Caterpillar Inc.

Robert A Cuthbertson

Barry E James

Jerry F Smith

Carlos E Magalhaes

Trucks which haul waste and fine, loose materials which are top loading through an open top need a cover to retain the material such as during travel. A full length cover, when raised for loading, may adversely affect the stability of the truck. An articulated cover includes a forward portion pivotally connected to the truck hauling body and a rearward portion pivotally connected to the forward portion. When the forward portion is raised the rearward portion folds downward against and parallel to the forward portion. This reduces the height of the raised cover to approximately one-half of the cover total length. Tie members are connected to the rear portion of the cover and to the hauling body and engage guide members on the cover to cause the rearward portion to unfold to an extended position when the forward portion is pivoted toward a closed position. This structure permits the cover to extend substantially the full length of the open top of the body when closed and yet extend less than that distance when the cover is raised to the open position.

Growing community of inventors

Sunderland, United Kingdom

Robert A Cuthbertson