Corner member for reinforcing tarpaulins

• US 5,922,432 A
• Filed: 04/13/1998
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schott International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Schott International, Inc.
• Inventors: Kalal, John David
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMAS, ALEXANDER S
• Application Number:
  US09/059,024
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 428/99, 428/137, 428/131, 428/80, 135/119, 114/103
• US Class Current: 428/80
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/64 Tent or canopy cover fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 including fastener for attaching to external surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24273 including aperture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24322 Composite web or sheet

Abstract

A corner reinforcement for tarpaulins has an upper and lower plate connected by two enclosed edges forming a right angle. The reinforcement structure has an open edge that arcs back towards the corner defined by the enclosed edges and has rivet holes fixed along an arc concentric thereto. A rib positioned on the inside surface of the top plate runs along the arc defined by the rivet holes on the upper plate, while a mateable groove positioned on the inside surface of the bottom plate runs along the arc defined by the rivet holes on the bottom plate. A grommet is also provided for securing a rope to the corner of the tarpaulin. The corner of a tarpaulin is inserted through the open edge and its shape is accommodated by the right angle formed by the enclosed edges. The rivets are then fixed in place causing the rib and groove to mate, providing reinforcement to the corner.

Claims

1. A corner reinforcement for a tarpaulin comprising:

a top plate;

a bottom plate;

an enclosed edge connecting said top plate and said bottom plate along two sides and meeting in a right angle;

an arcuate mouth, positioned opposite said enclosed edge, said arcuate mouth extending in a concave shape towards the corner of said enclosed edge, said arcuate mouth being defined by the space between said top and bottom plates;

at least one arcuate rib positioned on an inner surface of said top plate and substantially concentric with said arcuate mouth;

at least one arcuate groove positioned on an inner surface of said bottom plate and in registration with said arcuate rib;

a clamping means capable of bringing said top plate and said bottom plate into contact with one another, thereby mating said arcuate rib with said arcuate groove; and

a grommet set inboard from the corner of said enclosed edge.

2. The corner reinforcement tarpaulin according to claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprise apertures for the placement and clamping of rivets.

3. A corner reinforcement for a tarpaulin, comprising:

a top plate;

a bottom plate;

an enclosed semicircular edge connecting said top plate and said bottom plate along two sides and meeting in a right angle;

an arcuate mouth, positioned opposite said enclosed semicircular edge, said arcuate mouth extending in a concave shape towards the corner of said enclosed semicircular edge, said arcuate mouth being defined by a space between said top and bottom plates;

a plurality of rivet holes in said top plate and said bottom plate, said plurality of rivet holes being positioned substantially concentric with said arcuate mouth and juxtaposed to receive rivets secured through said top and bottom plates; and

a grommet set inboard from the corner of said enclosed semicircular edge.

4. The corner reinforcement for a tarpaulin according to claim 3, further comprising:

at least one rib positioned on an inner surface of said top plate; and

at least one groove positioned on an inner surface of said bottom plate, wherein each groove so provided is in registration with a corresponding rib.

5. The corner reinforcement for a tarpaulin according to claim 3, further comprising:

at least one arcuate rib positioned on an inner surface of said top plate and concentric with said arcuate mouth; and

at least one arcuate groove positioned on an inner surface of said bottom plate, wherein each groove so provided is in registration with a corresponding rib.

6. The corner reinforcement for a tarpaulin according to claim 3, further comprising:

an arcuate rib extending along an arc defined by the rivet holes and positioned on an inner surface of said top plate; and

an arcuate groove extending along an arc defined by the rivet holes, and positioned on an inner surface of said bottom plate, said rib and said groove being in registration with each other.