Tarpaulin cover for freight carriers

A tarpaulin cover for open top freight carriers having another opening at one end closed by a pair of movable doors, the cover comprising a main body portion for covering the top of the carrier secured by ties to the carrier sides and a flap portion extending from the main body portion adjacent the other opening. The flap portion includes a pair of sections each extending into the opening and inwardly of a corresponding door when closed. Each section includes an enlargement defined by a stock member carried thereby which prevents the section from being pulled out when the door is closed. The two sections are separated by an opening therebetween, each section is of a dimension less than the width of the corresponding door, and each section preferably is rectangular in shape. The sections co-operate with the doors to hold that end of the tarpaulin cover to the carrier body without ties at that end and in a manner allowing easy opening and closing of the doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to the art of vehicle tops, and more particularly to 
a new and improved tarpaulin for open top freight carriers. 
One area of use of the present invention is with open top land vehicles for 
hauling freight, although the principles of the present invention can be 
variously applied. In order to accommodate certain types of cargo 
including large, bulky and unwieldy items, freight carriers of the open 
top variety are provided wherein the cargo of the kind indicated is 
lowered into the carrier by a crane or the like through the open top 
whereupon the top is covered by a tarpaulin. The carrier includes another 
access opening, usually at the rear end thereof, which is closed by 
movable doors. It is necessary to secure the tarpaulin cover firmly to the 
body of the freight carrier to prevent the tarpaulin from being detached 
by wind and by air flow encountered during travel of the freight carrier. 
Tarpaulin covers for freight carriers typically are of a size and shape 
extending across the open top of the carrier, and the covers often are 
secured in place by ties each fastened at one end to the cover and at the 
other end to the carrier body, this being done around all sides of the 
carrier body. The foregoing arrangement including ties on the rear end of 
the carrier can pose a problem with opening and closing the carrier rear 
doors and a safety hazard during attempts by persons to hold the tarpaulin 
while closing the doors. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a new and 
improved tarpaulin cover for open top freight carriers. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a tarpaulin 
cover which is adequately held down on the carrier body and at the same 
time does not interfere with opening and closing of doors on the carrier. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a tarpaulin cover 
which is relatively simple in construction and convenient and easy to 
install. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a tarpaulin cover 
which is relatively economical to manufacture. 
The present invention provides a tarpaulin cover for open top freight 
carriers having another opening in a side closed by a pair of movable 
doors, the tarpaulin cover comprising a main body portion of a size 
adequate to cover the top of the carrier and a flap portion extending from 
the main body portion at a location adjacent the other opening. The flap 
portion includes a pair of separate sections each extending into the other 
opening and inwardly of a corresponding one of the doors. The sections are 
provided with means for holding them in place when the doors are in a 
closed position, in particular each of the sections includes an 
enlargement which prevents withdrawl of the section when the corresponding 
door is closed. The two sections are separated by an opening therebetween, 
each section is of a dimension less than the width of the corresponding 
door and each section preferably is rectangular in shape. The sections 
co-operate with the doors to hold the portion of the tarpaulin adjacent 
the sections to the carrier body in a manner allowing easy opening and 
closing of the doors. 
The foregoing and additional advantages and characterizing features of the 
present invention will become clearly apparent upon a reading of the 
ensuing detailed description together with the included drawing wherein:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT 
In basic tarpaulin covers for open top freight carriers, the tarpaulin 
extends over across the top of the carrier and is held in place on the 
carrier body by ties fastened at one end to the tarpaulin and at the other 
end to the carrier body. In accordance with the present invention, there 
is provided a tarpaulin cover for open top carriers and having a main body 
portion of a size adequate to cover the top opening of the carrier and a 
flap portion extending from the main body portion at a location adjacent 
another opening in the carrier, typically at the rear end thereof, which 
opening is closed by movable access doors. The flap portion includes a 
pair of separate sections each extending into the opening and inwardly of 
a corresponding one of the doors. The sections are provided with means for 
holding the sections in place when the doors are in a closed position, in 
particular an enlargement is included on each of the flap sections for 
preventing the flap portions from being pulled out when the doors are 
closed. Each enlargement is defined by a stock member carried by the 
corresponding flap section adjacent the outer end thereof. The flap 
sections are separated by an open region therebetween, each section is of 
a length less than the width of the corresponding door, and each section 
is of rectangular shape. The flap sections co-operate with the doors to 
hold that end of the tarpaulin cover to the carrier body without ties at 
that end and in a manner allowing unimpeded opening and closing movements 
of the doors. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, a freight carrier in the form of a truck trailer 
10 is shown resting in a stationary condition on a supporting surface 12 
such as a road or the ground. Trailer 10 includes a pair of rear wheels 14 
rotatably connected to a frame and a front rest or support post 16 
extending from the frame. Trailer 10 further includes a body defined by a 
base or floor 18, a front end wall 20, and a pair of side walls 22, 24. 
