Flexible Material (e.g., Tarp) Patents (Class 105/377.02)
-
Patent number: 10696312Abstract: A cover apparatus for selectively covering the open top of a container may include a pair of tracks for mounting on the sides of the container, a cover movably mounted on the pair of tracks. The cover may include a pair of cover assemblies movable toward each other to produce a closed condition and movable away from each other to produce an open condition. Each of the cover assemblies may be positionable at an end of the container and have a portion movable toward a center of the open top. A cover movement assembly may be configured to move the cover assemblies on the tracks toward each other into the closed condition and away from each other into the open condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Shur-Co, LLCInventors: Steven J. Knight, Eric J. Turner
-
Patent number: 10308382Abstract: A method for applying an underlayment layer to trucking cargo includes providing a roll of underlayment layer that is independent of the trucking cargo and a vehicle that transports the trucking cargo. The leading edge of the underlayment layer is secured and the underlayment layer is dispensed from the roll of underlayment layer such that the underlayment layer is applied to the trucking cargo in the longitudinal direction of the trucking cargo so as to cover the trucking cargo.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Safe TarpInventor: Fred V. Payne
-
Patent number: 10245927Abstract: A tarpaulin fastening device includes a support frame for support of one or more winch/spool assemblies and associated interconnecting line cord. The interconnecting line cord is extracted/retracted from/to its respective winch/spool assembly through actuation of a gear assembly. The interconnecting line cord is woven through eyelets of one or more connection pins and terminated with an anchoring mechanism. Once extracted from the winch/spool assembly, the interconnecting line cord is anchored to a flatbed trailer using the anchor mechanism and each connection pin is alternatingly connected to connection points along a length of tarp covering a payload supported by the flatbed and to connection points along a length of the flatbed trailer. Once the interconnecting line cord is anchored and connected to the tarp and flatbed, the tarp is secured onto the payload by actuation of the gear assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Royer Ent., LLCInventor: Rad Allen Royer
-
Patent number: 10137937Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle has a roof panel and includes a bow having an upper surface for supporting the panel. The bow may define a hole extending in a lengthwise direction. The bow assembly may further include a cable extending through the hole that is adapted to be coupled to spaced-apart roof frame members. The cable is axially tensioned to support the bow and panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Jaspinder S. Sahi
-
Patent number: 9764780Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for assembling a roof or floor of a cargo body, and for securing doors and other portions of a cargo body in place. In some cases, a plurality of sidewalls are provided, each comprising a side panel and an upper rail and/or lower rail coupled to the side panel. A roof panel can be located above the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the upper rails, with a roof bow extending between the upper rails below the roof panel and fixed to a track of one of the upper rails with a fastener. A floor cross member can be located between the lower rails, and can be secured to the lower rails via a track and fastener.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Riley Zehner, Todd Randall Eicher
-
Patent number: 9381797Abstract: The present invention discloses a recreational vehicle cover, especially a vehicle protecting cover. It is a long rectangle box with a faced down opening and is made of rain-proof and sun-resistant material, comprising a plurality of external surfaces of a right wall and a left wall thereof respectively disposed with a row of laces extended downward; a plurality of internal surfaces of a plurality of upper ends of the right and left walls of the long rectangle box respectively disposed with a row of pocket portions each comprising a pocket with a faced down opening and a pulling rope extended downward; a left rear zipper disposed between a rear edge of the left wall and a left edge of a rear wall of the long rectangle box; and a right rear zipper disposed between a rear edge of the right wall and a right edge of a rear wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Inventor: Zhixiong Chen
-
Publication number: 20140013994Abstract: A system for covering a railcar includes a first set and a second set of structural members coupled to a railcar. The structural members are configured to move between a loading position, an unloading positing, and a covered position. The system includes a plurality of cover portions, each coupled to a structural member of the first set and a structural member of the second set. In the loading position, at least one of the first set and at least one of second set are proximate longitudinal sides of the railcar. In the unloading position, at least one of the first set and at least one of second set are proximate a longitudinal center line of the railcar. In the covered position, the first set are proximate the longitudinal center line of the railcar, and the second set are proximate the longitudinal sides of the railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventor: Jerry W. Vande Sande
-
Patent number: 8608224Abstract: A hydraulic brake gear motor with a brake mechanism to operate a roll tarp for use with an open top container. A motor-driven rollable cover is attached to and wrappable about a reel to selectively cover contents of the container. The hydraulic gear motor operates with a brake mechanism to lock and hold a position of the motor. A secondary brake mechanism may include a hydraulic piston that selectively engages a holding brake with a hex connector. A hydraulic motor may include a port path for flow of fluid to internal meshing gears and a braking mechanism with a plunger that clamps and holds the meshing gears when hydraulic fluid is not flowing. A transmission having rolling gears can be operated by the hydraulic motor with such brake mechanisms. The motor and brake mechanisms are preferably hydraulically operated with an existing system of a trailer or rail car.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Roll-Rite, LLCInventor: Timothy K Searfoss
