CA2636445A1 - Retractable monorail tarpaulin system - Google Patents
Retractable monorail tarpaulin system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2636445A1 CA2636445A1 CA 2636445 CA2636445A CA2636445A1 CA 2636445 A1 CA2636445 A1 CA 2636445A1 CA 2636445 CA2636445 CA 2636445 CA 2636445 A CA2636445 A CA 2636445A CA 2636445 A1 CA2636445 A1 CA 2636445A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tarpaulin
- monorail
- trailer
- headboard
- deck
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D33/00—Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles
- B62D33/02—Platforms; Open load compartments
- B62D33/0222—Connecting elements between stanchions, e.g. roof supporting elements, stiffeners
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
- B60J7/02—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes
- B60J7/06—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements
- B60J7/061—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements sliding and folding
- B60J7/062—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements sliding and folding for utility vehicles
Abstract
The invention comprises a retractable tarpaulin system, comprising: a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck; b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer; c) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck; d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow; and e) a tarpaulin covering said vehicle deck and supported under tension by said headboard, said rear bow, and said intermediate bows.
Description
RETRACTABLE MONORAIL TARPAULIN SYSTEM
Field of the Invention 100011 The present invention relates to the field of tarpaulin systems. In particular, it relates to a retractable tarpaulin system for covering a vehicle bed.
Background of the Invention [0002] Cargo transportation is a major industry throughout the world, and a major concern in the cargo transportation industry is the protection of the cargo from damage during transport. The most common type of cargo transport is the trailer truck, which is used to deliver cargo to its final destination. While some trailers are based on enclosed cargo containers, similar to those used for sea transport, the most common is the well-known flatbed trailer. Flatbed trailers are inexpensive and easy to load, but have a major drawback in that the cargo on the trailer is exposed and at risk of damage from the elements.
Field of the Invention 100011 The present invention relates to the field of tarpaulin systems. In particular, it relates to a retractable tarpaulin system for covering a vehicle bed.
Background of the Invention [0002] Cargo transportation is a major industry throughout the world, and a major concern in the cargo transportation industry is the protection of the cargo from damage during transport. The most common type of cargo transport is the trailer truck, which is used to deliver cargo to its final destination. While some trailers are based on enclosed cargo containers, similar to those used for sea transport, the most common is the well-known flatbed trailer. Flatbed trailers are inexpensive and easy to load, but have a major drawback in that the cargo on the trailer is exposed and at risk of damage from the elements.
[0003] Tarpaulin systems (tarps) are commonly used to cover the cargo area of a flatbed trailer attached to a truck or other vehicle for the transportation of cargo and goods. An advantage provided by tarps is that they can be removed to completely uncover the bed of the vehicle, allowing for faster loading and unloading than with a closed-bed vehicle using doors. However, an issue arises in that the tarp must be capable of maintaining a certain degree of tension when covering the bed to prevent damage to the tarp or the cargo protected by the tarp during transport.
[0004] A particular problem arises in the transportation of glass using a flatbed trailer. As the glass must be transported vertically, the trailer is modified with a centre wall or series of pillars to provide support for the vertically stacked glass.
However, the presence of the centre pillar inhibits the ability to cover the trailer manually with a tarpaulin. With a standard tarpaulin system, the excessively tall bows increase the weight of the system to a point that it is not feasible.
_ 1 - 78565-5 . rt [00051 Furthermore, as it is preferable to load and unload the glass from the sides of the trailer, the bows of the tarpaulin must be retractable to permit side loading of the trailer. However, as the known bows in the art are U-shaped frames that extend along both sides, it is difficult to fully retract the bows without at least some interference with cargo loading.
[00061 There is a need for a tarpaulin system that is suited for covering vehicle beds designed for transportation of glass and other, similar sheet materials that must be transported vertically.
[00071 It is an object of this invention to partially or completely fulfill one or more of the above-mentioned needs.
Summary of the Invention [0008] The invention comprises a retractable tarpaulin system, comprising: a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck; b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer;
c) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck; d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow; and e) a tarpaulin covering said vehicle deck and supported under tension by said headboard, said rear bow, and said intermediate bows.
