Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TARPAULIN ROD SECURING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in a tarpaulin covering system
and
more particularly, relates to a tarpaulin rod securing device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of tarpaulins for covering an open box-like container such as a truck
box
or a storage bin is well known in the art. Thus, as shown in U.S. Patent
4,484,777, there is
provided a truck box having parallel side walls joined by transverse front and
back end
walls, with a flexible fabric cover fixed at one lateral edge to one side
wall, and attached
at the opposite lateral edge to a roll to°ne or rod which is rotatable
from side to side along
the top surfaces of the front and back end walls of the truck box to permit
winding and
unwinding of the fabric from the rod or tube to thereby permit covering and
uncovering of
the box structure. The tarpaulin rod is operated manually by a handle
structure connected
to the roll tube by a universal joint.
There is also known in the art to use automated means for winding and
unwinding
the rod and associated tarpaulin. Thus, there is shown in U.S. Patent
4,673,208 a
hydraulic system for moving a tarpaulin from one side to the other. It is also
known from
various patents to utilize an electric motor for the same purpose.
The tarpaulins are used to cover either the open top of a container or
alternatively,
may be utilized to cover a side wall.
Typically, when used to cover an open top container, the tarpaulin is there to
prevent any portion of the load being blown from the open top of the container
which can
not only cause unnecessary wastage of the transported goods, but can also
create
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dangerous situations. Thus, the danger of loose material being blown out of
the container
can cause pollution of the surrounding area and also create potentially
dangerous
situations for vehicles following the container. Accordingly, certain
jurisdictions have
imposed regulations requiring the use of tarpaulins.
Various configurations of tarpaulins have been proposed. However, two
configurations have proven to be particularly popular. One such configuration
is the so
called end-rolled tarpaulin which is gathered at one of the longitudinal ends
of the container
when not in use and moved along the body of the container between operative
and stored
positions. The end-rolled tarpaulins are typically gathered at; the front end
of the vehicle and are
usually provided along their length with a number of transverse supporting
bars which extend
between the two longer side walls of the container. The end-rolled tarpaulins
are typically
moved by means of a pair of cables trained over pulleys and carrying the
tarpaulins with them
as they move.
T'he other type of permanently installed tarpaulin preferred b;j~ some
hauliers is referred to
as the side-rolled tarpaulin. These so called side-rolled to paulins which
permanently extends
the full length of the container body are rolled and unrolled about a roll rod
that also extends
the full length of the container body.
The use of prior art flexible closures such as prior art tarpaulins to close
or cover the
loading aperture of open top containers is associated with a number of
drawbacks. One major
shortcoming related to prior art assembles involves the difficulty o$en
encountered in drawing
the flexible closures into a proper extended or closed configuration. Indeed,
the relatively
heavy, bulky and flexible nature of large tarpaulins often cause such closures
to be quite
difficult to draw into properly extended or closed position for service as
cover.
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Another main drawback associated with prior art assemblies relates to the
difficulty
in keeping the tarpaulin taut during the rolling and unrolling operations
which leads to
potential damage to the involved structures. This situation also leads to
difficulties in
establishing a suitable weather resistant seals about the perimeters of
properly extended
closures. The difficulty in keeping proper tension on the tarpaulin during
rolling and
unrolling operations is compounded in certain situations a,s for example when
there exists a
relatively moderate or high wind causing the tarpaulin to catch in the wind.
In such instances,
it is sometimes necessary to face the truck trailer in such a manner that the
wind will not catch
the tarpaulin. This may prove to be impossible when the wind changes
direction. The
difficulty in maintaining the tarpaulin in a taut state during rolling and
unrolling operations
leads to possible ripping or tearing of the tarpaulin and associated
structures.
The difficulty in maintaining the tarpaulin in a taut state during rolling and
unrolling
operations also potentially leads to an improper seal which, in tum, may lead
to potentially
dangerous road condition and loss of material. :'his problem has been
addressed by some of
the prior art structures. However, most prior art structures or assemblies
lack an effective
means of maintaining the cover taut and in place during transportation
especially at highway
speeds. Indeed, the investment of time and effort that typically must be
extended to properly
secure a prior art tarpaulin to prevent its being drawn out of proper position
by environmental
conditions often proves to be unwieldy. Some prior art assemblies make use of
a series of
straps spaced along the tarpaulin which are secured to the container side wall
by tying or
clamping. These prior art assemblies have proven to be unsatisfactory since
they have
demonstrated a tendency to admit dust or rain under the tarpaulin and to allow
the bulk
material to flow between the peripheral edges of the tarpaulin and of the
container. Also, at
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highway speeds, the tarpaulin is subject to billowing.
S~TIVIlVIAR'Y ~F TFiE INVENTI~N
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for
maintaining
or securing the tarpaulin rod or tube in place after the tarpaulin has been
unwound
therefrom.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided, in a
vehicle having an open area covered by a tarpaulin, and wherein the tarpaulin
is moved
from an uncovering position to a covering position by means of a longitudinal
rotating
tarpaulin rod, the improvement comprising a tarpaulin rod securing device, the
tarpaulin
rod securing device comprising a first member having a recess formed therein,
an access
opening to the recess, the recess being sized to receive the tarpaulin rod,
and a second
movable member, the second movable member being movable between a frst
position
wherein the tarpaulin rod may have access to the recess, and a second position
wherein the
movable member secures the tarpaulin rod within the recess.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided
a
tarpaulin rod securing device comprising a first member having a recess formed
therein,
an access opening to the recess, and a second movable member pivotably
connected to the
first member and being spaced therefrom to provide a gap therebetween, the
second
movable member being movable between a first position wherein the second
movable
member permits access to the recess, a second position wherein the movable
member
prevents access from the recess.
