Device in tarpaulins

Abstract: A device (2) in a tarpaulin (3) for connecting a line (10) with the tarpaulin. A sheet of foldable material is folded over and forms two opposing portions (5,6) which are interconnected with one another along a fold edge (48) formed on the folding. Each one of the opposing portions is fixed to an edge portion (31) of the tarpaulin (3) located between them. The device includes part portions (7,8) which are located outside the defining edge (32) of the edge portion (31). The part portions form therebetween at least two mutually subsequently located channels (49a,b) which are substantially parallel with the defining edge (32) and are separated by a recess (40) in the fold edge (48). A line (10) is passed into one of the channels in order to anchor the tarpaulin.

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for attaching to a tarpaulin or the like for connecting a tackle, for example a line, a rope or the like, to the tarpaulin in accordance with the preamble to claim 1. BACKGROUND ART In many contexts, there is a need to be able reliably to anchor, for example, a tarpaulin provided for protecting an object, disposed over a load platform, etc. As a rule, once the tarpaulin has been arranged such that the protection desired in the relevant case has been achieved, the tarpaulin is secured in that it is fixed in its edge areas to permanent objects, for example, by means of lines or ropes. The edge areas are provided with, for example, grommets in which the lines or ropes are secured. It is obvious that, when large forces are applied to the edge areas of the tarpaulin there is a risk that the material there will rupture. If tears or ruptures occur in the edge areas of the tarpaulin, the tarpaulin will generally become unusable or its protective function will cease at least to some degree until such time as it has been repaired. It would, therefore, be of considerable advantage if the anchorages of the ropes could be disposed such that, on tensile forces exceeding a predetermined magnitude the connection between the rope and the tarpaulin (the rope anchorage) breaks while the edge area of the tarpaulin remains intact. There are also wishes in the art to be able to dispose the tarpaulin so as to facilitate anchorage of the ropes in the tarpaulin. In addition, there are needs to be able to arrange the anchorage, such that, if rupture occurs in the rope anchorage, the time for once again securing the line to the tarpaulin is reduced to a minimum. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention has for its object to propose a technique which satisfies the above-outlined needs and wishes. This is attained by means of a device according to the characterizing clause of appended claim 1. The appended subclaims disclose expedient embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view of a sheet of foldable material employed for forming the device; Fig. 2 shows the device formed after folding the sheet, secured to the edge area of a tarpaulin; Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device according to the present invention secured to the edge area of the tarpaulin; Fig. 5 shows one alternative embodiment of the device; Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line B-B in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to Fig. 5; and Fig. 8 shows the device according to Fig. 5 or 7 provided with a safety device. Fig. 1 shows a blank in the form of a sheet 1 of a foldable material such as coated fabric, tarpaulin fabric or the like. The sheet is substantially symmetrical about a centre line 9 and comprises portions 5 and 6, respectively, on either side of the centre line and folded towards one another about the centre line for forming the device according to the invention. In the central region 4 of the blank, there is provided a recess 40 which is also substantially symmetrical about the centre line. Figs. 2-4 show the sheet after folding together for forming a device 2 in which the portions 5 and 6 are placed opposite one another and fixed against an edge portion 31 of a tarpaulin 3 disposed between them. The connection between the opposing portions and the tarpaulin is formed by any optional suitable connecting agent which connects the portions with the tarpaulin along substantially all of the surface or portion, respectively facing the tarpaulin. The connection consists, for instance, of a welded joint or glue-joint. The opposing portions include part portions 7,8 which are located outside the bounding definition edge 32 of the edge portion 31 (cf. also Fig. 1) and merge into one another in a fold edge 48 which is formed when the portions 5 and 6 are folded towards one another. In the fold edge, there is disposed the recess 40 which, in each part portion 7,8, continues in a direction towards the edge portion 31. The length of the recess in each respective part portion substantially corresponds and, at most, reaches up to the defining edge 32. As a rule, the recess is of a length which corresponds to at least a quarter and preferably at least a third of the distance from the fold edge 48 to the defining edge 32. Adjacent the fold edge, the part portions 7,8 form two mutually subsequent channels 49a,b which are separated by the recess 40 and which are substantially parallel with the defining edge 32 of the tarpaulin. In certain embodiments, the portions 5,6 are provided