TARPAULIN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COVERING

Abstract

A tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering comprising a surface sheet having a plurality of sectioned pockets positioned at the corners of the tarpaulin apparatus. Each of the pockets are sized and adapted to accommodate weights that weigh down the tarpaulin and maintain its position when utilized to cover an object or pile. Each of the pockets have an interior and an opening that is secured by a set of hook and loop fasteners to help keep the weights within the sectioned pocket when the tarpaulin is in use. Also positioned at the edges of the surface sheet are a plurality of grommets through which the tarpaulin apparatus may be further secured with rope, twine, wire or other conventional form of line.

Claims

1. A tarpaulin apparatus comprising: a surface sheet having four corners, a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of edges between said four corners; a first pocket, a second pocket, a third pocket and a fourth pocket, each of said first pocket, second pocket, third pocket and fourth pocket being located on said top surface, at one of said four corners, and having an interior and an opening and sized to accommodate a weight; a plurality of grommets located at said plurality of edges located between said four corners; wherein each of said first pocket, second pocket, third pocket and fourth pocket are placed in a configuration such that said opening of each of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces said opening of another pocket when said tarpaulin apparatus is laid flat.

2. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said opening of said first pocket is lined up with and directly faces only one of said openings of said second pocket, said third pocket and said fourth pocket.

3. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opening of each pocket is rotated towards the center of said surface sheet.

4. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 3, wherein said opening of said first pocket is directly aligned with and faces the opening of said second pocket, and wherein said second pocket lies diagonally across from the first pocket on the sheet.

5. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket having an interior that is sized to accommodate said weight ranging from 1 to 30 lbs.

6. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket having an interior that is sized to accommodate a two-liter bottle.

7. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket further comprising a hook and loop fastener to secure the opening of said pocket.

8. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket further comprising a snap fastener to secure the opening of said pocket.

9. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said surface sheet having a rectangular configuration.

10. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said surface sheet having a square configuration.

11. A tarpaulin apparatus comprising: a surface sheet having four corners, a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of pockets, wherein one pocket is located at each of said four corners, each of said pockets having an interior and a secured opening and sized to accommodate a weight ranging from 1 to 30 lbs.; a plurality of metallic and corrosion resistant grommets; wherein each of said pockets are placed in a configuration such that said secured opening of each of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces said secured opening of another pocket when said tarpaulin apparatus is laid flat.

12. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of grommets is located at one of said four corners of said surface sheet.

13. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, wherein said secured opening is secured with a hook and loop fastener.

14. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, said secured opening of one of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces only one of said secured openings of said other pockets.

15. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, wherein said secured opening of each pocket is rotated towards the center of said surface sheet.

16. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 15, wherein said plurality of pockets comprise a first pocket and a second pocket, and said secured opening of said first pocket is directly aligned with and faces the secured opening of said second pocket, and wherein said second pocket lies diagonally across from the first pocket on the surface sheet.

17. A tarpaulin apparatus comprising: a surface sheet having a top surface; a plurality of pockets located on said top surface, each of said pockets having an interior and a secured opening and sized to accommodate a weight ranging from 1 to 30 lbs.; a plurality of metallic grommets; wherein each of said pockets are placed in a configuration such that said secured opening of each of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces said secured opening of another pocket when said tarpaulin apparatus is laid flat.

18. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 17, wherein said surface sheet has a quadrilateral configuration and four corners.

19. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of said four corners comprises a pocket.

20. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 19, wherein each of said pockets are secured with a hook and loop fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above-described and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings of which

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tarpaulin apparatus of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a corner of the of the tarpaulin apparatus and a sectioned pocket thereof filled with a weighted object;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior of an empty sectioned pocket;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tarpaulin apparatus and an empty sectioned pocket; and

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a corner of the of the tarpaulin apparatus and a sectioned pocket thereof within which there is a disposed a filled bottle of liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] With reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the improved tarpaulin apparatus 10 comprising a surface sheet 12 having a top surface 14 and bottom surface 16. The surface sheet 12 comprises a rectangular configuration of about 810. However, it should be understood and appreciated that other geometric shapes (e.g., square) and sizes (e.g., 1020, 1515, 1620, 2020, 2030, 2040) may be constructed as well, with the further understanding that sizes and dimensions generally fluctuate by up to five percent.

[0022] The surface sheet 12 of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 may be constructed from different materials, where the materials that are utilized factor into the use of the tarpaulin apparatus 10. In a preferred embodiment, the surface sheet 12 is constructed of a polyethylene material that is also preferably poly coated to help render the apparatus waterproof or water resistant, mildew resistant, rot resistant and/or freeze resistant and to increase its strength. However, it should be understood and appreciated that other materials may be utilized instead of polyethylene, including other forms of plastics (e.g., vinyl, polyurethane) and/or canvas.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the tarp is approximately 4 to 6 mil thick. However, other degrees of thickness ranging from 4 mil to a heavy duty thickness of approximately 16 mil may be utilized as well. In a preferred embodiment, the edges or hems of the sheet 12 are reinforced with poly twin and/or heat sealed. In a sturdier or more heavy duty configuration, the edges may be folded and double stitched with cord and further reinforced.

