Tarpaulin system for an open-top cargo hold
DCFirst Claim
1. A tarpaulin system for covering an open-top cargo hold on a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a tarpaulin having first and second ends, the first end of the tarpaulin being fixedly connected proximate one end of the cargo hold;
a plurality of bows for supporting said tarpaulin and moving said tarpaulin over the cargo hold, each of said bows having an interior section with opposing ends extending outwardly away therefrom;
a plurality of fasteners for detachably securing said bows to said tarpaulin;
a cable detachably secured for reciprocal movement adjacent the cargo hold;
a plurality of connectors for releasably attaching said bows to said cable;
wherein each connector is configured to be individually securable to and releasable from the cable when the cable is secured for movement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tarpaulin system for an open cargo hold for a vehicle and a method for repairing the tarpaulin system. The tarpaulin system includes a tarpaulin with a number of ribs or bows releasably connected along its length. A movable cable is provided on the cargo hold and the bows are releasably connected to this cable by brackets. The brackets have mounting flanges and cable followers, the mounting flanges being releasably connected to the bows and the cable followers being releasably connected to the cable. When the cable is drawn toward the rear of the cargo hold, the brackets and the bows and tarpaulin connected thereto are drawn toward the rear end of the cargo hold. When the cable is drawn toward the front of the cargo hold, the brackets and therefore the bows and tarpaulin, are drawn toward the front of the cargo hold. If a bow or connecting bracket breaks within the tarpaulin system, it may be disconnected from the tarpaulin and the cable and a replacement component may be reconnected to both the tarpaulin and the cable without disassembly of the entire tarpaulin system.
30 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A tarpaulin system for covering an open-top cargo hold on a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a tarpaulin having first and second ends, the first end of the tarpaulin being fixedly connected proximate one end of the cargo hold; a plurality of bows for supporting said tarpaulin and moving said tarpaulin over the cargo hold, each of said bows having an interior section with opposing ends extending outwardly away therefrom; a plurality of fasteners for detachably securing said bows to said tarpaulin; a cable detachably secured for reciprocal movement adjacent the cargo hold; a plurality of connectors for releasably attaching said bows to said cable;
wherein each connector is configured to be individually securable to and releasable from the cable when the cable is secured for movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of repairing a damaged tarpaulin system for an open-top cargo hold for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a tarpaulin system which includes a tarpaulin;
a plurality of bows for supporting said tarpaulin over the cargo hold;
at least one cable detachably secured for reciprocal movement of the tarpaulin; and
a plurality of connectors for detachably connecting said plurality of bows to said cable;
wherein the connectors are individually releasably attachable to the cable;locating a damaged bow within the tarpaulin system; disengaging the connectors that attach the damaged bow to the cable when the cable is in its secured state; withdrawing the damaged bow from the tarpaulin system; providing an undamaged replacement bow; attaching the undamaged replacement bow to the cable while maintaining the cable in its secured state. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification