Flexible cover hold down system

An adjustable cover hold down system designed to be used with an awing cover or a tarp that includes a flexible elongated body capable of being rolled into a compact roll during storage and then unrolled prior to being used. The system includes a plurality of clips designed to attach to an enlarged, longitudinally aligned, perimeter beaded edge that extends the entire length of the body. The clips may include adjustable clamp, a hook clip or an elongated traveler that enables them to be attached to the lower free edge of a trap, a tarp gusset, or the slot formed on a roller bar used on an awning cover, respectively. The body includes a bladder with at least one port opening with a removable cap that allows the bladder to be selectively filled with different volumes of a fluid material, such as water or sand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to devices used to hold down tarps, awning covers and thin roof panels to prevent their removal or damage from high winds.

2. Description of the Related Art

Retractable awnings on buildings, trailers and RV's are very common. Such structures typically include a flexible roof panel that is rolled and unrolled from a roller bar that is stored in a horizontally aligned header box mounted on the surface of the building, trailer or RV. To extend the awning, the roller bar is removed from the header box and pulled outward. As the roller bar is pulled outward, the roof panel is slowly unrolled from the roller bar. After the roof panel has been unrolled to its desired length, vertical legs are installed under the ends of the roller bar to hold the installed under the ends of the roller bar to hold the roller bar in a fixed, elevated position. The down ropes or rigging is often used to keep the legs vertically aligned so that the roof panel remains taunted.

Because the roof panel is made of lightweight fabric or vinyl and because the roller bar is relatively light, they can be easily damaged by high winds. Most owners will retract the awning when high winds are forecasted. Unfortunately during calm wind conditions, sudden, unexpected high gusts may occur. To prevent damage caused by these unexpected, high gusts, rocks and sand bags are sometimes placed around the base of the vertical legs to prevent lifting. Sometimes, additional ropes may be attached to stakes driven into the ground to hold the ends of the roller bar down. Unfortunately, rocks, sandbags and ropes do not evenly distribute a downward force over the entire length of the roller bar which can cause the roller bar to bend. Another drawback with using rocks, sandbags and ropes is that installation and removal of these items are time consuming and become another item to store when traveling.

Tarps are often draped over objects located outdoors to protect the objects from U.V. light, wind, rain and snow. Tarps often include grommets evenly spaced apart along their edges to which ropes, elastic straps or cords may be attached to hold the tarp in place around the object. Because the grommets are located in fixed locations along the edge of the tarp, the amount of force exerted on the grommets may vary depending on the shape of the object. Gradually, the uneven distribution of forces may cause some of the grommets to tear away.

What is needed is a hold down system for a retractable roof or a tarp that stores in a compact configuration when not in use, can be easily assembled and installed, and that evenly distributes an anchoring weight along a desired edge to hold the retractable roof or tarp in place place during low to moderate winds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above stated objects and other objects that may become apparent are met by the hold down system designed to be used with a lightweight cover to hold the cover down during low to moderate wind conditions. The system includes a flexible elongated body capable of being rolled into a compact roll for storage and then unrolled prior to being used. The elongated body includes a large, continuous bladder designed to be filled with a desired fluid to provide weight and mass. The elongated body includes at least one laterally extending attachment edge that runs substantially its entire length.

The laterally extending attachment edge includes a flexible, thin longitudinally aligned webbing element with an enlarged, reinforced perimeter beaded edge. The perimeter beaded edge is circular in cross-section and extends the entire length of the elongated body. During assembly, a plurality of clips is selected each including a complimentary-shaped, u-shaped receiver formed on one end designed to slidingly engage the beaded edge. The perimeter beaded edge and the clips are made of material designed to hold the elongated body in a suspended position from the roller bar or from the lower free edge of an awning roof panel or tarp, or from gussets or ropes used with a tarp when filled with a desired fluid.

Disclosed therein are three different types of clips having three different types of connectors attached to their ends opposite the u-shaped receiver. The connectors allow the clips to attach to the slot formed on the roller bar used with a retractable awning cover, the free end of an awning cover or tarp, or to the gussets or ropes used with a tarp.

