Abstract:
It is connected to a lawn tractor or vehicle for towing any foldable sheet type material such as a tarp, (construction) plastic, or cloth across the ground to move large debris or material. This assembly contains multiple tubing, stabilizers, and hardware that allow a direct connection to a lawn tractor or a vehicle/ATV using a standard receiver type hitch. The sheet material is folded and then rolled onto the tarp connection tube and then attached to the tarp support tube. When towing, the clamping point gets tighter the harder you pull on it, making it a strong connection. Now the material is tightly gripped between these two tubes, which allow the use of any type of foldable sheet material for towing. This design eliminates the need to use any type of grommet load connection points within the sheet material that could be easily pulled out during heavy loads or use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the moving of landscape and/or garden type material such as trees, branches, leaves, grass clippings, mulch, plants, rocks, sand, snow, and other types of debris by loading them onto any foldable tarp or sheet material that is directly attached to the rear of a riding lawn tractor. 
     This invention makes it very easy to move large and awkward-sized loads of debris around obstacles and through difficult types of terrain because of its design. Also, loading debris onto the Tarp Tow is very simple because the attached tarp or sheet is at ground level and unloading it is just as easy. To unload, just go to one of the end corners of the tarp or sheet and pull it over the top of the debris. This causes the debris to fall off the sheet exactly where you want it as it flips over, while using the riding lawn tractor as an anchor point. 
     The Tarp Tow assembly contains multiple tubes, turnbuckle stabilizer assemblies and the needed hardware. There are two main features in this invention. First, the tarp tow assembly is attached directly to a lawn tractor and it does not use any type of cables, chains, or ropes as a load connection point. Second, it has the ability to hold any type of foldable tarp or sheet material by rolling it onto the tarp connection tube and then clamping it down to the tarp support tube within the assembly. The load is directly transferred from the tarp or sheet material into the tarp tow assembly at this connection point then into the frame of the riding lawn mower. 
     The Tarp Tow was created for the purpose of putting all the work of moving debris and/or material onto a riding lawn mower. The Tarp Tow was designed to use any type of foldable tarp or sheet material because of how it connects within the tarp tow assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of the Tarp Tow assembly connected to a lawn tractors rear plate or hitch, while using a tarp or plastic sheet to tow multiple large tree branches. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric exploded view of the Tarp Tow assembly with a Build of Material listing all of its components. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the tractor main support tube or the spacer tube. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the tractor main support tube or the spacer tube. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the tarp connector tube or the tarp support tube. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the tarp connector tube or the tarp support tube. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric exploded view of the tractor main support tube of the Tarp Tow assembly with all its hardware shown. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the tractor main support tube of the Tarp Tow assembly. 
         FIG. 9  shows a top view of a typical lawn tractor rear-receiver mounting plate or hitch. 
         FIG. 10  shows an isometric exploded view of the Tarp Tows lower assembly attaching to the rear-receiver mounting plate or hitch (ref.  FIGS. 2 ,  8 - 9 ). 
         FIG. 11  shows an isometric view of the completed lower section of the Tarp Tow with the support arm assemblies in exploded view. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the lower and upper section of the Tarp Tow assembly with the support arms attached to the tractor rear receiver and frame. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the lower and upper section of the Tarp Tow with the support arms attached to the tractor rear receiver and frame. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the completed Tarp Tow assembly with all the hardware mounted to the rear receiver plate or hitch and frame of a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the completed Tarp Tow assembly mounted to the rear receiver plate or hitch and frame of a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the completed Tarp Tow assembly mounted to the rear receiver plate or hitch and frame of a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the completed Tarp Tow assembly mounted to the rear receiver plate or hitch and frame of a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 18  is a detailed view “C” of the top view shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the completed Tarp Tow assembly mounted to the rear receiver plate or hitch and frame of a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 20  is a detailed view “E” of the bottom view shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a top view of a foldable type sheet. 
         FIG. 22  shows the sheet from  FIG. 21  folded. 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of a folded sheet. 
         FIG. 24  shows the sheet from  FIG. 23  folded. 
         FIG. 25  is a top view of a folded sheet. 
         FIG. 26  shows the sheet from  FIG. 25  folded. 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of the finished folded sheet that has the tarp connector tube lying across the top of the folded area. 
         FIG. 28  is a top view showing the folded sheet rolled up onto the tarp connector tube. 
         FIG. 29  is an isometric view of the folded sheet with the tarp bar lying across the folded area. 
         FIG. 30  is an isometric view showing the folded tarp or sheet rolled up onto the tarp connector tube as also shown in  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 31  is a top view of the tarp connector tube rolled up onto the folded tarp or sheet. 
         FIG. 32  is a detailed view F from the top view in  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 33  is a top view of the complete Tarp Tow assembly with tarp or sheet attached to a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 34  is an isometric view of the complete Tarp Tow assembly with a tarp or sheet attached to a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 35  is a detail view H of the isometric view shown in  FIG. 34 . 