The rear end of the trailer includes a pair of movable doors 26, 28 as 
shown in FIG. 2. The doors are movable between positions opening and 
closing a rear end access opening defined by the rear edges of floor 18 
and side walls 22, 24 and a top frame member 30 extending perpendicular to 
each of the side walls. The doors 26, 28 when closed are disposed in the 
plane of the opening with the inner vertical edges of the doors in close 
facing relation, the upper horizontal edges spaced close to the lower 
horizontal surface of frame member 30, the outer vertical edges 
substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the corresponding side 
walls, and the lower horizontal edges spaced close to the floor. Each door 
is mounted for movement to an open position wherein the door is disposed 
outwardly at an angle to the plane of the opening. A pair of upper hinges 
32 and 34 are mounted to corresponding ones of the doors and are connected 
to vertical shafts 36 and 38, respectively, which in turn are pivotally 
connected at the upper ends to frame 30 by means of fittings 40 and 42, 
respectively. The shafts also are connected to a pair of lower hinges (not 
shown). The doors are locked in a closed position by means of a pair of 
reciprocable rods 44 and 46 extending through holders 48 and 50, 
respectively in the doors and movable into and out of receptacles 52 and 
54, respectively, fixed to frame 30. 
Carrier 10 has an open top which is closed by a tarpaulin cover 60 
according to the present invention. Cover 60 includes a main body portion 
62 of a size adequate to cover the open top of carrier 10, and in the 
tarpaulin cover shown the main body portion is rectangular having a length 
several times greater than the width thereof. The length and width of body 
62 are greater than corresponding dimensions of the open top of carrier 10 
such that the tarpaulin cover extends downwardly along side walls 22, 24 
and front end wall 20 a relatively small distance as shown in FIGS. 1 and 
2. The marginal peripheral portion of tarpaulin cover 60 which contacts 
the carrier end and side walls aids in sealing and enclosing the carrier 
interior from environmental conditions such as rain and also prevents wind 
and high speed air currents from flowing under the tarpaulin cover during 
travel of the carrier. The cover 60 can be secured or attached to the body 
of carrier 10 by various suitable arrangements, and the cover shown is 
provided with a plurality of eyelets or openings 64 spaced at 
substantially regular intervals along the two side edges and the front end 
edge which co-operate with a plurality of tie ropes or cords 66 and hooks 
or brackets 68 spaced along the side walls 22, 24 and front end wall 20 of 
the body of carrier 10. In the carrier shown the brackets 68 are located 
slightly below the mid-point along the height of the corresponding carrier 
wall, and a pair of eyelets 64 is connected by lines 66 to a single hook 
68. The lines 66 are drawn or pulled tight so that the marginal portion of 
cover body 62 is in tight contact with the outer surface of the carrier 
wall. 
FIG. 3 illustrates the tarpaulin cover 60 in further detail, the main body 
portion 62 being defined by the substantially parallel side edges 70, 72 
which are of considerable length and which meet the front end edge 74 at 
substantially right angles, the corner junctions being slightly curved. 
Eyelets 64 are located relatively close to the edges 70, 72 and 74 and are 
spaced at substantially equal internals therealong. The tarpaulin cover 
shown also has an opposite or rear end defined by an edge 76 which is 
disposed substantially parallel to front edge 74 and meets side edges 70, 
72 at substantially right angles. 
