Hollow Bail Member Safety Cable for Tarp Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid covers for open-topped containers on hauling vehicles are not suitable due to mechanical failure risks, particularly fractures in the bail member of flexible tarping systems, which can lead to safety hazards during deployment and stowage.
Innovation Solution
A tarp deployment mechanism featuring a bail member with a hollow body and a safety cable that extends throughout the bail member, preventing complete dislocation of fractured parts and ensuring safety in case of mechanical failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible tarping system with a bail member is used, then ease of operation is improved compared to rigid covers, but reliability deteriorates due to potential fractures in the bail member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of beforehand cushioning by installing a safety cable within the hollow bail member before any fracture can occur. This safety cable acts as a preventive measure that limits the rotation of fractured parts should a breakage occur, thereby cushioning against the potential harmful effects of mechanical failure while maintaining the ease of operation of the flexible tarping system
2Reliability
If the bail member is designed with a hollow body containing a safety cable, then reliability is improved by preventing free rotation of fractured parts, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of merging by combining the safety cable function with the existing hollow structure of the bail member. Rather than adding a separate external safety mechanism, the safety cable is integrated within the hollow body of the bail member, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through efficient space utilization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The safety cable limits the rotation of fractured bail member parts, enhancing safety by preventing free rotation and potential hazards, thus improving the reliability and safety of the tarping system.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot mount 25 includes a torsion spring pack that is biased to rotate the bail member 22 (clockwise in the figure) to pull the tarp 16 over the top of the container 13
Data Source
AI summary
A tarp deployment mechanism for covering a container with a flexible cover sized to cover the container in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The deployment mechanism comprises: a bail member spanning a width of the container and carrying one end of the flexible cover, the bail member movable to an extended position in which the one end of the flexible cover is adjacent one end of the container, the bail member having at least one hollow body portion that defines at least one cavity that extends throughout the hollow body portion of the bail member; and at least one cable arranged within the at least one cavity defined by the at least one hollow body portion of the bail member. The cable prevents complete dislocation of the bail member in the event of its fracture.