100091 The tarpaulin system may further include one or more tensioning buckles spaced along opposite edges of the tarpaulin, the tensioning buckles operative to secure the opposite edges of the tarpaulin to the vehicle deck.
[oolol Preferably, the tarpaulin system includes one or more of the following features: the intermediate bows attached to the monorail via a plurality of wheels which engage corresponding tracks on the monorail; the headboard modified with angular features to provide improved aerodynamic performance over a flat headboard;
and spring steel woven into the tarpaulin in a direction parallel to the trailer deck along one or more sections of the tarpaulin.
[00111 Another embodiment of the invention comprises a retractable tarpaulin support system for supporting a tarpaulin under tension, comprising: a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck; b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer; c) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck; d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow.
[00121 Preferably, the retractable tarpaulin support system includes additional features as described above.
[00131 Other and further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings [00141 The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trailer incorporating an embodiment of the inventive tarpaulin system;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of Figure 1 with the tarpaulin removed;
Figure 3 is a close-up perspective view of the front end of the trailer of Figure 2;
Figure 4A is an underneath perspective view of the trailer of Figure 2;
_ 3 _ 78565-5 Figure 4B is a close-up perspective view of the circled area of Figure 4B;
Figure 5A is a perspective isolation view of an intermediate bow;
Figure 5B is a close-up perspective view of the circled area of Figure 5A;
Figure 6A is a close-up perspective view of the rear end of the trailer of Figure 2;
Figure 6B is a close-up perspective view of circled area A in Figure 6A;
Figure 6C is a close-up perspective view of circled area B in Figure 6A;
Figure 7A is a side view of the trailer of Figure 1;
Figure 7B is a close-up side view of circled area C in Figure 7A;
Figure 7C is a close-up side view of circled area D in Figure 7A;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a trailer incorporating an alternative embodiment of the inventive tarpaulin system;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the trailer of Figure 2 with the intermediate bows retracted and the tarpaulin removed.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 100151 A presently preferred embodiment of a glass transport flatbed trailer incorporating a preferred embodiment of the inventive tarpaulin system is shown in Figure 1. The trailer deck 110, and cargo located thereon (not shown), is covered by a tarpaulin 120 supported by a headboard 100 and a rear bow 240 (shown in Figure 2) and held under tension by integrated tensioning buckles 140 attached to webbing 130 built in to the tarpaulin 120 that secure the sides of the tarpaulin 120 to the sides of the trailer deck 100.
[00161 Figure 2 shows the trailer 10 of Figure 1 with the tarpaulin 120 removed. A
series of center pillars 210 and beams 220 forms an A-frame for vertically supporting cargo, such as glass sheets, as is known in the art. Coupled to the top of the A-frame is a _ 4 _ 78565-5 monorail 250 that runs the length of the trailer 10 from the headboard 100 to the rear of the trailer deck 110. A rear bow 240 is secured to the monorail 250 and detachably secured to the trailer deck 110 and is used to tension the tarpaulin. Along the length of monorail 250 are spaced rigid intermediate bows 230 which extend the width of the trailer deck 110 and preferably include a partial vertical extension to support the sides of the tarpaulin 120. Preferably, the vertical extension of the intermediate bows 230 extends less than a quarter of the side length (height) of the tarpaulin.
[0017] Figure 3 shows the mounting of the monorail 250 to the structural frame of the headboard 100 and the A-Frame. The headboard 100 is comprised of a skin covering the structural frame 115. The headboard can also be considered as the front bow of the tarpaulin system.
[0018] As shown, the headboard 100 is of an angular shape which provides improved aerodynamic efficiency for the trailer 10, particular in combination with the increased tension and stability of the tarpaulin resulting from the present inventive system. While an aerodynamic headboard 100 is preferably, a conventional flat headboard can also be used with the tarpaulin system, albeit without the same degree of aerodynamic benefit.
