Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MECHANICAL ROLLING ROOF
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure covers various types of open top containers
for dry
loads and liquids, for example by using a sealed rolling roof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Roofs with a hinge lifting system are known, where the roof is
hinged on one
side longitudinally and lifted with a manually operated cable winch arranged
to open the roof
to a desired height and lock into place with the cable winch and/or assisted
manual prop.
This method requires a significant amount of physical strength and time to
lift the metal roof,
and also presents a hazard of human injuries if hand winch or lifting cable
breaks in the open
position.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,810 discloses a cable winch mechanism to open
container's lid by using an electrical motor that is incompetent and
inconvenient for field
sites.
[0004] Some analogous hinge lifting methods use a hydraulic system instead
of a
cable winch, which limits to operation in low temperature regions, and may
create a hazard if
system failure occurs while the lid is in the open position.
[0005] Despite various types of hinge lifting system, the common
disadvantage
remains that these methods are complex, and the loading area of the open top
container
enable use from only from one side.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,562 "Cover construction for waste containers"
and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,755,351 "Lid assembly for container", disclose a lid that enables
opening or
closing the container by pushing it to the side. The above said patents
disclose container lids
with complicated mechanism designed only for sealed waste containers with
hazardous
liquid waste, where opening or closing the container's lid is achieved by the
application of a
manual pushing force.
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[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,153 "Waste container with displaceable panel
closure"
discloses a lid for a cargo container with a panel that is movable outwardly
perpendicular to
a closed position. The design of the lid that covers the top of the container
is also only
applicable for sealed containers to transport liquid waste. The sliding
mechanism of the lid
has limited functional approach and allows only a partial opening of the
container.
[0008] Canadian Patent No.1,072,465 issued 1980-02-26 for a balanced lid
system
for industrial trash bins, and Canadian Patent No.1,237,994 issued 1980-06-14
for a waste
container opening lid member, disclose mechanisms that are used to open the
lid of a
container and are designed to open only small size containers by manually
sliding the lid to
the side of the container.
SUMMARY
[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure offer a simple and affordable
solution
to avoid the limitations of the above.
[0010] An apparatus is disclosed comprising: an open top container; a track
mounted
to the open top container between opposed side walls of the open top
container; a roof
mounted by an axle to the track to permit the roof to, in use, slide along the
track from a
closed position to either side of the open top container and then be rotated
about the axle into
an open position, in which the axle is mounted to the roof by a compressible
part that permits
the roof to move in a vertical direction relative to the axle; and a tensioner
for securing the
roof against the open top container when the roof is in the closed position.
[0011] An apparatus is disclosed comprising: an open top container; a track
mounted
to the open top container between opposed side walls of the open top
container; a roof
mounted by an axle that rolls along the track to permit the roof to, in use,
slide along the
track from a closed position to either side of the open top container and then
be rotated about
the axle into an open position; and a ratcheting handle connected to rotate
the axle relative
the track to slide the roof along the track.
[0012] An apparatus is disclosed comprising: an open top container; a track
assembly
mounted to the open top container between opposed side walls of the open top
container, the
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track assembly forming a rack; and a roof mounted by a pinion assembly that
rolls along the
rack to permit the roof to, in use, slide along the rack from a closed
position to either side of
the open top container and then be rotated about the pinion assembly into an
open position;
and in which the track assembly comprises opposed tracks that are rigidly
connected at a
fixed distance relative to one another, at all positions between longitudinal
ends of the rack,
to retain the pinion in contact with the rack.
[0013] An apparatus is disclosed comprising: an open top container; a track
mounted
to the open top container between opposed side walls of the open top
container; a roof
mounted by an axle to the track to permit the roof to, in use, slide along the
track from a
closed position to either side of the open top container and then be rotated
about the axle into
an open position; and a bar mounted to the track to move into and out of an
axle blocking
position where the axle is prevented from sliding the roof out of the closed
position.
[0014] An apparatus is disclosed comprising: an open top container; a plate
mounted
to the open top container between opposed side walls of the open top
container, the plate
having a series of holes that are spaced along a longitudinal length of the
plate to form a
rack; and a roof mounted by a pinion that rolls along the rack to permit the
roof to, in use,
slide along the plate from a closed position to either side of the open top
container and then
be rotated about the pinion into an open position.
