Sliding tarpaulin system and bow lift assemblies

An uplift bow assembly and a sliding tarpaulin system are described. The uplift bow assembly includes first and second car plates and a frame having a center portion. The frame includes first and second downwardly extending frame arms connected respectively to the first and second car plates. The assembly also includes a plurality of uplift bows, each having a center portion and first and second downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the first and second car plates respectively. Each of the first and second car plates is configured to support the selective pivoted connection of at least five uplift bows. The sliding tarpaulin system includes first and second tracks and a plurality of uplift bow assemblies that extend laterally across the trailer. The first and second car plates slideably engage the respective first and second tracks.

FIELD

The present application relates generally to tarpaulin systems for covering the beds of vehicle trailers. In particular, a bow lift system and bow lift assemblies for supporting a tarpaulin are described.

BACKGROUND

Trucks having trailers with flat beds, which are well known in the transportation industry, are commonly used for shipping goods, either locally, regionally or internationally. In order to protect goods loaded on the flat bed from exposure to the elements, vandalism or theft, the goods are typically covered with tarpaulins, or tarps.

Many types of systems exist that facilitate the covering and uncovering of a flat bed trailer with a tarp. By way of example, one type of system includes a plurality of arch-shaped frames, referred to as “cars”, having wheels mounted at each end of the arch. These wheels are received by, and can slide in “C”-shaped tracks mounted on the sides of a flat bed, such that the arch of each of the cars extends over the surface of the flat bed. The cars are arranged at spaced intervals along the entire length of the flat bed, and a tarp extends over and is affixed to the arches of the cars to cover the flat bed.

The flat bed can be uncovered by sliding the car at the back of the flat bed towards the front, causing it and the other cars to gather at the front of the flat bed and the tarp to retract, exposing the flat bed. The flat bed can be re-covered by sliding the rear car toward the back of the flat bed again, causing the remaining cars to return to their original spaced apart positions and the tarp to unfurl, covering the flat bed.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a bow lift system and assembly for supporting a tarpaulin. The disclosed system and assembly may achieve a larger maximum interior loading space and can be configured to support six or more uplift bows without additional brackets to the frames or car plates of the assembly.

In some aspects, the present disclosure describes an uplift bow assembly for a sliding tarpaulin. The uplift bow assembly includesfirst and second car plates;a frame having a center portion, a first downwardly extending frame arm connected to the first car plate at a first end of the frame, and a second downwardly extending frame arm connected to the second car plate at a second end of the frame;a plurality of uplift bows, each uplift bow having a center portion, a first downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the first car plate, and a second downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the second car plate; andeach of the first and second car plates is configured to support the selective pivoted connection of at least five uplift bows

In any of the preceding embodiments each of the first and second car plates is configured to support the selective pivoted connection of six uplift bows.

In any of the preceding embodiments the six uplift bows comprise three uplift bow pairs symmetrically arranged about the frame.

In any of the preceding embodiments each uplift bow pair comprises a different height.

In any of the preceding embodiments each car plate comprises one or more upward facing, U-shaped brackets, each bracket being configured to support the selective pivoted connection of up to three uplift bows.

In any of the preceding embodiments the centre portions and first and second bow arms of each of the uplift bows are of a one piece construction.

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a sliding tarpaulin system that opens to convert a flat bed trailer into a fully covered trailer and closes to provide an open flat bed trailer. The system includes:a first track and a second track;a plurality of uplift bow assemblies that extend laterally across the trailer, the first and second car plates of each uplift bow assembly slideably engaging the respective first and second tracks; andeach frame having means to secure thereto peripheral portions of tarpaulin sections for covering a bed of the trailer

In any of the preceding embodiments an outer uplift bow of at least one uplift bow assembly has a hinged attachment to an outer uplift bow of an adjacent uplift bow assembly.

In any of the preceding embodiments the first and second car plates of at least one uplift bow assembly comprise one of a wheel or roller for slideably engaging the respective first and second tracks.

In any of the preceding embodiments the sliding tarpaulin system includes a front uplift bow assembly adjacent a front of the trailer. The front uplift bow assembly includes:first and second front car plates,a frame having a center portion, a first downwardly extending frame arm connected to the first front car plate, and a second downwardly extending frame arm connected to the second front car plate; anda plurality of uplift bows, each uplift bow having a center portion, a first downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the first front car plate, and a second downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the second car plate; andeach of the first and second front car plates is configured to support the selective pivoted connection of at least three uplift bows.

