Patent ID: 8444206

Claim:
A cover extension/retraction system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover mounted on a roller, the flexible cover having one end connected to first end of the container, and the cover sized to substantially cover the open top when an opposite end of the cover is extended from the roller to an extended position at the opposite end of the container, the cover system comprising: a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to the opposite end of the flexible cover, said bail member configured for pivoting from a stowed position in which the cover is wound on the roller to a deployed position in which the flexible cover is in the extended position; a hold-down bow member including one end pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover between the ends of the cover; and a torque element connected between said hold-down bow member and said one end of said bail member, said torque element configured to generate a torque for pivoting said bail member away from said hold-down bow member.