[0019] Figures 4A and 4B show a perspective and a close-up view of the underside of the monorail 250 and A-frame beam 220. The monorail 250 is secured to the beam by a flexible slide block 400 that enables the trailer 10 to flex under the weight of the cargo load without placing undue stress on either the monorai1250 or the beams 220.
[0020] Figures 5A and 5B show a perspective and a close-up view of the center of a detached intermediate bow 230, detailing the connection mechanism 500 used to secure the intermediate bow 230 to the monorail 250 (shown in Figure 2). The mechanism comprises a U-shaped brace 520 with a set of opposing wheels 510 mounted on the interior of the brace 520. The wheels engage the monorail 250 along opposing sides and the top, securing the intermediate bow 230 an inhibiting any perpendicular motion of the bow 230 relative to the monorail 250. The use of wheels 520 enables the bow 230 to maintain freedom of movement laterally along the monorail 250, allowing the bows 230 to be collectively moved to the front or rear of the trailer 10 for cargo loading.
_ 5 _ 78565-5 [00211 Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show the rear bow 240 and the details of the rear bow mounting and tensioning assemblies. The base 625 of the rear bow 240 has a plurality of wheels 615 that engage a guide rai1610 mounted on the rear of the vehicle deck 110 on a stanchion base 620. The wheels 615 allow the rear bow 240 to be adjusted laterally after the tarpaulin 120 is stretched over the intermediate bows 230 to place the tarpaulin 120 under tension and lock the tarpaulin 120 and the intermediate bows 230 in place. As shown in Figure 6C, tension adjustment is performed using one or more tension buckles 660 secured to a support stanchion 670 mounted in stanchion base 620.
Stanchions 670 are removable from stanchion bases 620 to allow rear bow 240 to be moved towards the headboard 100 and facilitate loading of cargo from the rear end of the trailer.
[00221 Additional tensioning of the tarpaulin 120 is provided by tensioning buckles 140 and 145 mounted directly on the tarpaulin as shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C. The tarpaulin 120 has a set of tensioning buckles 140 attached at the ends of reinforced webbing sections 130. The buckles 140 are secured to edges of the trailer deck 110 and tightened, using a ratcheting system or other means as is known in the art, to place the tarpaulin 120 under tension. Additional horizontal tensioning buckles 145 are used to secure the corners of the tarpaulin 120 to the corners of the trailer deck 110 in the same fashion. In conjunction with the structural support provided by the intermediate bows 230, the result is a taut structure with increased stability and reduced wind resistance, as well as improved resiliency, as the edges of the tarpaulin 120 will not `flap' in the wind during transport, which can damage the tarpaulin, as well as expose the cargo, possibly damaging it as well.
100231 Operationally, to load cargo on to the trailer deck 110, the tarpaulin 120 is retracted by moving intermediate bows 230 along the monorai1250 to collect at one end, preferably the headboard end, of the trailer deck as shown in Figure 9.
Additionally, by removing stanchions 670 from stanchion bases 620, rear bow 240 can also be moved to collect at the headboard end with the intermediate bows 230. Cargo, such as glass sheets, can then be loaded from both sides of the vehicles deck, using an overhead and/or level loading system as is known in the art. Once the cargo is loaded and secured, the intermediate bows 230 (And rear bow 240, if moved), along with the tarpaulin 120 are _ 6 _ 78565-5 extended back over the vehicle deck I 10 (as shown in Figure 1) and secured in place under tension by adjustment of tensioning buckles 140 and 145, and rear bow 240 as described above.
[0024] To assist in maintaining the structure of the tarpaulin 120 during retraction and extension, strips 800 of spring steel or a similar material can be woven into the tarpaulin 120 along the bottom edges and along the section overlapping the monorail 250 as shown in Figure 8. The strips assist the tarpaulin in forming a stable structure when extended. Then, during retraction, the compression of the spring steel acts as a lifter to prevent the tarpaulin from binding in the monorail 250 or the wheels 510 of the intermediate bows.
[0025] While the above system has been presented in the context of tarpaulins for flatbed deck glass transport trailers, the system is equally applicable to any tarpaulin and trailer system.