In any of the preceding embodiments the sliding tarpaulin system includes a rear uplift bow assembly adjacent a rear of the trailer. The front uplift bow assembly includes:first and second rear car plates,a rear frame having a center portion, a first downwardly extending frame arm connected to the first rear car plate, and a second downwardly extending frame arm connected to the second rear car plate; anda plurality of uplift bows, each uplift bow having a center portion, a first downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the first rear car plate, and a second downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the second rear car plate; andeach of the first and second front car plates is configured to support the selective pivoted connection of at least three uplift bows

Directional references herein such as “front”, “rear”, “up”, “down”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “side” and the like are used purely for convenience of description and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, any dimensions provided herein are presented merely by way of an example and unless otherwise specified do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, geometric terms such as “straight”, “flat”, “curved”, “point” and the like are not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific level of geometric precision, but should instead be understood in the context of the disclosure, taking into account normal manufacturing tolerances, as well as functional requirements as understood by a person skilled in the art.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with the illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1Aillustrates a flat bed trailer13and one embodiment of a bow lift system shown generally as20, and bow lift assemblies100for a tarpaulin (or tarp) covering system in an open position. Only a portion of the tarp9is showed in the cutaway view in order to show the underlying bow lift assemblies100. The trailer13comprises a generally rectangular flat trailer bed having elongate left and right sides and transverse front and rear sides. The flat bed of the trailer13is mounted on wheels102at its rear end. The flat bed of the trailer13has generally vertical and/or horizontal “C”-shaped tracks mounted on each of its left and right sides, for example, track2shown inFIG. 1A.FIGS. 1B and 1Cshow the bow lift system20(without the tarp) in a collapsed position at the front of the trailer and at the rear of the trailer, respectively.

The bow lift system20consists of tracks2and a plurality of arch-shaped bow lift assemblies100arranged in a spaced-apart configuration along the length of the flat bed of trailer13. Each of the assemblies100comprises a frame4,6,8and an end assembly known as a “car” or car plate3,5,7at each end of the frame. Specifically, the bow lift assembly100at the front of the flatbed of trailer13consists of a front car frame4connected at opposed ends to a front car plate3. The bow lift assembly100at the rear of the flatbed of trailer13consists of a rear car frame8connected at opposed ends to a rear car plate7. The middle or intermediate bow lift assemblies100each consist of an intermediate car frame6connected at opposed ends to an intermediate car plate5. Each car plate3,5,7, includes a roller or wheel, as described further below, which engages the tracks2such that the bow lift assemblies100and tarpaulin9may slide along the track2to cover or uncover the flat bed of trailer13.

Each frame4,6,8includes a horizontal center portion24,26,28and two arms34,36,38extending downwardly from ends of the center portion. Each arm terminates in a connection to a respective car plate. The frames4,6,8, include means to secure thereto peripheral portions of tarpaulin9sections for covering the trailer13. The frames4,6,8, may be constructed as one piece or may include separate center portions which are connected to the arms with separate corner members.

As shown inFIG. 1A, each car plate4,6,8, is configured to support up to six uplift bows,10,11,12which are pivotably attached to the car plates3,5,7. Each uplift bow10,11,12, has a respective top or center portion30,31,32and two opposed arms40,41,42respectively, extending downwardly from the ends of the respective center portions. Each arm40,41,42, terminates in a pivoted connection to the respective car plate3,5,7. The uplift bows10,11,12, may be constructed as one piece or may consist of one or more sections connected to create the uplift bow.

In one embodiment, pairs of uplift bows10,11,12may be deployed symmetrically and centered about the frame4,6, or8. As the bow lift assemblies100are deployed and slid or rolled and spaced apart along the track2of the bed of trailer13, each uplift bow10,11,12, pivots outwardly from the frame4,6, or8. The uplift bows10,11,12extend at different angles from the frame4,6, or8such that centre portions30,31,32, of the uplift bows10,11,12and the center portions24,26,28of the frames4,6,8, rest in substantially the same plane. The frames and uplift bows are spaced apart, as seen inFIG. 1A, to support the tarpaulin9and define an interior cube or covered load space on the trailer bed. The tarpaulin9may be removably attached to each of the frames4,6,8, and the uplift bows10,11,12.

