Patent ID: 6969106
Filing Date: 2005-11-29
Classification: B60J,B60R

Abstract:
1. A tarp bow storing apparatus for storing a plurality of tarp bows to a flat bed trailer, comprising: (a) a plurality of tarp bows each having a first free end a second free end and at least one middle section; (b) a first holding block having a plurality of first spaced apertures formed through said first holding block, each of said first spaced apertures cooperatively sized and linearly located vertically on opposing first front aperture side and first back aperture side of the first holding block for receiving and securing the first free end of each of said tarp bows; (c) the first holding block having opposing first inward closed side and first outward closed side, each of said first inward and outward closed sides adjacent to said first front and back aperture sides of the first holding block; (d) a second holding block having a plurality of second spaced apertures formed through said second holding block, each of said second spaced apertures cooperatively sized and linearly located vertically on opposing second front aperture side and second back aperture side of the second holding block for receiving and securing the second free end of each of said tarp bows; (e) the second holding block having opposing second inward closed side and second outward closed side, each of said second inward and outward closed sides adjacent to said second front and back aperture sides of the second holding block; (f) each of said first and second holding blocks having a first top side and a second top side and a first bottom side and second bottom side, respectively, and a first mounting means and a second mounting means, respectively, each vertically attached to said first and second holding blocks, respectively, along said first and second outward closed sides of each of said respective first and second holding blocks by a plurality of fastening means; (g) said flat bed trailer having a plurality of underside support beams; (h) said respective first and second mounting means for engaging and securing said first holding block and second holding block to said underside support beams of the flat bed trailer; (i) a substantially planar at least one pivoting center block having a plurality of center spaced apertures formed through said pivoting center block, each of said center spaced apertures cooperatively sized and linearly located vertically on opposing lefthand aperture side and righthand aperture side of the at least one pivoting center block for receiving and securing the at least one middle section of each of said tarp bows; (j) said at least one pivoting center block having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a center mounting means vertically attached by said fastening means to said righthand aperture side of the at least one pivoting center block; (k) said center mounting means on the at least one pivoting center block for engaging and securing the at least one pivoting center block to at least one of said underside support beams of the flat bed trailer; (l) each of said underside support beams having top flanges, bottom flanges, and a web; (m) said first and second mounting means attached to the first and second holding blocks, respectively, and said center mounting means attached to the at least one pivoting center block, each said mounting means including a pair of bracket members, each respective pair of bracket members extending above the respective first top side of the first holding block, the second top side of the second holding block, and the top edge of the at least one pivoting center block; (n) each of said pair of bracket members to each of said mounting means of each of the first and second holding blocks and the at least one pivoting center block adapted to overlie and be disposed on opposite sides of the bottom flanges to said underside support beams of the flat bed trailer; (o) said first and second holding blocks attached to said underside support beams by the respective first and second mounting means, and the at least one pivoting center block attached to at least one of said underside support beams by the center mounting means; (p) said first and second spaced apertures to the first and second holding blocks, respectively, and said center spaced apertures to the at least one center pivot center block being longitudinally aligned to concurrently receive the first free end, the second free end, and the at least one middle section of each of said tarp bows, in spaced relation; (q) the at least one pivoting center block having a stationary portion and a pivoting portion, said stationary portion and pivoting portion each having a stationary edge and a pivoting edge, respectively, said stationary and pivoting edges adjoining each other along a line bisecting each of the plurality of center spaced apertures of the pivoting center block; (r) the stationary portion pivotally and cooperatively connected to the pivoting portion by a pivoting means located along the line bisecting each of the plurality of center spaced apertures of the at least one pivoting center block, said pivoting means located proximate to the bottom edge of the at least one pivoting center block; (s) the pivoting means for pivoting said pivoting portion away from the stationary portion, enabling the at least one pivoting center block to receive the at least one middle section of each of said tarp bows within said center spaced apertures along the stationary edge of the stationary portion; (t) the at least one middle section of each of said tarp bows being enclosed within said center spaced apertures of the at least one pivoting center block when the pivoting portion pivots toward the stationary portion by a locking means for locking the at least one middle section of each of said tarp bows within the at least one pivoting center block, said locking means located along the line bisecting each of the plurality of center spaced apertures of the at least one pivoting center block and proximate to the top edge of the at least one pivoting center block; (u) said at least one pivoting center block cooperatively located in spaced relation between said first and second holding blocks, to receive and lock the at least one middle section of each of said tarp bows securely in place and align each of said tarp bows in a stacked fashion; and (v) whereby the plurality of tarp bows are stored to the underside of the flat bed trailer.