Using the above-described system, a method for temporarily holding down a tarp or awning cover is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the Figs, there is shown a cover hold down system10that includes a flexible elongated body12capable of being rolled into a compact roll during storage and then unrolled into an extended configuration for use for attachment to the roller bar120(seeFIG. 1) on a retractable awning cover or to the free edge of a tarp draped over an object (seeFIGS. 15-17). The system10includes a plurality of clips60,70,90designed to attach to an enlarged, longitudinally aligned, perimeter beaded edge that extends the entire length of the elongated body12. Each clip60,70,90includes a means for connecting to the perimeter beaded edge. The clips60,70and90also include at the opposite ends either an elongated traveler designed to engage the slot on roller bar120, an adjustable clamp assembly76, or a D-ring connector96.

The elongated body12is made of durable, flexible material designed to be used outdoors in different climate conditions. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated body12is rectangular, approximately 72 to 144 inches in length, and 6 to 12 inches in diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated body12is made of two, lightweight, flexible vinyl panels18,19, adhesively or heat sealed along its edges. Formed on the elongated body12is a large, longitudinally aligned bladder20. Formed on the bladder20is at least one port opening22and a removable cap24that allows the user to selectively fill the bladder20with a suitable fluid material27to provide a weight and mass. In the preferred embodiment, the port opening22is port opening22is approximately 1½ inches in diameter and includes external threads23that connect to compatible internal threads25in the cap24.

In the preferred embodiment, the bladder20is cylindrical in cross-section and designed to hold approximately 1 gallon of fluid material80per 24 inches of length. When water is used as a fluid material150, the device weights approximately 8 lbs per 24 inches in length which is an optimum amount of tensile force applied to a tarp.

Formed on one side of the bladder20is a wide webbing element30. In the preferred embodiment, the webbing element30is a two-ply structure that is folded nylon cord32and adhesive attached or electrically welded to the perimeter edge of the elongated body12. The nylon cord32is a continuous structure and forms a continuous perimeter beaded edge35on one side of the elongated body12. In the preferred embodiment, the two-ply webbing element extends laterally and uniform in width from the side of the bladder20approximately 1 to 3 inches. The nylon cord32is 3/16 to ¼ inch in diameter disposed in parallel alignment with the elongated body's longitudinally axis14.

As stated above, the system10is designed so that the elongated body10may be used with different clips each designed to connect to the perimeter beaded edge35and extend perpendicularly from the perimeter beaded edge35and hang the elongated body12horizontally from a roller bar120, the free edge of an awning cover or tarp150, or to the gussets located around the edge of a tarp150.

FIGS. 3,6-8show a first embodiment of a clip, designated60, designed to connect to the perimeter beaded edge35and to a slot122formed on a typical roller bar120used with a retractable awning roof system125. The clip60includes an elongated U-shaped receiver62designed to slide longitudinally over and capture the perimeter beaded edge35. In the preferred preferred embodiment, the U-shaped receiver62is cylindrical with an outer diameter approximately ⅜ inch. The overall length of the receiver62is approximately 1½ inches in length. Formed on the inside of the receiver62is a longitudinally aligned passageway63designed to receive the perimeter beaded edge35. Formed on the bottom surface of the U-shaped receiver62is a slot64through which the webbing element30may extend. The passageway63is slightly larger than the perimeter beaded edge35and the slot64is slightly larger than the webbing element30that enables the clip60to slide to different locations along the elongated body12.

Formed on the opposite end of the clip60is an elongated traveler66aligned in a parallel configuration with the U-shaped receiver62. The traveler66is designed to slide and engage the slot122formed on lower surface of a standard roller bar120used with a retractable roof. The traveler66is an elongated, cylindrical structure approximately 1¼ inches in length and 3/16 inch in diameter. The opposite ends of the traveler66are beveled outward so that the travel66does not snag the inside edge of the roller bar120or the awning cover48. Extending between the receiver62and the traveler66is a thin center support67that measures approximately 1 inch wide, 1¾ inches in length, and ⅛ inch thick. In the preferred embodiment, the center support67is integrally formed or attached to the top surface of the receiver62and integrally formed or attached to the bottom surface of the traveler66. The center support67is sufficiently thin to slide freely in the slot122formed on the roller bar120as shown inFIG. 3. An optional hole68may be formed on the central support67to allow a rope or cord to attach to the clip60.

