TARPAULIN

Abstract: The objet of invention is a cargo cover (1), incorporating on the inside pads (2), inflatable with a medium (air). The cover is placed over the cargo (7), and at the same time the pads are placed in the corners and at other appropriate places. The cargo is secured with ropes (6), and the medium is introduced into the pads, causing the pads to expand and tighten the ropes. The fastening of the cargo is elastic and non-loosening, since the deformation of the pads and fastening members can be compensated.

Description: TARPAULIN Background to the technology The object of invention is a cargo cover, which is used for covering and securing cargo units in connection with transport and storage. In transport and storage the cargo is often first covered with separate covers, after which they are attached with appropriate means, such as lines or the like. The lines are to be tightened to a sufficient degree to hold the cargo and the covers firmly in place. Securing and protecting the cargo is difficult using traditional lashing means, since they generally function by the use of muscular force. The forces caused by securing, transporting and handling the cargo strain the lashing means, thus easily resulting in stretching and other deformations of the lashing members. In long distance transport, the stretching of ropes and lines can cause dangerous situations due to the loosening of the cargo lashing. The excessive tightening of the lines can easily cause damage to goods being transported and to the cargo covers or to the lashing means themselves, especially at the corners of the cargo. Description of the invention The present invention concerns a cargo cover according to patent claim 1. Certain advantageous applications of the invention are presented in the other claims. The invention solves some of the aforementioned problems and eliminates drawbacks of the known technology, producing a cargo cover, the tensioning force of which can be controlled and which also covers the cargo better. Damage to the cover and lashing means is also reduced. The invention is based on the placing of pads, inflatable with an appropriate medium, between the cargo and the cover, particularly at the corners. The cargo is secured to the flat by passing the lashing members around the cargo, after which the pads are filled with the medium. The pads expand and adapt in shape, at the same time tightening the lashing members to the desired tightness. The strain caused by the lashing is divided over a large surface, so that there is no damage to the goods secured. By varying the pressure in the pads, the tightness of the lashing can be adjusted within a wide range. The lashing can be undone quickly and easily by releasing the pressure from the pads, after which the lashing members can be unfastened from around the cargo. The medium is most appropriately a gas, such as air, which is introduced into the pads with the help of appropriate pumps and hoses. The hoses may incorporate valves that are closed after filling the pads, in which case pumps are not needed after the filling. The cover can also incorporate fixed means suitable for introducing the medium into the pads. The pads may advantageously be fixed to the cover detachably, so that their place can always be changed according to the size and shape of the cargo to be covered. In the following, the invention is explained in detail with the help of some advantageous embodiments and by referring to the attached drawings. Figure 1 shows a cargo cover according to the invention as a sectional view seen diagonally from the end. Figure 2 shows a cargo secured with a cargo cover as presented in figure 1, seen diagonally from the end. Figures 1-2 show a rectangular cargo cover 1, on the inside of which there are two longitudinal pads 2 that are inflatable with air. The pads incorporate valves 3, extending through the cover to the top, through which air can be introduced into the pads by appropriate means. Similarly, the air can be removed from the filled pad through the valves when desired. In addition, the cover incorporates crosswise reinforcing strips 4, to which are attached securing loops 5 close to the side edge of the cover. The cover is made of some suitably strong and weatherproof material, depending on the purpose. The pads are, for example, made of polyester-reinforced PVC fabric. The cover 1 is intended as the lashing cover of a rectangular shaped cargo 7, and is secured at the longer sides with ropes 6 to the flat 8. The pads 2 are placed longitudinally on the cargo along the top edges. Pads can also be placed along the end edges or at the corners when desired. The function of the cargo cover is briefly presented as follows. The cargo cover 1 is placed over the cargo on the flat 8 and secured to the flat 8 with the help of ropes 6. The air pads 2 are positioned on the upper side edges of the cargo. The ropes are pre- tightened to a suitable tightness. After this air is introduced into the pads causing the pressure in them to begin to rise. The pads expand and exert additional tensioning force on the ropes, the magnitude of which is proportional to the pressure in the pads. Similarly the pressure in the pads depends on the magnitude of the force. When sufficiently high pressure is used or a suitable stable pressure maintained, the lashing of the cargo can be made such that it is elastic and does not loosen, since the deformation of the pads and ropes can be compensated in this way. The lashing of the cargo can be easily undone by releasing the pressure from the pads and untying the ropes, after which the cover can be removed. According to one application the pads are also connected to the pump equipment during transportation, so that the tightening can be adjusted when needed and thus, for example, the changes caused by movement of the cargo or leaking of the pads can be allowed for. The pads 2 can be fixed to the cover 1 detachably. The detachable fixing can be effected, for example, with adhesive or fabric self-adhesive stickers. In this instance the pads may incorporate self-adhesive stickers, with which the pads adhere to any part of the cover. Preferably, however, the cover will have corresponding self-adhesive stickers at desired locations. The advantage of detachable fixing is naturally that, by changing the place of the pads, the same cover is suitable for covering different shaped cargoes. The pads 2 can also be permanently fixed to the cover 1. Permanent fixing can be effected, for example, by sewing or gluing. The advantage of permanent fixing is reliability, even in difficult conditions, such as in humid or freezing weather. The invention is suitable for use in road, rail and sea transportation. Paper rolls can be mentioned as one suitable object of application.

Claims: Patent claims 1. A cargo cover, which comprises a cover (1) and lashing members (5) in order to secure the cargo cover on a cargo placed on a flat, characterised in that there are one or more pads (2) on the inside of the cover, which pads are inflatable with an appropriate medium. 2. A cargo cover according to patent claim 1, characterised in that the pad (2) is inflatable with gas, preferably air. 3. A cargo cover according to patent claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the pad (2) is detachably fixed to the cover (1), for example, with self-adhesive fixing members. 4. A cargo cover according to patent claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the pad is permanently fixed to the cover ( 1 ) . 5. Method for covering and securing a cargo to a flat, in which method the cover is placed over the cargo and is secured to the flat with the help of lashing means, characterised in that one or more pads are attached between the cargo and the cover, the pad incorporating the means necessary to introduce the medium into it, and the medium is introduced into the pad when the cover is placed over the cargo.

Inventors: FINELL JOHN, FINELL, JOHN
Applicants: FINELL JOHN, UPM KYMMENE CORP, FINELL, JOHN, UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60P7
IPC codes: B60P7