In accordance with the present invention, the tarpaulin cover 60 includes a 
flap portion 80 extending from main body portion 62 at a location such 
that flap portion 80 is adjacent the other opening in the carrier body. In 
the tarpaulin cover shown, flap portion 80 extends from the rear end 
portion of body 62, in particular from edge 76, so as to be located 
adjacent the carrier rear end access opening containing doors 26, 28. Flap 
portion 80 includes a pair of separate sections 82 and 84 each extending 
into the opening and inwardly of the corresponding doors 26 and 28, 
respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. The sections 82 and 84 are provided with 
means for holding or maintaining the position of the sections relative to 
doors 26, 28 in a manner which will be described in further detail 
presently. 
The flap portion 80 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5 and includes an edge 
86 which extends along the entire length thereof. Typically, the main body 
portion 62 of tarpaulin cover 60 comprises a single thickness of fabric, 
for example a vinyl-coated Nylon fabric, and flap portion 80 comprises a 
plurality of thicknesses of fabric, usually the same fabric as that of 
body portion 62, and thus edge 86 defines the junction between the 
different thicknesses. Of course, the body portion 62 and flap portion 80 
could be of the same thickness if desired. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the 
flap sections 82, 84 are separated by an open region therebetween, each 
flap section 82, 84 terminates inwardly of the outer end of flap portion 
80 and, as shown in FIG. 3, each flap section 82 and 84 is of a length 
less than the width of the corresponding one of doors 26 and 28, 
respectively. In particular, portion 80 includes an edge 88 at the far 
left-hand end as viewed in FIG. 5 which extends at substantially a right 
angle from edge 86 for a relatively short distance whereupon it meets an 
edge 90 which extends at substantially a right angle inwardly for a 
relatively short distance and substantially parallel to edge 86. Flap 
section 82 is defined by a first edge 92 which extends at substantially a 
right angle to edge 90 in an outward direction relative to edge 86 and 
generally parallel to edge 88, a second edge 94 extending at substantially 
a right angle to edge 92 in a direction substantially parallel to edge 86 
in a direction inwardly away from the outer end 88, and a third edge 96 
extending at substantially a right angle from edge 94 in a direction 
inwardly toward edge 86 and substantially parallel to edge 92. Flap 
section 82 thus is substantially rectangular in shape, and the length of 
flap section 82 measured between edges 92 and 96 is a number of times 
greater than the width thereof. 
Edge 96 is of substantially the same length as edge 92 and terminates at a 
location spaced from edge 86 where it meets an edge 98 at substantially a 
right angle. Edge 98 extends in a direction away from flap section 82 and 
substantially parallel to edge 86. Edge 98 meets the second flap section 
84 which is defined by a first edge 100 which extends at substantially a 
right angle to edge 98 in an outward direction relative to edge 86 and 
generally parallel to edges 92, 96 of flap section 82, a second edge 102 
extending at substantially a right angle to edge 100 in a direction 
substantially parallel to edge 86 and away from flap section 82, and a 
third edge 104 extending at substantially a right angle from edge 102 in a 
direction inwardly toward edge 86 and substantially parallel to edge 100. 
Flap section 84 thus is substantially rectangular in shape, and the length 
of flap section 84 measured between edges 100 and 104 is a number of times 
greater than the width thereof. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, flap sections 
82, 84 are substantially equal in shape and size, and are separated by an 
open space bordered by the edges 96, 98 and 100. 
The flap portion 80 further includes an edge 106 which extends at 
substantially a right angle from edge 104 and in a direction parallel to 
edge 86 and away from flap section 84. Edge 106 meets an outer end edge 
108 at substantially a right angle, the edge 108 being disposed 
substantially parallel to edge 88 and meeting edge 86 at substantially a 
right angle. Various edges of flap portion 80 are reinforced by relatively 
narrow fabric reinforcing strips or webbing folded over the edge to be 
reinforced and stitched or otherwise secured thereto. In particular, edges 
90, 92 are provided with webbing 110, edges 96, 98 and 100 with webbing 
112, and edges 104, 106 with webbing 114. 
