WO2016184820A1

WO2016184820A1 - A tarpaulin fabric cover

Info

Publication number: WO2016184820A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/060921
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon Cunningham
Original assignee: Gordon Cunningham
Priority date: 2015-05-15
Filing date: 2016-05-13
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Also published as: GB201508358D0; EP3294937A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tarpaulin fabric cover comprising a main fabric body, whereby a plurality of reinforcement elements are integrally formed in the main fabric body.

Description

"A TARPAULIN FABRIC COVER'

The present invention relates to a tarpaulin fabric cover, and more particularly, to a fabric covering for use as a tarpaulin and/or as a curtain side for covering a side of a truck, trailer or other vehicle.

Tarpaulin type covers have many uses, and when adapted for covering the roof and sides of freight trucks and trailers such covers are known as curtain sides, and in use, prevent cargo from falling off the vehicle during transportation.

Curtain sides typically have a reinforcement webbing, often in the form of strips, belts or straps that are welded or otherwise affixed to a side of the fabric to strengthen and tension and thereby prevent deformation of the curtain sides when in use. Buckles, rollers and others fastenings are also typically provided at ends of the curtain side for connection to receivers provided on the vehicle and are used to fasten and secure the curtain side at a desired tension on the vehicle.

However, the manufacture of curtain sides with such reinforcement belts or straps is an extremely time consuming process as it requires manually welding the belts to the cover fabric. Additionally, the provision of the welded belts on one side of a curtain side, usually the inward or cargo facing side, produces visible ghosting or weld lines through to the outer facing side of the curtain side, which impacts negatively on the overall aesthetics of the curtain side. The provision of welded belts also disadvantageously increases the likelihood of snagging on the belts during loading and unloading cargo, which poses a danger.

It is a therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fabric covering which may be adapted to be used as a curtain side which goes at least some way toward overcoming the above problems and /or which will provide the public and/or industry with a useful alternative.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent form the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. According to the invention, there is provided a tarpaulin fabric cover comprising a main fabric body, whereby a plurality of reinforcement elements are integrally formed in the main fabric body. The provision of reinforcement elements strengthen and tension and thereby prevent deformation of the tarpaulin fabric cover when in use. Preferably, the reinforcement elements are made of, or comprise, fibres selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, steel wire, Vectran, aramid, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, Dynemma, cotton, linen or a mix of these and/or any other fibres such as for example para-aramid, glass or carbon fibres, cotton being the least preferred fibre.

Preferably, the reinforcement elements are interwoven into the main fabric body.

By "interwoven" is meant that the tarpaulin cover is made by weaving yarns of the reinforcement elements together with yarns of the main fabric body.

Preferably, the main fabric body is made of, or comprises fibres selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, steel wire, Vectran, aramid, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, Dynemma, cotton, linen or a mix of these and/or any other fibres, cotton being the least preferred fibre.

Preferably, the fibres of the reinforcement element are of a higher linear mass density than the fibres of the main fabric body. The unit for linear mass density used herein is decitex (dtex) which is mass in grams per 10,000 m.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the main fabric body comprises polyester fibres, preferably wherein the linear density of the polyester is within the range of from approximately 400 dtex to approximately 1200 dtex, particularly preferably approximately 1 100 dtex.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reinforcement elements comprise polyester fibres, preferably wherein the linear density of the polyester is within the range of from approximately 1300 dtex to approximately 2000 dtex, particularly preferably approximately 1650 dtex.

In a most preferred embodiment, the main fabric body and reinforcement elements each comprise polyester fibres, wherein the polyester fibres of the reinforcement element are of a higher dtex than the polyester fibres of the main fabric body. Preferably, the reinforcement elements are parallel elongate strap or strip shaped elements interwoven through the main fabric body.

Preferably, the reinforcement elements extend between sides of the main fabric body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there are two types of reinforcement elements interwoven into the fabric main body, first reinforcement elements and second reinforcement elements. Preferably, the first reinforcement elements and second reinforcement elements are perpendicular to the side ends of the main body, and extend end to end between the side ends.

In another embodiment of the invention, the width of each first reinforcement element is within the range of between 10 mm and 500 mm. This may be achieved when weaving the tarpaulin fabric cover by replacing a plurality of adjacent weft or warp yarns of the main body fabric with first reinforcement elements selected from the reinforcement elements described hereinabove. In another embodiment of the invention, the width of each first reinforcement element is within the range of between 10 mm and 250 mm.