[0024] The tarpaulin apparatus 10 also incorporates grommets 18 that are constructed of aluminum or other forms of metal that are preferably rustproof and/or corrosion resistant. In a preferred embodiment, the grommets 18 are reinforced by additional material in the immediate area surrounding the grommets 18 to prevent them from tearing away from the sheet 12. In a preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in the drawings, each edge of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 comprises at least one grommet 18. However, it should be appreciated and understood that additional grommets 18 may be provided along the edges of the tarpaulin apparatus 10. In an alternate preferred embodiment, grommets 18 may be installed approximately every 18 to 36 inches along each side of the sheet 12 (including at the corners thereof). It should also be appreciated and understood that grommets may be positioned at the corners in conjunction with pockets.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, each of the corners of the sheet 12 of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 comprises a sectioned off pocket 20. Each of the pockets 20 are sized and adapted to accommodate weights that weigh down the tarpaulin and maintain its position when utilized to cover an object or pile. Each of the pockets 20 have an interior and an opening that is secured by a set of hook and loop fasteners 22 (e.g., Velcro) to help keep the weights within the sectioned pocket 20 when the tarpaulin apparatus 10 is in use. As an alternative to hook and loop fasteners 22, the device may also be constructed utilizing zippers, snaps or other conventional securing means. In a preferred embodiment, each of the pockets 20 is constructed by appending an additional pocket section or layer 24 of material using stitching 26 to combine the pocket layer 24 to the sheet 12.

[0026] Preferably, the pockets are adapted to accommodate and strength to hold and carry heavy standalone weights ranging from 1 to 30 lbs, and most preferably from 15 to 20 lbs. The weights that are utilized are preferably sized to fit within the pocket with the hook and loop fastener 22 fastened, but not necessarily so. Bags of sand or other dense material may be placed inside pockets 20 to keep the tarpaulin apparatus in place. In an alternate embodiment, weight bags may be modified to incorporate a hook and loop fastener or zipper that attaches and fastens to the sheet of the tarpaulin apparatus. One such modification is illustrated in U.S. Patent D806488 by the same inventor, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] Notably, each corner pocket 20 is placed and configured so that the opening of a given pocket 20 is lined up with and directly faces the opening of another pocket 20 when said tarp 10 is laid flat and not in use. Thus when four pockets 20 utilized, as shown in FIG. 1, there are two pairs of pockets whose openings are lined up with one another. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening of the bottom left pocket 20 directly faces the opening of the top left pocket 20; and the opening of the bottom right pocket 20 directly faces the opening of the top right pocket 20. This configuration enables each of the pockets 20 to hold the weights inside when the tarpaulin apparatus 10 is in use and draped over an object, even when the hook and loop fasteners 22 are not fastened. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when large homemade weights comprising a bottle B filled with liquid are used which do not rest fully within the pocket 20, each bottle B placed in the corner pockets 20 will remain inside when the tarp 10 is draped over a barbeque grill. In a preferred embodiment, the bottle that can be accommodated has a size of up to two liters.

[0028] In an alternate embodiment of a square or rectangularly shaped tarpaulin apparatus with four corner pockets, the opening of each pocket is rotated towards the center of the sheet. When this configuration is utilized, the opening of a first pocket is directly aligned with and faces the opening of a second pocket where the second pocket lies diagonally across from the first pocket on the sheet. Alternatively, the opening of each pocket may be rotated towards the center of the sheet without directly aligning its opening with that of another pocket.

[0029] Although four pockets 20 are shown in each of the corners and on the top surface 14 of the rectangular sheet 12, it should be appreciated and understood that additional pockets may be placed along the edges of the sheet and/or on the bottom surface 16 of the sheet 12. It should also be appreciated and understood that the corner pockets 20 may be moved so that they are placed along the edges of the sheet 12 instead of at the corners.

[0030] When utilizing a preferred embodiment of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 a user covers an object or area which the user intends to cover, protect or conceal. Once the tarpaulin apparatus 10 is in place as desired, the user fills each of the pockets 20 with weights. Once weights are placed in each of the pockets 20, the user fastens the weights inside pocket with the hook and loop fastener 22. If the weather is particularly harsh, a user may place weights inside pockets 20 prior to positioning the tarp 10.

[0031] The accompanying drawings illustrate several preferred embodiments of a tarpaulin apparatus and method for utilizing said tarpaulin apparatus. However, other types and configurations are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be limiting in that regard.

[0032] Thus, although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment(s) but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment(s). The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiment(s) and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. For example, it should be appreciated and understood that the features illustrated in the drawings may be somewhat exaggerated and not drawn to scale. However, such drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention which can exemplify several further embodiments while still keeping within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while the present embodiment(s) of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be noted that the terms first, and second, and similar terms may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.