US1238340A - Adaptable or convertible cover or tarpaulin. - Google Patents

Description

W. B. ROBESON. ADAPTABLE 0R CONVERTIBLE COVER 0R TARPAULQN. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, I915. 1,238,340. Patented Aug. 28,1917.

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-w. B. ROBESON. ADAPTABL'E 0R CONVERTIBLE COVER 0R TARPAULIN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. Q. 1915. 1,238.340. Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

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W; B. ROBESON ADAPTABLE 0R CONVERTIBLE COVER 0R TARPAULIN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. I915.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

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LLIA BEN AMIN ROB SQ 01 POR HURON, M CHIGAN.

ADAPTAIBLE OR CONVERTIBLE COVER OR TARPAULIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedAng. as, 1917.

Application filed November 8, 1915. Serial No. 60,244.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM'BENJAMIN RoensoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Port Huron, county of St. Clair, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adaptable or Convertible Covers or Tarpaulins; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in covers of the tarpaulin or waterproof type, my object being to provide a cover of such construction that it shall be adapted'for a considerable number of uses, and particularly for uses on the battle field and in other places by soldiers or others engaged in warfare. The invention is, of course, of gen eral application under all circumstances where covers of the character indicated are needed, but at the present time the widest field for its use isin those countries which are engaged in war.

Generally speaking the device consists of a waterproof cover which shall be adapted for use as a tent, as a protection fora person while lying down or sleeping upon the ground, or even when in an upright position and also for use as a cover for horses or other animals.

The invention consists generally speaking of a piece of waterproof material having triangular projections at its opposite sides and ends, whereby it is well adapted for use in any of the aforesaid relations, and by virtue of which it is readily convertible or adaptable to any one of these uses.

The standard or preferable size of the cover so far as its body portion is concerned, is seven feet in length by siX feet in width. The area of the triangular pieces, may vary as circumstances may require.

Having briefly outlined the invention, as well as the function it is intended to sub serve. I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof. In this drawing,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved cover, shown spreadout or in its extended or flat position.

Fig. 2 shows the cover as appliedor employed for use as a tent, shown on a larger scale.

F ig; 3 shows the same device used as a sleeping-cover or a cover for a person when lying upon the ground.-

Fig. 4f shows the same device for use as a cover for horses- The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the body of my improved cover which is'rectangular in shape. Formed integral with or attachedto this body portionare triangular areas 6 ar ranged on opposite sides and similarly shaped areas 7 arranged'at the opposite ends ofthe body of the structure. The triangular pieces 6 are provided with gromets or metal reinforced perforations v8 at their "outer apices or at each apex farthest from the body of the device when the latter is in the fiat position or that shown in Fig. 1. As illustratedin the drawing there are two of these triangular areas 7 at each end of the device, and each of'these has a 'gromet 9 at its outer apex or portion farthest removed from the body of-thevdevice. I have also illustrated a gromet 10 at each corner of the body of-the device though these may be omitted if desired.

Where the device is employed as a tent (see Fig. 2), two upright poles 12 may be employed, their upper extremities engaging the body of the device at points 14 at the opposite ends of a line 13 passed centrally through the body of the device. These poles 12 are held in place by a rope 16 which is looped or coiled around the upper extremities of the poles, the rope extending between the poles as shown at 17, its opposite extremities being secured by stakes 18 which are driven into the ground and to which the rope extremities are tied. The cover is further secured to the ground by means of corner stakes 19 with which cords 20 are connected, the said cords being passed through the gromets 10 at the corners of the body of the device. The cover is further anchored to the ground by means of two additional stakes 21 (one only being shown) which are connected with the cover by means of cords 22 passed through the gromets 8 with which the triangular areas 6 are provided. The ends of the tent are closed by the employment of the end areas 7, these two areas at each end of the tent being con nected by means of'cords 15 passed through their gromets 9.

It will thusbe noted that when the device is employed as a tent, the triangular areas 7 perform an important function in closing the tent at the ends, while the side areas 6 are also advantageous in anchoring the cover at the opposite sides of the tent, and between the corner anchoring stakes 19.

When employed as a cover or sleeping bag for a person, the two side areas 6 are connected by means of a cord 23 passed through the gromets 8 and tied in a suitable knot; while the corners 10 at one end of the cover are also connected by a cord 24 which is passed through the gromets 10 and suitably tied. If desired, the body of the re clining person may be completely covered, by connecting the two end areas 7 at both ends of the device, the two corners at the opposite ends and the side areas 6 byusing strings or cords in connection with the gromets of the connected parts. lVhile this particular use is not illustrated in the drawing, the cover will be found exceedingly advantageous when so used, for protecting wounded on the battle field, since it will afford ample protection from the elements and at the same time will permit sufiicient circulation of air for breathing purposes.

When employed as a cover for horses or other quadrupeds (see Fig. 4:) the two areas 7 at the opposite ends of the device, are connected at the front and rear bypassing cords through the gromets 9 and tying them as heretofore explained; and as shown at 25 and 26 in Fig. 4:; while the side areas 6 may be connected as shown at 27 in the same figure by means of a cord passed through the respective gromets with which the said areas are equipped.

From the foregoing description it is believed the use of my improved device will be readily understood without further detailed explanation.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is,-

1. A convertible tarpaulin composed of waterproof flexible material and comprising a body part of rectangular shape one of whose dimensions is greater than the other, the said body part having gromets in each corner the ends of the body part being each provided with two triangular parts and each of the sides with a single triangular part.

2. A device of the class described co1nposed of flexible waterproof material and comprising a body part of rectangular shape, its opposite ends being each provided with two triangular flaps which taken to- ,gether extend completely thereacross, the opposite sides of the body part being each provided with a centrally located triangular flap.

3. A convertible cover composed of flexible waterproof material and comprising a rectangular body part of greater length than width, each of its ends being equipped with two triangular flaps and its sides each equipped with a single triangular flap, all of the triangular areas being grometed to facilitate the manipulation of the device when in use.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN ROBESON.

Witnesses:

SHIRLEY STEWART, CHESTER L. BENEDICT.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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