Alternatively, the width of each first reinforcement element is within the range of between 40 mm and 80 mm.

Alternatively, the width of each first reinforcement element is within the range of between 50 mm and 70 mm.

Most preferably, the width of each first reinforcement element is approximately 60 mm.

Preferably, the width of each second reinforcement element is within the range of between 10 mm and 500 mm.

In another embodiment of the invention, the width of each second reinforcement element is within the range of between 10 mm and 250 mm. This may be achieved when weaving the tarpaulin fabric cover by replacing a plurality of adjacent weft or warp yarns of the main body fabric with second reinforcement elements selected from the reinforcement elements described hereinabove. Alternatively, the width of each second reinforcement element is within the range of between 40 mm and 80 mm.

Alternatively, the width of each second reinforcement element is within the range of between 50 mm and 70 mm.

Most preferably, the width of each second reinforcement element is approximately 60 mm.

Preferably, the first reinforcement elements and the second reinforcement elements are interwoven into the main fabric body in a spaced apart arrangement. In this embodiment, the tarpaulin fabric cover comprises two types of weft yarns, i.e. main body fabric weft yarns and reinforcement element weft yarns, and two types of warp yarns, i.e. main body fabric warp yarns and reinforcement element warp yarns, wherein groupings of adjacent weft or warp yarns are reinforcement elements selected from those described hereinabove and these groupings of adjacent yarns are separated by groupings of adjacent main body fabric yarns.

Preferably, the first reinforcement elements extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart from each other by a distance of about 480 mm through the main fabric body.

Alternatively, the first reinforcement elements extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of between 320 mm to 640 mm through the main fabric body. Alternatively, the first reinforcement elements extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of between 400 mm to 560 mm through the main fabric body.

Preferably, the second reinforcement elements extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart from each other by a distance of about 480 mm through the main fabric body.

Alternatively, the second reinforcement elements extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of between 320 mm to 640 mm through the main fabric body.

Alternatively, the second reinforcement elements extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of between 400 mm to 560 mm through the main fabric body.

In a further embodiment, the first reinforcement elements are uniformly spaced apart through the main fabric body such that the distance between the first reinforcement elements is the same. Alternatively, the first reinforcement elements are non-uniformly spaced apart through the main fabric body.

In a further embodiment, the second reinforcement elements are uniformly spaced apart through the main fabric body such that the distance between the second reinforcement elements is the same. Alternatively, the second reinforcement elements are non- uniformly spaced apart through the main fabric body.

Preferably, the main fabric body has a coating. Preferably, the coating is a polyurethane coating, a polyvinylchloride coating, a rubber coating, a silicon coating, an acrylic coating, a lacquer coating or other weather proof coating. Preferably, the coating is applied to one side face of the main fabric body. Preferably, the coating is applied to both inner (cargo facing) and outer side faces of the main fabric body.

Preferably, hardware, such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings, are secured to the first and/or the second reinforcement elements for securing the fabric cover to a vehicle.

Preferably, the hardware is secured to the fabric cover by sewing, welding, or via other mechanical fixings. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a fabric cover as described above, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

providing main body fabric weft yarns of a first linear density and reinforcement element weft yarns of a second linear density,

- providing main body fabric warp yarns of said first linear mass density and reinforcement element warp yarns of said second linear mass density or of a third linear mass density,

wherein said second and third linear mass densities are each independently higher than the first linear mass density,

- weaving the warp and weft yarns together to form a reinforced fabric; and optionally

applying one or more coating layers on at least one side of the reinforced fabric.

During the weaving process yarns of first reinforcement elements and second reinforcement elements are interwoven into the main fabric body of the material at the same time the as the main fabric body is woven. The first reinforcement elements may correspond to the warp yearns and the second reinforcement elements to the weft yarns or vice versa. Fibres of the first reinforcement elements are preferably of the same types as fibres of the second reinforcement elements. However, different types of fibres for the first and second reinforcement elements are also contemplated in the scope of the invention. Additionally or alternatively, fibres may each independently differ within the first and/or second reinforcement elements.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first linear mass density is within the range of from approximately 400 dtex to approximately 1200 dtex, particularly preferably approximately 1 100 dtex and the second and third linear mass densities are each independently within the range of from approximately 1300 dtex to approximately 2000 dtex, particularly preferably approximately 1650 dtex. For example, the first linear mass density may be 1 100 dtex, the second linear mass density may be 1650 dtex and the third linear mass density 1400. Alternatively, the first linear mass density may be 1 100 dtex, the second linear mass density may be 1400 dtex and the third linear mass density 1650.

