Cover System For Open-Topped Containers

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An arm assembly for a cover system to cover the open top of a container, comprising:
a pulley supported on the container, the pulley defining an outer curved surface; an elongated housing with one end pivotably mounted on said pulley, said housing defining an elongated bore extending from said one end at least part way through said housing; a resiliently compressible element disposed within the elongated bore, the compressible element having an inboard end positioned at one end of said bore adjacent said pulley, and an opposite outboard end; a spring base fixed to said pulley to support said compressible element at said inboard end thereof; and a cable extending through said compressible element, one end of said cable engaged to said outboard end of said compressible element and an opposite end of said cable fastened to relative to said pulley so that said cable can wrap around at least a portion of said outer curved surface of said pulley as said housing pivots relative to said pulley, to thereby compress said compressible element between said one end of said cable and said spring base.