Cover for Securing a load in an environment and related methods

• US 20100219657A1
• Filed: 03/02/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tarp X, LLC
• Original Assignee: Load Control Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Kinley, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,277,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/100.10
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0876 using restraining net or tarpaulin in contact with the load

Abstract

A cover for securing a load in an environment includes a sheet; a strap having a length that is extendable, and that includes a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion; a first coupler attached to the strap'"'"'s first end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap'"'"'s first end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover; a second coupler attached to the strap'"'"'s second end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap'"'"'s second end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover; and a fastener operable to fasten the strap'"'"'s first end portion to the sheet. When the sheet is used to secure and/or cover a load the first coupler is disposed between the fastener and the strap'"'"'s middle portion. By having the first coupler located between the fastener and the strap'"'"'s middle portion, one can both secure the load with the strap and secure the cover 10 to the structure. Thus, one can quickly, easily and adequately secure and cover a load with the cover.

Claims

1. A cover for securing a load in an environment, the cover comprising:

a sheet operable to cover a load to protect the load from the environment and to retain the load;

a strap having a length that is extendable, and that includes a first end portion having a length, a middle portion having a length, and a second end portion having a length, the first and second end portions each having an end that is distal to the middle portion;

a first coupler attached to the strap'"'"'s first end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap'"'"'s first end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover;

a second coupler attached to the strap'"'"'s second end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap'"'"'s second end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover;

a fastener operable to fasten the strap'"'"'s first end portion to the sheet; and

wherein, when the sheet covers a load and the first and second couplers are attached to a structure to anchor the cover, the first coupler is disposed between the fastener and the strap'"'"'s middle portion as one travels the length of the first end portion from the first end portion'"'"'s end toward the strap'"'"'s middle portion.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the sheet is operable to cover a portion of the load.

3. The cover of claim 1 wherein the length of the middle portion is extendable.

4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the middle portion of the strap includes an elastic.

5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first coupler includes a hook.

6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first coupler is releasably attached to the strap'"'"'s first end portion and is positionable along the length of the strap'"'"'s first end portion.

7. The cover of claim 1 wherein:

the first coupler is releasably attached to the strap'"'"'s first end portion and is positionable along the length of the strap'"'"'s first end portion, and

the second coupler is releasably attached to the strap'"'"'s second end portion and is positionable along the length of the strap'"'"'s second end portion.

8. The cover of claim 1 wherein the fastener is positionable along the length of the strap'"'"'s first end portion.

9. The cover of claim 1 wherein the fastener includes a buckle.

10. The cover of claim 1 wherein the sheet includes a sleeve for holding the strap to the sheet to prevent significant movement of the strap relative to the sheet.

11. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a second fastener operable to fasten the strap'"'"'s second end portion to the sheet.

12. The cover of claim 1 further comprising:

a second strap having a length that is extendable, and that includes a first end portion having a length, a middle portion having a length, and a second end portion having a length, the second strap'"'"'s first and second end portions each having an end that is distal to the second strap'"'"'s middle portion;

a third coupler attached to the second strap'"'"'s first end portion and operable to releasably attach the second strap'"'"'s first end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover;

a fourth coupler attached to the second strap'"'"'s second end portion and operable to releasably attach the second strap'"'"'s second end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover;

a second fastener operable to fasten the second strap'"'"'s first end portion to the sheet; and

wherein, when the sheet covers a load and the third and fourth couplers are attached to a structure to anchor the cover, the third coupler is disposed between the second fastener and the second strap'"'"'s middle portion as one travels the length of the second strap'"'"'s first end portion from the first end portion'"'"'s end toward the second strap'"'"'s middle portion.

13. The cover of claim 1 wherein:

the sheet has an anterior region, a posterior region opposite the anterior region, a left side region, and a right side region opposite the left side region, and

the strap extends across the posterior region from the left side region toward the right side region.

14. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a component operable to prevent the sheet from flapping in a wind.

15. A method for securing a load in an environment, the method comprising:

coupling a first coupler of a cover to a structure other than the sheet of the cover, wherein the first coupler is attached to a strap of the cover;

coupling a second coupler of the cover to a structure other than the sheet of the cover, wherein the second coupler is attached to the strap of the cover;

exerting pressure on an end of the strap to extend the length of the strap and to generate tension in the strap; and

fastening the strap to the cover'"'"'s sheet to maintain the tension in the strap.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising holding the strap to the sheet to prevent significant movement of the strap relative to the sheet.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

coupling a third coupler of the cover to a structure other than the sheet of the cover, wherein the third coupler is attached to a second strap of the cover;

coupling a fourth coupler of the cover to a structure other than the sheet of the cover, wherein the fourth coupler is attached to the second strap of the cover;

exerting pressure on an end of the second strap to extend the length of the second strap and to generate tension in the second strap; and

fastening the second strap to the cover'"'"'s sheet to maintain the tension in the second strap.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising exerting pressure on the load with the strap when the load moves relative to the cover.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the amount of tension generated in the strap is directly proportional to the difference between the strap'"'"'s extended length and non-extended length.