Preferably, the thread count of the weave is uniform throughout the fabric cover. By the term "thread count" as used herein is meant the number of threads counted along two sides (up and across) of a square centimetre of fabric, added together. Alternatively, during the weaving step, the reinforcement element warp yarns are placed closer together than the main body fabric warp yarns to increase the thread count in the reinforced section of the fabric. Additionally or alternatively, during the weaving step, the reinforcement element weft yarns are placed closer together than the main body fabric weft yarns.

Preferably, the thread count is not less than 10 (5 up and 5 across). The thread count may be 40 (20 across and 20 down) or higher as weaving allows. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thread count is 30, for example 14 across and 16 down, 16 across and 14 down or 15 across and 15 down and so on, particularly preferably the thread count is 15 across and 15 down. This is not to be considered limiting, however, and the thread count may be 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and so on. In a further embodiment, both the thread count and the linear mass density of the reinforcement elements may be increased with respect to the main body fabric.

Preferably, the coating layers comprise a main coating which impregnates the warp and weft yearns and a surface coating which coats the main coating.

Each coating layer is preferably independently applied by any conventional means such as spread coating, lamination, spraying and the like, particularly preferably by spread coating. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more coating layers are applied to the outer non- cargo facing side of the fabric. Preferably, one or more coating layers are also be applied to the inner cargo facing side of the fabric in addition to the outer side of the fabric.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a curtain side for a vehicle comprising a fabric cover as described above and hardware, such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings, secured to the first and/or the second reinforcement elements for securing the fabric cover to a vehicle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a curtain side for a vehicle comprising a fabric cover as described above and hardware, such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings, secured to the first and/or the second reinforcement elements for securing the fabric cover to a vehicle, wherein the method comprises the above steps of manufacturing a fabric cover and optionally applying one or more coating layers on at least one side of the reinforced fabric, optionally cutting the fabric to size; and securing hardware to the reinforcement elements by sewing, adhesion, welding, or via other mechanical fixings or other suitable means.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a fabric cover according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a specific embodiment of the fabric cover shown in Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a section of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, Fig.4 is a perspective view of a preferred fabric cover according to the invention,

Fig. 5 is a top view of the fabric cover shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fabric cover shown in Fig. 4 and

Fig. 7 is a top view of a particularly preferred cover according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a tarpaulin fabric cover 1 comprising a main fabric body, indicated generally by the reference numeral 2, and a plurality of reinforcement elements 6, 8 are integrally formed in the main fabric body 2.

Such reinforcement elements 6, 8 are interwoven into the main fabric body 2 and are made of, or comprise, fibres selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, steel wire, Vectran, aramid, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, Dynemma, cotton, linen or a mix of these and/or any other fibres. The reinforcement elements 6, 8 are parallel elongate strap shaped elements and extend between sides 3, 4 of the main fabric body 2.

As shown, first reinforcement elements 6 extend through the main body 2 between opposing side ends 3 of the main body 2. The first reinforcement elements 6 are thus perpendicular to the side ends 3 of the main body 2, and extend substantially end to end between the side ends 3. In the context of the cover 1 when in a laid fabric orientation such side ends 3 may also be considered as the top and bottom ends 3 of the laid fabric. In use as a curtain side on a vehicle, the first reinforcement elements 6 will thus extend vertically from the bottom to the top side end 3.

Second reinforcement elements 8 extend through the main body 2 between side ends 4 of the main body 2. The second reinforcement elements 8 are perpendicular to the side ends 4, and extend end to end between the side ends 4. In the context of the cover 1 when in a laid fabric orientation such side ends 4 may also therefore be considered as opposing side ends 4 extending between the top and bottom ends 3 of the laid fabric. In use as a curtain side on a vehicle, the second reinforcement elements 8 will thus extend horizontally or in the longitudinal direction from opposing side ends 4.

The first and second reinforcement elements 6, 8 are adapted to operate under a load bearing tension of between 50 kg to 3000 kg per interwoven reinforcement element on the vertical and the horizontal.

During the weaving process the first reinforcement elements 6 and the second reinforcement elements 8 are interwoven into the main fabric body 2 of the material at the same time the as the main fabric body 2 is woven.

Although the Figures show a main fabric body 2 having a substantially rectangular shape comprising ends 3, 4, it will however be understood that the main fabric body 2 may be circular, square, or any other shape as required depending on the desired application of the present invention. Reference to the main fabric body 2 having side ends 3, 4 should not be seen as limiting.

