US3785694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible cover assembly
Assignee: RETSEL Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A flexible cover assembly is disclosed for use with an opentopped semi-trailer. The assembly includes means for rolling the flexible cover into a generally cylindrical roll over the top of the semi-trailer to a position adjacent one side thereof and means for storing the flexible cover in the rolled position with the flexible cover extending past the side of the trailer thus allowing the bows extending transversely across the semi-trailer to be removed providing a loading area through the open top of the semi-trailer.
Inventors
- 👤 R Sargent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/10; B60J7/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
A flexible cover assembly for an open-topped semi-trailer having a first side wall and a second side wall, comprising: a. a generally rectangular flexible cover having one edge fixedly attached along said first side wall of said semitrailer and adapted to overlie the open top thereof; b. an elongated cylinder fixedly attached to said flexible cover adjacent an edge thereof opposite and parallel to said edge attached to said semi-trailer; c. cranking means attached to one end of said elongated cylinder for manually rolling and unrolling said flexible cover around said elongated cylinder; d. cover storage means for storing said rolled cover exterior of said first wall of said semi-trailer comprising a crank-shaped bar formed into a first and a second parallel part separated by a third part perpendicular to each of said parallel parts; and, e. means mounting said cover storage means at the side of said semi-trailer having said flexible cover attached thereto for biasing said cover storage means in juxtaposition with said semi-trailer side when said cover storage means is not storing said cover and allowing movement to a position outwardly of said semi-trailer side when said cover storage means is storing said rolled cover comprising: 1. a plate attached parallel with said semi-trailer side; 2. a first and a second flange attached to said plate and extending perpendicularly to said plate, each of said flanges having a hole therethrough for receiving said bar first parallel part for rotation about an axis of said bar first part, and 3. means biasing said bar such that said first, second, and third parts are normally parallel with, and in juxtaposition to, said semi-trailer side while allowing said bar first parallel part to rotate thus moving said bar third part to a position approximately perpendicular to said semi-trailer side of the storage of said rolled cover between said bar third part and said bar second part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
A flexible cover assembly for an open-topped semi-trailer having a first side wall and a second side wall, comprising: a. a generally rectangular flexible cover having one edge fixedly attached along said first side wall of said semitrailer and adapted to overlie the open top thereof; b. an elongated cylinder fixedly attached to said flexible cover adjacent an edge thereof opposite and parallel to said edge attached to said semi-trailer; c. cranking means attached to one end of said elongated cylinder for manually rolling and unrolling said flexible cover around said elongated cylinder; d. cover storage means for storing said rolled cover exterior of said first wall of said semi-trailer comprising a crank-shaped bar formed into a first and a second parallel part separated by a third part perpendicular to each of said parallel parts; and, e. means mounting said cover storage means at the side of said semi-trailer having said flexible cover attached thereto for biasing said cover storage means in juxtaposition with said semi-trailer side when said cover storage means is not storing said cover and allowing movement to a position outwardly of said semi-trailer side when said cover storage means is storing said rolled cover comprising: 1. a plate attached parallel with said semi-trailer side; 2. a first and a second flange attached to said plate and extending perpendicularly to said plate, each of said flanges having a hole therethrough for receiving said bar first parallel part for rotation about an axis of said bar first part, and 3. means biasing said bar such that said first, second, and third parts are normally parallel with, and in juxtaposition to, said semi-trailer side while allowing said bar first parallel part to rotate thus moving said bar third part to a position approximately perpendicular to said semi-trailer side of the storage of said rolled cover between said bar third part and said bar second part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
a second elongated member attached to said first elongated member and mounted thereto for positioning in a first position perpendicular to said first elongated member and for positioning in a second position parallel with said first elongated member, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
a second elongated member attached to said first elongated member and mounted thereto for positioning in a first position perpendicular to said first elongated member and for positioning in a second position parallel with said first elongated member, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a. said elongated cylinder has a sleeve fixedly attached therein, said sleeve having an axial bore and including a slot; and b. said cranking means includes,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
a first and a second flange attached to said plate and extending perpendicularly to said plate, each of said flanges having a hole therethrough for receiving said bar first parallel part for rotation about an axis of said bar first part, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
a first and a second flange attached to said plate and extending perpendicularly to said plate, each of said flanges having a hole therethrough for receiving said bar first parallel part for rotation about an axis of said bar first part, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
a third elongated member attached to said second elongated member and mounted thereto for positioning in a first position perpendicular to said second elongated member and for positioning in a second position parallel with said second elongated member, c. whereby, when said first, second, and third elongated members are positioned parallel with respect to each other they are insertable within said sleeve axial bore for storage, and when said third elongated member is in said second position and said boss is inserted within said slot, said third elongated member is rotatable parallel with respect to said first elongated member and said elongated cylinder causing the rotation of said elongated cylinder for manually rolling and unrolling said flexiblE cover around said elongated cylinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
a third elongated member attached to said second elongated member and mounted thereto for positioning in a first position perpendicular to said second elongated member and for positioning in a second position parallel with said second elongated member, c. whereby, when said first, second, and third elongated members are positioned parallel with respect to each other they are insertable within said sleeve axial bore for storage, and when said third elongated member is in said second position and said boss is inserted within said slot, said third elongated member is rotatable parallel with respect to said first elongated member and said elongated cylinder causing the rotation of said elongated cylinder for manually rolling and unrolling said flexiblE cover around said elongated cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
means biasing said bar such that said first, second, and third parts are normally parallel with, and in juxtaposition to, said semi-trailer side while allowing said bar first parallel part to rotate thus moving said bar third part to a position approximately perpendicular to said semi-trailer side of the storage of said rolled cover between said bar third part and said bar second part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
means biasing said bar such that said first, second, and third parts are normally parallel with, and in juxtaposition to, said semi-trailer side while allowing said bar first parallel part to rotate thus moving said bar third part to a position approximately perpendicular to said semi-trailer side of the storage of said rolled cover between said bar third part and said bar second part.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |