Abstract:
This invention relates to a portable, self-contained tarping system for on site containers comprising a tarp, support bows, and a rack. This tarping system provides coverage for a stationary container to prevent contents from failing out of the container and also to prevent rainwater from gathering and causing run-off into surrounding land.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from an earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application, entitled On-Site Tarping System, U.S. Application No. 61/445,191 filed on Feb. 22, 2011. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates to a covering system for containers. More specifically, it relates to an on site tarping system for easy, portable tarping of any size container. 
         [0006]    On site containers, such as transport containers or dumpsters, are typically positioned in a fixed location until they are filled or emptied depending on the circumstances. These containers can hold any type of contents as they are open at the top and can easily hold large, bulky, or misshapen loads. Being open at the top makes the containers easier to fill and empty. However, while they may be easier to fill/empty, these containers are also prone to losing contents while in that location. Factors such as wind could blow debris out of the container causing possible damage to property or injury to persons. Rain water also causes problems as it may result in water runoff that may be contaminated by the load and thereby risks nearby land. As a result, there in a need to keep these containers covered. 
         [0007]    Many containers are covered by large tarps that hold the toad in place or to prevent storm water from getting inside the container and also to keep storm water from causing runoff contaminated by the container&#39;s contents. These tarps are typically fitted manually to a container using a system of fasteners and ropes and other ties. This manual process of applying a cover to a transport container is very difficult, dangerous and time consuming as a user must climb to a height above the container and struggle to spread a large tarp over an equally large area of container. Further, the contents of the container may be large and unwieldy causing other safety concerns for a user, such as injury due to a fall or objects that may otherwise harm a user. To ensure the safest conditions, it is desirable that two or more users work together to cover a container. Many times additional users are not readily available causing delay in covering the container while one user waits for another to assist or may cause a user to act alone in covering a container. This current method of manually covering a container is simply too labor intensive, dangerous, and grueling for most users. 
         [0008]    Many states have been or are considering legislation preventing contaminated water runoff from polluting nearby land. Since more and more states are requiring stationary containers to be covered, owners of these stationary containers must start developing plans for storm water prevention so that when their land is tested for contaminants, they are able to pass the test. This invention aids owners of these stationary containers by providing an easier way of covering the containers by utilizing a. portable on-site covering system that is more user-friendly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    This invention relates to a portable, self-contained tarping system for on site containers comprising a tarp, support bows, and a rack. A lead rope is attached to one end of the tarp while the other end of the tarp is attached to a lift on the rack. The tarp can be stored on the rack in a rotted position about a roller on the lift. The tarp is to be a heavy duty tarp, preferably vinyl so as to withstand adverse weather conditions. The tarp further comprises grommets on each side that is wound about the lift. 
         [0010]    When a container is in a stationary position and needs to be covered, a user simply moves the system into position at one end of the container. This system is an alternative to the stationary unit in that portable and can be moved by a forklift or by pushing the system on wheels into its desired position instead of moving a container to the stationary system. If wheels are used, it is preferred that heavy duty, greasable caster wheels are used. One skilled in the art will recognize that any means of moving the system into place are anticipated. However, if a user desires to affix the system to a permanent structure, such as a side of a building or loading dock door, it is possible to utilize the lifting and deployment methods discussed more thoroughly below. 
         [0011]    Once the system is placed in its desired location, the user positions the lead rope on the tarp across the container to the opposite end from where the system is located. The rope should be temporarily secured to the container. 
         [0012]    In order to deploy the tarp over the container, a user then utilizes a hand crank to move the lift to an elevated position. Since the tarp is wound around a roller on the lift, the lift should be raised to a height above the container to allow for the tarp to easily deploy over the container, One skilled in the art should recognize that this lift is a mechanical lift operated manually to ensure portability. However, it is anticipated that an electric or battery powered lift would perform in substantially the same manner but may limit the portability of this system. 
         [0013]    Once the desired height is achieved, the user can pull the lead rope to extend the tarp over the container. The tarp should then be secured to the container by way of the lead rope. 
         [0014]    In order to keep the tarp off of the contents of the container and also to ensure that storm water does not gather on top of the tarp, support bows are provided to add structure to the tarp. The support bows are fished under the tarp and are affixed to the container by support bracket. Since the height of the container is usually taller then a user, the user will be fishing the support bows under the tarp in a blind manner. As such, this invention utilizes support bows that are made for ease of operation. Each support bow comprises a handle that a user pushes up on that the bows simply slide across the container into place. It is anticipated that any number of support bows can be used to provide adequate structure and support for the type. For purposes of describing this invention four support bows are utilized. 