As shown, the width distance, indicated by the reference TV, of each first reinforcement element 6 and each second reinforcement element 8 is approximately 60 mm, although it should be understood that such a width may be configured as required or as desired depending on the application. For example, the width of each reinforcement element may be any distance within a range of between 10 mm and 500 mm, of between 40 mm and 80 mm, or of between 50 mm and 70 mm. Reference to the first reinforcement elements 6 and the second reinforcement elements 8 having a width distance of about 60 mm should in no way be seen limiting.

The first reinforcement elements 6 and the second reinforcement elements 8 are interwoven into the main fabric body 2 in a spaced apart parallel arrangement in which the first reinforcement elements 6 are interwoven with the second reinforcement elements 8 through the main fabric body 2.

The first reinforcement elements 6 extend from the side ends 3 through the main fabric body 2 at an angle of between 10⁵, 15⁵, 20⁵, 25⁵, 30⁵, 35⁵, 40⁵, 45⁵, 50⁵, 55⁵, 60⁵, 65⁵, 70⁵, 75⁵, 80⁵, 85⁵ or, and most preferably, at an angle of about 90⁵ to the side ends 3. The second reinforcement elements 8 extend from the side ends 4 through the main fabric body 2 at an angle of between 10⁵, 15⁵, 20⁵, 25⁵, 30⁵, 35⁵, 40⁵, 45⁵, 50⁵, 55⁵, 60⁵, 65⁵, 70⁵, 75⁵, 80⁵, 85⁵ or, and most preferably, at an angle of about 90⁵ to the side ends 4.

Accordingly, although the first and the second reinforcement elements are shown as extending substantially orthogonally from the side ends 3, 4 of the main body 2, it will be understood that they may extend at various angles to the side ends 3, 4 as required or as desired. Such first and second reinforcement elements 6, 8 when at varying angles are also adapted to operate under a load bearing tension of between 50 kg to 3000 kg per interwoven reinforcement element.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first reinforcement elements 6 extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and the first reinforcement elements 6 are spaced apart by a distance 'B' of about 480 mm through the main fabric body 2. The second reinforcement elements 8 also extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart by a distance of about 480 mm through the main fabric body 2. It will however be understood that the spacing between the first reinforcement elements 6 and the spacing between the second reinforcement elements 8 may be altered as needed, and that reference to spacing of about 480 mm should in no way be seen as limiting. To form a curtain side for a vehicle, hardware, such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings, may be secured to the first reinforcement elements 6 and/or the second reinforcement elements 8 for the purposes of securing the fabric cover 1 to a vehicle. Such hardware may be secured to the fabric cover by sewing, welding, gluing or via other mechanical fixings.

With reference to Figures 4 to 6, there is shown a preferred tarpaulin fabric cover 100. Purely for explanatory purposes, cover 100 is shown to be partially coated by main coating 101 and surface coating 102. The cover according to the invention is, however, preferably completely covered on both sides by the coating, i.e. both the inner cargo facing side and outer non-cargo facing side are coated. Cover 100 comprises a main fabric body 120, wherein a plurality of reinforcement elements 160, 180 are integrally formed in the main fabric body 120.

Reinforcement elements 160, 180 comprise fibres 190 interwoven into the main fabric body 120. This is achieved by replacing warp and weft yarns 102 of the main fabric body with reinforcement element fibres 190 selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, steel wire, Vectran, aramid, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, Dynemma, cotton, linen or a mix of these and/or any other fibres such as, para-aramid, glass or carbon fibres. The reinforcement elements 160, 180 extend between sides 130, 140 of the main fabric body 120.

As shown, first reinforcement elements 160 extend through the main body 120 between opposing side ends 130 of the main body 120. The first reinforcement elements 160 are thus perpendicular to the side ends 130 of the main body 120, and extend substantially end to end between the side ends 130. In the context of the cover 1 00 when in a laid fabric orientation such side ends 130 may also be considered as the top and bottom ends 130 of the laid fabric. In use as a curtain side on a vehicle, the first reinforcement elements 160 will thus extend vertically from the bottom to the top side end 130. Second reinforcement elements 180 extend through the main body 120 between side ends 140 of the main body 120. The second reinforcement elements 180 are perpendicular to the side ends 140, and extend end to end between the side ends 140. In the context of the cover 100 when in a laid fabric orientation such side ends 140 may also therefore be considered as opposing side ends 140 extending between the top and bottom ends 130 of the laid fabric. In use as a curtain side on a vehicle, the second reinforcement elements 180 will thus extend horizontally or in the longitudinal direction from opposing side ends 140.

