Patent ID: 7549695
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container, said top aperture defining an aperture peripheral edge, said aperture peripheral edge including two substantially opposed substantially longitudinal segments, said tarpaulin being configurable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein, in said extended configuration, said tarpaulin substantially covers said top aperture, and, in said retracted configuration, said tarpaulin is substantially retracted from said top aperture, said device comprising: an elongated guiding component defining a guiding component longitudinal axis, said guiding component being securable to said container so as to extend at least partially a long at least one of said longitudinal segments; a tarpaulin mounting component usable for attaching said tarpaulin thereto; and a link mechanically coupled to said guiding component so as to be longitudinally movable therealong between a link proximal position and a link distal position; said tarpaulin mounting component being operatively coupled to said link in a manner such that when said link is in said link proximal position and said tarpaulin is attached to said tarpaulin mounting component, said tarpaulin is in said retracted configuration, and when said link is in said link distal position and said tarpaulin is attached to said tarpaulin mounting component, said tarpaulin is in said extended configuration; said tarpaulin mounting component including a substantially elongated lever mechanically coupled to said link so as to be longitudinally movable jointly therewith, a substantially elongated spacing segment extending from said lever, said spacing segment being angled at a fixed angle with respect to said lever, and a tarpaulin mounting segment extending from said spacing segment substantially opposed to said lever, said tarpaulin mounting segment extending substantially across said top aperture, said spacing segment being angled at a first angle relatively to said guiding component when said link is in said distal position and said spacing segment being angled at a second angle relatively to said guiding component when said link is in said proximal position, said second angle being substantially smaller than said first angle.