[0026] This concludes the description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but by the claims that follow.
_ 7 _ 78565-5
However, the presence of the centre pillar inhibits the ability to cover the trailer manually with a tarpaulin. With a standard tarpaulin system, the excessively tall bows increase the weight of the system to a point that it is not feasible.
_ 1 - 78565-5 . rt [00051 Furthermore, as it is preferable to load and unload the glass from the sides of the trailer, the bows of the tarpaulin must be retractable to permit side loading of the trailer. However, as the known bows in the art are U-shaped frames that extend along both sides, it is difficult to fully retract the bows without at least some interference with cargo loading.
[00061 There is a need for a tarpaulin system that is suited for covering vehicle beds designed for transportation of glass and other, similar sheet materials that must be transported vertically.
[00071 It is an object of this invention to partially or completely fulfill one or more of the above-mentioned needs.
Summary of the Invention [0008] The invention comprises a retractable tarpaulin system, comprising: a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck; b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer;
c) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck; d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow; and e) a tarpaulin covering said vehicle deck and supported under tension by said headboard, said rear bow, and said intermediate bows.
100091 The tarpaulin system may further include one or more tensioning buckles spaced along opposite edges of the tarpaulin, the tensioning buckles operative to secure the opposite edges of the tarpaulin to the vehicle deck.
[oolol Preferably, the tarpaulin system includes one or more of the following features: the intermediate bows attached to the monorail via a plurality of wheels which engage corresponding tracks on the monorail; the headboard modified with angular features to provide improved aerodynamic performance over a flat headboard;
and spring steel woven into the tarpaulin in a direction parallel to the trailer deck along one or more sections of the tarpaulin.
[00111 Another embodiment of the invention comprises a retractable tarpaulin support system for supporting a tarpaulin under tension, comprising: a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck; b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer; c) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck; d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow.
[00121 Preferably, the retractable tarpaulin support system includes additional features as described above.
[00131 Other and further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings [00141 The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trailer incorporating an embodiment of the inventive tarpaulin system;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of Figure 1 with the tarpaulin removed;
Figure 3 is a close-up perspective view of the front end of the trailer of Figure 2;
Figure 4A is an underneath perspective view of the trailer of Figure 2;
_ 3 _ 78565-5 Figure 4B is a close-up perspective view of the circled area of Figure 4B;
Figure 5A is a perspective isolation view of an intermediate bow;
Figure 5B is a close-up perspective view of the circled area of Figure 5A;
Figure 6A is a close-up perspective view of the rear end of the trailer of Figure 2;
Figure 6B is a close-up perspective view of circled area A in Figure 6A;
Figure 6C is a close-up perspective view of circled area B in Figure 6A;
Figure 7A is a side view of the trailer of Figure 1;
Figure 7B is a close-up side view of circled area C in Figure 7A;
Figure 7C is a close-up side view of circled area D in Figure 7A;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a trailer incorporating an alternative embodiment of the inventive tarpaulin system;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the trailer of Figure 2 with the intermediate bows retracted and the tarpaulin removed.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 100151 A presently preferred embodiment of a glass transport flatbed trailer incorporating a preferred embodiment of the inventive tarpaulin system is shown in Figure 1. The trailer deck 110, and cargo located thereon (not shown), is covered by a tarpaulin 120 supported by a headboard 100 and a rear bow 240 (shown in Figure 2) and held under tension by integrated tensioning buckles 140 attached to webbing 130 built in to the tarpaulin 120 that secure the sides of the tarpaulin 120 to the sides of the trailer deck 100.
[00161 Figure 2 shows the trailer 10 of Figure 1 with the tarpaulin 120 removed. A
series of center pillars 210 and beams 220 forms an A-frame for vertically supporting cargo, such as glass sheets, as is known in the art. Coupled to the top of the A-frame is a _ 4 _ 78565-5 monorail 250 that runs the length of the trailer 10 from the headboard 100 to the rear of the trailer deck 110. A rear bow 240 is secured to the monorail 250 and detachably secured to the trailer deck 110 and is used to tension the tarpaulin. Along the length of monorail 250 are spaced rigid intermediate bows 230 which extend the width of the trailer deck 110 and preferably include a partial vertical extension to support the sides of the tarpaulin 120. Preferably, the vertical extension of the intermediate bows 230 extends less than a quarter of the side length (height) of the tarpaulin.