The first and second reinforcement elements 160, 180 are adapted to operate under a load bearing tension of between 50 kg to 3000 kg per interwoven reinforcement element on the vertical and the horizontal.

During the weaving process, the fibres 190 of first reinforcement elements 160 and second reinforcement elements 180 are interwoven into the main fabric body 120 of the material at the same time the as the main fabric body 120 is woven. Fibres 190 of first reinforcement elements 160 are preferably of the same types as fibres 190 of second reinforcement elements 180. However, different types of fibres 190 for the first and second reinforcement elements are also contemplated in the scope of the invention. Additionally or alternatively, fibres 190 may each independently differ within the reinforcement elements 160, 180.

Although Figures 4-6 show a main fabric body 120 having a substantially rectangular shape comprising ends 130, 140, it will be understood that the main fabric body 120 may be circular, square, or any other shape as required depending on the desired application of the present invention. Reference to the main fabric body 120 having side ends 130, 140 should not be seen as limiting.

The width distance, indicated by the reference TV, of each first reinforcement element 160 and each second reinforcement element 180 is preferably approximately 60 mm, although it should be understood that such a width may be configured as required or as desired depending on the application. For example, the width of each reinforcement element may be any distance within a range of between 10 mm and 500 mm, of between 40 mm and 80 mm, or of between 50 mm and 70 mm. Reference to the first reinforcement elements 160 and the second reinforcement elements 180 having a width distance of about 60 mm should in no way be seen limiting.

The first reinforcement elements 160 and the second reinforcement elements 180 are interwoven into the main fabric body 120 in a spaced apart arrangement in which the first reinforcement elements 160 are parallel to each other and at an angle to the second reinforcement elements 180. The first reinforcement elements 160 extend from the side ends 130 through the main fabric body 120 at an angle of between 10⁵, 15⁵, 20⁵, 25⁵, 30⁵, 35⁵, 40⁵, 45°-, 50°-, 55°-, 60°-, 65⁵, 70⁵, 75^Q, S0^Q, S5^Q or, and most preferably, at an angle of about 90⁵ to the side ends 130. The second reinforcement elements 180 extend from the side ends 140 through the main fabric body 120 at an angle of between 10⁵, 15⁵, 20⁵, 25°-, 30°-, 35°-, 40°-, 45°-, 50°-, 55⁵, 60⁵, 65⁵, 70⁵, 75⁵, 80⁵, 85⁵ or, and most preferably, at an angle of about 90⁵ to the side ends 140. Accordingly, although the first and the second reinforcement elements are shown as extending substantially orthogonally from the side ends 130, 140 of the main body 120, it will be understood that they may extend at various angles to the side ends 130, 140 as required or as desired. Such first and second reinforcement elements 160, 180 when at varying angles are also adapted to operate under a load bearing tension of between 50 kg to 3000 kg per interwoven reinforcement element.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the first reinforcement elements 160 extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and the first reinforcement elements 160 are spaced apart by a distance 'B' through the main fabric body 120. The second reinforcement elements 180 also extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and are spaced apart by a distance 'B' through the main fabric body 120. It will be understood that the spacing between the first reinforcement elements 160 and the spacing between the second reinforcement elements 180 may be altered as required. To form a curtain side for a vehicle, hardware, such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings, may be secured to the first reinforcement elements 160 and/or the second reinforcement elements 180 for the purposes of securing the fabric cover 100 to a vehicle. Such hardware may be secured to the fabric cover by sewing, welding, gluing or via other mechanical fixings.

With reference to Figure 7, there is shown a particularly preferred tarpaulin fabric cover 200. Cover 200 comprises a main fabric body 220. A plurality of reinforcement elements 260 are interwoven into the main fabric body 220 as described herein and extend between the sides of the main fabric body. Preferably, the reinforcement elements 260 comprise polyester fibres with a linear mass density of 1650 dtex and the main body fabric comprises polyester fibres with a linear mass density of 1 100 dtex.

During the weaving process, the fibres which make up reinforcement elements 260 are interwoven into the main fabric body 220 of the material at the same time the as the main fabric body 220 is woven.

Although Figure 7 shows a main fabric body 220 having a substantially rectangular shape it will be understood that the main fabric body 220 may be circular, square, or any other shape as required depending on the desired application of the present invention. Reference to the main fabric body 220 having side ends should not be seen as limiting.