-
Publication number: 20130036936Abstract: A hydraulic brake gear motor with a brake mechanism to operate a roll tarp for use with an open top container. A motor-driven rollable cover is attached to and wrappable about a reel to selectively cover contents of the container. The hydraulic gear motor operates with a brake mechanism to lock and hold a position of the motor. A secondary brake mechanism may include a hydraulic piston that selectively engages a holding brake with a hex connector. A hydraulic motor may include a port path for flow of fluid to internal meshing gears and a braking mechanism with a plunger that clamps and holds the meshing gears when hydraulic fluid is not flowing. A transmission having rolling gears can be operated by the hydraulic motor with such brake mechanisms. The motor and brake mechanisms are preferably hydraulically operated with an existing system of a trailer or rail car.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: Roll-Rite, LLCInventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
-
Patent number: 8240740Abstract: A canopy deployment and retraction mechanism particularly suited to cover the cargo compartment of an elongated vehicle such as a railroad car. Each of a series of tarpaulin-supporting, parallel bows has sliders at each end sliding in a pair of funnel-shaped channels having their flat bases vertically secured to the upper inside lateral wall sections of the compartment. The spacing between the bases of the channels is less than the total length of a bow and its sliders and provides a degree of play in order to accommodate slight variations in the width of said compartment, and allows for self-centering of the cover. The shape of the channels allows for the placement of the cover retraction mechanisms such as cables and sliders within the outer periphery of the container, reducing bulk. The downward slope of the channel lower side further improves the evacuation of debris under the wiping action of the traveling sliders.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Inventors: Lynn Chenowth, Rory H. Chenowth
-
Publication number: 20110030575Abstract: A rail car cover system including a rail car, a first cover section and a second cover section. The rail car has an opening. The first cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The first cover section includes a first corner hinge assembly, a first intermediate hinge assembly and a first cover material. The first corner hinge assembly is attached to the first cover material. The first intermediate hinge assembly is slidable with respect to the first cover material. The second cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The second cover section includes a second corner hinge assembly, a second intermediate hinge assembly and a second cover material. The second corner hinge assembly is attached to the second cover material. The second intermediate hinge assembly is slidable with respect to the second cover material. The first cover section and the second cover section are both movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: SHUR COMPANYInventors: David J. Schaefer, Nathan P. Dimmer, Steven J. Knight, Jerry R. Dimmer, Michael P. Krajewski, Kevin J. Kleinsasser, Carla K. Ewald
-
Publication number: 20100307374Abstract: A cover system suitable to cover an open topped container may include a cover and an attachment system. The cover may include a channel pocket that is attached to the cover and that extends across a portion of the cover. The attachment system may include a strap that is received within the channel pocket and that has ends that are attachable to the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventor: John David Kalal
-
Patent number: 7823515Abstract: A rail car cover system including a rail car, a first cover section and a second cover section. The rail car has an opening. The first cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The first cover section includes a first hinge mechanism and a first cover material. The second cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The second cover section includes a second hinge mechanism and a second cover material. The first cover section and the second cover section are both movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. When in the closed configuration, the first cover section and the second cover section substantially cover the opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Shur CompanyInventors: David J. Schaefer, Nathan P. Dimmer, Steven J. Knight, Jerry R. Dimmer, Michael P. Krajewski, Kevin J. Kleinsasser, Carla K. Ewald
-
Publication number: 20100037798Abstract: A rail car cover system including a rail car, a first cover section and a second cover section. The rail car has an opening. The first cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The first cover section includes a first hinge mechanism and a first cover material. The second cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The second cover section includes a second hinge mechanism and a second cover material. The first cover section and the second cover section are both movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. When in the closed configuration, the first cover section and the second cover section substantially cover the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: SHUR COMPANYInventors: David J. Schaefer, Nathan P. Dimmer, Steven J. Knight, Jerry R. Dimmer, Michael P. Krajewski, Kevin J. Kleinsasser, Carla K. Ewald
-
Patent number: 6250233Abstract: An extendable and retractable cover for use on gondola railroad cars, preferably provided as a kit for retrofitting existing cars, including elongated runners for attaching to the top of longitudinal walls of the gondola railroad cars, the runners including at east one slidable surface, for supporting and permitting transport over the surface of a plurality of tarp supports, which extend across the lateral opening between the sidewalls of the gondola railroad car. The supports are adapted and configured to slide over the runners while enclosing an edge of the runner so as to engage the runner and retain the vertical position and orientation of the supports during transposition across the surface of the runners.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway CompanyInventor: Allen K. Luckring