         FIG. 36  is a side view of the complete Tarp Tow assembly with a tarp or sheet attached to a lawn tractor. 
         FIG. 37  is a detail view I of the side view shown in  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is an isometric exploded view of the adapter kit for attachment to a standard receiver type hitch with the Build of Material listing all of the components. 
         FIG. 39  is an isometric view of the secondary connection method of the Tarp Tow assembly connected to a standard receiver type hitch. 
         FIG. 40  is a top view of the receiver adapter tube. 
         FIG. 41  is a top view of the support adapter tube. 
         FIG. 42  is a side view of the support adapter tube. 
         FIG. 43  is an isometric view of the Tarp Tow lower assembly mounted to the rear of a lawn tractor with a trailer ball attached in the spacer tube. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This is a description of the Tarp Tow invention with all the parts within the assembly that can be used to attach to a lawn tractor&#39;s rear mount or be connected to a standard receiver type hitch mount. The material size, hole, and hardware locations are not limited to what is listed below. The Tarp Tow materials and hardware can increase or decrease in size depending on the load requirement of the tractor or vehicle the tarp tow is being installed onto. The Tarp Tow Build of Material (BOM) for a lawn tractor is shown under item numbers 1-24 on sheet 2,  FIG. 2 . The adapter tubes and hardware for a standard receiver type hitch mount are shown under item numbers 27-31 in the BOM on sheet 19,  FIG. 38 . 
     The first parts of the BOM for a lawn tractor are items 1 or 11 shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . They are made the same and they are called the tractor main support tube (item 1) and the spacer tube (item 11). Both are 1.75″ square hot rolled steel tubing with galvanized finish that is 12 gauge in thickness with 7/16″ thru holes on 1″ centers on all sides and 11″ in length. The center hole position within the tubes are enlarged to a 21/32″ thru all. 
     The next parts are used to hold and to clamp the sheet material within the assembly. They are shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , which are made the same and they are called the tarp connector tube (item 18) and the tarp support tube (item 21). Both are 1.75″ square galvanized steel tubing that is 12 gauge in thickness with 7/16″ thru holes on 1″ centers on all sides and 37″ in length. 
     The standard receiver type hitch mount is shown in  FIGS. 38-39 . The receiver adapter tubing (item 27) shown in  FIG. 40  is made from 2.0″ square galvanized steel that is 12 gauge in thickness with 7/16″ thru holes on 1″ centers on all sides and 6″ in length. The third hole position from the bottom within the tube is enlarged to a 21/32″ thru all for use within the standard receiver type hitch mount (item 32). The support adapter tube (item 28) shown in  FIGS. 41 and 42  is made from 1.75″ square galvanized steel that is 12 gauge in thickness with 7/16″ thru holes on 1″ centers on all sides and 11″ in length.  FIG. 41  shows the top view of the support adapter tube (item 28) where the second and fourth hole position is enlarged to a 21/32″ thru all.  FIG. 42  shows a side view of the support adapter tube (item 28) where the fourth hole from the bottom is enlarged to a 21/32″ thru all for use when connected to the standard receiver type hitch (item 32). 
     Assembly of Invention with Hardware 
     The tractor main support tube shown in  FIG. 2  (item 1) is the first part of the assembly that is attached to the rear of a lawn tractor (item 25) shown in  FIG. 9 . First, take the tractor main support tube (item 1) shown in  FIG. 7  and install two clevis pins (items 2) into the top side of the tube in the first hole locations in each end as shown. Both clevis pins are held in place by two hairpin cotters when installed (item 9). Next a washer (items 3) and a bolt (item 4) are installed thru the back side of the tractor main support tube (item 1) in the second hole position on each end of the tube as shown. The bolt (item 5) and washer (item 6) are installed on the top side center hole position of the tractor main support tube (item 1). On the bottom side of the tractor main support tube (item 1) a second washer (item 6) is placed onto the bolt (item 5) and pushed flush onto the tractor main support tube (item 1). Now this assembly is placed onto the top of the lawn tractor rear receiver plate or hitch (item 25) shown in  FIG. 9  and the bolt (item 5) goes thru the receiver hitch thru hole. Next the 3 rd  washer (item 6), lock washer (item 7), and nut (item 8) are installed on the bolt that is on the back side of the tractor rear receiver plate or hitch shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  and tightened to complete the first part of the Tarp Tow assembly as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . 
