Patent Application
20160089964
A tarpaulin or tarping system for covering loads on flatbed trailers. Said tarping system includes retractable tarps of various widths, for instance, 5 ft., 10 ft., or 20 ft. that are affixed to the cut-outs of the flatbed, stretched across the load, and then the leading edge is attached to the flatbed. These tarps can be placed adjacent to each other along the length of the flatbed, placed on opposing sides of the flatbed, or placed across the width of the flatbed to ensure maximum overlap of the tarps and full coverage of the load.
One of the problems with the current tarping systems for flatbed trailers is that they are cumbersome for an individual to operate. These systems generally extend the length of the flatbed trailer and if manually operated must be cranked or pulled over the load it is to cover. Automatic systems are also possible but fail to reduce the work required by the operator. Some methods have been developed such that a series of ribs or support structure affixed to the flatbed over which the tarp is pulled to make the covering process easier, however, this still requires the installation and removal of the ribs or support structure for each load.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,076, Bourcier et al., discloses cover for a flatbed which comprises a support structure over which a tarp is placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,424, Damsi et al., discloses a modular bow system for creating a frame over a flatbed, over which a tarp is placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a modular bow system.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,117, Henning, discloses tarp tensioning system to be used with a tarp pulled over a bow system, whereas the present disclosure involves a tarp system with a retraction mechanism that does not requires tensioning or a bow system.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,790, Johnston, discloses a system and method for covering and uncovering a trailer comprising supports adapted to be operatively connected to the ends of a trailer to position a roller with a cover attached thereto so that the cover can cover the load, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,047,600, Leblanc et al., discloses a retractable tarp cover and a plurality of U shaped bows over which the tarp is placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,017, Leblanc et al., discloses a sidewall panel and tarp system for flatbed trailers, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require sidewalls to be constructed on the trailer.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,709, Parker., discloses a drive-through work station that automatically covers a flatbed trailer with a tarp, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure, can be easily operated by an individual and is significantly less expensive.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,833, Petelka, discloses a combination of end members and support members that create a structure over which a tarp can be placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,240, Stevenson et al., discloses a frame and tarp combination that is assembled on the ground and then placed over the load on a flatbed with the use of a forklift, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load on the flatbed and does not require a support structure or the use of a forklift to place the structure on the flatbed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,030, Warner, discloses a method of covering variable size loads on a flatbed involving posts affixed to the corners of the flatbed connected at the apex of the posts by a series of cables to create a rectangular cable structure along which the tarp is pulled from the front of the trailer to its rear by a pulley system, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure or pulley system.
A tarping assembly that can be made in various widths such that the assembly can be affixed to a flatbed trailer and an individual can then extend the tarp from the assembly over a load on the trailer and affix the leading edge of said tarp to another location on the flatbed, thus covering all or a portion of a load. Once the leading edge of the tarp is detached from the trailer, the retracting mechanism of the tarping assembly retracts the tarp, allowing the tarping assembly to be easily removed from the flatbed. The width of said tarping assembly is variable at the discretion of the user.
In one preferred embodiment, the normal tarp, the width tarp being extended form the tarping system is approximately the width of the tarping system.
In a second preferred embodiment, the left extended tarp, the width of the tarp is longer than the tarping system where the tarp is attached to the tarping system so that, when extended, the left side of the tarp can be folded out from the tarp to extend beyond the length of the tarping system to guarantee overlap between tarping systems, and prior to retracting the tarp, the left side that extends beyond the length of the tarping system can be folded back over the main portion of the tarp to allow the whole tarp to then be retracted into the tarping system.
In a third preferred embodiment, the right extended tarp, the width of the tarp is longer than the tarping system where the tarp is attached to the tarping system so that, when extended, the right side of the tarp can be folded out from the tarp to extend beyond the length of the tarping system to guarantee overlap between tarping systems, and prior to retracting the tarp, the right side that extends beyond the length of the tarping system can be folded back over the main portion of the tarp to allow the whole tarp to then be retracted into the tarping system.
In a fourth preferred embodiment, the dual extended tarp, the width of the tarp is longer than the tarping system where the tarp is attached to the tarping system so that, when extended, the left and right sides of the tarp can be folded out from the tarp to extend beyond the length of the tarping system to guarantee overlap between tarping systems, and prior to retracting the tarp, the left and right sides that extend beyond the length of the tarping system can be folded back over the main portion of the tarp to thus allow the whole tarp to then be retracted into the tarping system.
The retracting mechanism has multiple embodiments including a manual cranking means, a motorized cranking means, a redundant system with a manual cranking means and a motorized cranking means, and a spring and ratchet means.