[0015] In the present disclosure of embodiments of a rolling roof, the
ratcheting
handle may be applied in the operation as a lever to reduce applied manual
force, and an
equilibrium system may be involved to upend the entire roof in a vertical and
reverse in
horizontal position, which also reduces the applied manual force. Therefore,
the present
disclosure of embodiments of a rolling roof permit convenient manipulation of
a broad range
of lid sizes and weights for various container types while preserving safe
operation.
[0016] According to some embodiments of the disclosure, the rolling roof
comprises
two identical rolling mechanisms on each side of the roof that are connected
by a pipe and
coupler. The rolling mechanism may include a flange-mounted bearing assembly,
sprocket-
wheel, and V roller, which are connected concentric to the shaft. The flange-
mounted
bearing assembly may bear an axle load of the shaft and facilitate rotational
motion
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concurrent with a sprocket-wheel and V roller. To impart longitudinal motion
to the entire
rolling roof, a manual turning of the ratcheting handle may be applied to
activate the rotary
motion of the sprocket-wheel along the structural tubing with holes,
concurrent with the V
roller that rotates along the L angle iron that is utilized as a guide lower
track. Structural
tubing with holes and L angle iron may be components of the track assembly
that maintain
the rolling roof alignment along the front and back end of the container. Also
described are
rolling mechanisms that may provide the entire rolling roof to slide to either
side of the
container and turn it to a vertical position to allow the use of the full
loading area of the open
top container.
[0017] Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved rolling roof for
various
types of open top containers. The rolling roof may be used to cover open top
containers for
any dry loads and a sealed rolling roof may be used to cover containers with
dry or liquid
loads. The rolling roof may be manually operated with a ratcheting handle in
combination
with two rolling mechanisms placed on each side of the roof. The rolling roof
mechanism
may operate by sliding the roof either to the left or to the right side of the
container, and
turning it from a horizontal to a vertical position along the side wall. This
permits loading
from either side of the container with access to the full area of the opening.
This method may
require minimum physical strength, eliminate the use of cable or winch lifting
systems, and
hence may have a higher degree of safety that is beneficial for various types
of open top
containers.
[0018] According to some embodiments of the disclosure, a rolling roof
comprises
two identical rolling mechanisms on the front and back sides (ends) of the
roof that are
connected by a pipe and coupler.
[0019] According to some embodiments of the disclosure, the rolling roof
comprises
two identical rolling mechanisms on each side of the roof that connect by a
pipe and coupler.
The rolling mechanism includes a flange-mounted bearing assembly, sprocket-
wheel, and V
roller, which connected concentric to the shaft. The flange-mounted bearing
assembly bears
axle load of the shaft and has applied to it rotational motion concurrent with
sprocket-wheel
and V roller. To impart longitudinal motion to the entire rolling roof, a
manual turning of the
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ratcheting handle applies rotary motion to linearly drive the sprocket-wheel
along the
structural tubing with holes, and concurrently the V roller rotates along an L
angle iron that
operates as a guide lower track. Structural tubing with holes and L angle iron
are
components of the track assembly that maintain the rolling roof aligned along
the front and
back end of the container. Also described are rolling mechanisms that permit
the sliding of
the entire rolling roof to either side of the container and turning it in a
vertical position which
allows one to access and use a full loading area of the open top container.
[0020] Methods of operating a rolling roof apparatus are also disclosed.
