Patent ID: 7798553

Claim:
A device for tensioning a sliding tarp system on a truck flatbed, comprising: a thrust nut threadedly attached to a threaded shaft, the thrust nut contained within a housing; wherein the housing has a channel along which the thrust nut is guided during operation of the device, and wherein the housing further has a transition slot for receiving the thrust nut; a tensioning nut attached to the threaded shaft at an end which lies outside of the housing; wherein the housing is connected to a frame assembly, and a tarp is connected to the frame assembly; wherein during operation of the device, the tensioning nut is turned to allow the thrust nut to release from the transition slot and to travel along the threaded shaft and engage with a stopper attached to the rails thereby moving the housing and frame assembly along rails attached to the truck flatbed, the housing and frame assembly moving in a direction parallel to the direction of truck travel; thereby allowing tensioning of the tarp.