[0017] Figure 3 shows the mounting of the monorail 250 to the structural frame of the headboard 100 and the A-Frame. The headboard 100 is comprised of a skin covering the structural frame 115. The headboard can also be considered as the front bow of the tarpaulin system.
[0018] As shown, the headboard 100 is of an angular shape which provides improved aerodynamic efficiency for the trailer 10, particular in combination with the increased tension and stability of the tarpaulin resulting from the present inventive system. While an aerodynamic headboard 100 is preferably, a conventional flat headboard can also be used with the tarpaulin system, albeit without the same degree of aerodynamic benefit.
[0019] Figures 4A and 4B show a perspective and a close-up view of the underside of the monorail 250 and A-frame beam 220. The monorail 250 is secured to the beam by a flexible slide block 400 that enables the trailer 10 to flex under the weight of the cargo load without placing undue stress on either the monorai1250 or the beams 220.
[0020] Figures 5A and 5B show a perspective and a close-up view of the center of a detached intermediate bow 230, detailing the connection mechanism 500 used to secure the intermediate bow 230 to the monorail 250 (shown in Figure 2). The mechanism comprises a U-shaped brace 520 with a set of opposing wheels 510 mounted on the interior of the brace 520. The wheels engage the monorail 250 along opposing sides and the top, securing the intermediate bow 230 an inhibiting any perpendicular motion of the bow 230 relative to the monorail 250. The use of wheels 520 enables the bow 230 to maintain freedom of movement laterally along the monorail 250, allowing the bows 230 to be collectively moved to the front or rear of the trailer 10 for cargo loading.
_ 5 _ 78565-5 [00211 Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show the rear bow 240 and the details of the rear bow mounting and tensioning assemblies. The base 625 of the rear bow 240 has a plurality of wheels 615 that engage a guide rai1610 mounted on the rear of the vehicle deck 110 on a stanchion base 620. The wheels 615 allow the rear bow 240 to be adjusted laterally after the tarpaulin 120 is stretched over the intermediate bows 230 to place the tarpaulin 120 under tension and lock the tarpaulin 120 and the intermediate bows 230 in place. As shown in Figure 6C, tension adjustment is performed using one or more tension buckles 660 secured to a support stanchion 670 mounted in stanchion base 620.
Stanchions 670 are removable from stanchion bases 620 to allow rear bow 240 to be moved towards the headboard 100 and facilitate loading of cargo from the rear end of the trailer.
[00221 Additional tensioning of the tarpaulin 120 is provided by tensioning buckles 140 and 145 mounted directly on the tarpaulin as shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C. The tarpaulin 120 has a set of tensioning buckles 140 attached at the ends of reinforced webbing sections 130. The buckles 140 are secured to edges of the trailer deck 110 and tightened, using a ratcheting system or other means as is known in the art, to place the tarpaulin 120 under tension. Additional horizontal tensioning buckles 145 are used to secure the corners of the tarpaulin 120 to the corners of the trailer deck 110 in the same fashion. In conjunction with the structural support provided by the intermediate bows 230, the result is a taut structure with increased stability and reduced wind resistance, as well as improved resiliency, as the edges of the tarpaulin 120 will not `flap' in the wind during transport, which can damage the tarpaulin, as well as expose the cargo, possibly damaging it as well.
100231 Operationally, to load cargo on to the trailer deck 110, the tarpaulin 120 is retracted by moving intermediate bows 230 along the monorai1250 to collect at one end, preferably the headboard end, of the trailer deck as shown in Figure 9.
