Patent ID: 6273490
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
An apparatus for covering an upwardly open container body having an upper edge, the apparatus comprising:a flexible cover of a size to substantially cover the open container body and fixed at one end of the container body by a cover support for retraction and extension over the open container body;a pair of arms each pivotally mounted at a fixed end to the container body, and each having a free end opposite the fixed end attached to an edge of the flexible cover and configured such that movement of the arms causes movement of the cover over the open container body;each arm further comprising a longitudinally extending, tubular member having a hollow interior and at least one stiffening fin extending longitudinally along substantially the length of the tubular member, the fin integrally formed with and attached to the tubular member, the fin and the tubular member comprising a single, unitary body; anda pivoting mechanism attached to the container body, the pivoting mechanism including a torsion spring mechanism fixed to the arm to bias the arm in a selected direction and including a portion extending into an interior of the tubular member, the tubular member fixed to the extending portion by fastening members extending through apertures in the fin, the apertures extending through the fin radially to the tubular member into the hollow interior of the tubular member.