The tarpaulin cover flap portion 80 of the present invention further 
comprises means for holding or maintaining the flap sections 82, 84 in 
position relative to doors 26, 28, in particular inwardly of doors 26, 28 
when closed. This is accomplished by an enlargement defined on each flap 
section 82 and 84 along the outer longitudinal edge 94 and 102, 
respectively. The enlargement is of a size sufficient to prevent withdrawl 
of the flap section out through the space or clearance between the 
adjacent surfaces of frame member 30 and the corresponding one of the 
doors 26, 28. In the tarpaulin cover shown, the enlargement extends along 
the entire length of each flap section 82 and 84 adjacent the edges 94 and 
102, respectively. The enlargement preferably is provided by a stock 
member carried adjacent each edge 94, 102 and being held by folding or 
wrapping the fabric of the section around about the stock member and then 
stitching or securing the folded portion to the main portion of the 
section. The stock member can be of various suitable forms, such as a 
length of rope, rubber hose, pipe, plastic or wooden rod, etc. Thus, a 
stock member 118 is carried by flap section 82 along edge 94, the fabric 
of section 82 being wrapped around stock member 118 and secured by 
stitching designated 120. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, stock member 118 
can be contained within a sheet 122 of suitable material, for example the 
same material as section 82, with lapped ends sandwiched between the main 
body of section 82 and the folded or wrapped back portion, the four sheets 
or layers being secured together by the stitching 120. Likewise, a stock 
member 124 is carried by section 84 adjacent edge 102, being held therein 
by an identical arrangement including stitching 126. 
By way of example, in an illustrative tarpaulin cover, the overall length 
of flap portion 80 measured along edge 86 is about eight feet and one 
inch, and the overall width of flap portion 80 measured perpendicular from 
edge 86 either to edge 94 or to edge 102 is about nine inches. Each edge 
88 and 108 has a length of about two and one-half inches, each edge 90 and 
106 has a length of about six inches and edge 98 has a length of about 
eighteen inches. Stock members 118 and 124 each typically has a diameter 
of about one inch. 
In making the tarpaulin cover, main body portion 62 and flap portion 80 can 
be integral in which case the cover is cut out from a single piece or 
sheet of material. The flap sections 82, 84 would be cut overwidth by an 
amount sufficient to extend around the corresponding stock member as shown 
in FIG. 6 and then return along the section to allow for secure fastening. 
If desired, the return portion could extend along the entire width of the 
section and stitched or otherwise secured to provide a section of double 
thickness of laminated construction for added strength. Alternatively, the 
flap section 80 containing sections 82 and 84 and corresponding 
enlargements defined by stock members 118 and 124, respectively, could be 
made separately and then fixed to the tarpaulin main body 62. This would 
be done, for example, by stitching or otherwise securely fastening edge 86 
of flap portion 80 along edge 76 of main body portion 62. In either case 
while vinyl coated Nylon is preferred as a material for body portion 62 
and flap portion 80, other suitable materials can of course be employed. 
In use, the tarpaulin cover 60 is installed on carrier 10, and one method 
of installaton begins with cover 60 rolled or folded along the length 
thereof with the flap section 80 inside the bundle or package and edge 74 
being externally accessible. The folded or rolled up cover is placed 
across the open top of carrier 10 adjacent front end 20, i.e. the 
left-hand end as viewed in FIG. 1, and the eyelets 64 along edge 74 are 
connected by tie cords to brackets on front end 20. The ties are pulled 
sufficiently tight so that a marginal portion of body 62 extends down 
along and in firm contact with the outer surface of end 20 as shown in 
FIG. 1. The bundle then is rolled rearwardly or to the right as viewed in 
FIG. 1 along the open top of carrier 10 with the marginal portions 
adjacent the side edges 70 and 72 extending downwardly a short distance 
along the carrier side walls 22 and 24, respectively. The tie lines 66 are 
fastened to connect the eyelets 64 along the edges 70 and 72 to the hooks 
or brackets 68 along the side walls 22 and 24, respectively, the ties 
being drawn sufficiently tight so that the main body portion 62 is taut 
across the carrier top and so that the marginal portions are in close 
tight contact with the upper outer surface portions of the side walls 22, 
24. 