Additionally, by removing stanchions 670 from stanchion bases 620, rear bow 240 can also be moved to collect at the headboard end with the intermediate bows 230. Cargo, such as glass sheets, can then be loaded from both sides of the vehicles deck, using an overhead and/or level loading system as is known in the art. Once the cargo is loaded and secured, the intermediate bows 230 (And rear bow 240, if moved), along with the tarpaulin 120 are _ 6 _ 78565-5 extended back over the vehicle deck I 10 (as shown in Figure 1) and secured in place under tension by adjustment of tensioning buckles 140 and 145, and rear bow 240 as described above.
[0024] To assist in maintaining the structure of the tarpaulin 120 during retraction and extension, strips 800 of spring steel or a similar material can be woven into the tarpaulin 120 along the bottom edges and along the section overlapping the monorail 250 as shown in Figure 8. The strips assist the tarpaulin in forming a stable structure when extended. Then, during retraction, the compression of the spring steel acts as a lifter to prevent the tarpaulin from binding in the monorail 250 or the wheels 510 of the intermediate bows.
[0025] While the above system has been presented in the context of tarpaulins for flatbed deck glass transport trailers, the system is equally applicable to any tarpaulin and trailer system.
[0026] This concludes the description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but by the claims that follow.
_ 7 _ 78565-5
Claims (16)
1. A retractable tarpaulin system, comprising:
a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck;
b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer;
c) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck;
d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow; and e) a tarpaulin covering said vehicle deck and supported under tension by said headboard, said rear bow, and said intermediate bows.
a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck;
b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer;
c) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck;
d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow; and e) a tarpaulin covering said vehicle deck and supported under tension by said headboard, said rear bow, and said intermediate bows.
2. The tarpaulin system of claim 1, wherein said tarpaulin further includes one or more tensioning buckles spaced along opposite edges, said tensioning buckles operative to secure said opposite edges of said tarpaulin to said vehicle deck.
3. The tarpaulin system of claims 1 and 2, wherein said rear bow is detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck by stanchions which are removably secured to stanchion blocks mounted on said trailer deck.
4. The tarpaulin system of claim 3, wherein said stanchion blocks include guide rails to guide said rear bow into a tension-maintaining position.
5. The tarpaulin system of claims 1-4, wherein said intermediate bows are attached to said monorail via a plurality of wheels which engage corresponding tracks on said monorail.
6. The tarpaulin system of claims 1-5, wherein said headboard is modified with angular features to provide improved aerodynamic performance over a flat headboard.
7. The tarpaulin system of claims 1-6, wherein the tarpaulin further includes spring steel woven in a direction parallel to the trailer deck along one or more spring tension sections of the tarpaulin.
8. The tarpaulin system of claim 7, wherein one of said one or more spring tension sections is a section overlapping said monorail.
9. The tarpaulin system of claims 7 and 8, wherein one of said one or more spring tension sections is a section along an edge of said tarpaulin.
10. A retractable tarpaulin support system for supporting a tarpaulin under tension, comprising:
a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck;
b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer; and b) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck; and d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow.
a) a headboard attached to a front end of a trailer deck;
b) a monorail extending from the headboard to a rear end of the trailer deck, said monorail located substantially along a centerline of the trailer deck and secured to an A-frame on said trailer deck via a flexible slide block to transfer flexion torque away from the monorail to the trailer; and b) a rear bow attached to and moveable along said monorail, and detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck; and d) one or more intermediate bows, attached to and moveable along said monorail between said headboard and said rear bow.
11. The tarpaulin support system of claim 10, wherein said trailer deck further includes attachment points for one or more tensioning buckles spaced along opposite edges of said trailer deck.
12. The tarpaulin system of claims 10 and 11, wherein said rear bow is detachably secured to the rear end of the trailer deck by stanchions which are removably secured to stanchion blocks mounted on said trailer deck.
13. The tarpaulin system of claim 12, wherein said stanchion blocks include guide rails to guide said rear bow into a tension-maintaining position.
14. The tarpaulin support system of claims 10-13, wherein said intermediate bows are attached to said monorail via a plurality of wheels which engage corresponding tracks on said monorail.
