Patent ID: 8061759

Claim:
An actuation mechanism for a cover system on an open-topped container, the cover system including a cover extendable from a stowed position to a deployed position covering the container and a bail member attached to the cover and movable relative to the container to move the cover between the two positions, said mechanism comprising: at least one double-coil spring having two coil portions concentrically wound around each other with an integral center portion between each coil portion, each of said coil portions including a free reaction end; a pivot shaft mountable on the container, and having a portion attached to said center portion of said spring; a housing connectable to the bail member and defining a bore receiving said pivot shaft therethrough, said housing configured to receive said at least one spring therein with said center portion attached to said pivot shaft; a pair of reaction posts disposed within said housing and in contact with said reaction end of a corresponding one of said two coil portions, wherein said spring is wound about said pivot shaft when the cover is in one of the deployed and stowed positions, and is unwound relative to said pivot shaft when the cover is in the other of the deployed and stowed positions; and a bushing defining a central opening sized to receive said pivot shaft therethrough, a slot intersecting said central opening to receive said center portion of said spring therethrough, and a pair of opposite camming surfaces, each having one end in contact with a corresponding one of said coil portions when said spring is wound or unwound, and each having an opposite end configured to contact said corresponding one of said coil portions only when said spring is wound.