Retractable Fabric Cover for Rectangular Containers

Abstract

The invention provides a quickly deployable fabric cover over rectangular containers to protect contents from stationary or mobile activities. Operated by a single person to secure or unsecure the cover and to cover or uncover the container minimizes time and energy to protect container contents from inclement weather events or transportation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Provisional Patent Number 123456789, dated Jan. 12, 2017

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] With advances in environmental regulation, encapsulation of deleterious materials from storm water, fresh water streams and rivers, and ocean waters. A primary source of these materials are construction debris, recycled materials, and other wastes.

[0005] A typical cycle can be broken into three steps, collection, transportation, and delivery. Collection is typically a single source, i.e. a construction site. In this example, a contractor has requested a container during the demolition phase of a project. Materials collected are deposited into a single bin over a period of days. Overnight protection is needed both for security and weather protection. After the collection is completed transportation is required to either a sorting facility for material recycling or disposal. Duration of transportation can be a few minutes or a few hours.

[0006] Contents protection during periods of inclement weather is now required. A stationary bin must be kept covered when not being filled. This prevents rain water from entering and soaking into the deleterious material which will leach ouch of the bin with contaminants to work its way into storm water and eventually entering the sea.

[0007] Transportation provides another dynamic to the separation of storm water and deleterious material as movement along a roadway now introduces horizontal wind-driven storm water. This force is variable and dependent upon speed and weather conditions.

[0008] Prior art has numerous apparatuses for covering a rectangular bin but most are complex in either in operation or mechanics. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,109 uses a fabric cover but the mechanics to use require an exposed cable on both sides of the container as well as the entire length. This exposes the mechanics to operate to outside influences such as weather or physical abuse through use. Potential for damage is high. U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,713 provides for the cover to be pulled over the bin but no provisions are made to secure the cover. This loose attachment does not prevent inclement weather from getting to materials in the container. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,429,408, 5,938,270, 6,139,085, 6,142,554, and 6,481,779 provide for a more secured covering of container contents at the expense of complexity. A cable system is used to deploy and retract the container cover. This complexity introduces a greater chance of mechanical failure through wear or outside influences. U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,664 although similar in operation does not provide for a rigid support of the cover thereby allowing partially loaded materials to be covered during periods of inactivity, i.e. loading. It is intended to be deployed during transportation of a full container with loaded material used to support the cover. This lack of support allows rainwater to collect on top of the cover with no provisions for drainage. Further, the identified rollup apparatus indicates the use of a spring motor storage roller. U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,643 uses a storage roller for deployment over the ground.

[0009] As stated above, prior art devices do not solve the problems associated with the protection of rectangular container contents from day-to-day loading or transportation. What is needed is a system that is mechanically and operationally simple that can prevent rainwater from intermixing with container contents either through multiple days of loading or transportation, provide a higher level of security from content tampering. A system that can be economically manufactured and easily repaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The container cover deployment apparatus for rectangular containers solves the problems and provides the benefits identified above. That is to say, the present invention is a system to securely provide protection for container contents during periods of inclement weather during days of loading and during transportation of container contents. The system is easily deployed, secured, and retracted with minimal effort and is secure from weather events and transportation.

[0011] In a primary embodiment of the present invention, the container cover deployment apparatus consist of four elements, drive winch, storage roller, cover, and cover anchorage. The drive winch has an appropriate gear ration that makes the cover retraction process minimally physical. This winch drives the storage roller through a chain drive connection with the storage roller. The storage roller has the cover, in a rolled position ready to be deployed. The cover with integral battens protects container contents while the anchor points secure the deployed cover. This apparatus can be used as a retrofit covering apparatus to an existing container with modification or a new container. Containers can hold any dry material from construction debris to agricultural products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 Overall view of the cover in a partially deployed condition.

[0013] FIG. 2 Overall view of the cover in a fully deployed condition.

[0014] FIG. 3 Overall view of the cover fully retracted.

[0015] FIG. 4 Overall view of the cover fully retracted.

[0016] FIG. 5 Overall view of the complete invention in a fully retracted condition without rectangular container.

[0017] FIG. 6 Overall view of the complete invention in a fully retracted condition without rectangular container.

[0018] FIG. 7 View of the winch and roller assembly with cover in a fully deployed condition.

[0019] FIG. 8 Side view of the winch and roller assembly.

[0020] FIG. 9 End view of the winch and roller assembly.

