The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for a substructure, such as a lorry, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a covering frame and a tarpaulin consisting of weather-resistant material, wherein the covering frame has a plurality of struts (34) which each have on the end sides thereof a carriage (32) that is displaceable along a guide (20), wherein at least one bow (36) is pivotally connected at each pair of opposed carriages (32; 32), said bow forming with a bow (36) of an adjacent carriage pair (32) a tarpaulin folding aid, the bows (36) of the tarpaulin folding aid being connected to each other. A tarpaulin structure that allows a reliable covering of a substructure while having a low intrinsic weight is achieved according to the invention in that the connected bows (36) comprise a pivot angle limiter (38) that allows only a limited pivoting of the bows (36).

The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for an understructure, such as a truck, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a folding-top frame (16) and a tarpaulin (12) made of weather-resistant material, the folding-top frame (16) includes a plurality of struts (34); at the end, each of the struts has a carriage (32) that is movable along a guide (20), at least one bracket (36) is selectively pivotally connected to a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) of the strut or to the strut (34); said bracket (36) forming a tarpaulin folding aid along with a bracket (26; 36) of an adjacent strut (34), of a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) or of a stationary part (24) of the folding-top frame (16). In order to create a light-weight tarpaulin structure that allows an understructure to be reliably covered, according to the invention, the adjacent brackets (26, 36) are coupled to each other by means of a kinematic connecting rod assembly (38) that folds when the folding-top frame (16) is collapsed.

The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for an understructure, such as a truck, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a folding-top frame (16) and a tarpaulin (12) made of weather-resistant material, the folding-top frame (16) includes a plurality of struts (34); at the end, each of the struts has a carriage (32) that is movable along a guide (20), at least one bracket (36) is selectively pivotally connected to a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) of the strut or to the strut (34); said bracket (36) forming a tarpaulin folding aid along with a bracket (26; 36) of an adjacent strut (34), of a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) or of a stationary part (24) of the folding-top frame (16). In order to create a light-weight tarpaulin structure that allows an understructure to be reliably covered, according to the invention, the adjacent brackets (26, 36) are coupled to each other by means of a kinematic connecting rod assembly (38) that folds when the folding-top frame (16) is collapsed.

A roller tarp system for covering a truck bed includes a first pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to one side of the truck bed and a second pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to an opposite side of the truck bed. A generally hollow and cylindrical tarp spool extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends. The tarp spool is rotatably coupled between the first and second pivot arm assemblies for rotatably supporting a flexible tarp cover. A drive assembly is housed within the tarp spool adjacent one of the first and second ends. The drive assembly is operatively coupled between one of the first and second pivot arm assemblies and the tarp spool for selectively rotating the tarp spool and actuating the tarp system between an open position uncovering the truck bed and a closed position covering the truck bed.

A cover for a truck bed that can be horizontally traversed between expanded and collapsed positions is shown. Since the cover is horizontally traversed, the person manipulating the cover need not lift the cover vertically in order to reconfigure the cover between the expanded and collapsed positions. Women and elderly people who are generally not as strong as men can manipulate the cover.

A tarpaulin fastening device includes a support frame for support of one or more winch/spool assemblies and associated interconnecting line cord while being removably attached to a flat bed trailer using compression. The interconnecting line cord is extracted/retracted from/to its respective winch/spool assembly through a keeper mechanism. The interconnecting line cord is woven through eyelets of one or more connection pins and terminated with an anchoring mechanism. Once extracted from the winch/spool assembly, the interconnecting line cord is anchored to a flatbed trailer using the anchor mechanism and each connection pin is alternatingly connected to connection points along a length of tarp covering a payload supported by the flatbed and to connection points along a length of the flatbed trailer. Once the interconnecting line cord is anchored and connected to the tarp and flatbed, the tarp is secured onto the payload by actuation of the gear assembly.

Sliding tarp systems employed on trailers are disclosed. Various systems and improvements are disclosed which allow for unobstructed access to the tarp storage area and more reliable operation of the sliding tarp system. Unobstructed access to the storage area is achieved by providing extensions to the sliding tarp system tracks which the sliding tarp system support elements can be slid onto, leaving the storage area completely uncovered. The sliding tarp system track extensions can be removed or reoriented when not in use.

An uplift bow assembly and a sliding tarpaulin system are described. The uplift bow assembly includes first and second car plates and a frame having a center portion. The frame includes first and second downwardly extending frame arms connected respectively to the first and second car plates. The assembly also includes a plurality of uplift bows, each having a center portion and first and second downwardly extending bow arm pivotably connected to the first and second car plates respectively. Each of the first and second car plates is configured to support the selective pivoted connection of at least five uplift bows. The sliding tarpaulin system includes first and second tracks and a plurality of uplift bow assemblies that extend laterally across the trailer. The first and second car plates slideably engage the respective first and second tracks.

A tarpaulin fastening device includes a support frame for support of one or more winch/spool assemblies and associated interconnecting line cord while being removably attached to a flat bed trailer. The interconnecting line cord is extracted/retracted from/to its respective winch/spool assembly through actuation of a gear assembly. The interconnecting line cord is woven through eyelets of one or more connection pins and terminated with an anchoring mechanism. Once extracted from the winch/spool assembly, the interconnecting line cord is anchored to a flatbed trailer using the anchor mechanism and each connection pin is alternatingly connected to connection points along a length of tarp covering a payload supported by the flatbed and to connection points along a length of the flatbed trailer. Once the interconnecting line cord is anchored and connected to the tarp and flatbed, the tarp is secured onto the payload by actuation of the gear assembly.

The invention relates to an openable structure for a substrate, such as a lorry, trailer, semitrailer, railway wagon, dumper truck or container, comprising a tarpaulin framework to which, for example, a tarpaulin made of weather-resistant material or a plurality of hingedly couplable wall elements can be connected, wherein the tarpaulin framework has a plurality of slides which are shiftable along at least one guide, wherein the guide comprises a longitudinal member element along which the slides are shiftable. An openable structure permitting smooth opening and closing of the structure is provided according to the invention in that the longitudinal member element is arranged adjustably at least in sections in a direction transversely with respect to the shifting direction of the slides.