Patent ID: 8277156

Claim:
A cover for securing a load in an environment, the cover comprising: a sheet operable to cover a load to protect the load from the environment and to retain the load; a strap having a length that is extendable, and that includes a first end portion having a length, a middle portion having a length, and a second end portion having a length, the first and second end portions each having an end that is distal to the middle portion; a first coupler attached to the strap's first end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap's first end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover; a second coupler attached to the strap's second end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap's second end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover; a fastener operable to fasten the strap's first end portion to the sheet; and wherein, when the sheet covers a load and the first and second couplers are attached to a structure to anchor the cover, the strap's first end portion engages the fastener, and the first coupler is disposed between the strap's middle portion and the fastener as one travels along the strap from the strap's middle portion toward the end of the strap's first end portion.