The tarpaulin rod securing device of the present invention may be utilized in
several
different configurations including one wherein the tarpaulin extends over an
open top
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container and also in the so-called side-rolled tarpaulins.
As aforementioned, there is provided a first member which has a recess and an
access opening to the recess. The recess is preferably of a U-shaped
configuration
although it is within the scope of the invention to use different
configurations.
The movable member is mounted such that it may be; moved between first and
second positions. Preferably, the second member is pivotably connected and is
provided
with an angled bottom surface such that in a normal position, it will prevent
a member
from exiting the recess while permitting entry thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTI~N DF THE DIZAWINC~S
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tarpaulin rod securing device according to
one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a slightly modified version thereof for use
on a
different type of tarpaulin arrangement;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the tarpaulin rod retaining device from
Figure 1;
Figures 4 and 5 are end views illustrating the use and operation of the
securing
device;
Figure 6 is an end view illustrating the tarpaulin rod being in a locked
position;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of a portion of the tarpaulin, rod and locking
device as the
tarpaulin is being unrolled;
Figure 8 is a front elevational view of a portion of a securing device while
the
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tarpaulin is being unrolled;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a trailer incorporating the
tarpaulin rod
securing device of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the end of the tarpaulin and rod;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a semi-trailer having a side
wall
covered by a tarpaulin and incorporating the tarpaulin rod. securing device of
Figure 2;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a retaining device utilized in the
embodiment of
Figure 11; and
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the retaining device as used in the
embodiment of
Figure 9.
DESCRIPTION OF TIE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to Figure 1, there is illustrated one embodiment of a
tarpaulin rod
securing device and which device is generally designated by reference numeral
I0.
Tarpaulin rod securing device I O includes a bracket L 2 in t:he form of a
plate and
which is designed to receive bolts 14 for securement to a trailer as will be
shown and
discussed hereinbelow.
Device 10 includes a first member 16 having a first side wall 18 and a second
side
wall 20. Defined between first side wall '18 and second side wall 20 is an
inverted U-
shaped recess 22 having an entry 24 thereto at the bottom, portion of first
member I6.
A movable member 28 is secured to first member 16 by means of a pivot pin 30.
Movable member 28 is secured near upper wall 26 and is provided with a tapered
or
bevelled end wall 32 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.
Movable
member 28 also includes an outer side wall 34 and an inner side wall 36 which
has an
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arcuate semi-circular configuration.
Mounted on pivot pin 30 exteriorly of first member 16 is a locking pawl having
a
tapered end 40 and a spur 42 extending from a side wall t'.~hereof,
It will be noted that there is provided a gap or space generally designated by
reference numeral 44 between fzrst member 16 and movable member 28 for reasons
which
will be discussed hereinbelow.
As seen in Figure 9, a trailer 46 outlined gn dotted lines includes an end
wall 48 and a
side wall 50. Trailer 46 will have an open top which is designed to be covered
with a
tarpaulin 52. Tarpaulin 52 is mounted on a rolling pole or rod 54. Rod 54
includes a
sprocket wheel 56 at one end thereof while a guide ring 58 is also formed on
rod 54. A
handle assembly 60 may be utilized for rolling and unrolling the tarpaulin 52
and to gain
access thereto, trailer 46 may be provided with a ladder 62 and a platform 64.
In operation, and as may be best seen in Figures 4 to 8, reference numeral 76
in
Figure 4 illustrates a first position of the rod as it is turning in the
direction indicated by
arrow 78 and it nears the side wall of the trailer. Continued movement along
to the
position indicated by reference numeral 80 is continued and the rod passes the
side
wall 20 of first member 16 and outer side wall 34 of movable member 28 and
descends
downwardly therealong as indicated by the position designated by reference
numeral 82
in Figure 4.
As the rod passes underneath of tarpaulin rod securing device 10, tension will
place
an upper force on tapered end wall 32 forcing it outwardly as indicated by
arrow 84.
Once the rod has completely entered U-shaped recess 22; movable member 28 will
pivot
back into position to thereby secure rod 54 in position. As an additional
locking feature,
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pawl 3 8 may then be pivoted as indicated by arrow 86 (Figure 6) such that
spur 42 will
engage sprocket wheel 56 to prevent further movement thereof.
As may be seen in Figure 8, guide ring 58 is sized to fit within the gap 44
between
first member 16 and movable member 28 such that during the latter portion of
its
movement, rod 54 is retained securely in position.
To further secure and support the rod 54, a plurality of retaining devices 68
are
provided. Each of retaining devices 68 has a plurality of apertures 72 to
receive a
fastening device 74 for securement to the side wall 50 of trailer 46. It will
be noted they
have a concave surface 70 to assist in retaining the rod 54 in position.
A slightly different version is illustrated in Figures 2, 11 a.nd 12. In this
arrangement
and referring to Figure 1 l, the trailer has an open side wall and therefore,
the tarpaulin rod
securing device has a slightly different bracket. As shown in Figure 2, there
is provided
an L-shaped bracket 90 with apertures 92 therein for receiving a fastening
device 74.
Bracket 90 is fastened as shown in Figure 11 at the bottorr~ of end wall 48.
The operation
is substantially the same as with respect to the previously described
embodiment.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
_g_.