As shown, the width distance of each reinforcement element 260 is approximately 80 mm, although it should be understood that such a width may be configured as required or as desired depending on the application. For example, the width of each reinforcement element 260 may be any distance within a range of between 10 mm and 500 mm as described above. Reference to the reinforcement elements 260 having a width distance of about 80 mm should in no way be seen limiting.

The reinforcement elements 260 are interwoven into the main fabric body 220 in a spaced apart arrangement in which a number of reinforcement elements 260 are parallel to each other and at an angle, preferably 90° to other reinforcement elements 260. However, it will be understood that they may extend at various angles to the side ends as required or as desired. As shown in Figure 7, the reinforcement elements 260 are spaced apart by a distance of about 540 mm through the main fabric body 220. It will however be understood that the spacing between the reinforcement elements 260 may be altered as required, and that reference to spacing of about 540 mm should in no way be seen as limiting. Whilst the cover 200 is shown without a coating, this is purely to aid in the explanation of the weave.

To form a curtain side for a vehicle, hardware, such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings, may be secured to the coated fabric cover 200 for the purposes of securing the fabric cover to a vehicle. Such hardware may be secured to the fabric cover by sewing, welding, gluing or via other mechanical fixings. Test results A preferred tarpaulin cover according to the invention was woven from main body polyester fibres of 1 100 dtex and reinforcement element fibres of 1650 dtex with a uniform thread count of 15 by 15, i.e. 30 per cm². The cover was then coated with a white polyurethane coating. This preferred tarpaulin cover was tested for break strength in a hydraulic pull machine. Two 80 mm wide sections were cut, one which comprised reinforcement element fibres and one which consisted only of main body fabric fibres. Each 80 mm wide section was individually attached at each end to the hydraulic pull machine and stretched until breaking point. The main body fabric section weighed 1018 g/m² and had a break strength of 1 .1 Ton. The section comprising the reinforcement element weighed 964 g/m² had a break strength of 1 .4 Ton.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciate that additions and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1 . A tarpaulin fabric cover comprising a main fabric body, whereby a plurality of reinforcement elements are integrally formed in the main fabric body.

2. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement elements are interwoven into the main fabric body.

3. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reinforcement elements are made of, or comprise, fibres selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, steel wire, Vectran, aramid, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, Dynemma, cotton, linen or a mix of these and/or any other fibres.

4. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main fabric body is made of, or comprises fibres selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, steel wire, Vectran, aramid, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, Dynemma, cotton, linen or a mix of these and/or any other fibres.

5. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main fabric body and reinforcement elements each comprise polyester fibres.

6. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres of the reinforcement element are of a higher linear mass density than the fibres of the main fabric body.

7. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of each reinforcement element is within the range of between 10 mm and 500 mm.

8. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of first reinforcement elements and a plurality of second reinforcement elements are interwoven into the fabric main body, the first reinforcement elements extending in a substantially parallel arrangement and spaced apart from each other.

9. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second reinforcement elements extend in a substantially parallel arrangement and spaced apart from each other.

10. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first and second reinforcement elements are at an angle to each other and are preferably orthogonal to each other.

1 1 . A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is provided with at least one coating, preferably, a polyurethane coating, a polyvinylchloride coating, a rubber coating, a silicon coating, an acrylic coating, a lacquer coating or other weather proof coating.

12. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the coating is applied to at least one side face of the main fabric body, preferably wherein the coating is applied to both the inner cargo facing side face and outer non-cargo facing side face of the main fabric body.

13. A tarpaulin fabric cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein hardware such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings, are secured to the first and/or second reinforcement elements for securing the fabric cover to a vehicle.

14. A method of manufacturing a fabric cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

providing main body fabric warp yarns of said first linear mass density and reinforcement element warp yarns of said second linear mass density or of a third linear mass density,

weaving the warp and weft yarns together to form a reinforced fabric; and optionally

15. A curtain side for a vehicle comprising a fabric cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. A method of manufacturing a curtain side for a vehicle comprising a fabric cover as claimed in claim 13, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

applying one or more coating layers on at least one side of the reinforced fabric, optionally cutting the fabric to size; and

securing hardware such as rollers, buckles, clips, hooks, eyes, rings, Velcro™ straps or other fittings to the reinforcement elements by sewing, adhesion, welding, or via other mechanical fixings or other suitable means.

17. A tarpaulin fabric cover substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.