         [0015]    After the support bows are placed under the tarp, the lift is towered to bring entirety of the tarp into a position over the container. At this point the system provides complete coverage of the container and protection of the contents from adverse conditions or water runoff. 
         [0016]    One skilled in the art will recognize that any size container could utilize this self-container system. 
         [0017]    To remove the system from the container, a user utilizes the hand crank to raise the lift and thereby raising the tarp off the container. The support bows are removed and placed back on the rack. The lead rope is unfastened and the tarp rolls back onto the lift The lift is lowered into its neutral position and a user is free to move the system away from the container. 
         [0018]    It is anticipated that the tarp will comprise of a waterproof material, such as vinyl. This will help to ensure that water due to rain or ground runoff will not leak into the load. A vinyl material will help to ensure that the contents of the container remain dry. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the tarp could comprise any other suitable material such as plastic, mesh, cotton, etc. depending on conditions where the container is located. 
         [0019]    It is anticipated that this tarping system can be stored compactly when it is not in use to p vent damage to the system. The support bows are simply stored on a rack or holder on the tarp stand. 
         [0020]    While it is anticipated that this tarping system be largely portable, there are circumstances whereby a user may want to modify the system to mount in a position more permanent. As mentioned above, such a circumstance could be a side of a building or loading dock door where a container sits in the same location without moving except to be emptied. In a circumstance like this, a user could remove the legs of the above discussed tarping system and mount it securely to the side of a building or a loading dock door. If a user wishes to regain portability, then the legs could be replaced on the system. 
         [0021]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a detailed view of the portable, self-contained tarping system deployed across a container. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the portable, self-contained tarping system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  depicts a detailed view of the portable, self-contained tarping system as a user is raising it to a height above the container. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  depicts a user extending the tarp over the container by the lead rope. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  depicts a detailed view of the lead rope and tarp over the back end of the container. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  depicts a user fishing support bows under the tarp. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  depicts an enlarged, detailed view of the support bows being placed by a user on the container, under the tarp. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  is an enlarged view of the support bow detailing the handle and bracket. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  depicts the user lowering the tarp over the container to contain objects within the container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Turning to the Figures, this invention relates to portable, self-contained tarping system  20  for an on site container  2  comprising a tarp  14  having a lead rope  24 , and a plurality of support bows  16 , wherein said tarp  14  is connected to a rack  4  comprising a lift  10  capable of raising or lowering said tarp  14  to a desired height. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when a container  2  is in a stationary position and needs to be covered, a user  22  simply moves the system  20  into position by pushing or pulling the system  20  to one end of the container  2 . Preferably, wheels  6  are to be used to aid in moving the system  20  into position. 
         [0033]    In order to deploy the tarp  14  over the container  2 , a user  22  follows a number of steps to ensure safety to the user  22 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , after the system  20  is positioned at one end of the container  2 , the user  22  utilizes a hand crank  12  to move the lift  10  of the system  20  to an elevated position. To securely store the tarp  14  when not in use, it is wound about a roller  18 . This also allows the tarp to be kept secure while being lifted to a desired height by the lift  10 . 
         [0034]    Once the desired height is achieved, the user  22  can pull the lead rope  24  to extend the tarp  14  over the container  2 . The tarp  14  should then be secured to the container  2  by way of the lead rope  24 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0035]    In order to keep the tarp  14  off of the contents of the container  2  and also to ensure that storm water does not gather on top of the tarp  14 , support bows  16  are provided to add structure to the tarp  14 . The support bows  16  are fished under the tarp  14  and are affixed to the container by support bracket  28 . Since the height of the container  2  is usually taller then a user  22 , the user  22  will be fishing the support bows  16  under the tarp  2  in a blind manner, as seen in  FIG. 6 . As such, this invention utilizes support bows  16  that are made for ease of operation. Each support bow  16  comprises a handle  30  that a user  22  pushes up on so that the support bows  16  simply slide across the container  2  into place. As seen in the Figures, four support bows  16  are utilized. 
         [0036]    After the support bows  16  are placed under the tarp  2 , the lift  10  is lowered, as seen in  FIG. 8  to bring entirety of the tarp  14  into a position over the container  2 . At this point the system provides complete coverage of the container and protection of the contents from adverse conditions or water runoff. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  depicts this system  20  in its stored and stowable condition. It is anticipated that this tarping system  20  can be stored compactly when it is not in use to prevent damage to the system. The support bows  16  are simply stored on a rack  4  while the tarp is wound around a roller  18  connected to the lift  10 . 
         [0038]    Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. 
         [0039]    Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise, That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. 
         [0040]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.