[0021] In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the
following features: The rolling mechanism includes a flange-mounted bearing
assembly,
sprocket-wheel, and V roller with integral ball bearing. The flange-mounted
bearing
assembly bears the axle load of a shaft and implements rotational motion. The
sprocket-
wheel fastens to the shaft which allows their concurrent rotation. The V
roller is jointed to
the shaft with integral ball bearing which allows it to rotate around the
shaft. A structural
tubing with holes in combination with sprocket is utilized as a rack-pinion
mechanism that
transmits a torque to rolling roof mechanism. To impart longitudinal motion to
an entire
rolling roof, a manual turning of a ratcheting handle applies which activates
a rotary motion
of the sprocket-wheel along the structural tubing with holes, concurrent the V
roller rotates
along L angle iron that utilizes as a guide lower track. The rotation of V
rollers along L angle
irons allows a linear motion of the rolling roof mechanisms on each roof's
side that provides
sliding the entire rolling roof to either side wall of the container and
turning it in a vertical
position. A compressible seal between the open top container and the roof when
the roof is in
the closed position. The compressible seal is mounted around an edge of the
roof. The
tensioner comprises tie down straps mounted on the side walls. The bearings
are flange-
mounted bearings that connect to plates to form a rigid frame, which mounts
the
compressible part. The compressible part comprises springs. A ratcheting
handle connected
to rotate the axle or pinion relative the track to slide the roof along the
track. The track forms
a rack; and the axle comprises a pinion that rolls along the rack. The pinion
is part of a
pinion assembly, and the track comprises opposed tracks that are rigidly
connected at a fixed
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distance relative to one another, at all positions between longitudinal ends
of the rack, to
retain the pinion in contact with the rack. The track or track assembly is
formed by a plate,
the plate having a series of holes that are spaced along a longitudinal length
of the plate to
form the rack. A bar is mounted to the track or track assembly to move into
and out of an
axle blocking position where the axle is prevented from sliding the roof out
of the closed
position. The track or track assembly comprises a pair of parallel tracks
adjacent opposed
ends of the open top container and the axle is mounted to roll along both of
the pair of tracks.
The roof is horizontal when in the closed position; the roof is horizontal
when in a position
dangling at either longitudinal end of the track or track assembly; and the
roof is vertical
when in the open position. When in the open position, the roof is vertical and
contacts a
block stopper located on an adjacent side wall of the open top container. A
lock for securing
the roof against an adjacent side wall of the open top container when the roof
is in the open
position. The lock comprises a chain and hook. The axle crosses a center of
gravity of the
roof. Sliding the roof from the closed position to either side of the open top
container and
then rotating the roof into the open position. Securing the roof to an
adjacent side wall.
Rotating the roof from the open position into a horizontal position and
sliding the roof into
the closed position. Securing the roof in the closed position. The ratcheting
handle is adapted
to ratchet in either direction. The ratcheting handle comprises a lever that
permits the
ratcheting handle to be switched between a first ratcheting direction and a
second ratcheting
direction. A tensioner for securing the roof against the open top container
when in the closed
position. The axle or pinion assembly or pinion is mounted to the roof by a
compressible part
that permits the roof to move in a vertical direction relative to the axle.
The rack comprises a
pair of parallel racks adjacent opposed ends of the open top container, and
the pinion or
pinion assembly comprises a pair of pinions or pinion assemblies separated by
an axle and
each mounted to roll along a respective rack of the pair of parallel racks.
The pinion
assembly crosses a center of gravity of the roof. The bar is mounted to swing
into and out of
the axle or pinion blocking position. The bar comprises a pair of bars located
to the left and
right of the axle or pinion when the roof is in the closed position. A pair of
stops is located to
the left and right of each of the pair of bars. Each bar hangs down across the
path of the axle
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or pinion when in a respective axle blocking position of the bar and each bar
is mounted to
swing toward the axle or pinion and up out of the path of the axle or pinion
to move out of
the respective axle blocking position. The pinion is a sprocket mounted by an
axle to the
roof. The plate is formed by a tube. A ratcheting handle connected to rotate
the pinion
relative the rack to slide the roof along the rack. A bar mounted to the rack
to move into and
out of a pinion blocking position where the pinion is prevented from sliding
the roof out of
the closed position.
[0022] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the
claims,
which are incorporated here by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in
which
like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in
which:
[0024] Figs. 1.1 and 1.2 are perspective views of an open top container
showing an
embodiment of the rolling roof mechanism and related safety components.
[0025] Figs. 2.1 and 2.2 are enlarged detail perspective views of the
track assembly
showing parts of the rolling roof mechanism.
[0026] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the rolling roof mechanism on each
side of the
rolling roof to depict components and single parts utilized in the rolling
roof mechanism.
[0027] Fig. 4 are various cross-section and detail views of the rolling
roof assembly.
[0028] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the
rolling
roof mechanism in order of assembly.