During assembly, the elongated body12is oriented so that the perimeter beaded edge35is positioned above the bladder20and parallel to the roller bar120. The clip60is then perpendicularly aligned so that the slot64on the receiver62on each clip60is oriented downward and engages the perimeter beaded edge35. The slot64formed in the receiver62enables the webbing element30to extend through so that the clip60may slide freely over the perimeter beaded edge35. Ropes or cords may then be attached to some or all of the holes68formed on the clips60to provide additional support and wind resistance.

FIGS. 9-11show a second embodiment of the clip, designated70, with a U-shaped receiver72formed on one end identical to the receiver62used on the clip70that also connects to the perimeter beaded edge35. Formed on the opposite end of the clip70is an adjustable clamp assembly76that replaces the traveler66. The clamp assembly76includes two jaws78,80designed to press together against a thin free edge on a cover or trap. The clamp includes two jaws78,80and a rotating cam85that presses the two jaws78,80together when attaching to a free edge. An optional hole87may be formed on the flat section86between the U-shaped receiver72and the clamp assembly76to allow rope or a clamp to attach to the clip70. Clip70is especially useful for attaching the elongated body12to the free end of a panel as shown inFIG. 15-17or to the lower edge of a tarp draped over an object.

FIGS. 12-14show a third embodiment of the clip, designated90, designed specifically for connection to a gusset or rope attached to a roof cover or tarp. On clip90, a D-ring connector96perpendicularly aligned on the top surface of the U-shaped receiver92. The D-ring connector96includes an inverted J-shaped elongated body98with a straight tongue member99that extends upward and engages the lower tip of the J-shaped elongated body98. In the preferred embodiment, the D-ring connector96is rotated so that its longitudinal axis is approximately 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the U-shaped receiver92which allows the D-ring connector allows the D-ring connector96to engage a grommet oriented in the same place as the elongated body12.

During use, the clips60,70or90are first attached to the elongated body12by sliding the U-shaped receivers62,72,92, respectively, over the perimeter beaded edge35. In the preferred embodiment, the clips60,70, and90are evenly spaced apart over the perimeter beaded edge35. With the roller bar-style clips60, the traveler66on each clip60is then individually aligned over the end of the slot122opening on the roller bar and slid into the slot. The elongated body12is then pulled longitudinally until the entire elongated body12is extended and supported by the roller bar. With the adjustable clamp-style clips70, the elongated body12is lifted so that the two clamping jaws78,80can be attached to the free edge152of a cover or tarp150. With the D-ring style clip90, the clips90are adjusted along the length of the elongated body so that the clips90may attach to a gusset154or rope (not shown).

After the clips60,70,90have been attached to the elongated body12and the clips60,70,90have then been attached to the roller bar120, or to the free edge152of a cover or tarp150, or to a gusset154or a rope, the cap24is then removed from the port22and a desirable fluid27is then poured into the bladder20. The amount of fluid27added to the bladder20depends on the desired amount of weight needed to hold the cover or tarp150in place.

FIG. 15is a perspective of a roof showing a tarp held down over the roof with two elongated bodies.

FIG. 16is a side elevational view of a tarp held over a trailer with an elongated body10.

FIG. 17is a perspective view of a pile of hay covered by a tarp held down with two elongated bodies.

Using the above described system10, a method for holding down a retractable awning is provided that includes the following steps:

a. selecting an elongated body, said body includes a longitudinally aligned bladder with continuous webbing extending laterally on one edge, said webbing including a beaded edge, said bladder includes at least one port opening enabling said bladder to be filled with a desired fluid, said body including a cap attached to said port opening enabling said port opening to be selectively opened or closed;

b. selecting a plurality of clips capable of attaching said beaded edge of said elongated body to said roller bar;

d. attaching said two clips to said beaded edge on said elongated body;

e. attaching the opposite ends of each said clip to said roller bar;

f. removing said cap from said port opening;

g. filling said port opening on said bladder with sufficient amount of fluid to hold down said awning; and,

h. attaching said cap to said port opening until closed.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.