Patent Abstract:
A tarpaulin rod securing device for use with a vehicle having an open area covered by a tarpaulin, the device comprising a first member having a recess formed therein with an access opening to the recess, and a second movable member which is movable between first and second positions, the second movable member permitting a rod to enter the recess while preventing withdrawal thereof.

Full Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/217,629 filed Aug. 12, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,594 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/878,368 filed Jun. 12, 2001 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improvement in a tarpaulin covering system and more particularly, relates to a tarpaulin rod securing device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of tarpaulins for covering an open box-like container such as a truck box or a storage bin is well known in the art. Thus, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,777, there is provided a truck box having parallel side walls joined by transverse front and back end walls, with a flexible fabric cover fixed at one lateral edge to one side wall, and attached at the opposite lateral edge to a roll tube or rod which is rotatable from side to side along the top surfaces of the front and back end walls of the truck box to permit winding and unwinding of the fabric from the rod or tube to thereby permit covering and uncovering of the box structure. The tarpaulin rod is operated manually by a handle structure connected to the roll tube by a universal joint. 
     There is also known in the art to use automated means for winding and unwinding the rod and associated tarpaulin. Thus, there is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,208 a hydraulic system for moving a tarpaulin from one side to the other. It is also known from various patents to utilize an electric motor for the same purpose. 
     The tarpaulins are used to cover either the open top of a container or alternatively, may be utilized to cover a side wall. 
     Typically, when used to cover an open top container, the tarpaulin is there to prevent any portion of the load being blown from the open top of the container which can not only cause unnecessary wastage of the transported goods, but can also create dangerous situations. Thus, the danger of loose material being blown out of the container can cause pollution of the surrounding area and also create potentially dangerous situations for vehicles following the container. Accordingly, certain jurisdictions have imposed regulations requiring the use of tarpaulins. 
     Various configurations of tarpaulins have been proposed. However, two configurations have proven to be particularly popular. One such configuration is the so called end-rolled tarpaulin which is gathered at one of the longitudinal ends of the container when not in use and moved along the body of the container between operative and stored positions. The end-rolled tarpaulins are typically gathered at the front end of the vehicle and are usually provided along their length with a number of transverse supporting bars which extend between the two longer side walls of the container. The end-rolled tarpaulins are typically moved by means of a pair of cables trained over pulleys and carrying the tarpaulins with them as they move. 
     The other type of permanently installed tarpaulin preferred by some hauliers is referred to as the side-rolled tarpaulin. These so called side-rolled tarpaulins which permanently extends the full length of the container body are rolled and unrolled about a roll rod that also extends the full length of the container body. 
     The use of prior art flexible closures such as prior art tarpaulins to close or cover the loading aperture of open top containers is associated with a number of drawbacks. One major shortcoming related to prior art assembles involves the difficulty often encountered in drawing the flexible closures into a proper extended or closed configuration. Indeed, the relatively heavy, bulky and flexible nature of large tarpaulins often cause such closures to be quite difficult to draw into properly extended or closed position for service as cover. 
     Another main drawback associated with prior art assemblies relates to the difficulty in keeping the tarpaulin taut during the rolling and unrolling operations which leads to potential damage to the involved structures. This situation also leads to difficulties in establishing a suitable weather resistant seals about the perimeters of properly extended closures. The difficulty in keeping proper tension on the tarpaulin during rolling and unrolling operations is compounded in certain situations as for example when there exists a relatively moderate or high wind causing the tarpaulin to catch in the wind. In such instances, it is sometimes necessary to face the truck trailer in such a manner that the wind will not catch the tarpaulin. This may prove to be impossible when the wind changes direction. The difficulty in maintaining the tarpaulin in a taut state during rolling and unrolling operations leads to possible ripping or tearing of the tarpaulin and associated structures. 
     The difficulty in maintaining the tarpaulin in a taut state during rolling and unrolling operations also potentially leads to an improper seal which, in turn, may lead to potentially dangerous road condition and loss of material. This problem has been addressed by some of the prior art structures. However, most prior art structures or assemblies lack an effective means of maintaining the cover taut and in place during transportation especially at highway speeds. Indeed, the investment of time and effort that typically must be extended to properly secure a prior art tarpaulin to prevent its being drawn out of proper position by environmental conditions often proves to be unwieldy. Some prior art assemblies make use of a series of straps spaced along the tarpaulin which are secured to the container side wall by tying or clamping. These prior art assemblies have proven to be unsatisfactory since they have demonstrated a tendency to admit dust or rain under the tarpaulin and to allow the bulk material to flow between the peripheral edges of the tarpaulin and of the container. Also, at highway speeds, the tarpaulin is subject to billowing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for maintaining or securing the tarpaulin rod or tube in place after the tarpaulin has been unwound therefrom. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided, in a vehicle having an open area covered by a tarpaulin, and wherein the tarpaulin is moved from an uncovering position to a covering position by means of a longitudinal rotating tarpaulin rod, the improvement comprising a tarpaulin rod securing device, the tarpaulin rod securing device comprising a first member having a recess formed therein, an access opening to the recess, the recess being sized to receive the tarpaulin rod, and a second movable member, the second movable member being movable between a first position wherein the tarpaulin rod may have access to the recess, and a second position wherein the movable member secures the tarpaulin rod within the recess. 