A tarping system 1 for use in covering a load on flatbed trailer 2 comprising a central axis 3, a left end member 4, a right end member 5, a cross member 6, a tarp 7, a plurality of anchor points 8, a retracting mechanism 9, a plurality of attaching means 10, and a stopping means 11.
The left end member 4 has a left back edge 12, a left front edge 13, a left top edge 14, a left bottom edge 15, a left interior face 16 and a left exterior face 17. The right end member 5 as a right back edge 18, a right front edge 19, a right top edge 20, a right bottom edge 21, a right interior face 22 and a right exterior face 23. The central axis 3 is a circular shaft with a left end 24 a right end 25. The left end 24 of the central axis 3 is attached to the left interior face 16 of the left end member 4 in such a fashion to allow the central axis 3 to wind and unwind. The right end 25 of the central axis 3 is attached to the right interior face 22 of the right end member 5 in such a fashion to allow the central axis 3 to wind and unwind. The cross member 6 has a left end of the cross member 26 and a right end of the cross member 27 and a length 48. The left end of the cross member 26 is attached to the left back edge 12 of the left end member 4. The right end of the cross member 27 is attached to the right back edge 18 of the right end member 5. Along the length 48 of the cross member 6 are attached a plurality of anchor points 8. The plurality of anchor points 8 are used to attach the tarping system to the flatbed trailer 2.
The tarp 7 has an attached edge 28, which is attached along the central axis 3 by a plurality of attachment means 46, a leading edge 29, which is the edge opposite the attached edge 28, a top 30, a bottom 31, a left length 32 located along the left edge of the tarp 7 if viewed from the attached edge 28 facing the leading edge 29 with the top 30 of the tarp 7 facing up, and a right length 33 located along the right edge of the tarp 7 if viewed from the attached edge 28 facing the leading edge 29 with the top 30 of the tarp 7 facing up. Along the leading edge 29 are a plurality of attaching means 10 to attach the tarp 7 to the flatbed trailer 2. In one embodiment, the tarp 7 also has a plurality of fastening means 34 so that one tarp 7 may be attached to an adjacent tarp 7.
The retracting mechanism 9 is attached to central axis 3 and facilitates the winding of the tarp 7 around the central axis 3. The stopping means 11 is attached to either the left exterior face 17 of the left end member 4 or the right exterior face 23 of the right end member 5 and once engaged prevents the central axis 3 from further rotating.
When the tarping system 1 is attached to the flatbed trailer 2, the leading edge 29 of the tarp 7 can be unrolled from the tarping system 1, pulled over all or a portion of the load 35 on the flatbed trailer 2 and then the leading edge 29 of the tarp 7 can be attached to the flatbed trailer 2 so that the load 35 is covered. Before removing the load 35, the tarp 7 can be removed by detaching the leading edge 29 of the tarp 7 from the trailer 2 and activating the retracting mechanism 9. The retracting mechanism 9 then rolls the tarp 7 around the central axis 3. The tarping system 1 can then be removed from the flatbed trailer 2.
The first preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the normal tarp 36, the normal tarp 36 is approximately the same width as the central axis 3.
The second preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the left extended tarp 37, the left extended tarp 37 is wider than the central axis 3 is long so that there would be a left overlap 38, which extends beyond the left end of the central axis 3. In this instance, there are a plurality of cuts 47 into the left overlap 38 to facilitate the left overlap 38 being folded over the main body of the left extended tarp 37 so that the left extended tarp 37 can be rolled up onto the central axis 3.
The third preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the right extended tarp 39, the right extended tarp 39 is wider than the central axis 3 is long so that there would be a right overlap 40, which extends beyond the right end of the central axis 3. In this instance, there are a plurality of cuts 47 into the right overlap 40 to facilitate the right overlap 40 being folded over the main body of the right extended tarp 39 so that the right extended tarp 39 can be rolled up onto the central axis 3.
The fourth preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the dual extended tarp 41, the dual extended tarp 41 is wider than the central axis 3 is long so that there is a left overlap 38 and a right overlap 40. In this instance, there are a plurality of cuts 47 into left overlap 38 and the right overlap 40 to facilitate the left overlap 38 and the right overlap 40 being folded over the main body of the dual extended tarp 41 so that and the dual extended tarp 41 can be rolled up onto the central axis 3.
In the first preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a manual cranking means 42 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3.
The second preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a motorized cranking means 43 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3.
The third preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a redundant system 44 with a manual cranking means 42 and a motorized cranking means 43 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3.
The fourth preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a spring and ratchet means 45 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3.