[0021] FIG. 10 View of the cover anchorage in a fully deployed condition.

[0022] FIG. 11 End view of the cover anchorage in a fully deployed condition.

[0023] FIG. 12 Side view of the cover anchorage in a fully deployed condition.

[0024] FIG. 13 Exploded winch assembly of the drive chain and tension elements.

[0025] FIG. 14 Exploded winch assembly of the chain drive sprocket.

[0026] FIG. 15 Exploded winch assembly of the handle and sprocket for the chain drive sprocket.

[0027] FIG. 16 Exploded winch assembly of the sprocket pawl.

[0028] FIG. 17 Exploded overall roller assembly.

[0029] FIG. 18 View of the roller assembly drive chain.

[0030] FIG. 19 View of the roller assembly end.

[0031] FIG. 20 Overall plan of a fabric cover.

[0032] FIG. 21 Retrofit wall section.

[0033] FIG. 22 Cover anchor hook element.

[0034] FIG. 23 Cover to roller connection.

[0035] FIG. 24 Cover to pull rope connection.

[0036] FIG. 25 Cover pull bar end detail.

[0037] FIG. 26 Cover batten pocket detail.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0038] Container--000

[0039] 001 Container

[0040] 010 Extension Ribs

[0041] 011 Extension Container Wall

[0042] 012 Sloped Wall Cap

[0043] 013 Extension Base

[0044] Winch Assembly--100

[0045] 101 Winch Assembly Bracket

[0046] 102 Tension Arm Base

[0047] 103 Cut Washers

[0048] 104 Tension Base Anchorage Bolts

[0049] 105 Tension Arm

[0050] 106 Tension Arm Washer

[0051] 107 Tension Arm Bolt

[0052] 108 Drive Chain Tension Sprocket

[0053] 109 Drive Chain Tension Sprocket Bolt

[0054] 110 Winch Drive Shaft

[0055] 111 Winch Drive Shaft Roller Bearing

[0056] 112 Winch Drive Sprocket

[0057] 113 Winch Drive Shaft Spacer

[0058] 114 Drive Chain Sprocket

[0059] 115 Winch Drive Shaft Roller Bearing

[0060] 116 Winch Drive Shaft Washer

[0061] 117 Winch Drive Shaft King Nut

[0062] 118 Winch Drive Shaft King Nut Cotter Pin

[0063] 119 Drive Shaft King Nut Cotter Pin

[0064] 120 Drive Shaft King Nut

[0065] 121 Drive Shaft Washer

[0066] 122 Crank Gear Roller Bearing

[0067] 123 Crank Gear Spacer--Small

[0068] 124 Crank Gear

[0069] 125 Crank Gear Spacer--Large

[0070] 126 Crank Gear Roller Bearing

[0071] 127 Crank Gear Washer

[0072] 128 Crank Gear Drive Shaft

[0073] 140 Detachable Winch Handle Arm

[0074] 141 Detachable Winch Handle Washer

[0075] 142 Detachable Winch Handle

[0076] 143 Detachable Winch Handle Bolt

[0077] 150 Pawl Bolt

[0078] 151 Pawl

[0079] 152 Pawl Spacer

[0080] 153 Pawl Spring

[0081] 160 Chain Cover

[0082] 161 Drive Chain

[0083] 162 Winch Cover

[0084] Storage Roller Assembly--200

[0085] 201 Storage Roller End Plate--Left

[0086] 202 Storage Roller Cover Anchor Bar--Top

[0087] 203 Storage Roller Cover Anchor Bar--Bottom

[0088] 204 Storage Roller Cover Anchor Screw

[0089] 205 Storage Roller Cover Screw

[0090] 206 Storage Roller End Plate--Right

[0091] 220 Storage Roller Take-up Tube

[0092] 221 Storage Roller Connecting Tube

[0093] 222 Storage Roller Axle End--Left

[0094] 223 Storage Roller Axle End--Right

[0095] 224 Storage Roller Set Screw

[0096] 225 Storage Roller Set Screw Lock Washer

[0097] 230 Storage Roller Cover End Plate--Left

[0098] 231 Storage Roller Cover End Plate Roll Pin

[0099] 232 Storage Roller Drive Sprocket

[0100] 233 Storage Roller Drive Sprocket Roll Pin

[0101] 234 Storage Roller Washer

[0102] 235 Storage Roller Drive Bearing

[0103] 236 Storage Roller Axle Washer

[0104] 237 Storage Roller Axle Bolt

[0105] 238 Storage Roller Cover End Plate--Right

[0106] 239 Storage Roller Cover

[0107] Cover--300

[0108] 301 Fabric Cover

[0109] 302 Metal Battens

[0110] 303 Rope Pocket

[0111] 304 Batten Pocket

[0112] 305 Grommets

[0113] 306 Anchor Tubing

[0114] 310 Extruded Aluminum Pull Tube

[0115] 311 Roll Pin

[0116] 312 Plastic Sleeve

[0117] 313 Plastic Plug

[0118] 314 Metal Guide Plate

[0119] 315 Washer

[0120] 316 Bolt

[0121] 317 Pull Rope

[0122] 318 Side Flap Anchor Rope

[0123] Anchorage--400

[0124] 401 Tarp Pull-Bar Anchorage

[0125] 402 Pull-Bar Cleat

[0126] 403 Side Flap Anchor

[0127] 404 Winch Handle Holder