     Next the spacer tube (item 11) has two plastic end caps (item 10) installed into each end and then it is centered between the two bolts (item 4) and pushed flush against the tractor main support tube (item 1) as shown in  FIG. 10 . Then the tarp support tube (item 21) has two plastic end caps (item 10) installed into each end and then it is centered between the two bolts (item 4) and pushed flush against the spacer tube (item 11) as shown in  FIG. 10 . Now, two washers (item 3), two lock washers (items 24) and two nuts (items 23) are installed on the two bolts (item 4) and tightened to complete the lower Tarp Tow assembly also shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Next in  FIG. 11 , install two eye bolts (item 12) and two ⅜″ washers (item 22) and slide them into the back side of the tarp support tube (item 21) as shown. On the other side of the tarp support tube (item 21) place the two ⅜″ washers (item 22), lock washers (item 24), and nuts (item 23) and tighten them on the eye bolts (item 12). Get the turnbuckles (item 13) and connect them into the eye bolts (item 12) that are connected to the tarp support tube (item 21) and then take the other side of the turnbuckles and connect them into the frame of the lawn tractor (item 25) as shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  14 - 19 . Some tractors already have shoulder bolts or open sheet metal areas to connect them to the frame. If not, using  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  18  as a reference, try to find a location for mounting the support assemblies by holding the turnbuckle (item 13) between 35 to 45 degrees off the horizon in an area on the frame (item 25) where you can drill a hole and mount the eyebolts (item 14), washers (item 15), lock washers (item 16), and nuts (item 17). 
     The tarp connector tube (item 18) has two plastic end caps (item 10) installed into each end and then it is centered onto the top of the tarp support tube (item 21) as shown in  FIGS. 12-14 . Next, two bolts (item 19) are put thru both tubes on top side at the second hole position from each end to clamp the assembly together using two wing nuts (item 20) to tighten down as shown in  FIG. 14 . Now the Tarp Tow assembly is ready to have a foldable sheet (item 26) to be connected for use. 
       FIGS. 15-20  gives different views of what the Tarp Tow assembly looks like without the foldable sheet attached when it is fully installed on a lawn tractor. 
     Next is an example on how to fold a sheet (item 26) correctly to install it onto the tarp connection tube (item 18). The sheet (item #26) must be folded to allow the tarp connection tube to roll the material onto itself and also keep the outer hole locations open to allow for installation as shown in  FIG. 32 . Lay the sheet (item 26) flat as in  FIG. 21 . Now fold the corners A to the B position as shown. Once this is completed it should look something like  FIG. 22 . Next fold the corners C to the D position as shown in  FIG. 23 . Once this is completed it should look something like  FIG. 24 . Now fold E to the F position as shown in  FIG. 25 . Once this is completed it should look something like  FIG. 26 . 
     Now take the tarp connection tube (item 18) and lay it onto the folded sheet (item 26) as shown in  FIGS. 27 and 29 . Now hold the folded sheet (item 26) with the tarp connection tube (item 18) and roll it onto the tube four to five times over as shown in  FIGS. 28 and 30 . Once it is completed, it should look like  FIGS. 31 and 32 . 
     Now with the sheet (item 26) attached to the tarp connection tube (item 18), install this assembly onto the tarp support tube (item 21) with the two bolts (item 19) and wing nuts (item 20) as shown in  FIG. 33-37 . Once the wing nuts (item 20) are tightened down the sheet is now clamped to the assembly and it is ready to be used. 
     The assembly also has a secondary mount method that connects it to a vehicle or an ATV that has a standard receiver type hitch mount (item 32) for towing as shown in  FIGS. 38 and 39 . 
     Take the receiver adapter tube (item 27), and slide it into the standard receiver type hitch (item 32) on the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 39 . Make sure to line up the 21/32″ thru hole shown in  FIG. 40  with the hitch pin thru hole on the vehicles receiver hitch (item 32). Next, take the support adapter tube (item 28) and slide it into the receiver adapter tube (item 27) until the 21/32″ thru holes shown in  FIG. 42  on its sides line up with the others in the vehicles standard receiver type hitch (item 32) that will allow a hitch pin to be installed to hold it in place within the receiver hitch (item 32). 
     Next you take the complete assembly with the omitted parts and install the two ⅝″ bolts (item 29) and two washers (item 30) into the top center thru holes that are in the tractor main support tube (item #1) and the spacer Tube (item 11) as shown in  FIG. 38 . Now, place the bolts (item 29) into the thru holes that are in the top of the support adapter tube (item 28) and insert the bolts into the thru holes and lay them flat onto each other. Next, install the washers (item 30) and nuts (item 31) onto the bolts (item 29) and tighten the assembly together. Now the assembly can be used with a standard receiver hitch type connection (item 32) as shown in  FIG. 38-39 . Just add the sheet (item 26) to the tarp connection bar (item 18) as shown earlier and install onto the assembly and it is ready to be used. 
     The last feature that this assembly can do is that a standard trailer ball (item 33) and its&#39; hardware can be installed into the center thru hole in the spacer tube (item 11) or the tarp support tube (item 21) as shown in  FIG. 43 . To use, one will remove the tarp connection tube (item 18) and its&#39; hardware (items 19-20) to allow a trailer to be connected to the trailer ball with no interference.