with a plurality of recesses 40, whereby the part portions 7,8 will include more than two mutually subsequently disposed channels. Each respective portion 5,6 is defined in those parts 13,14 where they surround the tarpaulin 3 and most proximate to the defining edge 32 by a defining edge 71,72 and 81,82, respectively, directed at an angle towards the edge 32 and from the recess 40. In one preferred embodiment, the angle to the defining edge is of the order of magnitude of between 35 and 55°, preferably of the order of magnitude of between 40 and 50°. Figs. 2 and 3 also show a rope or a line 10 which is inserted in one of the two channels 49a,b, namely in the channel 49b. Figs. 5-8 show embodiments of the device in which this includes a generally cylindrical anchorage rod 11 which is inserted in two mutually adjacent channels 49a,b and which includes a part 11a which is located in the region of the recess 40. The length of the anchorage rod corresponds substantially to the sum total of the length of two mutually subsequently disposed channels and the width of the recess 40 located between the channels. The line 10 is intended to be secured around that part of the rod which is disposed in the recess 40. However, in order to render the Drawing Figures clearer, the line 10 has not been shown in Figs. 5-7. Fig. 5 shows one embodiment of the present invention in which the anchorage rod, in that part 11a which is intended to be disposed in the region of the recess 40, is provided with a weakened portion 12. In the Drawing Figure, this is shown as a groove 12 disposed in the circumferential direction and whose cross section is adapted to the dimensions of the line and forms a part of a curve, e.g. an elliptical or circular curve. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the weakened portion 12 has, in other embodiments, for example different cross section or consists of a material portion which displays less mechanical strength than the material in the rod which surrounds the weakened portion. In one preferred embodiment, the anchorage rod 11 is provided with one or more safety devices 15 which prevent the anchorage rod from sliding out of the channels 49a,b. Figs. 7 and 8 show one embodiment of the anchorage rod in which, for this purpose, it is provided with recesses 17 disposed in its opposite end surfaces 16a,b for cooperation with the safety device. In this instance, the device is provided with means 19a,b which are inserted in each respective recess 17. Fig. 8 shows one embodiment of the safety device in which this is designed as a resilient yoke 15 of, for example, steel wire whose end portions 19a,b are, as a result of the resilient return force of the yoke, inserted in each respective recess 17 of the opposing end surfaces 16a,b. Hereby, the material in the part portions 7,8 will be surrounded by the anchorage rod 11 in combination with the safety device 15. Only once the connection between the anchorage rod and the safety device has been broken will it be possible to remove the anchorage rod from the channels 49a,b. As a rule, the yoke forms, between its end portions, a connecting portion 18 which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the anchorage rod. When the device in that embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-4 is put into use, the line 10 is passed into one of the channels 49a,b. On tensile forces in the line, these are transmitted to the material in the part portions 7,8 which define the employed channel. These forces are absorbed by the tarpaulin via the portions 13,14 of the opposing portions 5,6 secured to the tarpaulin. As a result of the above-indicated oblique disposition of the defining edges 71,72 and 81,82, respectively of the parts 13 and 14, there will be achieved an expedient distribution of the forces and thereby also a distributed strain in the connection between the material in the parts 13,14 and the material in the tarpaulin 3. If the forces involved were to become excessively great, the device according to the present invention is primarily dimensioned in order that the material in the part portions 7,8 will rupture. It will hereby be ensured that the tarpaulin can, without delay, once again be secured to the line in that this is passed in and anchored to the tarpaulin with the aid of the remaining whole channel. When the embodiment according to Figs. 5-8 is employed, a considerably increased strength will naturally be achieved in the device, since all material in both of the part portions 7,8 cooperates in order to absorb those forces which are transferred to the device via the line 10. In certain occasions of use, the strains will, however, be so great that the material in the part portions risks rupturing. There may also be a risk that the material in the tarpaulin 3 or the connection between the opposing portions 5,6 and the tarpaulin ruptures. In order to ensure that excessively great forces in the line do not result in the above-indicated consequences, the anchorage rod is, in certain practical applications, provided with the weakened portion 12. In such instance, the anchorage rod will be broken off in the weakened portion 12 before the connection between the device and the tarpaulin ruptures or the material in the tarpaulin or the device fails. It may generally be said that, when the device is exposed to extreme tensile forces, there is a risk that failure occurs in the material of the tarpaulin unless specific measures are adopted. For example, such failure occurs between the opposing portions 5,6 of the tarpaulin or outside the opposing portions, but as a rule in the immediate vicinity thereof. The term failure in the material of the tarpaulin also encompasses that event which occurs when an outer layer of plastic material slides in relation to a subjacent fabric carrier layer to which the layer of plastic material is secured. As has already been intimated above, failure also occurs in the connection between the opposing portions 5,6 and the tarpaulin. As indicated above, the device is generally secured to the tarpaulin in that the material in the device is welded to the material in the tarpaulin. