
- a gas spring having two ends; and
- a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar;
- wherein the first end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members;
- wherein the first end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members;
- wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the second end of the first support member on one end and to the second end of the second support member on the other end;
- wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm;
- wherein the first support member is the same length as and vertically parallel to the second support member;
- wherein the gas spring is attached to one of the two axle support brackets on one end and to a main bracket on the other end;
- wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer; and
- wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket.
4. A trailer tarp cover system comprising:
- a main arm with a distal end and a bottom portion;
- a rectangular joint comprised of the bottom portion of the main arm, two axle support members each having two ends, a first support member with a first end and a second end, and a second support member with a first end and a second end;
- one or more torsion springs each having two ends; and
- a motor located on the distal end of the main arm and having a motor shaft that is connected to a tarp roll bar;
- wherein the first end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the first support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members;
- wherein the first end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the main arm, and the second end of the second support member is pivotally attached to the two axle support members;
- wherein the two axle support members are horizontally parallel to one another and are pivotally attached to the second end of the first support member on one end and to the second end of the second support member on the other end;
- wherein the axle support members are vertically parallel to the main arm;
- wherein the first support member is the same length as and vertically parallel to the second support member;
- wherein the main bracket is attached to a trailer;
- wherein an axle extends through both axle support members and is welded to an axle support bracket that is fixedly attached to the main bracket;
- wherein the torsion springs are mounted on the axle between the two axle support members; and
- wherein one end of each torsion spring member is secured to the axle and the other end of each torsion spring member wraps around a spacer located between the two axle support members,
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 7, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2011
Inventor: Jay A. Schmeichel (Bismarck, ND)
Application Number: 12/795,307