[0029] Fig. 6 are a plurality of perspective, close up perspective, top
plane, and side
elevation views that show an embodiment of the metal bracket used for sealed
rolling roof
for liquids.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described
here
without departing from what is covered by the claims.
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[0031] Figure 1.
[0032] Shown is a full size open top container with a rolling roof 1 in a
closed
position (Figure 1.1) and an open position (Figure 1.2). As illustrated in
Figure 1.2, the
rolling roof mechanism allows opening of a full loading area of the container
from either
side. After horizontal rolling to the side, the roof may smoothly tilt to a
vertical position and
may be tied to the side wall with a chain 2 and hook 8 (an example of a lock
for securing the
roof to the adjacent side wall). To prevent any pinch points between the
adjacent sidewall
and tilted roof, the side wall may have a block stopper 3. The roof is also
able to tighten in a
top vertical position for safe transportation with a mini winch 7 and hook 6.
Movement of
the rolling roof to either of opposed side walls may be accomplished by tuming
ratcheting
handle 4 to the either side of the container. In order to start this motion,
one of the safety bars
(right or left bar, according to the moving direction) may be manually turned
inward
toward the axle to a horizontal position. The safety bars 5 are built into the
track assembly
and utilized for safety reasons such as to prevent any motion of the rolling
roof out of the
closed position. The right bar is hanging down in an axle blocking position
where the axle is
prevented from sliding to the right out of the closed position. The left bar
is shown after
having been swung toward the axle and up and out of the path of the axle or
pinion to permit
the roof to slide to the left. A pair of stops are shown located to the left
and right of each the
pair of bars.
[0033] Figure 2.
[0034] Shown is an enlarged view of the track assembly with mechanical
components required for operation of the system that moves the entire rolling
roof 1 to one
side of the container and tilts the roof to a vertical position. Figure 2.1
includes views from
the bottom and Figure 2.2 includes views from the top to illustrate a few
embodiments of the
disclosure. The track assembly 11 may consist of an L angle iron 10 welded to
the frame of
the container that is utilized as a bottom track for the V roller 9 and the
top track (structural
tubing with sprocket holes) Ila. The top and bottom tracks are opposed tracks
that are
rigidly connected at a fixed distance relative to one another, at all
positions between
longitudinal ends of the rack, to retain the pinion in contact with the rack.
The track
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assembly 11 may also consist of side plate 12 and brace plate 13 to establish
a solid frame
structure and prevent possible misalignment between L angle iron 10 and track
tubing lla.
After force is applied to the ratcheting handle 4, the shaft with sprocket-
wheel 8 may start
rotating by using structural tubing (an example of a plate) with sprocket
holes as a track to
form a rack. The V roller 9 may then rotate along the L angle iron, until it
reaches plate 12
which is the end point of track assembly. At that point, half of the rolling
roof is dangling
free in a horizontal position and is enabled to tilt into a vertical position
with minimal
physical strength (because the axle crosses a center of gravity of the roof),
where V rollers
are utilized as fulcrum for the entire system. The stopper 14 may consist of
two parts (two
bend plates with backing support), one part welded to the container frame and
the second
welded to the rolling roof assembly. As the rolling roof moves along the
container frame,
stopper plates placed parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction with
an acceptable gap
in between, may prevent displacement of the V roller 9 from its track.
[0035] Figure 3.
[0036] The drawing shows a broken view of the entire rolling roof to
depict the
components and single parts utilized in the rolling mechanism coordinated
within the track
assembly. The rolling roof may include two identical assemblies (parallel
tracks adjacent
opposed ends of the container), one on each side of the roof, that are
connected by for
example 3/4-inch pipe 15 and coupler 16 to transmit rotation from one assembly
to another.
Therefore, to activate the roofs longitudinal motion, only one ratcheting
handle 4 may be
used, for example on the front side of the container. Two mounted-bearings 18
may be
bolted to rectangle bracket 17 which may comprise four metal plates. The
bracket 17 may be
used to bear axle load of the shaft 19 and transmit longitudinal motion to the
entire roof 1 by
connection brackets 17 to structural tubings 25, 26. Since the shaft 19 is
fixed to brackets by
flange-mounted bearings 18, the rotational motion of the unit sprocket-wheel 8
and a hub 21
may be converted to linear motion along the track 11, based on the principle
of a rack and
pinion gear. The V Roller 9 with inserted radial bearing 22, may also rotate
with shaft 19,
and supports the longitudinal rolling motion of entire roof 1 by using L angle
iron 10 as a
structural base for V roller 9.