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention per se encompasses alternative techniques for securing the device to the tarpaulin. The choice of material for the device proper is determined by the mechanical strength it is desired that the device possess. In one preferred embodiment, the dimensions and the material of the device are selected such that the tarpaulin is kept intact even when the tensile forces in those lines or ropes which have been connected to the device exceed predetermined values. In order to attain this effect, the part portions 7,8 of the opposing portions 5,6 are dimensioned so that, on overload, failure takes place in the part portions. Failures in the tarpaulin itself will be avoided in that the parts 13,14 of the opposing portions 5,6 secured to the tarpaulin are given sufficient size in order that the material in the tarpaulin will be capable of absorbing the forces distributed by the device according to the present invention without rupturing. The above detailed description has referred to but a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, but it will readily be perceived by a person skilled in this art that the present invention may encompass a large number of embodiments provided that they do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: A device (2) for attaching to a tarpaulin (3) or the like for connecting a tackle (10), for example a line, a rope or the like, to the tarpaulin, in which the device includes a sheet (1) of foldable material which is folded over for forming two opposing portions (5,6) which are interconnected with one another along a fold edge (48) formed on folding, in which each one of the opposing portions (5,6) is fixed to an edge portion (31) of the tarpaulin (3) located between them, in which the opposing portions (5,6) include part portions (7,8) which merge into one another in the fold edge (48), and in which the part portions (7,8) are located outside the defining edge (32) of the edge portion (31), characterized in that at least one recess (40) in the fold edge (48) continues, in both of the part portions (7,8), in a direction towards the edge portion (31) of the tarpaulin (3); and that both of the part portions form therebetween at least two mutually subsequently disposed channels (49a,b) which are substantially parallel with the defining edge (32) and separated by the recess (40). The device (2) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the recess (40) has, in a direction towards the defining edge (32), an extent corresponding to at least a quarter, preferably at least a third of the distance from the fold edge (48) to the defining edge (32). The device (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the device is dimensioned such that, with the device applied to the tarpaulin and with tensile forces exceeding a predetermined magnitude applied to those material portions of the part portions (7,8) which form one of the subchannels (49a,b), rupture occurs in the material of the part portions before failure occurs in the tarpaulin (3) or in the connection between the device (2) and the tarpaulin. The device (2) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device includes an anchorage rod (11) which is inserted in two mutually adjacent channels (49a,49b). The device (2) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the length of the anchorage rod (11) substantially corresponds to the sum total of the length of two mutually subsequently located channels (49a,b) and the width of the recess (40) located between the channels. The device (2) as claimed in any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the anchorage rod (11) is, in the region of the recess (40), provided with a weakened portion (12) entailing that, on loading of the rod, this will break at forces less than those forces required for rupture of the material in the part portions (7,8). The device (2) as claimed in any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that the anchorage rod (11) is, in the region of the recess (40), provided with a weakened portion (12), entailing that, on loading of the rod, this will break at forces less than those forces required for rupture of the connection between the part portions (7,8) and the tarpaulin (3). The device (2) as claimed in any one of claims 4-7, characterized in that the anchorage rod (11) is disposed for cooperation with a safety device (15) for retaining the anchorage rod in the channels (49a,b).

Inventors: NILSSON IVAN, NILSSON, IVAN
Applicants: PLAST OCH TEXTIL IVAN NILSSON
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B60J7
IPC codes: B61D39, B60J7