     According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tarpaulin rod securing device comprising a first member having a recess formed therein, an access opening to the recess, and a second movable member pivotably connected to the first member and being spaced therefrom to provide a gap therebetween, the second movable member being movable between a first position wherein the second movable member permits access to the recess, a second position wherein the movable member prevents access from the recess. 
     The tarpaulin rod securing device of the present invention may be utilized in several different configurations including one wherein the tarpaulin extends over an open top container and also in the so-called side-rolled tarpaulins. 
     As aforementioned, there is provided a first member which has a recess and an access opening to the recess. The recess is preferably of a U-shaped configuration although it is within the scope of the invention to use different configurations. 
     The movable member is mounted such that it may be moved between first and second positions. Preferably, the second member is pivotably connected and is provided with an angled bottom surface such that in a normal position, it will prevent a member from exiting the recess while permitting entry thereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tarpaulin rod securing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slightly modified version thereof for use on a different type of tarpaulin arrangement; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tarpaulin rod retaining device from FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are end views illustrating the use and operation of the securing device; 
     FIG. 6 is an end view illustrating the tarpaulin rod being in a locked position; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a portion of the tarpaulin, rod and locking device as the tarpaulin is being unrolled; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a portion of a securing device while the tarpaulin is being unrolled; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a trailer incorporating the tarpaulin rod securing device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the end of the tarpaulin and rod; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a semi-trailer having a side wall covered by a tarpaulin and incorporating the tarpaulin rod securing device of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a retaining device utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 11; and 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the retaining device as used in the embodiment of FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one embodiment of a tarpaulin rod securing device and which device is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
     Tarpaulin rod securing device  10  includes a bracket  12  in the form of a plate and which is designed to receive bolts  14  for securement to a trailer as will be shown and discussed hereinbelow. 
     Device  10  includes a first member  16  having a first side wall  18  and a second side wall  20 . Defined between first side wall  18  and second side wall  20  is an inverted U-shaped recess  22  having an entry  24  thereto at the bottom portion of first member  16 . 
     A movable member  28  is secured to first member  16  by means of a pivot pin  30 . Movable member  28  is secured near upper wall  26  and is provided with a tapered or bevelled end wall  32  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. Movable member  28  also includes an outer side wall  34  and an inner side wall  36  which has an arcuate semi-circular configuration. 
     Mounted on pivot pin  30  exteriorly of first member  16  is a locking pawl having a tapered end  40  and a spur  42  extending from a side wall thereof. 
     It will be noted that there is provided a gap or space generally designated by reference numeral  44  between first member  16  and movable member  28  for reasons which will be discussed hereinbelow. 
     As seen in FIG. 9, a trailer  46  outlined in dotted lines includes an end wall  48  and a side wall  50 . Trailer  46  will have an open top which is designed to be covered with a tarpaulin  52 . Tarpaulin  52  is mounted on a rolling pole or rod  54 . Rod  54  includes a sprocket wheel  56  at one end thereof while a guide ring  58  is also formed on rod  54 . A handle assembly  60  may be utilized for rolling and unrolling the tarpaulin  52  and to gain access thereto, trailer  46  may be provided with a ladder  62  and a platform  64 . 
     In operation, and as may be best seen in FIGS. 4 to  8 , reference numeral  76  in FIG. 4 illustrates a first position of the rod as it is turning in the direction indicated by arrow  78  and it nears the side wall of the trailer. Continued movement along to the position indicated by reference numeral  80  is continued and the rod passes the side wall  20  of first member  16  and outer side wall  34  of movable member  28  and descends downwardly therealong as indicated by the position designated by reference numeral  82  in FIG.  4 . 
     As the rod passes underneath of tarpaulin rod securing device  10 , tension will place an upper force on tapered end wall  32  forcing it outwardly as indicated by arrow  84 . Once the rod has completely entered U-shaped recess  22 , movable member  28  will pivot back into position to thereby secure rod  54  in position. As an additional locking feature, pawl  38  may then be pivoted as indicated by arrow  86  (FIG. 6) such that spur  42  will engage sprocket wheel  56  to prevent further movement thereof. 
     As may be seen in FIG. 8, guide ring  58  is sized to fit within the gap  44  between first member  16  and movable member  28  such that during the latter portion of its movement, rod  54  is retained securely in position. 
     To further secure and support the rod  54 , a plurality of retaining devices  68  are provided. Each of retaining devices  68  has a plurality of apertures  72  to receive a fastening device  74  for securement to the side wall  50  of trailer  46 . It will be noted they have a concave surface  70  to assist in retaining the rod  54  in position. 
     A slightly different version is illustrated in FIGS. 2,  11  and  12 . In this arrangement and referring to FIG. 11, the trailer has an open side wall and therefore, the tarpaulin rod securing device has a slightly different bracket. As shown in FIG. 2, there is provided an L-shaped bracket  90  with apertures  92  therein for receiving a fastening device  74 . Bracket  90  is fastened as shown in FIG. 11 at the bottom of end wall  48 . The operation is substantially the same as with respect to the previously described embodiment. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8