Slip Linkage Cover Assembly for Secure Roll-Off Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current roll-off containers lack secure and convenient means to prevent unauthorized access and contents from escaping during transport, leading to increased rental costs and potential environmental hazards.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a retractable cover system with a cover actuation assembly and cover track assembly that allows the cover to extend over the container, using interlocking slats and a deployment mechanism to securely enclose the container cavity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a retractable cover system is added to roll-off containers, then security against unauthorized access and content escape is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover system is divided into multiple slats that can independently move and interlock, allowing the cover to be segmented for easier deployment while maintaining overall security function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retractable cover system is nested within the container structure, with the cover assembly stored inside the container body when retracted and deployed outward when needed, integrating the security mechanism into the existing container form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If interlocking slats are used to enclose the container cavity, then prevention of unauthorized access is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unauthorized accessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented into multiple identical or similar slat components that can be manufactured using the same processes and then assembled through interlocking mechanisms, standardizing production while achieving secure enclosure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple slats are combined through interlocking mechanisms to form a complete cover system, where individual slats are manufactured separately but integrated during assembly to create the secure enclosure structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a cover actuation assembly is implemented, then convenience of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover actuation assembly is designed to be self-contained, with the actuator mechanism integrated into the cover structure itself, allowing the cover to be deployed and retracted without requiring external equipment or complex installation infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12528642B2Slip linkages for retractable container covers

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 JDS IND LLC

AI summary

Implementations of slip linkages are shown and described, including two-part and three-part implementations. Implementations of these linkages provide connections between elements with at least one translation degree of freedom, sometimes referred to as a prismatic joint or slider or telescopic joint. Such implementations may be utilized in connection with covers for roll-off containers or dumpsters, such as retractable container covers.