15. The tarpaulin support system of claims 10-14, wherein said headboard is modified with angular features to provide improved aerodynamic performance over a flat headboard.
16. The tarpaulin support system of claims 10-15, wherein the trailer deck includes a series of center pillars and the monorail is secured to said center pillar to from an A-frame.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2636445 CA2636445A1 (en) | 2008-06-27 | 2008-06-27 | Retractable monorail tarpaulin system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2636445 CA2636445A1 (en) | 2008-06-27 | 2008-06-27 | Retractable monorail tarpaulin system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2636445A1 true CA2636445A1 (en) | 2009-12-27 |
Family
ID=41462963
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2636445 Abandoned CA2636445A1 (en) | 2008-06-27 | 2008-06-27 | Retractable monorail tarpaulin system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2636445A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013143525A3 (en) * | 2012-03-31 | 2013-12-27 | Edscha Trailer Systems Gmbh | Sliding strut for a covering frame for a tarpaulin structure of a commercial vehicle and associated covering frame |
| US9884540B1 (en) * | 2016-12-06 | 2018-02-06 | Walter Peter DeMonte | Rolling tarp enclosure system |
| CN110549930A (en) * | 2019-09-09 | 2019-12-10 | 船东物流技术江苏有限公司 | Special transportation device for straddle type monorail vehicle and loading and unloading method |
| US11505046B2 (en) | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-22 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Rolling tarp enclosure |
-
2008
- 2008-06-27 CA CA 2636445 patent/CA2636445A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013143525A3 (en) * | 2012-03-31 | 2013-12-27 | Edscha Trailer Systems Gmbh | Sliding strut for a covering frame for a tarpaulin structure of a commercial vehicle and associated covering frame |
| US9884540B1 (en) * | 2016-12-06 | 2018-02-06 | Walter Peter DeMonte | Rolling tarp enclosure system |
| CN110549930A (en) * | 2019-09-09 | 2019-12-10 | 船东物流技术江苏有限公司 | Special transportation device for straddle type monorail vehicle and loading and unloading method |
| US11505046B2 (en) | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-22 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Rolling tarp enclosure |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US8973969B1 (en) | Tonneau cover system for vehicles | |
| CA1237748A (en) | Tarpaulin support structure | |
| US6883855B2 (en) | Hinged tonneau cover for transporting a significant top load | |
| US6439646B1 (en) | Soft shell camper top including a roof rack for use on a pickup truck | |
| US6886879B2 (en) | End cap for roll tarp system | |
| US8235447B2 (en) | Tensioning and lock device | |
| US8567848B2 (en) | Modular headboard and application in tarpaulin industry | |
| US10112465B2 (en) | Vented tonneau cover for a cargo bed of a pickup truck | |
| CA2402083C (en) | Wide clearance sliding tarping systems for flat bed trailers or truck bodies | |
| US20020135199A1 (en) | Reliable retractable protective cover assembly | |
| US20070031226A1 (en) | Trailer with platform assembly | |
| GB2157246A (en) | Retractable cover assembly for a load carrying vehicle | |
| CA2636445A1 (en) | Retractable monorail tarpaulin system | |
| CA2663473A1 (en) | Rail car extension system | |
| US10807512B2 (en) | Shipping system and method for rolling tarp systems | |
| US6890020B2 (en) | Trailer particularly suited to hauling crushed and flattened vehicles | |
| US20040100124A1 (en) | Trailer particularly suited to hauling crushed and flattened vehicles | |
| GB2457128A (en) | Curtain closure structures for load carrying vehicles | |
| US20110175390A1 (en) | Retractable Tarp System with Automated Opening/Closing Mechanism | |
| CA2607924A1 (en) | Tarpaulin locking and tensioning mechanism | |
| CA2610565C (en) | Tarping system transport method | |
| US4840420A (en) | Convertible top | |
| WO2004067316A2 (en) | Trailers particularly suited to hauling crushed and flattened vehicles | |
| MXPA06014355A (en) | Slidable cover assembly for merchandise carrying vehicles. | |
| US20220250455A1 (en) | Cargo-Bed Cover System and Method |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |