Patent ID: 6634697
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
A tarpaulin support for a tarpaulin system that converts a flat bed trailer into a fully covered trailer and back again into an open flat bed trailer, as desired, the support comprising:(a) an upper tubular bow of inverted U-shape to extend laterally across a trailer, each side of the bow having a lateral, downwardly extending tubular arm; (b) a structural member secured to the tubular bow along its outer periphery and extending below the free ends of the arms of the tubular bow, the structural member provided with means to secure thereto peripheral portions of tarpaulin sections for covering the trailer; (c) a pair of planar bases associated with the bow, one on each side, each base having roller means secured thereto for sliding movement on a different one of a corresponding rail mounted on a corresponding side of the flat bed, and; (d) corrugated plates having vertically formed corrugations secured to each structural member below the corresponding arm and its associated base, the corrugated plates having sufficient structural strength to support the tubular bow and its structural member and associated tarpaulin sections when in position, wherein the overall thickness of the corrugated plate between opposite surfaces is less than that of the tubular bow.