Removable bow end for a cover system

• Main Authors: MCKIBBEN ROBERT C, REEDER RYAN A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.07.2015
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; BLASTING; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HEATING; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PIPES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORVEHICLES; STORING; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WEAPONS; WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILARDEVICES FOR VEHICLES

A bow end is provided for a retractable cover assembly for a container, the container having an open top and a side rail extending along each side of the container, and the cover assembly having a tarpaulin sized to cover the open top in an extended position, the cover assembly including a plurality of arcuate bows attached to the cover assembly and configured to support the tarpaulin and to span the width of the container. The bow end is engaged to the each end of each arcuate bow and comprises a one-piece body defining a bow receiving portion with a bore configured to receive an end of the arcuate bow therein, the bow receiving portion including a surface arranged for sliding contact with a top rail when the bow end is engaged to an arcuate bow of the cover assembly. The one-piece body further includes an outboard portion integral with the bow receiving portion and extending substantially vertically downward from the bow receiving portion when the bow end is engaged to an arcuate bow of the cover assembly, the outboard portion extending vertically below the top rail of the container and defining an opening for receiving a drive cable of the cover assembly.