According to embodiments described herein, by mounting one, two or three pairs of uplift bows, a double, quad or hex bow lift assembly may be created. For reference herein, an uplift bow assembly100with only uplift bows10may also be referred to as double uplift bows; a system that includes uplift bows11may also be referred to as quad uplift bows; and a system that further includes uplift bows12may also be referred to as hex uplift bows. With three pairs of uplift bows in particular, the tarpaulin system20is provided with better side wind load and top snow and water load bearing capabilities. The amount or depth of tarp that sags into the loading area of the trailer bed also is decreased. Thus, a tarpaulin system20may be initially configured with two or double uplift bows and then upgraded to a quad or hex system if load requirements change from smaller or shorter loads to larger or taller loads which max out the interior cube defined by the deployed tarp system.

FIG. 2A, for example, illustrates a conventional tarp system with an inside load clearance of approximately 103 inches and a panel size of approximately 86 inches, and with two or four uplift bows. Line201shows the tarp pleating which starts approximately 50 inches above the trailer bed. The tarp also falls downward at the top by 4 inches, and downward at the corners by 5 inches if a total of four uplift bows are installed. If only two uplift bows are installed, the tarp may fall downward at the top and at the corners by as much as 9 to 12 inches. As a result, the tarp encroaches on the interior of the covered trailer bed and reduces the possible load volume as the tarp drags over the load.FIG. 2Billustrates an uplift system according to the present application with 6 uplift bows in which Line203shows tarp pleating and which otherwise has substantially the same dimensions as a conventional system. This illustrates one example where, with six uplift bows, interior tarp pleating starts about 75 inches above the trailer bed, thus providing additional 25 inches of internal height clearance. In this example, the tarp falls downward at the top and corners by only 1.5 and 3 inches respectively. Thus, the possible or usable load volume increases and this also results in less tarp falling into the loading area and being damaged as a result.

FIG. 3illustrates one embodiment showing portions of two bow lift assemblies100A,100B with only one half of the three pairs of uplift bows10,11,12shown. In this embodiment, the outer or double uplift bow10may be attached at or along its top center portion30to the outer or double uplift bow10of the adjacent bow lift assembly100B. In one embodiment, the two outer uplift bows10are hinged together by hinge means known in the art. Each uplift bow10,11,12is configured with a length and pivoting attachment to the car plate such that when the bow lift assemblies are expanded, the respective connecting frames and uplift bows are spaced apart along the top plane of the trailer to support the tarp. The roof panel of the tarp is effectively divided into six separate sections which are supported by the uplift bows described herein.

FIG. 4illustrates another embodiment again showing only one half of the three pairs of uplift bows10,11,12. The hex uplift system may be provided with separate bow lift assemblies400A,400B in which the outer or double uplift bows10are not attached. Each uplift bow10,11,12is configured with a length and pivoting attachment to the car plate such that when the bow lift assemblies are expanded, the frames and uplift bows are spaced apart along the top plane of the trailer to support the tarp. The roof panel of the tarp is effectively divided into seven separate sections which are supported by the uplift bows. While the example embodiments are described and illustrated showing pairs of uplift bows, pairs are not required.

The tarp system20also may be configured with an odd number of uplift bows provided on each assembly100,400and thus with odd or even numbers of uplift bows between adjacent assemblies100. For example, either embodiment shown inFIG. 3 or 4may be provided with 5 uplift bows between the bow lift assemblies100A,100B and400A,400B. The roof panel of the tarp9is then effectively divided into five or six separate sections which are supported by the uplift bows.