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[0037] Figure 4.
[0038] As illustrated in Figure 4 the components of the axle and bearings
are shown
in section views that explore the mechanical structure of the rolling
mechanism components.
The ratcheting handle 4 may be tightened to the shaft 19 against a hub 21 and
fixed with a
slotted nut 28. The sprocket-wheel 8 may sit tightly on hub 21 and the two may
be welded
together. The V roller 9 may be inserted with radial bearings 22 attached on
the shaft 19.
Spacer pipes 29 may be mounted to the shaft between these components to
prevent
misalignment from L angle iron 10. The shaft 19 may be connected to the
coupler 16 with
bolts and nuts, which may allow reassembling the rolling mechanism parts in
case of
necessary repairs. The coupler 16 may be welded to the 3/4 pipe 15 that joins
the second
rolling roof assembly on the other roof end. This pipe may be passed inside
tubing 26, that
together with four brace tubings 25, two outside tubings 30, and two end caps,
are utilized as
a frame for the entire roof assembly.
[0039] Figure 5.
[0040] Shown is an exploded view of all parts that accomplish motion of the
rolling
roof assembly, according to the order of assembly. As illustrated in Figure 5,
3/4 pipe 15
may be welded with a coupler 16, whereby a rigid coupling occurs to transmit
the rotation
motion to the identical rolling roof assembly on other side of the roof. This
coupler may be
bolted together to the shaft 19, and finally attached to ratcheting handle 4
by which this
rotation is accomplished. The following parts may be mounted on the shaft 19
in the order
they are assembled:
1) Two flange-mounted bearings 18 bolted to the metal bracket which
consisted of four plates 17.
2) The shaft 19 slides through these bearings and attached to the
coupler 16.
3) The V roller 9 with inserted radial bearing 22.
4) The sprocket-wheel 8 with a hub 21.
5) Ratcheting handle 4 with slotted nut 28.
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[0041] Figure 6.
[0042] As illustrated in Figures 4-5, the rolling roof mechanism may
include the
metal bracket 17 with two flange-mounted bearings 18 bolted to this bracket.
Figure 6
depicts an alternative bracket, designed for a sealed rolling roof utilized
for example for
containers with hazardous liquid waste. Using a modified bracket allows for
the tie-down of
the rolling roof with a rubber seal placed along the edge of the roof A
distinguishing feature
of the bracket used for sealed rolling roofs, comparing to the bracket in
previous figures
where four plates welded together as a solid box, is the ability of free
vertical movement of
plates 33.1, 33.2 along plates 34, 35 and 36. Since plates 34, 35 and 36 are
fixed to the end
cap of the rolling roof 27, plate 33.1 (with flange-mounted bearings 18) has
the ability to
slide in a vertical direction. The rate of this movement may be around 1/2 - 1
inch, which
may allow for compressing the seal of the rolling roof by tie-down straps 7
(an example of a
tensioner for securing the roof), and may make the steel container
hermetically sealed.
[0042] Springs 32 (an example ofa compressible part) may be aligned in
position by rings 31 where
the ring 31b is fixed to the plate 35 by spacer bar 37, and spring 31a is
fixed to plates 38 (the
plates and bearings form a rigid frame). The top part of the spring 32 may be
welded to the
ring 31b and the bottom part to the ring 31a accordingly. Since the unit of
ring 31b, plates
33, flange-mounted bearings 18, shaft 19, and V roller 9 are installed on the
vertically rigid L
angle iron, another unit of ring 31a, plate 34, plate 35, and end cap 27
permits the rolling
roof to have the ability to move in a vertical direction relative to the axle.
That allows
retaining the entire bracket assembly in an immovable position, until the tie-
down force is
applied to seal the rolling roof to the frame of the open top container.
[0043] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense
and does
not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim
feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of
the individual
features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by
virtue only
of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as
defined by the
claims.
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