Patent ID: 6926337
Filing Date: 2005-08-09
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. A retractable trailer enclosure system for covering at least part of the bed of a truck trailer having longitudinally elongated parallel sides and laterally extending ends, at least one bow member having a generally horizontal member laterally spanning said bed and supported a vertical distance thereabove, the enclosure system comprising, a flexible cover having a longitudinal length substantially corresponding to a length of said parallel sides and a lateral width selected whereby with the cover in a fully extended orientation overlying the at least one bow member, the cover extends vertically downwardly to a lower edge portion located vertically below a surface of an adjacent one of said trailer bed sides, a spindle elongated along an axis and having a length generally corresponding to the length of a first one of said trailer sides, a spindle mount for movably supporting the spindle in a substantially horizontal orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of said first side, the spindle mount including a pair of pivot rods, a drive for selectively journaling the spindle in rotational movement about its axis, the cover being secured along said lower edge portion to the spindle whereby the rotation of the spindle by said drive winds or unwinds the cover about the spindle to retract or deploy the cover over said part of the bed, whereby with said cover unwound in said fully extended orientation, the continued rotation of said spindle moves said spindle beneath said surface of said adjacent trailer bed side to assist in tightening the cover against the at least one bow member.