As seen inFIGS. 3, 5 and 6, different cooperating pairs of bow lift assemblies100may be configured.FIG. 3, described above, shows a configuration between two bow lift assemblies100with intermediate car plates5and intermediate car frames6.FIG. 5illustrates a bow lift assembly500which is configured to be deployed at the front of the trailer bed with a front car plate3and a front car frame4. The outer uplift bow10of the assembly500may be attached to the outer uplift bow10of the adjacent bow lift assembly100.FIG. 6illustrates a bow lift assembly600which is configured to be deployed at the rear of the trailer bed with a rear car plate7, a front car frame8, and a locking component17for locking the car plate7to a downwardly extending arm of the frame8. The outer uplift bow10of the assembly600may be attached to the outer uplift bow10of the adjacent bow lift assembly100by hinge means or other attaching means.FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate a collapsed section of the tarp system and the bow lift assemblies ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 8illustrates a front view of a portion of the bow lift assembly100, including the front car plate3and front car frame4, and its attachment to the trailer13through the track2.FIGS. 9, 10 and 11illustrate perspective and front views of each of the front car plate3, rear car plate7, and intermediate car plate5, respectively. Specifically,FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate a front car plate3which is mounted to the track2at the front and on a driver's side of the trailer13.FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate a rear car plate7which is mounted to a track (not shown) at the rear and on a passenger or curb side of the trailer13. One or more rollers or wheels14are affixed to one side of each plate for mounting the plate into the track2. Each plate can thus slidably move along the length of the trailer bed. The wheels are received in and retained by the generally C-shaped track2as shown inFIG. 8for the front car plate. The intermediate car plates and the rear car plate are mounted to the track2in a similar manner.

The front car plate and rear car plate each have a generally U-shaped, upward facing uplift bracket900,1000at a top outer edge of the plate for receiving and attaching the one or more uplift bows10,11,12. The intermediate car plate5includes two similar uplift brackets1100as shown inFIG. 11. The uplift brackets may be formed, extruded, or cast with each car plate as one piece, or the uplift brackets may be attached to the car plate, such as with a welded attachment. Each bracket defines a channel for receiving one, two or three uplift bows allowing the bows to be anchored to the car plate and thus anchored closer to the trailer bed. Instead of having the uplift bows attached to the frames, the present application provides for attachment of the uplift bows and the car frames to the car plate. A side panel of each uplift bracket may define attachment points, such as the holes shown inFIGS. 9, 10 and 11, for pivotally attaching the uplift bows10,11,12. Multiple attachment points may be provided and as described above, the bow lift assembly may be configured with a selected number of uplift bows attached to the car plate. As shown inFIG. 11, the car plate5may also include a slot22to guide the wheel spacer15.

FIG. 12Aillustrates the connection of the front car frame4to the front car plate3andFIG. 12Billustrates the connection of the rear car frame8to the rear car plate7. The locking component17illustrated inFIG. 10Ais not shown inFIG. 12B. As seen inFIGS. 9 to 11, each car plate may define two slots22which engage edges of the car frame. The arm of each car frame may terminate in a channel or hollowed portion or spacer15which slides into the slots and engages the car plate. Each car frame may be affixed to the car plate by welding. In other embodiments, the car frames may be bolted to the car plates. A similar connection (not shown) may be made by the intermediate car frame engaging the intermediate car plate.

FIG. 13illustrates a side view of an intermediate car plate5showing the connection of three uplift bows10,11,12to the uplift bracket1100. Each uplift bow may be fixed to the car plate with a mechanical means such as a bolt or a hitch pin1300. Each hitch pin may define an opening at an end which protrudes slightly from the uplift bracket1100. A cotter pin1305may be threaded through each opening as shown inFIG. 13and then fastened to secure the hitch pins1300to the car plate. As a result, the uplift bows10,11,12are secured and pivotably connected to the car plate.

FIGS. 14 to 17illustrate additional views of the wheel14according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the wheel may comprise a v-groove wheel. The wheel14is connected to the car plate as shown in the Figures by mounting the wheel14to car plate5at a lower end of the car plate4. The wheel14defines a cavity for receiving a bolt and nut (collectively18) to connect the wheel14to the car plate5. This design allows for the nut to be encapsulated into the wheel cavity. A cap16is provided to close the cavity and protect the wheel14and nut and bolt18from dirt, water, weather and other elements on the road. The cap may be sealed to the wheel14. Attaching means other than nut and bolt18may be used such as screws, hinges, or pins. The cap may be made of metal or plastic and will offer prolonged life and rolling performance to the system. It also provides improved access to the securing bolt without the risk of the bolt backing out as is possible in prior art systems.

It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be made, consistent with and without departing from the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, the embodiments described herein shall be understood to be non-exclusive of each other such that any embodiment can include different features of other embodiments. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive. Other embodiments consistent with the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the specification and the practice of the present invention taught and suggested herein. Accordingly, the specification and the embodiments disclosed therein are to be considered exemplary only.