The rear doors 26, 28 then are opened by an amount sufficient to allow the 
flap portion 80 to lie flat along the rear end surface of frame member 30 
and the flap sections 82, 84 to extend generally vertically downwardly 
therefrom. In this condition the inner surfaces of the doors 26 and 28 are 
located outwardly of the flap sections 82 and 84, respectively, relative 
to the rear end opening in the carrier body. When the doors are closed, 
the flap sections 82 and 84 extend into the opening and interior of the 
carrier behind or inwardly of the doors 26 and 28, respectively, as shown 
in FIG. 2. In particular, each flap section, for example section 82, 
extends downwardly along the outer surface of frame member 30 as shown in 
FIG. 4 and then inwardly between the lower outer surface of frame member 
30 and upper surface of door 26. The end of the flap section containing 
the stock member, for example stock member 118, is located in the interior 
of the carrier body, closely adjacent the inner surfaces of frame member 
30 and the corresponding door, for example door 26. The space or clearance 
between the lower surface of frame member 30 and the upper surface of each 
door 26, 28 is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the 
corresponding flap section 82, 84. The corresponding stock member is of a 
cross-sectional size such that it cannot pass through the clearance when 
the door is closed, even in response to an outwardly directed pulling or 
drawing force created by wind or air currents acting on the remainder of 
the tarpaulin. As a result, the end of tarpaulin cover 60 containing flap 
80 and sections 82, 84 is held firmly and securely to the carrier body 
when doors 26, 28 are closed. The doors can be opened at any time when 
desired with no interference by flap sections 82, 84. When a door is 
opened, the corresponding flap section simply hangs in a generally 
vertical disposition along the upper portion of the opening. When the door 
is reclosed, the flap section simply is returned to the position 
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. The foregoing operation occurs solely due to 
co-operation between each flap section and the corresponding door and 
there is no need for any external manipulation by the human operator of 
the portion 80 or flap sections 82, 84. 
Thus, the flap portion 80 including sections 82, 84 functions to hold down 
the tarpaulin cover 60 to the carrier body securely and in a manner which 
does not interfere with opening and closing of access doors on a side or 
end of the carrier body. There is no need to provide any straps, snaps, 
eyelets or like fasteners on flap portion 80 or the adjacent portion of 
tarpaulin body 62. The carrier doors simply close onto the tail-like 
formation of flap portion 80 and the sections 82, 84 and this holds the 
end of the tarpaulin in place. The sections 82, 84 cannot slip out or be 
pulled out so long as the doors are closed due to the enlargement on each 
section 82, 84 defined by the stock members carried thereby. The 
enlargements are of a size preventing them from passing between the 
adjacent facing surfaces of frame member 30 and doors 26, 28. The 
foregoing is provided in a tarpaulin cover which is relatively simple in 
construction and economical to manufacture and which is convenient and 
easy to install and use. 
While the present invention has been described in connection with an open 
top carrier having an elongated rectangular body with access doors at the 
rear end, the invention is applicable to tarpaulin covers for a wide 
variety of open top carriers. This would include, in addition to a highway 
truck trailer as shown in FIG. 1, open top freight containers adapted to 
be mounted on a highway truck trailer chassis, railway flat car or the 
like and which also can be detached therefrom and stored in or on a ship 
for marine transportation. Also, for any carrier body having a single side 
or end access door, flap portion 80 could contain a single section having 
means in the form of an enlargement defined by a stock member carried 
thereby co-operating with the door to hold or maintain the single section 
in place when the door is closed similar to the manner in which each 
section 82 and 84 co-operates with the corresponding door 26 and 28. 
It is therefore apparent that the present invention accomplishes its 
intended objects. While a single embodiment of the present invention has 
been described in detail, this is for the purpose of illustration, not 
limitation.