EP2678241A1

EP2678241A1 - Express tarp

Info

Publication number: EP2678241A1
Application number: EP12749556.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jarl Fredrik Serlachius
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-24
Filing date: 2012-02-23
Publication date: 2014-01-01
Also published as: WO2012113970A1; FI9348U1; FIU20110075U0; US20140076472A1

Abstract

The invention consist of a tarp or cover (1) which edge area is equipped with loops (2, 3) intended for a rope or plank (7) to hold the tarp (1) tight over the covered object.

Description

EXPRESS TARP

The invention comprises a tarp or a cover, whose edge area has loops for fast tightening or rapid fastening.

Throughout the ages, the cover, or its later version the tarp, has been used as protection against whimsy weather. When it comes to rapid protection, nothing has outdone the tarp or cover. A cover also takes little room and is easy to carry. The surface for use - the surface area in proportion to its surface area when stored, is manifold. It could be said that, today, a tarp holds almost as important a position for man as a simple cover for our forefathers in the olden days. A cover or a tarp is normally the best solution for any temporary need for protection.

In order for a cover to stay in place or positioned on top of what it needs to cover, normally, the cover has openings on its edge area for fastening ropes, strings, or straps. With them, the tarp is tied fast onto suitable locations.

Another method to get the tarp to stay in place is to put weighs on the tarp.

There is yet a third way to fasten a tarp normally used for covering boats. Instead of trying to find suitable locations to tie the fastening ropes, weighs are fastened onto them, normally plastic bottles filled with water, etc., and, in spite of the tarp possibly shifting, the weighs keep the lines tight. All three fastening methods are relatively arduous and, for the final result to be durable and reliable, require careful handling. And, regardless, oftentimes, especially powered by wind and rain, the tarp removes itself from the object to be covered, leaving it unprotected.

Especially if the object to be protected is a boat or a vehicle, in other words, an object with a tangible form, it would be desirable for the covering to be easier, more practical, and more reliable. Hence, it could be said that, although the tarp itself has remained unchanged throughout the years, in regard to fastening it, there could be a lot of room for improvement.

The invention in question presents a solution for this problem, which us characterized in that at least the entire outer edge on one side is fitted with loops at regular intervals.

In order for it to be as easy as possible to thread a tightening rope or strap through them, it is preferable that the loops are relatively long, 15 - 35 cm, and fastened in a rather straight position. The open nature of the loops is also justified by the fact that, instead of a tightening rope, it should also be possible to pass a plank or a beam through the loops which plank or beam holds with its weigh the tarp quite well in place. The loops are to be preferably fastened in a 90-degree angle to the tarp edge where the loops are to be fastened.

When a tarp is in this manner equipped with the edge loops through which a tightening rope or strap is threaded, it functions similar to a bag which can be closed by pulling from the ends of the tightening string. When a tarp on top of a boat is tightened this way, it encloses the boat inside it, fastening itself against the bottom of the boat, and it is impossible for the forces of the nature to pull it away over the wider boat hull above.

It is possible to fasten the loops onto the tarp either permanently by sewing, gluing, or chemical melting or as a detachable fastening with press studs or buttons in which case the loops are replaceable. If loops are required for both sides of the tarp, it is handy to use loops double the length which are turned over the tarp edge and whose ends are fastened onto the corresponding locations on the opposite side of the tarp. This method is practical as this allows fastening the tarp with only one measure.

The following is a presentation of the invention with reference to the appended illustration, in which Figure 1 shows a tarp equipped with loops.

Figure 1 presents the tarp 1 which shows the loops 2 both fastened permanently 4 and detachably 5,6 along the entire outer edge only on one side and the loops 3 also fastened permanently 4a and detachably 5a,6a on both sides of the tarp. A tightening rope 7 or a strap is threaded through the loops 2,3.

The invention is not limited to the abovementioned examples; instead, it may vary within the claims.

Claims

1. An express tarp (1) or cover, CHARACTERISED IN that at least the entire outer edge on one side of the tarp (1) is equipped with loops (2).

2. An express tarp (1) according to claim ^CHARACTERISED IN that the loops are 15 - 35 cm long, at 15 - 40 cm intervals along the entire outer edge of the tarp (1), fastened onto the tarp (1) at both ends either permanently (4) by chemical melting, gluing, or sewing preferably in a straight position or detachably (5,6) with buttons or press studs so that the loops (2) are preferably at a 90 degree angle in relation to the tarp's (1) outer edge onto which the loops (2) are fastened.

3. An express tarp (1) according to claim ^CHARACTERISED IN that the loops (3) are fastened onto both sides of entire edge area of the tarp (1) so that one longer loop (3) goes around the tarp's outer edge to both sides of the tarp (1) and fastens at its ends either permanently (4a) or detachably (5a,6a) on corresponding locations (4a,5a,6a) on the opposite sides of the tarp.