[0128] 405 Side Flap Cleat

[0129] 406 Cam Cleat With Integral Fairlead

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0130] There are two assemblies connected by a drive chain 161 that allows the fabric cover 301 to be pulled into a container-covered position or rolled on a take-up roller 220 to uncover the container. First assembly is a roller mechanism FIGS. 7, 8, & 9 that is located at an end and the second, is the cranking assembly FIGS. 7, 8, & 9 that rotates the roller assembly through a drive chain with a geared drive located at the same end as the roller assembly. In the event of no doors entire assembly may be located at either end of the container.

[0131] The roller assembly FIG. 17 consists of a metal tube 220 with an integral groove. This groove accepts the edge of a cover 301 with an oversized cover edge FIG. 23 which slides from a side and centered on the tube securing the cover to the tube. The cover consists of a fabric that has batten pockets 304 with solid rods 302 parallel to the roller tube 220 that provide the fabric cover rigidity on top of the container. Roller tube 220 is secured to a square bearing shaft assembly 221, 222, 223 that is held in place at each end by 230 and 238. One end is secured to a support plate 201 and the opposite end is also secured to a support plate 206 with an attached sprocket 232. This sprocket 232 provides torsional control derived by a drive chain 161 attached to the winch assembly.

[0132] Winch assembly FIG. 7 consists of a drive chain tensioner assembly FIGS. 13, 14, 15, & 16 and rotational gearing 112 and 113 that allows mechanical cranking to move the gears. The drive chain tensioner 105 removes needed slack from the chain. Needed slack is to allow removal of the drive chain 105 for maintenance and/or repairs. Drive chain is engaged on a large diameter sprocket 112 and has a smaller sprocket 113 attached with engages a small drive gear 124. The drive gear 112 is rotated through a shaft 110 and terminates outside of a mounting bracket. A hand-crank handle is then attached 128 rotating the shaft. Directional rotation is provided by a sprocket pawl 151 when engaged only allows one way rotation. Releasing the pawl 151 will allow bi-directional rotation of the drive gear. This allows the free rotation of the roller tube 220 and permits the cover to be pulled to cover the container. The cover 301 is pulled to the anchor points 401 located at the opposite end of the container.

[0133] Additional side walls are fabricated to provide slope for drainage and to accommodate variations to be encountered with the various containers commercially available.

[0134] This system arrangement allows an infinite adjustment for covering any size of container, container rim at any angle, and with and without doors. Assembly width is variable and is dependent upon container size and is only limited by legal considerations. Assembly length is variable and is dependent upon container size and is only limited by legal considerations. When doors are present, assembly is located at the opposite end.

Claims

1) A rectangular container covering apparatus in a primary embodiment of the present invention, the container cover deployment and retraction apparatus for all rectangular containers consist of three elements: hand crank drive with gears and sprocket, impervious weather protection fabric cover, metal storage hood assembly with galvanized storage roller tube attached to a chain which connects to the hand crank.

2) The winch connects to the storage roller tube by a chain drive. The fabric cover wraps around the storage roller tube which is housed in the metal storage hood assembly.

3) The hand crank attaches to a chain that has an appropriate gear ratio that makes the fabric cover deployment and retraction process physically minimal.

4) The fabric cover with integral battens protects container contents while the anchor points secure the deployed fabric cover.

5) (canceled)

6) (canceled)

7) (canceled)

8) (canceled)

9) (canceled)

10) (canceled)

11-12) (canceled)